30 june 2002
A New Assassination
In a continuation of the assassination policy officially adopted by the Israeli government against Palestinian activists and political leaders, on Sunday, Israeli occupying forces assassinated two Palestinians in Nablus.
At approximately 15:00 on Sunday, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with dozens of tanks and a combat helicopter, surrounded a two-story house owned ‘Ammar Jamil al-Masri in the northeast of Nablus. Immediately, they intensely fired at the house, then called through loudspeakers on al-Masri and his family, who live on the first floor, to get out of the house with their hands up and without clothes on the upper part of the body. When al-Masri got out of the house, Israeli forces arrested him.
Later, Israeli forces claimed that he was evacuated to an Israeli hospital since he was wounded. Israeli forces also handcuffed and blindfolded his child Suhaib, 13, and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces resumed shelling the house throughout an hour, claiming that wanted Palestinians from Hamas were having shelter on the upper floor of the house. The Israeli combat helicopter also launched three missiles at the house. Most of the house was destroyed and fire broke out into it. Two Palestinians were killed:
1. Muhannad Hafezh al-Taher, 26, accused by Israeli occupying forces of leading the military wing of Hamas in Nablus; and
2. ‘Emad al-Din Nour al-Din Darwaza, 24, accused of being al-Taher’s assistant, brother of Salah Darwaza who was assassinated by Israeli occupying forces approximately one year ago.
According to al-Masri’s wife, Kholoud Rashad al-Masri, 34, Israeli occupying forces destroyed remains of the house using bulldozers and artillery shells. She said that the destiny of her husband and child was still unknown.
She also asserted that her husband was not wounded when he was arrested contrary to Israeli media reports.
On the following day, the Israeli prime minister stated that his forces carried out a successful assassination that targeted two wanted members of Hamas
A New Assassination
In a continuation of the assassination policy officially adopted by the Israeli government against Palestinian activists and political leaders, on Sunday, Israeli occupying forces assassinated two Palestinians in Nablus.
At approximately 15:00 on Sunday, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with dozens of tanks and a combat helicopter, surrounded a two-story house owned ‘Ammar Jamil al-Masri in the northeast of Nablus. Immediately, they intensely fired at the house, then called through loudspeakers on al-Masri and his family, who live on the first floor, to get out of the house with their hands up and without clothes on the upper part of the body. When al-Masri got out of the house, Israeli forces arrested him.
Later, Israeli forces claimed that he was evacuated to an Israeli hospital since he was wounded. Israeli forces also handcuffed and blindfolded his child Suhaib, 13, and took him to an unknown destination.
At approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces resumed shelling the house throughout an hour, claiming that wanted Palestinians from Hamas were having shelter on the upper floor of the house. The Israeli combat helicopter also launched three missiles at the house. Most of the house was destroyed and fire broke out into it. Two Palestinians were killed:
1. Muhannad Hafezh al-Taher, 26, accused by Israeli occupying forces of leading the military wing of Hamas in Nablus; and
2. ‘Emad al-Din Nour al-Din Darwaza, 24, accused of being al-Taher’s assistant, brother of Salah Darwaza who was assassinated by Israeli occupying forces approximately one year ago.
According to al-Masri’s wife, Kholoud Rashad al-Masri, 34, Israeli occupying forces destroyed remains of the house using bulldozers and artillery shells. She said that the destiny of her husband and child was still unknown.
She also asserted that her husband was not wounded when he was arrested contrary to Israeli media reports.
On the following day, the Israeli prime minister stated that his forces carried out a successful assassination that targeted two wanted members of Hamas
In a continuation of the assassination policy officially adopted by the Israeli government against Palestinian activists and political leaders, on Monday, Israeli occupying forces assassinated six Palestinians, including three brothers. Two of the killed were apparently wanted by the Israeli Occupying Forces; the others killed in the operation were innocent civilians. The operation took place in al-Joneina neighborhood in Rafah in the south of the Gaza strip.
According the PCHR's investigation, at approximately 07:00, an Israeli apache helicopter fired two missiles against a taxi carrying five passengers. When hit, the taxi was only about 500 m from Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital. The shelling completely destroyed the car, all five passengers were killed. They are:
1. Yasser Sa'id Rizq, 29, a Hamas activist. He was on his way to the hospital for medical treatment after he was injured in his hand at the beginning of this month.
2. Bassam Sa'id Rizq, 32, the brother of Yasser. He accompanying his brother to the hospital.
3. Yousef Sa'id Rizq, 24, also a brother of Yasser, was also accompanying him to the hospital.
4. Ameer Moha`md Qfaa, 28. His house was attacked by the Israeli Occupation Forces a few months ago in an attempt to arrest him, but he was not there.
5. Sami Omr Omr, 29, the taxi driver.
In addition, other cars driving in the area, were hit by big pieces of shrapnel.
Midhat ‘Abdul Hadi al-Jourani, 17, who was sitting in the back seat of one of the cars, was killed when his head was separated from his body by shrapnel.
Moreover, 13 other bystanders were injured. The bodies of the victims were too damaged to be immediately identified. The ambulances and civil defense vehicles arrived to the area and transferred the damaged bodies and wounded people to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital for medical treatment. Those wounded were:
1. ‘Aaisha Mohammed ‘Omar Khalil, 42, wounded by shrapnel and sustained bruises in the arms;
2. Samir Suleiman al-Masri, 24, wounded by shrapnel in the neck and the shoulder;
3. ‘Emad Mahmoud Mousa, 39, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the shoulder;
4. Ibrahim Hassan Na’na’, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the left thigh;
5. Tal’at Mahmoud al-‘Okor, 43, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the limbs;
6. Rasha Mahmoud Mousa, 36, wounded by shrapnel in the left ear;
7. Isma’il Ahmed Abu Sha’ar, 25, wounded by shrapnel in the face;
8. Riadh Zare’ Abu Hadayed, 37, wounded by shrapnel in the left shoulder;
9. Khaled Mousa Hijazi, 36, wounded by shrapnel in the face and the limbs;
10. Mahmoud Mohammed al-Ja’fari, 26, wounded by shrapnel in the face and the limbs;
11. Majdi Mohammed Abu Leila, 20, wounded by shrapnel in the right shoulder;
12. Khaled Mahmoud al-Sha’er, 28, wounded by shrapnel in the right shoulder; and
13. Mohammed ‘Omar Khalil, 42, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the limbs.
The operation came short after the announcement made by the Israeli Government to deploy a series of measures aimed at escalating the attacks against the Palestinians people and their properties.
These measures have been implemented by reoccupying most of the West Bank and announcing that the Israeli Occupying Forces would stay there for a longer period of time. In addition, the Israeli government declared its intention to deport the families of suicide bombers and to resume assassinations.
According the PCHR's investigation, at approximately 07:00, an Israeli apache helicopter fired two missiles against a taxi carrying five passengers. When hit, the taxi was only about 500 m from Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital. The shelling completely destroyed the car, all five passengers were killed. They are:
1. Yasser Sa'id Rizq, 29, a Hamas activist. He was on his way to the hospital for medical treatment after he was injured in his hand at the beginning of this month.
2. Bassam Sa'id Rizq, 32, the brother of Yasser. He accompanying his brother to the hospital.
3. Yousef Sa'id Rizq, 24, also a brother of Yasser, was also accompanying him to the hospital.
4. Ameer Moha`md Qfaa, 28. His house was attacked by the Israeli Occupation Forces a few months ago in an attempt to arrest him, but he was not there.
5. Sami Omr Omr, 29, the taxi driver.
In addition, other cars driving in the area, were hit by big pieces of shrapnel.
Midhat ‘Abdul Hadi al-Jourani, 17, who was sitting in the back seat of one of the cars, was killed when his head was separated from his body by shrapnel.
Moreover, 13 other bystanders were injured. The bodies of the victims were too damaged to be immediately identified. The ambulances and civil defense vehicles arrived to the area and transferred the damaged bodies and wounded people to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital for medical treatment. Those wounded were:
1. ‘Aaisha Mohammed ‘Omar Khalil, 42, wounded by shrapnel and sustained bruises in the arms;
2. Samir Suleiman al-Masri, 24, wounded by shrapnel in the neck and the shoulder;
3. ‘Emad Mahmoud Mousa, 39, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the shoulder;
4. Ibrahim Hassan Na’na’, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the left thigh;
5. Tal’at Mahmoud al-‘Okor, 43, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the limbs;
6. Rasha Mahmoud Mousa, 36, wounded by shrapnel in the left ear;
7. Isma’il Ahmed Abu Sha’ar, 25, wounded by shrapnel in the face;
8. Riadh Zare’ Abu Hadayed, 37, wounded by shrapnel in the left shoulder;
9. Khaled Mousa Hijazi, 36, wounded by shrapnel in the face and the limbs;
10. Mahmoud Mohammed al-Ja’fari, 26, wounded by shrapnel in the face and the limbs;
11. Majdi Mohammed Abu Leila, 20, wounded by shrapnel in the right shoulder;
12. Khaled Mahmoud al-Sha’er, 28, wounded by shrapnel in the right shoulder; and
13. Mohammed ‘Omar Khalil, 42, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the limbs.
The operation came short after the announcement made by the Israeli Government to deploy a series of measures aimed at escalating the attacks against the Palestinians people and their properties.
These measures have been implemented by reoccupying most of the West Bank and announcing that the Israeli Occupying Forces would stay there for a longer period of time. In addition, the Israeli government declared its intention to deport the families of suicide bombers and to resume assassinations.
18 june 2002
Assassination
On Tuesday afternoon, Israeli occupying forces assassinated a Palestinian university student, Yousef Ahmed Mohammed Abu Khdier Bisharat, 21, from Tammun village in Jenin.
At approximately 15:00, Bisharat, a student of Hebron University, was traveling in a taxi that had an Israeli number plate at the eastern entrance of Hebron, apparently traveling to his village. Israeli occupying forces at a military roadblock stopped the taxi.
They forced all those who were traveling in it to get out of it and to take their clothes off. Israeli soldiers checked their identity cards, and soon they opened fire at Bisharat, killing him.
Bisharat was an activist of the Islamic Jihad and was wanted by Israeli occupying forces. When he traveled in the taxi, he was not armed. Israeli forces fired at him after they had found out his identity.
After they assassinated Bisharat, Israeli forces arrested three Palestinian civilians who were traveling in the taxi. According to Palestinian medical sources, Bisharat received more than 14 live bullets in the upper part of the body. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces continued to fire at him from a very close distance even after he died.
Bisharat’s brother Mohammed was also assassinated by Israeli occupying forces on 1 July 2001.
Assassination
On Tuesday afternoon, Israeli occupying forces assassinated a Palestinian university student, Yousef Ahmed Mohammed Abu Khdier Bisharat, 21, from Tammun village in Jenin.
At approximately 15:00, Bisharat, a student of Hebron University, was traveling in a taxi that had an Israeli number plate at the eastern entrance of Hebron, apparently traveling to his village. Israeli occupying forces at a military roadblock stopped the taxi.
They forced all those who were traveling in it to get out of it and to take their clothes off. Israeli soldiers checked their identity cards, and soon they opened fire at Bisharat, killing him.
Bisharat was an activist of the Islamic Jihad and was wanted by Israeli occupying forces. When he traveled in the taxi, he was not armed. Israeli forces fired at him after they had found out his identity.
After they assassinated Bisharat, Israeli forces arrested three Palestinian civilians who were traveling in the taxi. According to Palestinian medical sources, Bisharat received more than 14 live bullets in the upper part of the body. According to eyewitnesses, Israeli forces continued to fire at him from a very close distance even after he died.
Bisharat’s brother Mohammed was also assassinated by Israeli occupying forces on 1 July 2001.
17 june 2002
Assassination
On Monday, Israeli occupying forces assassinated Walid No’man Subeih, 28, from al-Kahder village, southwest of Bethlehem.
At approximately 17:33 on Monday, Subeih stopped his private car near his bakery at Bethlehem-al Kahder road. When he got out of the car, Israeli occupying forces on al-Bakush Hill, west of al-Kahder village, adjacent to the settler road (60), fired at him from a distance of approximately 400m.
He was killed by approximately 10 medium caliber bullets in the neck, the chest, the abdomen and the back. His car was also hit by approximately 10 live bullets. Subeih was a Fatah activist in Bethlehem and had been wanted by Israeli occupying forces since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada.
Assassination
On Monday, Israeli occupying forces assassinated Walid No’man Subeih, 28, from al-Kahder village, southwest of Bethlehem.
At approximately 17:33 on Monday, Subeih stopped his private car near his bakery at Bethlehem-al Kahder road. When he got out of the car, Israeli occupying forces on al-Bakush Hill, west of al-Kahder village, adjacent to the settler road (60), fired at him from a distance of approximately 400m.
He was killed by approximately 10 medium caliber bullets in the neck, the chest, the abdomen and the back. His car was also hit by approximately 10 live bullets. Subeih was a Fatah activist in Bethlehem and had been wanted by Israeli occupying forces since the beginning of al-Aqsa Intifada.
22 may 2002
New Assassination
On Wednesday evening, Israeli occupying forces assassinated three members of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and a bystander in Balata refugee camp. At approximately 19:00, while three members of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades were in the cemetery of Balata refugee camp, Israeli tanks at al-Tour Mount, south of Nablus, fired several flechette shells that killed the three:
1. Mahmoud ‘Abdullah al-Titi, 31;
2. ‘Emad Salim al-Khatib, 27; and
3. Eyad Samir Hamdan, 23.
A passing civilian, Bashir Mohammed Ya’ish, 31, from Nablus, was seriously wounded. He was evacuated to hospital where he soon succumbed to his wound.
Israeli occupying forces admitted responsibility for the assassination. The Israeli daily Yediot Aaharanot on its Arabic web page quoted an Israeli military spokesman as saying that “the most wanted Palestinian in the West Bank, Mahmoud al-Titi, was killed by a tank shell in the cemetery of Balata refugee camp after he was identified.”
He added that “al-Titi held a meeting in the place with some activists of Fatah Movement according to intelligence information. A tank moved and fired several shells at them.”
New Assassination
On Wednesday evening, Israeli occupying forces assassinated three members of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and a bystander in Balata refugee camp. At approximately 19:00, while three members of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades were in the cemetery of Balata refugee camp, Israeli tanks at al-Tour Mount, south of Nablus, fired several flechette shells that killed the three:
1. Mahmoud ‘Abdullah al-Titi, 31;
2. ‘Emad Salim al-Khatib, 27; and
3. Eyad Samir Hamdan, 23.
A passing civilian, Bashir Mohammed Ya’ish, 31, from Nablus, was seriously wounded. He was evacuated to hospital where he soon succumbed to his wound.
Israeli occupying forces admitted responsibility for the assassination. The Israeli daily Yediot Aaharanot on its Arabic web page quoted an Israeli military spokesman as saying that “the most wanted Palestinian in the West Bank, Mahmoud al-Titi, was killed by a tank shell in the cemetery of Balata refugee camp after he was identified.”
He added that “al-Titi held a meeting in the place with some activists of Fatah Movement according to intelligence information. A tank moved and fired several shells at them.”
16 may 2002
New Assassination
In a continuation of the policy of assassination officially adopted by the Israeli government against political and field activists of the Intifada, on Thursday morning, Israeli occupation forces killed a Palestinian young man.
According to investigation carried out by LAW, at approximately 04:00, special units of Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with dozens of armored personnel carriers and military jeeps, moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in Ramallah. They surrounded al-Rabi’ building and broke into a flat on the second floor.
Soon, they shot dead Mohammed Taha Ahmed Ghannam, 21, with three live bullets in the chest and the right leg. Then, they threw his body onto the street. They also arrested two unidentified young men and withdrew from the area at approximately 05:50.
Ghannam’s body was taken to Ramallah Hospital. According to medical sources, Israeli forces used sharp tools to distort his body, as there were injuries in the upper part of the body, and that he was shot from a close distance. Ghannam was a member of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service wanted by Israeli occupying forces.
New Assassination
In a continuation of the policy of assassination officially adopted by the Israeli government against political and field activists of the Intifada, on Thursday morning, Israeli occupation forces killed a Palestinian young man.
According to investigation carried out by LAW, at approximately 04:00, special units of Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with dozens of armored personnel carriers and military jeeps, moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in Ramallah. They surrounded al-Rabi’ building and broke into a flat on the second floor.
Soon, they shot dead Mohammed Taha Ahmed Ghannam, 21, with three live bullets in the chest and the right leg. Then, they threw his body onto the street. They also arrested two unidentified young men and withdrew from the area at approximately 05:50.
Ghannam’s body was taken to Ramallah Hospital. According to medical sources, Israeli forces used sharp tools to distort his body, as there were injuries in the upper part of the body, and that he was shot from a close distance. Ghannam was a member of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service wanted by Israeli occupying forces.
14 may 2002
A New Assassination
In a continuation of the policy of assassination formally adopted by the Israeli government against political and field activists of the Intifada, on Tuesday morning, Israeli occupation forces killed two PNA security officers:
1. Lieutenant Colonel Khaled Abu al-Khairan, 38, from al-Fawar refugee camp, head of the PNA General Intelligence Service in Halhoul; and
2. Lieutenant Ahmed ‘Abdul ‘Azziz Zama’ra, 26, from Halhoul, a member of the General Intelligence Service.
According to investigation carried out by the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment (LAW), at approximately 01:00, a special unit of Israeli occupation forces moved into Zbboud neighborhood in the northwest of Halhoul in the West Bank. They besieged the neighborhood and took up position around offices of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service.
Abu al-Khairan and Zama’ra attempted to escape in their cars, but Israeli forces opened fire at them from close range, wounding them. Israeli forces took the two out of the car; one of them was dead while the other was still alive.
Soon, Israeli soldiers severely beat him for approximately 30 minutes until he died. Then, Israeli forces withdrew from the area.
Israeli forces had earlier moved into Halhoul in February 2002, when combat helicopters had shelled Zama’ra’s house. Then, Israeli forces demolished the house after having searched for him without success.
A New Assassination
In a continuation of the policy of assassination formally adopted by the Israeli government against political and field activists of the Intifada, on Tuesday morning, Israeli occupation forces killed two PNA security officers:
1. Lieutenant Colonel Khaled Abu al-Khairan, 38, from al-Fawar refugee camp, head of the PNA General Intelligence Service in Halhoul; and
2. Lieutenant Ahmed ‘Abdul ‘Azziz Zama’ra, 26, from Halhoul, a member of the General Intelligence Service.
According to investigation carried out by the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment (LAW), at approximately 01:00, a special unit of Israeli occupation forces moved into Zbboud neighborhood in the northwest of Halhoul in the West Bank. They besieged the neighborhood and took up position around offices of the Palestinian General Intelligence Service.
Abu al-Khairan and Zama’ra attempted to escape in their cars, but Israeli forces opened fire at them from close range, wounding them. Israeli forces took the two out of the car; one of them was dead while the other was still alive.
Soon, Israeli soldiers severely beat him for approximately 30 minutes until he died. Then, Israeli forces withdrew from the area.
Israeli forces had earlier moved into Halhoul in February 2002, when combat helicopters had shelled Zama’ra’s house. Then, Israeli forces demolished the house after having searched for him without success.
Marwan Zallum, 42
On Monday night, Israeli occupation forces assassinated two Palestinians:
1. Marwan Zallum, 42, a prominent leader of the Palestinian resistance in Hebron; and
2. Samir Abu Rajab al-Tamimi, 45, a member of the Palestinian Presidential Guard (Force 17).
At approximately 23:45, an Israeli combat helicopter launched two missiles at a civilian cat in al-Salam Street in the west of Hebron. Zallum and al-Tamimi were killed and the car was totally destroyed. On its web page, the Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot said that Israeli combat helicopters shelled the car of Marwan Zallum, identified as the leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Hebron, killing him.
Israeli occupation forces assassinated two Palestinians:
1)Marwan Kayed Zallum, 42, a prominent leader of the Palestinian resistance in Hebron; and
2)Samir Abu Rajab al-Tamimi, 45, a member of the Palestinian Presidential Guard (Force 17).
At approximately 23:45, an Israeli combat helicopter launched two missiles at a civilian cat in al-Salam Street in the west of Hebron.
Zallum and al-Tamimi were killed and the car was totally destroyed.
On its web page, the Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot said that Israeli combat helicopters shelled the car of Marwan Zallum, identified as the leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Hebron, killing him.
Conclusion
Since 1967, the international community have recognized that the Israeli army is a belligerent occupying force in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and that the Geneva Convention Relative the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949 (the Fourth Geneva Convention) is applicable in this context.
The international community have also considered Palestinians in the OPT to be protected persons and that Israel must respect the Convention. The High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention have legal and moral obligations to ensure respect for the Convention in the OPT, to hold accountable those who perpetrate grave breaches of the Convention, and to provide protection for Palestinian civilians.
Article 3 of the Convention prohibits "violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture" at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the protected persons.
Article 146 of the Convention provides:
"Each High Contracting Party shall be under the obligation to search for persons alleged to have committed, or to have ordered to be committed, such grave breaches, and shall bring such persons, regardless of their nationality, before its own courts. It may also, if it prefers, and in accordance with the provisions of its own legislation, hand such persons over for trial to another."
In the face of Israeli practices, PCHR calls upon the international community and the High Contracting Parties:
To immediately intervene to stop war crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians and to force Israeli to respect the Convention in the OPT;
To take concrete measures to stop war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law committed by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians and ensure Israel's respect for the Fourth Convention in the OPT;
To provide immediate international protection for Palestinian civilians in the OPT.
Facts
71 assassinations committed by Israeli occupying forces since the beginning of the Intifada until 30 April 2002
111 Palestinians, including 34 bystanders, 11 of whom were children, killed and 112 wounded
On Monday night, Israeli occupation forces assassinated two Palestinians:
1. Marwan Zallum, 42, a prominent leader of the Palestinian resistance in Hebron; and
2. Samir Abu Rajab al-Tamimi, 45, a member of the Palestinian Presidential Guard (Force 17).
At approximately 23:45, an Israeli combat helicopter launched two missiles at a civilian cat in al-Salam Street in the west of Hebron. Zallum and al-Tamimi were killed and the car was totally destroyed. On its web page, the Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot said that Israeli combat helicopters shelled the car of Marwan Zallum, identified as the leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Hebron, killing him.
Israeli occupation forces assassinated two Palestinians:
1)Marwan Kayed Zallum, 42, a prominent leader of the Palestinian resistance in Hebron; and
2)Samir Abu Rajab al-Tamimi, 45, a member of the Palestinian Presidential Guard (Force 17).
At approximately 23:45, an Israeli combat helicopter launched two missiles at a civilian cat in al-Salam Street in the west of Hebron.
Zallum and al-Tamimi were killed and the car was totally destroyed.
On its web page, the Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot said that Israeli combat helicopters shelled the car of Marwan Zallum, identified as the leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Hebron, killing him.
Conclusion
Since 1967, the international community have recognized that the Israeli army is a belligerent occupying force in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and that the Geneva Convention Relative the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 1949 (the Fourth Geneva Convention) is applicable in this context.
The international community have also considered Palestinians in the OPT to be protected persons and that Israel must respect the Convention. The High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention have legal and moral obligations to ensure respect for the Convention in the OPT, to hold accountable those who perpetrate grave breaches of the Convention, and to provide protection for Palestinian civilians.
Article 3 of the Convention prohibits "violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture" at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the protected persons.
Article 146 of the Convention provides:
"Each High Contracting Party shall be under the obligation to search for persons alleged to have committed, or to have ordered to be committed, such grave breaches, and shall bring such persons, regardless of their nationality, before its own courts. It may also, if it prefers, and in accordance with the provisions of its own legislation, hand such persons over for trial to another."
In the face of Israeli practices, PCHR calls upon the international community and the High Contracting Parties:
To immediately intervene to stop war crimes committed by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians and to force Israeli to respect the Convention in the OPT;
To take concrete measures to stop war crimes and other violations of international humanitarian law committed by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians and ensure Israel's respect for the Fourth Convention in the OPT;
To provide immediate international protection for Palestinian civilians in the OPT.
Facts
71 assassinations committed by Israeli occupying forces since the beginning of the Intifada until 30 April 2002
111 Palestinians, including 34 bystanders, 11 of whom were children, killed and 112 wounded
18 apr 2002
In a continuation of the assassination policy formally adopted by the Israeli government, on Thursday, Israeli occupation forces carried out an assassination attempt that targeted Hussam ‘Aatef Badran, 26, from ‘Askar refugee camp in Nablus.
Three Palestinians were killed and a fourth, Khaled Ahmed Hamdan, was wounded and was arrested together with Badran. Israeli forces also kept the bodies of the three victims.
At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, six Israeli combat helicopters flew over al-Nassaria village, east of Nablus, while Israeli occupation forces surrounded the area. Approximately half an hour later, the Israeli combat helicopters launched six missiles at a Palestinian house in Kherbat Beit Hassan, east of the village.
Then, Israeli occupation forces opened fire at farms surrounding the area, while combat helicopters fired at the area from heavy machine guns. As a result of the shelling and gunfire that continued until 17:30, three Palestinians were killed:
1. Fawzi Ibrahim Mufleh Hilal, 38, from Kherbat Beit Hassan;
2. ‘Atta Ibrahim Samhan, 51, from Kherbat Beit Hassan; and
3. ‘Aadel Mohammed Abu Kheit, 35, from ‘Askar refugee camp.
Later, Israeli occupation forces declared that they had killed two aides of Badran, whom they described as an activist of Hamas. Israeli forces repeatedly raided Badran’s house, searching for him, but he was never at home. His brother was arrested for this reason.
In a continuation of the assassination policy formally adopted by the Israeli government, on Thursday, Israeli occupation forces carried out an assassination attempt that targeted Hussam ‘Aatef Badran, 26, from ‘Askar refugee camp in Nablus.
Three Palestinians were killed and a fourth, Khaled Ahmed Hamdan, was wounded and was arrested together with Badran. Israeli forces also kept the bodies of the three victims.
At approximately 14:00 on Thursday, six Israeli combat helicopters flew over al-Nassaria village, east of Nablus, while Israeli occupation forces surrounded the area. Approximately half an hour later, the Israeli combat helicopters launched six missiles at a Palestinian house in Kherbat Beit Hassan, east of the village.
Then, Israeli occupation forces opened fire at farms surrounding the area, while combat helicopters fired at the area from heavy machine guns. As a result of the shelling and gunfire that continued until 17:30, three Palestinians were killed:
1. Fawzi Ibrahim Mufleh Hilal, 38, from Kherbat Beit Hassan;
2. ‘Atta Ibrahim Samhan, 51, from Kherbat Beit Hassan; and
3. ‘Aadel Mohammed Abu Kheit, 35, from ‘Askar refugee camp.
Later, Israeli occupation forces declared that they had killed two aides of Badran, whom they described as an activist of Hamas. Israeli forces repeatedly raided Badran’s house, searching for him, but he was never at home. His brother was arrested for this reason.
10 apr 2002
Assassination Attempts
Assassination Attempts On Wednesday morning, Israeli occupation forces assassinated Akram Sedqi al-Atrash Abu Sneineh, 28, from Hebron.
According to an investigation carried out by LAW, Israeli occupation forces came to al-‘Abaher area in the south of Dura village, at approximately 15:00. They shelled a house owned by Fawaz and Fayez Mohammed ‘Amru. The two were not in the house.
Soon, Israeli forces brought an old man, a neighbor of the two brothers, and ordered him to extinguish a fire that had broke out on the upper part of the body of a young man. Israeli forces claimed that the young man fired at them from inside the house. Israeli forces continued to shell the house. Then, they demolished it with a bulldozer. The body of the young man remained on the ground until 09:00, when an ambulance evacuated him.
According to eyewitnesses, the young man was blind. Israeli forces claimed that he was a leader of Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in Hebron.
Assassination Attempts
Assassination Attempts On Wednesday morning, Israeli occupation forces assassinated Akram Sedqi al-Atrash Abu Sneineh, 28, from Hebron.
According to an investigation carried out by LAW, Israeli occupation forces came to al-‘Abaher area in the south of Dura village, at approximately 15:00. They shelled a house owned by Fawaz and Fayez Mohammed ‘Amru. The two were not in the house.
Soon, Israeli forces brought an old man, a neighbor of the two brothers, and ordered him to extinguish a fire that had broke out on the upper part of the body of a young man. Israeli forces claimed that the young man fired at them from inside the house. Israeli forces continued to shell the house. Then, they demolished it with a bulldozer. The body of the young man remained on the ground until 09:00, when an ambulance evacuated him.
According to eyewitnesses, the young man was blind. Israeli forces claimed that he was a leader of Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas in Hebron.
6 apr 2002
Assassination Attempts
In a failed assassination attempt that apparently targeted an activist of the Islamic Jihad, on Saturday, two Israeli combat helicopters launched two missiles at a civilian car that stopped near a mosque in Hebron. The car was totally destroyed. The activist survived the attack, but eight passing civilians were wounded, one of whom was in serious condition.
Assassination Attempts
In a failed assassination attempt that apparently targeted an activist of the Islamic Jihad, on Saturday, two Israeli combat helicopters launched two missiles at a civilian car that stopped near a mosque in Hebron. The car was totally destroyed. The activist survived the attack, but eight passing civilians were wounded, one of whom was in serious condition.
30 mar 2002
A New Assassination
In a continuation of the policy of assassination formally adopted by the Israeli government, on Saturday night, Israeli occupation forces assassinated an activist of the Islamic Jihad and willfully killed his cousin in Tulkarm.
According to investigation carried out by LAW – the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, at approximately 22:00, an undercover unit of Israeli occupation forces in a civilian car moved into Saida village in Tulkarm.
They raided the house of Ahmed Fathi Mahmoud ‘Ajaj, 32. Israeli soldiers got out of the car and opened fire at the house. When ‘Ajaj attempted to escape, they wounded him with a live bullet in the foot. When he fell, Israeli soldiers shot him dead with several live bullets in the head, the chest and the abdomen from a very close distance.
As soon as he heard sounds of shooting at his cousin’s house, ‘Azmi ‘Aadel Mahmoud ‘Ajaj, 34, went out to check what happened to his cousin. Israeli soldiers arrested him and took him towards the body of his cousin. When he saw the body he shouted. Then, Israeli soldiers severely attacked him with sharp tools and shot him dead from point-blank range.
He was hit by a live bullet in the head and several live bullets in the abdomen. He was not an activist of any political party.
A New Assassination
In a continuation of the policy of assassination formally adopted by the Israeli government, on Saturday night, Israeli occupation forces assassinated an activist of the Islamic Jihad and willfully killed his cousin in Tulkarm.
According to investigation carried out by LAW – the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, at approximately 22:00, an undercover unit of Israeli occupation forces in a civilian car moved into Saida village in Tulkarm.
They raided the house of Ahmed Fathi Mahmoud ‘Ajaj, 32. Israeli soldiers got out of the car and opened fire at the house. When ‘Ajaj attempted to escape, they wounded him with a live bullet in the foot. When he fell, Israeli soldiers shot him dead with several live bullets in the head, the chest and the abdomen from a very close distance.
As soon as he heard sounds of shooting at his cousin’s house, ‘Azmi ‘Aadel Mahmoud ‘Ajaj, 34, went out to check what happened to his cousin. Israeli soldiers arrested him and took him towards the body of his cousin. When he saw the body he shouted. Then, Israeli soldiers severely attacked him with sharp tools and shot him dead from point-blank range.
He was hit by a live bullet in the head and several live bullets in the abdomen. He was not an activist of any political party.
Mu’tassem Mohammed ‘Abdullah Makhlouf, 27
In a continuation of Israel’s assassination policy, Israeli occupation forces killed two Palestinians.
According to LAW’s investigation, at approximately 14:45 on Thursday, two Israeli combat helicopters launched two missiles at a tin-roofed building that served as a bird farm, in the west of ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. When local residents rushed to the scene to provide assistance after the explosion, the Israeli combat helicopters launched two missiles at them. Later, local residents were able to enter the building, where they found three young men.
One, Mu’tassem Mohammed ‘Abdullah Makhlouf, 27, from ‘Anabta village, was killed, another one, Maher Subhi ‘Abdel-Karim Balbissi, 30, who was critically wounded and then died at hospital, and the third, Rami ‘Abdel-Karim Melhem, 24, was wounded by shrapnel in the face.
In a continuation of Israel’s assassination policy, Israeli occupation forces killed two Palestinians.
According to LAW’s investigation, at approximately 14:45 on Thursday, two Israeli combat helicopters launched two missiles at a tin-roofed building that served as a bird farm, in the west of ‘Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. When local residents rushed to the scene to provide assistance after the explosion, the Israeli combat helicopters launched two missiles at them. Later, local residents were able to enter the building, where they found three young men.
One, Mu’tassem Mohammed ‘Abdullah Makhlouf, 27, from ‘Anabta village, was killed, another one, Maher Subhi ‘Abdel-Karim Balbissi, 30, who was critically wounded and then died at hospital, and the third, Rami ‘Abdel-Karim Melhem, 24, was wounded by shrapnel in the face.
Taleb
|
Ahmed
|
On Sunday morning, Israeli occupying forces carried out a failed assassination attempt against ‘Abdel-Karim Thabet ‘Oweis, a Fatah activist from Jenin refugee camp and currently resident of Ramallah.
Two Israeli combat helicopters fired two missiles at a civilian car, totally destroying it. Samer Tahabet ‘Oweis, the brother of the targeted person, who traveled in the car, was killed. At 14:40 on the same day, an Israeli Apache gunship fired a missile at a civilian car that was traveling on a branch road in Wadi al-Hamas area on its way from Beit Sahour to Jabal al-Mukabber neighborhood, south of Jerusalem. |
Two Palestinians were killed:
1. Taleb Ussama Harmous, 22, from Beit Sahour, a student at An-Najah National University; and
2. Ahmed Ibrahim ‘Aabda, 18, from Bethlehem.
Israeli radio in Arabic quoted an Israeli military spokesman as saying that an Israeli combat helicopter chased a car, in which two Palestinian young men were traveling on their way to carry out a suicide attack, and that the helicopter destroyed the car, killing the two young men.
1. Taleb Ussama Harmous, 22, from Beit Sahour, a student at An-Najah National University; and
2. Ahmed Ibrahim ‘Aabda, 18, from Bethlehem.
Israeli radio in Arabic quoted an Israeli military spokesman as saying that an Israeli combat helicopter chased a car, in which two Palestinian young men were traveling on their way to carry out a suicide attack, and that the helicopter destroyed the car, killing the two young men.
7 mar 2002
Assassination and Extra-Judicial Killing
In a continuation of the policy of assassination formally adopted by the Israeli government, this week, Israeli occupying forces carried out three assassination attempts, killing two Palestinians and wounding a third.
At approximately 02:30 on Thursday, an elite Israeli unit reinforced with military vehicles and two helicopters raided the Palestinian National Authority controlled Sirris village, east of Jenin.
They attacked a Palestinian house apparently to assassinate Mohammed Saleh Suleiman Yassin, 28, an activist of the Islamic Jihad from ‘Aanin village near Jenin.
They fired at its doors and windows. When Yassin attempted to get out of the house, an Israeli combat helicopter fired at him. He was killed by several live bullets.
Assassination and Extra-Judicial Killing
In a continuation of the policy of assassination formally adopted by the Israeli government, this week, Israeli occupying forces carried out three assassination attempts, killing two Palestinians and wounding a third.
At approximately 02:30 on Thursday, an elite Israeli unit reinforced with military vehicles and two helicopters raided the Palestinian National Authority controlled Sirris village, east of Jenin.
They attacked a Palestinian house apparently to assassinate Mohammed Saleh Suleiman Yassin, 28, an activist of the Islamic Jihad from ‘Aanin village near Jenin.
They fired at its doors and windows. When Yassin attempted to get out of the house, an Israeli combat helicopter fired at him. He was killed by several live bullets.
6 mar 2002
Assassination Operation
On Wednesday, an undercover Israeli unit fired at two Palestinian civilians who were walking on agricultural road near Burin village between Ramallah and Nablus.
One of them, Jamal Raja Zeid El-Kassawani, 24, from Ramallah, was killed by several live bullets, and the civilian who accompanied him and two other civilians were also wounded.
In the evening, the Israeli radio in Arabic stated that El-Kassawani was carrying a bag of bombs, but later it stated according to an Israeli military spokesman that he was killed by mistake and that the target was another person.
Assassination Operation
On Wednesday, an undercover Israeli unit fired at two Palestinian civilians who were walking on agricultural road near Burin village between Ramallah and Nablus.
One of them, Jamal Raja Zeid El-Kassawani, 24, from Ramallah, was killed by several live bullets, and the civilian who accompanied him and two other civilians were also wounded.
In the evening, the Israeli radio in Arabic stated that El-Kassawani was carrying a bag of bombs, but later it stated according to an Israeli military spokesman that he was killed by mistake and that the target was another person.
Shayma’ 7
|
Mohammed 8
|
At approximately 13.15 on Monday, an Israeli tank located in “Psagot” settlement to the east of al-Bireh in the West Bank fired at a civilian car close to an UNRWA school in al-Amari in Ramallah governorate in an apparent attempt to assassinate Hussein Abu Kwaik, a Hamas activist.
Abu Kwaik was not in the car at the time; instead, his wife was transporting three of their children family from the school. Another two children were also killed. Those killed were: |
1) Bushra El-Nemer Abu Kwaik, 38;
2) Bara’ Hussein Abu Kwaik, 14;
3) ‘Aziza Hussein Abu Kwaik, 17 ;
4) Mohammed Hussein Abu Kwaik, 8;
5) ‘Arafat Ibrahim al-Masri, 16; and
6) Shayma’ ‘Emad al-Masri, 7.
In addition, ten passing civilians were injured.
In another assassination, two Israeli combat helicopters launched four air-to-surface missiles at a civilian car in Bitounia in the west of Ramallah. Three Fatah activists were traveling in the car. The car was destroyed and the three activists were killed:
1) Muhannad Sa’id Munib Deiria (Abu Halawa), 23, from ‘Aqraba village in Nablus;
2) Fawzi Hamdi Mustafa Marar, 25, from Ramallah; and
3) ‘Omar Hussein Nemer Qe’dan, 25, from Al-Jarousha village in Tulkarm.
In addition, two passing civilians were injured.
Abu Halawa survived a previous assassination attempt when Israeli occupying forces in “Psagot” settlement, east of Al-Bireh, fired two rockets at a convoy of cars accompanying Marwan Barghouthi, Secretary of Fatah Movement in the West Bank and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
A rocket hit Abu Halawa’s car and he was injured. Israeli sources stated then that the assassination attempt targeted Abu Halawa (and not Barghouthi) claiming that he was responsible for a number of military attacks against Jewish settlers.
2) Bara’ Hussein Abu Kwaik, 14;
3) ‘Aziza Hussein Abu Kwaik, 17 ;
4) Mohammed Hussein Abu Kwaik, 8;
5) ‘Arafat Ibrahim al-Masri, 16; and
6) Shayma’ ‘Emad al-Masri, 7.
In addition, ten passing civilians were injured.
In another assassination, two Israeli combat helicopters launched four air-to-surface missiles at a civilian car in Bitounia in the west of Ramallah. Three Fatah activists were traveling in the car. The car was destroyed and the three activists were killed:
1) Muhannad Sa’id Munib Deiria (Abu Halawa), 23, from ‘Aqraba village in Nablus;
2) Fawzi Hamdi Mustafa Marar, 25, from Ramallah; and
3) ‘Omar Hussein Nemer Qe’dan, 25, from Al-Jarousha village in Tulkarm.
In addition, two passing civilians were injured.
Abu Halawa survived a previous assassination attempt when Israeli occupying forces in “Psagot” settlement, east of Al-Bireh, fired two rockets at a convoy of cars accompanying Marwan Barghouthi, Secretary of Fatah Movement in the West Bank and a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council.
A rocket hit Abu Halawa’s car and he was injured. Israeli sources stated then that the assassination attempt targeted Abu Halawa (and not Barghouthi) claiming that he was responsible for a number of military attacks against Jewish settlers.
19 feb 2002
Continued Assassinations and Extra-Judicial Killings
At approximately 11:45 on Tuesday, 19 February 2002, an Israeli combat helicopter fired a rocket at a media office of Hamas, located on the first floor of a four-story building, in which three families live, owned by Mohammed ‘Eissa Abu Salah in Jablaya in the northern Gaza Strip. Two Palestinian civilians were killed:
1) Eyad Khalil Abu Safeya, 23, an employee of the office; and
2) Mohammed ‘Ali Hamdan, 25, a vistor.
In addition, ten Palestinian civilians were injured, including 9-year-old Einas Ibrahim Salah and 14-year-old ‘Eissa Mahmoud Salah, who were injured by shrapnel throughout the body. The building and neighboring houses were also damaged.
Continued Assassinations and Extra-Judicial Killings
At approximately 11:45 on Tuesday, 19 February 2002, an Israeli combat helicopter fired a rocket at a media office of Hamas, located on the first floor of a four-story building, in which three families live, owned by Mohammed ‘Eissa Abu Salah in Jablaya in the northern Gaza Strip. Two Palestinian civilians were killed:
1) Eyad Khalil Abu Safeya, 23, an employee of the office; and
2) Mohammed ‘Ali Hamdan, 25, a vistor.
In addition, ten Palestinian civilians were injured, including 9-year-old Einas Ibrahim Salah and 14-year-old ‘Eissa Mahmoud Salah, who were injured by shrapnel throughout the body. The building and neighboring houses were also damaged.
Nazih Mahmoud Abu Sibaa’ 29
In a continuation of the policy of assassination formally adopted by the Israeli government, Israeli occupation forces killed three Palestinians in two assassination attempts in Jabalya in the Gaza Strip and in Jenin in the West Bank.
At approximately 13:30 on Saturday, an explosion was heard near the central market in Jenin. People rushed to the area where they found a body of a young man, which was cut into pieces. He was identified as Nazih Mahmoud Abu Sibaa’, 29, from Jenin refugee camp.
According to investigation carried out by LAW – the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, at approximately 13:00, Abu Sibaa’ left Al-Iman School in the north of Jenin, where he used to work as a teacher. He walked towards the central market. When he was close to a local car, a heavy explosion occurred.
Abu Sibaa’ was hit and his body was thrown sevral meters away.
In addition, four Palestinian civilians were injured, including 2-year-old Ayman Jihad Abu Mashayekh. According to Palestinian security services, two bombs were planted in the car, and according to eyewitnesses, an Israeli scouting aircraft were seen flying over Jenin since the morning, and apparently it exploded the bombs.
In a continuation of the policy of assassination formally adopted by the Israeli government, Israeli occupation forces killed three Palestinians in two assassination attempts in Jabalya in the Gaza Strip and in Jenin in the West Bank.
At approximately 13:30 on Saturday, an explosion was heard near the central market in Jenin. People rushed to the area where they found a body of a young man, which was cut into pieces. He was identified as Nazih Mahmoud Abu Sibaa’, 29, from Jenin refugee camp.
According to investigation carried out by LAW – the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, at approximately 13:00, Abu Sibaa’ left Al-Iman School in the north of Jenin, where he used to work as a teacher. He walked towards the central market. When he was close to a local car, a heavy explosion occurred.
Abu Sibaa’ was hit and his body was thrown sevral meters away.
In addition, four Palestinian civilians were injured, including 2-year-old Ayman Jihad Abu Mashayekh. According to Palestinian security services, two bombs were planted in the car, and according to eyewitnesses, an Israeli scouting aircraft were seen flying over Jenin since the morning, and apparently it exploded the bombs.
4 feb 2002
Continued Assassinations and Extra-Judicial Killings
A heavy explosion occurred in a civilian car in al-Shouka area in the northeast of Rafah. Five Palestinians,
Mohammed Fayez Abu Sunaima, 26;
Ibrahim Hussein Jarbou’, 25;
Ayman ‘Abdul Qader al-Buhdari, 31;
Majed Marzuq Abu Mu’ammar, 25; and
Nasser Ahmed Abu ‘Aathra, 30,
were traveling in the car.
An Israeli surveillance aircraft was seen flying over the area and then a heavy explosion occurred. It is believed that an Israeli combat helicopter fired a rocket at the car.
The car was thrown 15m away.
Residents of the area went to check what had happened. They reported that they saw a car burning and several bodies.
Several residents were able to get one man out of the car. He was later identified as Nasser Abu ‘Aathra. He sustained critical injuries and was later pronounced dead.
The other four Palestinians were killed instantly.
Continued Assassinations and Extra-Judicial Killings
A heavy explosion occurred in a civilian car in al-Shouka area in the northeast of Rafah. Five Palestinians,
Mohammed Fayez Abu Sunaima, 26;
Ibrahim Hussein Jarbou’, 25;
Ayman ‘Abdul Qader al-Buhdari, 31;
Majed Marzuq Abu Mu’ammar, 25; and
Nasser Ahmed Abu ‘Aathra, 30,
were traveling in the car.
An Israeli surveillance aircraft was seen flying over the area and then a heavy explosion occurred. It is believed that an Israeli combat helicopter fired a rocket at the car.
The car was thrown 15m away.
Residents of the area went to check what had happened. They reported that they saw a car burning and several bodies.
Several residents were able to get one man out of the car. He was later identified as Nasser Abu ‘Aathra. He sustained critical injuries and was later pronounced dead.
The other four Palestinians were killed instantly.
Adli Ahmed Yousef Hamdan (Baker), 27
In a continuation of Israel’s assassination policy, on Thursday, 24 January 2002, Israeli occupation forces killed one and seriously injured two Palestinians in Khan Yunis.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 22:00, two Israeli combat helicopters fired a rocket at a car in which three Palestinians were traveling near Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.
The driver, ‘Adli Ahmed Yousef Hamdan, known as “Baker”, 27, was killed by multiple shrapnel injuries.
The other two Palestinians, Hussam Ahmed Nemer Hamdan, 28, and Hussam Mustafa Shahwan, were seriously injured.
In a continuation of Israel’s assassination policy, on Thursday, 24 January 2002, Israeli occupation forces killed one and seriously injured two Palestinians in Khan Yunis.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 22:00, two Israeli combat helicopters fired a rocket at a car in which three Palestinians were traveling near Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis.
The driver, ‘Adli Ahmed Yousef Hamdan, known as “Baker”, 27, was killed by multiple shrapnel injuries.
The other two Palestinians, Hussam Ahmed Nemer Hamdan, 28, and Hussam Mustafa Shahwan, were seriously injured.
Yousef Khaled al-Sarkaji, 41
In a continuation of Israel’s assassination policy, on Tuesday, 22 January 2002, Israeli occupation forces killed four Hamas activists in Nablus, all of whom were wanted by the Israeli forces.
According to investigations carried out by LAW, at approximately 04:00, seven Israeli armored personnel carriers and ten military jeeps moved into Nablus from the north and the northwest. On their way, they destroyed a roadblock of the Palestinian Presidential Guard (Force 17) on Nablus-‘Assira road. Soon, they moved towards a seven-story building and surrounded it.
They destroyed its elevator and fired sound bombs and live bullets at one of its flats, located on the first floor. Then, they entered the flat through its windows.
An ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society moved towards the area, but Israeli forces denied its entry into the area. They also prevented residents of the building from leaving. At approximately 08:30, the Israeli forces withdrew from the area after they had arrested nine residents of the building.
After the Israeli forces withdrew, Palestinian security personnel and security men entered the flat that was targeted by Israeli forces, where they found bodies of four Palestinians who were identified as:
1) Yousef Khaled El-Sarkaji, 41, from ‘Ein Beit Al-Maa’ refugee camp in Nablus;
2) Nassim Shafiq Abu El-Rous, 27, from Nablus;
3) Jasser As’ad Samaru, 27, from Nablus; and
4) Karim Munir Mafarja, 25, from Ramallah.
In a continuation of Israel’s assassination policy, on Tuesday, 22 January 2002, Israeli occupation forces killed four Hamas activists in Nablus, all of whom were wanted by the Israeli forces.
According to investigations carried out by LAW, at approximately 04:00, seven Israeli armored personnel carriers and ten military jeeps moved into Nablus from the north and the northwest. On their way, they destroyed a roadblock of the Palestinian Presidential Guard (Force 17) on Nablus-‘Assira road. Soon, they moved towards a seven-story building and surrounded it.
They destroyed its elevator and fired sound bombs and live bullets at one of its flats, located on the first floor. Then, they entered the flat through its windows.
An ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society moved towards the area, but Israeli forces denied its entry into the area. They also prevented residents of the building from leaving. At approximately 08:30, the Israeli forces withdrew from the area after they had arrested nine residents of the building.
After the Israeli forces withdrew, Palestinian security personnel and security men entered the flat that was targeted by Israeli forces, where they found bodies of four Palestinians who were identified as:
1) Yousef Khaled El-Sarkaji, 41, from ‘Ein Beit Al-Maa’ refugee camp in Nablus;
2) Nassim Shafiq Abu El-Rous, 27, from Nablus;
3) Jasser As’ad Samaru, 27, from Nablus; and
4) Karim Munir Mafarja, 25, from Ramallah.
Karim Munir Mafarja, 25
In the morning, Israeli radio in Arabic quoted the Israeli military spokesman as saying that “Israeli forces carried out a special operation in Nablus and killed four wanted Palestinians.”
He claimed that the four victims fired at the Israeli forces, but residents of the building that was attacked asserted that they did not hear sounds of shooting, rather they heard only sounds of explosions. In photos of the four victims shown on Arab and international television channels, their bodies appeared distorted and burnt, with blood covering the surface of the bathtub.
In the morning, Israeli radio in Arabic quoted the Israeli military spokesman as saying that “Israeli forces carried out a special operation in Nablus and killed four wanted Palestinians.”
He claimed that the four victims fired at the Israeli forces, but residents of the building that was attacked asserted that they did not hear sounds of shooting, rather they heard only sounds of explosions. In photos of the four victims shown on Arab and international television channels, their bodies appeared distorted and burnt, with blood covering the surface of the bathtub.
Ra’ed Mohammed Sa’id El-Karmi 27
In a continuation of the policy of assassination and extra-judicial killing formally adopted by the Israeli government, the Israeli forces committed a new assassination. An activist of Fatah Movement in Tulkarm, Ra’ed Mohammed Sa’id El-Karmi, 27, was killed on Monday morning. Israeli forces accuse El-Karmi of being a leader of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of Fatah.
According to investigation carried out by LAW – the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, at approximately 10:45 on Monday, a heavy explosion occurred in the Cemetery Street in the eastern part of Tulkarm. After having heard the sound of the explosion, people hurried to the area where they found El-Karmi’s body. In his testimony to LAW, an eyewitness said:
At approximately 10:45 on Monday, I was sitting in the balcony of my house in the eastern part of Tulkarm. Suddenly, I heard the sound of a heavy explosion. I looked at the place from which the sound came and saw black smoke rising. I hurried to the place of the explosion, where I saw the body of a young man on the ground.
I identified him as Ra’ed El-Karmi. There was a hole in the sidewalk of the street, where a bomb was apparently planted, and the body of El-Karmi was approximately 3m away. At the same time I saw an Israeli MK plane flying over the area. I saw that plane three days ago also.
El-Karmi had survived a previous assassination attempt on 6 September 2001. Two Israeli combat helicopter fired three rockets at a car in which El-Karmi and two other young men, ‘Omar Mohammed Subeh, 22, and Mustafa ‘Aahed ‘Anbas, 19, were traveling.
El-Karmi survived with shrapnel injuries in the left eye, while the other young men were killed.
In a continuation of the policy of assassination and extra-judicial killing formally adopted by the Israeli government, the Israeli forces committed a new assassination. An activist of Fatah Movement in Tulkarm, Ra’ed Mohammed Sa’id El-Karmi, 27, was killed on Monday morning. Israeli forces accuse El-Karmi of being a leader of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades of Fatah.
According to investigation carried out by LAW – the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, at approximately 10:45 on Monday, a heavy explosion occurred in the Cemetery Street in the eastern part of Tulkarm. After having heard the sound of the explosion, people hurried to the area where they found El-Karmi’s body. In his testimony to LAW, an eyewitness said:
At approximately 10:45 on Monday, I was sitting in the balcony of my house in the eastern part of Tulkarm. Suddenly, I heard the sound of a heavy explosion. I looked at the place from which the sound came and saw black smoke rising. I hurried to the place of the explosion, where I saw the body of a young man on the ground.
I identified him as Ra’ed El-Karmi. There was a hole in the sidewalk of the street, where a bomb was apparently planted, and the body of El-Karmi was approximately 3m away. At the same time I saw an Israeli MK plane flying over the area. I saw that plane three days ago also.
El-Karmi had survived a previous assassination attempt on 6 September 2001. Two Israeli combat helicopter fired three rockets at a car in which El-Karmi and two other young men, ‘Omar Mohammed Subeh, 22, and Mustafa ‘Aahed ‘Anbas, 19, were traveling.
El-Karmi survived with shrapnel injuries in the left eye, while the other young men were killed.
Page: 2 - 1
