21 oct 2002
Assassination
On Monday 21 October 2002, medical sources in Hebron declared that 46-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim al-Haimouni died of a wound he sustained when Israeli forces attempted to assassinate Mohammed Ayoub Seder, an activist of the Islamic Jihad on 10 December 2001.
In the failed assassination attempt, two children, Burhan Mohammed Ibrahim al-Haimouni, 3, and Shadi Ahmed ‘Abdul Mo’ti ‘Arafa, were killed, and 14 other civilians, including Mohammed al-Haimouni, were wounded. Al-Haimouni was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body and his left leg and right foot were cut.
Assassination
On Monday 21 October 2002, medical sources in Hebron declared that 46-year-old Mohammed Ibrahim al-Haimouni died of a wound he sustained when Israeli forces attempted to assassinate Mohammed Ayoub Seder, an activist of the Islamic Jihad on 10 December 2001.
In the failed assassination attempt, two children, Burhan Mohammed Ibrahim al-Haimouni, 3, and Shadi Ahmed ‘Abdul Mo’ti ‘Arafa, were killed, and 14 other civilians, including Mohammed al-Haimouni, were wounded. Al-Haimouni was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body and his left leg and right foot were cut.
14 oct 2002
Israeli occupying forces committed another assassination in Jenin.
According to information available for PCHR, at approximately 17:00 on Monday, 14 October, three Palestinians:
Wassim Ahmed Saba'na, 23;
Mohammed Faisal Tawfiq Nazzal, 24, both from Jenin; and
Mohammed Nafe' Mousa, 27, from Marka village,
were traveling in a civilian car on branch road between the villages of Kufor Qoud and Kafirat, southwest of Jenin. When they arrived in the al-Manshia area a civilian car that had a Palestinian number intercepted them. Eight veiled and armed people, an undercover unit of the Israeli occupying forces, got out of the car. Three Israeli helicopters flew over the area and four Israeli armored personnel carriers arrived to reinforce the undercover unit.
At approximately 19:30, the Israeli liaison phoned its Palestinian counterpart, informing that Israeli forces killed two Palestinians, and requesting an ambulance to come to a Israeli military base, south of Jenin, to retrieve the bodies.
The two bodies were moved to hospital in Jenin, where the two victims were identified as Wassim Ahmed Saba'ana, who was shot by seven live bullets in the head, the chest, the back and the left shoulder and leg, and Mohammed Mousa Nafe', 27, who was shot by two live bullets in the head and the chest. The third Palestinian was seriously wounded and arrested. The three were activists of the Islamic Jihad in Jenin.
Israeli occupying forces committed another assassination in Jenin.
According to information available for PCHR, at approximately 17:00 on Monday, 14 October, three Palestinians:
Wassim Ahmed Saba'na, 23;
Mohammed Faisal Tawfiq Nazzal, 24, both from Jenin; and
Mohammed Nafe' Mousa, 27, from Marka village,
were traveling in a civilian car on branch road between the villages of Kufor Qoud and Kafirat, southwest of Jenin. When they arrived in the al-Manshia area a civilian car that had a Palestinian number intercepted them. Eight veiled and armed people, an undercover unit of the Israeli occupying forces, got out of the car. Three Israeli helicopters flew over the area and four Israeli armored personnel carriers arrived to reinforce the undercover unit.
At approximately 19:30, the Israeli liaison phoned its Palestinian counterpart, informing that Israeli forces killed two Palestinians, and requesting an ambulance to come to a Israeli military base, south of Jenin, to retrieve the bodies.
The two bodies were moved to hospital in Jenin, where the two victims were identified as Wassim Ahmed Saba'ana, who was shot by seven live bullets in the head, the chest, the back and the left shoulder and leg, and Mohammed Mousa Nafe', 27, who was shot by two live bullets in the head and the chest. The third Palestinian was seriously wounded and arrested. The three were activists of the Islamic Jihad in Jenin.
13 oct 2002
Assassination
In a continuation of the policy of assassination officially adopted by the Israeli government, this week, Israeli occupying forces committed two new assassinations, in which three Palestinians were killed in Bethlehem and Jenin.
The first assassination took place on Sunday evening, in which Mohammed Taleb Eshteiwi 'Ebayat, 27, from Bethlehem, was killed.
According to information available for PCHR, 'Ebayat went in the evening to Beit Jala Hospital with his sick mother. At approximately 20:10, he exited the hospital to make a phone call from a public phone. As soon as he entered the phone cabin, a heavy explosion occurred and he was instantly killed.
According to eyewitnesses, the sound of the explosion was heard from a distance of several kilometers, while the explosion threw 'Ebayat's body about 15m away from the phone cabin. An Israeli helicopter was seen flying over the area shortly before the explosion occurred. Later, an Israeli military spokesman admitted responsibility for assassinating 'Ebayat, according to the Israeli radio in Arabic. 'Ebayat was wanted by Israeli occupying forces for his activities in the Intiafada.
Assassination
In a continuation of the policy of assassination officially adopted by the Israeli government, this week, Israeli occupying forces committed two new assassinations, in which three Palestinians were killed in Bethlehem and Jenin.
The first assassination took place on Sunday evening, in which Mohammed Taleb Eshteiwi 'Ebayat, 27, from Bethlehem, was killed.
According to information available for PCHR, 'Ebayat went in the evening to Beit Jala Hospital with his sick mother. At approximately 20:10, he exited the hospital to make a phone call from a public phone. As soon as he entered the phone cabin, a heavy explosion occurred and he was instantly killed.
According to eyewitnesses, the sound of the explosion was heard from a distance of several kilometers, while the explosion threw 'Ebayat's body about 15m away from the phone cabin. An Israeli helicopter was seen flying over the area shortly before the explosion occurred. Later, an Israeli military spokesman admitted responsibility for assassinating 'Ebayat, according to the Israeli radio in Arabic. 'Ebayat was wanted by Israeli occupying forces for his activities in the Intiafada.
26 sept 2002
A New Assassination Attempt
On Thursday, Israeli occupying forces carried out a failed assassination attempt that targeted Mohammed al-Dheif, 39, from Khan Yunis, whom Israeli occupying forces claim is the leader of the military wing of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
According to PCHR's investigation and eyewitnesses' testimonies, at approximately 14:00, Mohammed al-Dheif left a consolation house of Bahaa' Abu Sultan in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City. He traveled in a green Mercedes with two of his guards. When the car arrived at the crowded crossroads of al-Jalaa' Street and al-Nasser Street, two Israeli combat helicopters fired two missiles at it. The car was destroyed and the two guards were killed:
1. 'Abdul Rahim Isma'il Hamdan, 40, from Khan Yunis; and
2. 'Eissa 'Ateya Salem Baraka, 35, from Khan Yunis.
Al-Dheif was wounded. He was able to get out of the car before the first missile was launched. In addition, another car that was traveling behind the targeted car was hit by shrapnel and its driver 'Alaa' Hassan Ibrahim Abu Ghalioun was wounded.
Forty passing civilians, including 10 school children, were wounded. A number of houses and civilian facilities were also damaged:
1. A 200-square-meter, three-story house, in which 20 persons live, owned by Mohammed 'Abdul Fattah Mahmoud Hammouda, who was also
wounded;
2. A 200-square-meter, three-story house, in which 30 persons live, owned by 'Adnan Hussein Ibrahim Madhi;
3. A 240-square-meter, three-story house, in which 28 persons live, owned by Maher 'Ali Ibrahim Hassouna;
4. A 120-square-meter, two-story house, in which 8 persons live, owned by Hassan Mohammed al-Farram; and
5. A pharmacy owned by Maher Jamil 'Abdul Rahim al-Sahhar.
Israeli security sources admitted that the operation aimed at assassinating Mohammed al-Dheif and that he was traveling in the targeted car and was wounded and lost one of his eyes. The same sources considered the survival of al-Dhief as "a bad luck" rather than a failure.
Al-Deif has previously been subjected to assassination attempts by Israeli occupying forces, the latest on 22 August 2001, when an Israeli combat helicopter attacked a car in which he was traveling with Yahia al-Ghoul, 40, wanted by Israeli forces, in al-Boreij in the central Gaza Strip. Al-Ghoul's son was killed.
This is not the first time that Israeli occupying forces had carried out assassination attempts in civilian populated area. Israeli F-16 fighter jets attacked a residential area in Gaza in July in an assassination attempt that targeted Sheikh Salah Shehada, whom Israeli occupying forces described as the leader of the military wing of Hamas. 12 civilians were confirmed killed.
The Israeli Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon admitted that he gave orders to carry out that assassination, although he knew that Shehada's wife and daughter were accompanying him.
A New Assassination Attempt
On Thursday, Israeli occupying forces carried out a failed assassination attempt that targeted Mohammed al-Dheif, 39, from Khan Yunis, whom Israeli occupying forces claim is the leader of the military wing of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
According to PCHR's investigation and eyewitnesses' testimonies, at approximately 14:00, Mohammed al-Dheif left a consolation house of Bahaa' Abu Sultan in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City. He traveled in a green Mercedes with two of his guards. When the car arrived at the crowded crossroads of al-Jalaa' Street and al-Nasser Street, two Israeli combat helicopters fired two missiles at it. The car was destroyed and the two guards were killed:
1. 'Abdul Rahim Isma'il Hamdan, 40, from Khan Yunis; and
2. 'Eissa 'Ateya Salem Baraka, 35, from Khan Yunis.
Al-Dheif was wounded. He was able to get out of the car before the first missile was launched. In addition, another car that was traveling behind the targeted car was hit by shrapnel and its driver 'Alaa' Hassan Ibrahim Abu Ghalioun was wounded.
Forty passing civilians, including 10 school children, were wounded. A number of houses and civilian facilities were also damaged:
1. A 200-square-meter, three-story house, in which 20 persons live, owned by Mohammed 'Abdul Fattah Mahmoud Hammouda, who was also
wounded;
2. A 200-square-meter, three-story house, in which 30 persons live, owned by 'Adnan Hussein Ibrahim Madhi;
3. A 240-square-meter, three-story house, in which 28 persons live, owned by Maher 'Ali Ibrahim Hassouna;
4. A 120-square-meter, two-story house, in which 8 persons live, owned by Hassan Mohammed al-Farram; and
5. A pharmacy owned by Maher Jamil 'Abdul Rahim al-Sahhar.
Israeli security sources admitted that the operation aimed at assassinating Mohammed al-Dheif and that he was traveling in the targeted car and was wounded and lost one of his eyes. The same sources considered the survival of al-Dhief as "a bad luck" rather than a failure.
Al-Deif has previously been subjected to assassination attempts by Israeli occupying forces, the latest on 22 August 2001, when an Israeli combat helicopter attacked a car in which he was traveling with Yahia al-Ghoul, 40, wanted by Israeli forces, in al-Boreij in the central Gaza Strip. Al-Ghoul's son was killed.
This is not the first time that Israeli occupying forces had carried out assassination attempts in civilian populated area. Israeli F-16 fighter jets attacked a residential area in Gaza in July in an assassination attempt that targeted Sheikh Salah Shehada, whom Israeli occupying forces described as the leader of the military wing of Hamas. 12 civilians were confirmed killed.
The Israeli Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon admitted that he gave orders to carry out that assassination, although he knew that Shehada's wife and daughter were accompanying him.
31 aug 2002
Assassinations
In a continuation of the policy of assassination officially adopted by the Israeli government against Palestinian activists and political leaders, on Saturday, 31 August, the Israeli occupying forces conducted an assassination, in which a member of the Palestinian Military Intelligence Service and four children were killed and six others were wounded.
According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 09:00 an Israeli scouting aircraft was seen flying over Tubas town in the northern Jordan Valley. The aircraft flew over the area until approximately 15:00 when it disappeared. At approximately 17:00, while a civilian car that had an Israeli number, a black Mitsubishi, was traveling on the main road in the east of Tubas, a populated area, two Israeli combat helicopters suddenly flew over the area and fired three missiles at the car.
The first missile hit the ground, approximately 30m away from the car, the second one hit the back side of the car, while the third one hit the car directly. Jihad Sawafta, 28, from Tubas, wanted by Israeli occupying forces, was traveling in the car but was able to escape when the first missile hit the ground. He was seriously wounded. When people heard sounds of explosions, they hurried towards the affected area. Medical and rescue personnel evacuated three burnt bodies from the car. The three persons were identified as:
1. Ra’fat Qadri ‘Abdul Latif Daraghma, 29, from Tubas town, a member of the Palestinian Military Intelligence Service who was wanted by Israeli occupying forces for having been a leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in the area;
2. Sari ‘Abdul Karim Subeih, 17, from Tayaseer village; and
3. Yazid Yousef Mahmoud ‘Abdul Raziq, 16, from Tayaseer village.
Two children were also killed by shrapnel while they were near their houses in the eastern part of Tubas:
1. Ussama Ibrahim Mufleh Abu al-Zeit, 14, hit by shrapnel in the back; and
2. Bahira Burhan Abu al-Zeit, 7, hit by shrapnel in the chest and the abdomen.
In addition, five passing civilians were wounded:
1. Ahmed Samer Hisham, 7, from Tubas, seriously wounded by shrapnel in the abdomen;
2. Ibrahim Salama Abu ‘Aamer, 28, from Tubas, wounded by shrapnel in the right shoulder;
3. Nahla Salama Abu ‘Aamer, 40, from Jordan, who was in a visit to her relatives, wounded by shrapnel in the abdomen;
4. Sayel Mustafa Daraghma, 26, from Tubas, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the right shoulder; and
5. Mohammed ‘Ali Ibrahim Abu Muhsen, 25, from Tubas, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body
Assassinations
In a continuation of the policy of assassination officially adopted by the Israeli government against Palestinian activists and political leaders, on Saturday, 31 August, the Israeli occupying forces conducted an assassination, in which a member of the Palestinian Military Intelligence Service and four children were killed and six others were wounded.
According to information available to PCHR, at approximately 09:00 an Israeli scouting aircraft was seen flying over Tubas town in the northern Jordan Valley. The aircraft flew over the area until approximately 15:00 when it disappeared. At approximately 17:00, while a civilian car that had an Israeli number, a black Mitsubishi, was traveling on the main road in the east of Tubas, a populated area, two Israeli combat helicopters suddenly flew over the area and fired three missiles at the car.
The first missile hit the ground, approximately 30m away from the car, the second one hit the back side of the car, while the third one hit the car directly. Jihad Sawafta, 28, from Tubas, wanted by Israeli occupying forces, was traveling in the car but was able to escape when the first missile hit the ground. He was seriously wounded. When people heard sounds of explosions, they hurried towards the affected area. Medical and rescue personnel evacuated three burnt bodies from the car. The three persons were identified as:
1. Ra’fat Qadri ‘Abdul Latif Daraghma, 29, from Tubas town, a member of the Palestinian Military Intelligence Service who was wanted by Israeli occupying forces for having been a leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade in the area;
2. Sari ‘Abdul Karim Subeih, 17, from Tayaseer village; and
3. Yazid Yousef Mahmoud ‘Abdul Raziq, 16, from Tayaseer village.
Two children were also killed by shrapnel while they were near their houses in the eastern part of Tubas:
1. Ussama Ibrahim Mufleh Abu al-Zeit, 14, hit by shrapnel in the back; and
2. Bahira Burhan Abu al-Zeit, 7, hit by shrapnel in the chest and the abdomen.
In addition, five passing civilians were wounded:
1. Ahmed Samer Hisham, 7, from Tubas, seriously wounded by shrapnel in the abdomen;
2. Ibrahim Salama Abu ‘Aamer, 28, from Tubas, wounded by shrapnel in the right shoulder;
3. Nahla Salama Abu ‘Aamer, 40, from Jordan, who was in a visit to her relatives, wounded by shrapnel in the abdomen;
4. Sayel Mustafa Daraghma, 26, from Tubas, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the right shoulder; and
5. Mohammed ‘Ali Ibrahim Abu Muhsen, 25, from Tubas, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body
12 aug 2002
New Assassinations
In a continuation of the assassination policy officially adopted by the Israeli government, on Monday, Israeli occupying forces committed two extra-judicial assassinations, in which three Palestinians were killed, one of them was used by Israeli forces as a human shield.
At approximately 13:00 on Wednesday, a civilian car, white Volkswagen, arrived at the eastern quarter of Tubas village in the northern West Bank. Eight to ten persons in military uniform, Israeli soldiers, got out of the car.
They opened fire at Palestinian houses indiscriminately, wounding ‘Ezzat Tayseer Abu Muhsen, 10, with two live bullets in the legs.
Then, they arrested him and took him to an unknown destination. They also surrounded the house of Mohammed ‘Abdul Elah Abu Muhsen. Three minutes later, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with tanks and bulldozers and supported by two combat helicopters invaded the village.
Israeli forces forced Nidhal ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Abu Muhsen, 19, and his uncle Younis Ahmed Ibrahim Daraghma, 22, to exit their houses and took them to the cemetery of the village.
They handcuffed Daraghma and took Abu Muhsen to Abu al-Hassan driving school, after they forced him to put on a bullet proof suit, similar to that used by Israeli soldiers. They let a dog follow him. They forced him to go to houses in the area and tell their residents to leave.
At approximately 14:15, residents of the area heard sounds of successive explosions, after which smoke rose from the house of Mohammed ‘Abdul Elah Abu Muhsen.
At approximately 14:30, an Israeli bulldozer destroyed the main road and another one swept the house of Abu Muhsen. Such destruction continued until 17:30 when Israeli forces withdrew from the village, medical and rescue personnel and civilians hurried to the area to check what happened. They discovered a head and a chest of a man in the 40s.
He was later identified as Nasser Kahed Jarra, 44, from Wadi Burqin village, west of Jenin, wanted by Israeli occupying forces. People started searching for Nidhal Abu Muhsen. There were reports of his death.
At approximately midnight, Israeli occupying forces delivered his body to the Palestinian side. Jarra was married and father of three children. He spent eight years in Israeli jails for his political activities. He survived two assassination attempts, one in which he lost his right leg and hand.
At approximately 03:00 on Monday, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and special units, moved into al-Yamun village, west of Jenin. They surrounded the house of Mohammed Hassan Fureihat and ordered its 13 residents through loudspeakers to leave it. They checked the family and their identity cards and the Israeli soldiers took one of the family members, Ghazal Mohammed Hassan Fureihat, 21.
Then, the family heard sounds of dozens of live bullets. An Israeli soldier told the family that other Israeli soldiers shot dead their son.
When Israeli occupying forces withdrew from the village, Fureihat’s body was moved to hospital. According to medical sources, he was hit by six live bullets in the chest, the pelvis and the thighs. The Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot said on its Arabic web page that Israeli forces killed a Palestinian in al-Yamun village, apparently wanted for his activities in al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade.
New Assassinations
In a continuation of the assassination policy officially adopted by the Israeli government, on Monday, Israeli occupying forces committed two extra-judicial assassinations, in which three Palestinians were killed, one of them was used by Israeli forces as a human shield.
At approximately 13:00 on Wednesday, a civilian car, white Volkswagen, arrived at the eastern quarter of Tubas village in the northern West Bank. Eight to ten persons in military uniform, Israeli soldiers, got out of the car.
They opened fire at Palestinian houses indiscriminately, wounding ‘Ezzat Tayseer Abu Muhsen, 10, with two live bullets in the legs.
Then, they arrested him and took him to an unknown destination. They also surrounded the house of Mohammed ‘Abdul Elah Abu Muhsen. Three minutes later, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with tanks and bulldozers and supported by two combat helicopters invaded the village.
Israeli forces forced Nidhal ‘Abdul Ra’ouf Abu Muhsen, 19, and his uncle Younis Ahmed Ibrahim Daraghma, 22, to exit their houses and took them to the cemetery of the village.
They handcuffed Daraghma and took Abu Muhsen to Abu al-Hassan driving school, after they forced him to put on a bullet proof suit, similar to that used by Israeli soldiers. They let a dog follow him. They forced him to go to houses in the area and tell their residents to leave.
At approximately 14:15, residents of the area heard sounds of successive explosions, after which smoke rose from the house of Mohammed ‘Abdul Elah Abu Muhsen.
At approximately 14:30, an Israeli bulldozer destroyed the main road and another one swept the house of Abu Muhsen. Such destruction continued until 17:30 when Israeli forces withdrew from the village, medical and rescue personnel and civilians hurried to the area to check what happened. They discovered a head and a chest of a man in the 40s.
He was later identified as Nasser Kahed Jarra, 44, from Wadi Burqin village, west of Jenin, wanted by Israeli occupying forces. People started searching for Nidhal Abu Muhsen. There were reports of his death.
At approximately midnight, Israeli occupying forces delivered his body to the Palestinian side. Jarra was married and father of three children. He spent eight years in Israeli jails for his political activities. He survived two assassination attempts, one in which he lost his right leg and hand.
At approximately 03:00 on Monday, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and special units, moved into al-Yamun village, west of Jenin. They surrounded the house of Mohammed Hassan Fureihat and ordered its 13 residents through loudspeakers to leave it. They checked the family and their identity cards and the Israeli soldiers took one of the family members, Ghazal Mohammed Hassan Fureihat, 21.
Then, the family heard sounds of dozens of live bullets. An Israeli soldier told the family that other Israeli soldiers shot dead their son.
When Israeli occupying forces withdrew from the village, Fureihat’s body was moved to hospital. According to medical sources, he was hit by six live bullets in the chest, the pelvis and the thighs. The Israeli daily Yediot Aharanot said on its Arabic web page that Israeli forces killed a Palestinian in al-Yamun village, apparently wanted for his activities in al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade.
7 aug 2002
New Assassinations
At approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces stole into Tulkarm in two trucks that had Palestinian registration numbers, when the curfew imposed on the town was temporarily lifted. They reached the centre of the town. As soon as Israeli soldiers got out of the car, a Palestinian civilian noticed them and shouted warning people of their presence. Israeli soldiers fired at him, wounding him with a live bullet in the shoulder.
Ziad Da’as, 26, who is accused by Israeli occupying forces of being leader of al-Aqsa Maryrs Brigade in Tulkarm, attempted to leave a building in which he hid in through an external sewage pipeline. When Israeli soldiers noticed him, they fired at him. He was shot by a live bullet in the head.
Soon, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved into the town and re-imposed a curfew. An Israeli combat helicopter flew over the town and opened fire at Palestinian houses. Two other Palestinians were wounded. The four wounded were left bleeding and Israeli occupying forces denied the access of medical personnel to them.
At approximately 13:50, Israeli forces allowed medical personnel to enter the area, but three of the wounded, including Da’as, already succumbed to their wounds, while the fourth one was arrested. The other two who were killed other than Da’as were:
1. Mohammed Khamis Ra’fat Sa’ada, 19, killed by a live bullet in the shoulder while he was near his shop; and
2. Maher Mohammed Dhib Jazmawi, 17, killed by a live bullet in the head while he was on his way to a school to see results of his brother’s exams.
The fourth Palestinian, Ra’fat ‘Omar Ra’fat Sa’ada, 28, was wounded by a live bullet in the right leg and was arrested by Israeli occupying forces.
On the same day, Israeli occupying forces assassinated Hussam Ahmed Mohammed Nemer Hamdan, 28, from al-Amal neighborhood in Khan Yunis, who was wanted by those forces.
In his testimony to PCHR, his brother Eyad said:
“At approximately 12:40 on Wednesday, I was at home in al-Amal neighborhood in the west of Khan Yunis, approximately 600m south of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis. I heard sounds of three live bullets fired at the roof of our house. My family and I hurried to the roof, since we knew that my brother Hussam was there. When we arrived at the roof, we found Hussam on the ground bleeding.
It was clear that he was dead. I looked at the settlement, where I saw an Israeli tank positioned its border opposite to our house. The tank soon moved back to the settlement. We evacuated my brother to Nasser Hospital. Doctors said that he was hit by three live bullets in the chest.”
The Israeli daily Ydiout Aharanot said that “the Israeli army killed an activist of Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigade, Hussam Nemer.” Nemer survived an assassination attempt on 24 January 2002, when an Israeli combat helicopter launched a missile at a car in which he was traveling with three of his friends. He was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body and fingers of his left hand were cut, while Baker Hamdan was killed.
New Assassinations
At approximately 09:00 on Wednesday, an undercover unit of Israeli occupying forces stole into Tulkarm in two trucks that had Palestinian registration numbers, when the curfew imposed on the town was temporarily lifted. They reached the centre of the town. As soon as Israeli soldiers got out of the car, a Palestinian civilian noticed them and shouted warning people of their presence. Israeli soldiers fired at him, wounding him with a live bullet in the shoulder.
Ziad Da’as, 26, who is accused by Israeli occupying forces of being leader of al-Aqsa Maryrs Brigade in Tulkarm, attempted to leave a building in which he hid in through an external sewage pipeline. When Israeli soldiers noticed him, they fired at him. He was shot by a live bullet in the head.
Soon, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved into the town and re-imposed a curfew. An Israeli combat helicopter flew over the town and opened fire at Palestinian houses. Two other Palestinians were wounded. The four wounded were left bleeding and Israeli occupying forces denied the access of medical personnel to them.
At approximately 13:50, Israeli forces allowed medical personnel to enter the area, but three of the wounded, including Da’as, already succumbed to their wounds, while the fourth one was arrested. The other two who were killed other than Da’as were:
1. Mohammed Khamis Ra’fat Sa’ada, 19, killed by a live bullet in the shoulder while he was near his shop; and
2. Maher Mohammed Dhib Jazmawi, 17, killed by a live bullet in the head while he was on his way to a school to see results of his brother’s exams.
The fourth Palestinian, Ra’fat ‘Omar Ra’fat Sa’ada, 28, was wounded by a live bullet in the right leg and was arrested by Israeli occupying forces.
On the same day, Israeli occupying forces assassinated Hussam Ahmed Mohammed Nemer Hamdan, 28, from al-Amal neighborhood in Khan Yunis, who was wanted by those forces.
In his testimony to PCHR, his brother Eyad said:
“At approximately 12:40 on Wednesday, I was at home in al-Amal neighborhood in the west of Khan Yunis, approximately 600m south of “Gani Tal” settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis. I heard sounds of three live bullets fired at the roof of our house. My family and I hurried to the roof, since we knew that my brother Hussam was there. When we arrived at the roof, we found Hussam on the ground bleeding.
It was clear that he was dead. I looked at the settlement, where I saw an Israeli tank positioned its border opposite to our house. The tank soon moved back to the settlement. We evacuated my brother to Nasser Hospital. Doctors said that he was hit by three live bullets in the chest.”
The Israeli daily Ydiout Aharanot said that “the Israeli army killed an activist of Ezziddin al-Qassam Brigade, Hussam Nemer.” Nemer survived an assassination attempt on 24 January 2002, when an Israeli combat helicopter launched a missile at a car in which he was traveling with three of his friends. He was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body and fingers of his left hand were cut, while Baker Hamdan was killed.
6 aug 2002
New Assassination
At approximately 00:30 on Monday, two Israeli combat helicopters launched two missiles at a wooded area east of Jaba’ village, south pf Jenin. Then, Israeli occupying forces searched and opened fire at the area. When the helicopters moved away, residents of the area hurried to check whether there were casualties as a result of the Israeli attack. They found bodies of two young men. Immediately, they called for an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society, which evacuated the two bodies to a hospital in Jenin. Later, the two young men were identified as:
1. ‘Ali Mohammed Ahmed al-‘Ajouri, 23, from ‘Askar refugee camp, killed by shrapnel in the upper part of the body; and
2. Murad Suleiman Zuhdi Marshud, 21, from Balata refugee camp, killed by shrapnel in the face and the neck, and four heavy caliber bullets in the shoulders.
The two young men were wanted by Israeli occupying forces for their resistance activities. Al-‘Ajouri’s sister, Intissar, 34, was arrested by Israeli occupying forces on 6 June 2002, and on 19 July, his father and three brothers were also arrested. One of the brothers, Kifah, 26, was deported by Israeli occupying forces to the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, 4 August, the Israeli General Security Service demanded the Israeli Attorney General to allow the deportation of his sister also to the Gaza Strip.
New Assassination
At approximately 00:30 on Monday, two Israeli combat helicopters launched two missiles at a wooded area east of Jaba’ village, south pf Jenin. Then, Israeli occupying forces searched and opened fire at the area. When the helicopters moved away, residents of the area hurried to check whether there were casualties as a result of the Israeli attack. They found bodies of two young men. Immediately, they called for an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society, which evacuated the two bodies to a hospital in Jenin. Later, the two young men were identified as:
1. ‘Ali Mohammed Ahmed al-‘Ajouri, 23, from ‘Askar refugee camp, killed by shrapnel in the upper part of the body; and
2. Murad Suleiman Zuhdi Marshud, 21, from Balata refugee camp, killed by shrapnel in the face and the neck, and four heavy caliber bullets in the shoulders.
The two young men were wanted by Israeli occupying forces for their resistance activities. Al-‘Ajouri’s sister, Intissar, 34, was arrested by Israeli occupying forces on 6 June 2002, and on 19 July, his father and three brothers were also arrested. One of the brothers, Kifah, 26, was deported by Israeli occupying forces to the Gaza Strip. On Sunday, 4 August, the Israeli General Security Service demanded the Israeli Attorney General to allow the deportation of his sister also to the Gaza Strip.
5 aug 2002
New Assassination
At approximately 23:00 on Sunday, while a number of activists of the Intifada were inside the house of Mohammed Rida Khalil Far’ounia, 38, in Burqa village, northwest of Nablus, Israeli occupying forces invaded the village, and surrounded the house. One of the activists, Khaled ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Seif, 41, received a phone call on his mobile phone.
When he went to the balcony to receive the call, Israeli soldiers shot him dead with several bullets striking his head. Far’ounia went out to investigate. Soon, Israeli soldiers fired at him, wounding him with three live bullets in the abdomen and the chest. His brother Mahmoud then went to the balcony, and saw his brother bleeding. He tried to offer him help, but Israeli soldiers forced him to move way.
Far’ounia bled to death.
According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers left Far’ounia bledding for 19 minutes without allowing anyone to offer medical attention. Seif was a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and Far’ounia was a member of the Palestinian People Party. Upon their withdrawal from the village, Israeli occupying forces also arrested four Palestinians.
New Assassination
At approximately 23:00 on Sunday, while a number of activists of the Intifada were inside the house of Mohammed Rida Khalil Far’ounia, 38, in Burqa village, northwest of Nablus, Israeli occupying forces invaded the village, and surrounded the house. One of the activists, Khaled ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Seif, 41, received a phone call on his mobile phone.
When he went to the balcony to receive the call, Israeli soldiers shot him dead with several bullets striking his head. Far’ounia went out to investigate. Soon, Israeli soldiers fired at him, wounding him with three live bullets in the abdomen and the chest. His brother Mahmoud then went to the balcony, and saw his brother bleeding. He tried to offer him help, but Israeli soldiers forced him to move way.
Far’ounia bled to death.
According to eyewitnesses, Israeli soldiers left Far’ounia bledding for 19 minutes without allowing anyone to offer medical attention. Seif was a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and Far’ounia was a member of the Palestinian People Party. Upon their withdrawal from the village, Israeli occupying forces also arrested four Palestinians.
2 aug 2002
New Assassination
At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces invaded Salem village, east of Nablus, and surrounded a number of houses. Approximately 15 minutes later, they raided the house of Rida Eshtayeh and forced him to leave the house and accompany them towards the house of Amjad ‘Abdul Hadi Jbour, 35, a Hamas activist.
They forced him to enter Jobour’s house and ordered him to get out with his hands over his head and without clothes covering the upper part of the body. According to an eyewitness, Jbour left the house unarmed and with his hands over his head. Israeli soldiers took him approximately 40m away from the house.
At approximately 03:25, Israeli soldiers turned off their military vehicle lights and repeated shooting was soon heard. According to the eyewitness, she looked through her window to see what had happened. She saw a person on the ground. Then, Israeli forces left the area.
Ten minutes later, the eyewitness’ husband exited to see what happened. He found Jbour’s body on the ground. He two lbullets in the neck and the chest. Israeli occupying forces at entrances of Nablus prevented the evacuation of the body to hospitals of the city.
New Assassination
At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces invaded Salem village, east of Nablus, and surrounded a number of houses. Approximately 15 minutes later, they raided the house of Rida Eshtayeh and forced him to leave the house and accompany them towards the house of Amjad ‘Abdul Hadi Jbour, 35, a Hamas activist.
They forced him to enter Jobour’s house and ordered him to get out with his hands over his head and without clothes covering the upper part of the body. According to an eyewitness, Jbour left the house unarmed and with his hands over his head. Israeli soldiers took him approximately 40m away from the house.
At approximately 03:25, Israeli soldiers turned off their military vehicle lights and repeated shooting was soon heard. According to the eyewitness, she looked through her window to see what had happened. She saw a person on the ground. Then, Israeli forces left the area.
Ten minutes later, the eyewitness’ husband exited to see what happened. He found Jbour’s body on the ground. He two lbullets in the neck and the chest. Israeli occupying forces at entrances of Nablus prevented the evacuation of the body to hospitals of the city.
14 Palestinian Civilians Killed in Assassination
In a continuation of the assassination policy officially adopted by the Israeli government against Palestinian activists and political leaders, an Israeli F-16 fighter jet attacked an apartment building in a highly populated area in Gaza City, killing 14 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, and wounding more than 70, mostly children and women. Two women and their five children, and Sheikh Salah Shehada, his wife, daughter and bodyguard, were among the victims.
According to statements by Israeli occupying forces, the purpose of the attack was the assassination of Hamas leader, Sheikh Salah Mustafa Shehada, 49, from Beit Hanoun.
At approximately 23:55 on Monday, 22 July 2002, an Israeli F-16 fighter jet launched a missile at a 150-square-meter, two-story apartment building in al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza. Sheikh Salah Shehada, who is wanted by Israel, and his family were living on the upper floor of the building. The missile directly hit the building which located in a highly populated area. The house and two others were totally destroyed and several adjacent houses were seriously damaged.
Fourteen Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, the youngest of whom was only 2-month-old, were killed. Two women and their five children, and Sheikh Salah Shehada, his wife, daughter, daughter and bodyguard, were among the victims. More than 70 civilians were also wounded, two of whom are in critical condition.
Those killed were:
1. Iman Ibrahim Hassan Matar, 25, killed together with her 3 children while sleeping (bodies of the three children were discovered on Wednesday, 24 July, under ruins approximately 10m away from their house) :
2. Ayman Ra’ed Matar, 1½ ;
3. Mohammed Ra’ed Matar, 3;
4. Diana Ra’ed Matar, 5;
5. Muna Fahmi al-Hweiti, 30, killed together with her 2 children:
6. Subhi Mahmoud al-Hweiti, 4½ ;
7. Mohammed Mahmoud al-Hweiti, 6;
8. Dina Rami Matar, 2 months;
9. Alaa’ Mohammed Matar,10;
10. Yousef Sobhi al-Shawa, 42, killed when he was in a visit to his neighbor, who was also wounded in the head; and
11. Sheikh Salah Mustafa Shehada, 49;
12. Leila Safira, 45, his wife;
13. Iman Salah Shehada, 15, his daughter; and
14. Zaher Nassar, 37, his bodyguard.
Properties destroyed or damaged included:
1. A 160-square-meter, three-story house, in which 3 families comprising 25 persons used to live, owned by Mohammed Inrahim Matar and brothers: the house was totally destroyed, six of its residents were killed and most of the others were wounded.
2. A 150-square-meter, iron-roofed house, in which 7 persons used to live, owned by Mahmoud al-Hweiti: the house was totally destroyed, three members of the family were killed and the others were wounded.
3. A 150-square-meter, iron-roofed house, in which 9 persons used to live, owned by Mohammed Subhi al-Hweiti: the house was totally destroyed and five members of the family were wounded.
4. A 150-square-meter, three-story house, in which 11 persons used to live, owned by Hassan Mahmoud Hijazi: the house was partially destroyed, most of its residents were wounded, and a car near the house was destroyed.
5. A 140-square-meter, two-story house, in which 7 persons used to live, owned by Rafiq Mahmoud Hijazi: the house was partially destroyed and some of its residents were wounded.
Please note that these details have been revised from earlier press releases following developments in the last 24 hours.
This was the second time in one week that Israeli occupying forces used F-16 fighter jets to attack houses in highly populated areas of the Gaza Strip, in attempts to assassinate activists of the Intifada. It is a grave precedent and a qualitative escalation of means used by Israeli occupying forces to conduct assassinations.
On 14 July 2002, an Israeli F-16 fighter jet fired three missiles at a 3-story house in Khan Yunis, in an attempt to assassinate one of its residents wanted by Israel. He survived the assassination attempt but the house was destroyed.
In a continuation of the assassination policy officially adopted by the Israeli government against Palestinian activists and political leaders, an Israeli F-16 fighter jet attacked an apartment building in a highly populated area in Gaza City, killing 14 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, and wounding more than 70, mostly children and women. Two women and their five children, and Sheikh Salah Shehada, his wife, daughter and bodyguard, were among the victims.
According to statements by Israeli occupying forces, the purpose of the attack was the assassination of Hamas leader, Sheikh Salah Mustafa Shehada, 49, from Beit Hanoun.
At approximately 23:55 on Monday, 22 July 2002, an Israeli F-16 fighter jet launched a missile at a 150-square-meter, two-story apartment building in al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza. Sheikh Salah Shehada, who is wanted by Israel, and his family were living on the upper floor of the building. The missile directly hit the building which located in a highly populated area. The house and two others were totally destroyed and several adjacent houses were seriously damaged.
Fourteen Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, the youngest of whom was only 2-month-old, were killed. Two women and their five children, and Sheikh Salah Shehada, his wife, daughter, daughter and bodyguard, were among the victims. More than 70 civilians were also wounded, two of whom are in critical condition.
Those killed were:
1. Iman Ibrahim Hassan Matar, 25, killed together with her 3 children while sleeping (bodies of the three children were discovered on Wednesday, 24 July, under ruins approximately 10m away from their house) :
2. Ayman Ra’ed Matar, 1½ ;
3. Mohammed Ra’ed Matar, 3;
4. Diana Ra’ed Matar, 5;
5. Muna Fahmi al-Hweiti, 30, killed together with her 2 children:
6. Subhi Mahmoud al-Hweiti, 4½ ;
7. Mohammed Mahmoud al-Hweiti, 6;
8. Dina Rami Matar, 2 months;
9. Alaa’ Mohammed Matar,10;
10. Yousef Sobhi al-Shawa, 42, killed when he was in a visit to his neighbor, who was also wounded in the head; and
11. Sheikh Salah Mustafa Shehada, 49;
12. Leila Safira, 45, his wife;
13. Iman Salah Shehada, 15, his daughter; and
14. Zaher Nassar, 37, his bodyguard.
Properties destroyed or damaged included:
1. A 160-square-meter, three-story house, in which 3 families comprising 25 persons used to live, owned by Mohammed Inrahim Matar and brothers: the house was totally destroyed, six of its residents were killed and most of the others were wounded.
2. A 150-square-meter, iron-roofed house, in which 7 persons used to live, owned by Mahmoud al-Hweiti: the house was totally destroyed, three members of the family were killed and the others were wounded.
3. A 150-square-meter, iron-roofed house, in which 9 persons used to live, owned by Mohammed Subhi al-Hweiti: the house was totally destroyed and five members of the family were wounded.
4. A 150-square-meter, three-story house, in which 11 persons used to live, owned by Hassan Mahmoud Hijazi: the house was partially destroyed, most of its residents were wounded, and a car near the house was destroyed.
5. A 140-square-meter, two-story house, in which 7 persons used to live, owned by Rafiq Mahmoud Hijazi: the house was partially destroyed and some of its residents were wounded.
Please note that these details have been revised from earlier press releases following developments in the last 24 hours.
This was the second time in one week that Israeli occupying forces used F-16 fighter jets to attack houses in highly populated areas of the Gaza Strip, in attempts to assassinate activists of the Intifada. It is a grave precedent and a qualitative escalation of means used by Israeli occupying forces to conduct assassinations.
On 14 July 2002, an Israeli F-16 fighter jet fired three missiles at a 3-story house in Khan Yunis, in an attempt to assassinate one of its residents wanted by Israel. He survived the assassination attempt but the house was destroyed.
14 july 2002
An Assassination Attempt
In a continuation of the assassination policy officially adopted by the Israeli government against Palestinian activists and political leaders, an Israeli F-16 fighter jet attacked a house in al-Rabwat area in Khan Yunis, targeting four wanted Palestinians who were inside. No casualties were reported but the house was partly destroyed and a number of adjacent houses were severely damaged.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 13:25 on Sunday, an Israeli F-16 fighter jets and two helicopters flew over Khan Yunis. The fighter jet launched two missiles at an uninhibited house owned by ‘Aabdul Rahman Yousef ‘Aabdul Wahab. The first missile missed the target and fell onto a tract of agricultural land owned by Majdi ‘Abdul al-Hallaq, making a large pit.
As a result, the fence of the tract of the northern part of the ground floor of ‘Abdul Wahab’s house were destroyed. The second missile directly hit the facade, destroying parts of the second and ground floors. According to ‘Abdul Wahab, his son Yousef, 24, who is wanted by Israeli occupying forces, was in the house with four of his friends. They were all able to escape when the first missile hit the tract of agricultural land.
An Israeli military spokesman claimed that the attack targeted a factory, that makes mortars, in order to destroy it and kill ‘Aabdul Wahab.
Two houses were also severely damaged:
1. A 180-square-meter, 3-story house, in which 3 families comprising of 7 persons live, owned by heirs of Yousef ‘Abdul Wahab: the northern facade and two bedrooms were destroyed and windows were broken. A pregnant woman, Sabah Zuhair ‘Aabdul Wahab, 22, was shocked an injured while attempting to escape, and her child Yousef, 2, was lightly injured in the hands.
2. A 250-square-meter, 4-story house, in which 4 families comprising 24 persons live, owned by heirs of Isma’il Ahmed al-Dirbashi. Windows were broken and the roof of an adjacent furniture shop was destroyed.
In addition, 4 other houses were lightly damaged and 10 civilians were shocked
An Assassination Attempt
In a continuation of the assassination policy officially adopted by the Israeli government against Palestinian activists and political leaders, an Israeli F-16 fighter jet attacked a house in al-Rabwat area in Khan Yunis, targeting four wanted Palestinians who were inside. No casualties were reported but the house was partly destroyed and a number of adjacent houses were severely damaged.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 13:25 on Sunday, an Israeli F-16 fighter jets and two helicopters flew over Khan Yunis. The fighter jet launched two missiles at an uninhibited house owned by ‘Aabdul Rahman Yousef ‘Aabdul Wahab. The first missile missed the target and fell onto a tract of agricultural land owned by Majdi ‘Abdul al-Hallaq, making a large pit.
As a result, the fence of the tract of the northern part of the ground floor of ‘Abdul Wahab’s house were destroyed. The second missile directly hit the facade, destroying parts of the second and ground floors. According to ‘Abdul Wahab, his son Yousef, 24, who is wanted by Israeli occupying forces, was in the house with four of his friends. They were all able to escape when the first missile hit the tract of agricultural land.
An Israeli military spokesman claimed that the attack targeted a factory, that makes mortars, in order to destroy it and kill ‘Aabdul Wahab.
Two houses were also severely damaged:
1. A 180-square-meter, 3-story house, in which 3 families comprising of 7 persons live, owned by heirs of Yousef ‘Abdul Wahab: the northern facade and two bedrooms were destroyed and windows were broken. A pregnant woman, Sabah Zuhair ‘Aabdul Wahab, 22, was shocked an injured while attempting to escape, and her child Yousef, 2, was lightly injured in the hands.
2. A 250-square-meter, 4-story house, in which 4 families comprising 24 persons live, owned by heirs of Isma’il Ahmed al-Dirbashi. Windows were broken and the roof of an adjacent furniture shop was destroyed.
In addition, 4 other houses were lightly damaged and 10 civilians were shocked
4 july 2002
A New Assassination
In a continuation of the assassination policy officially adopted by the Israeli government against Palestinian activists and political leaders, on Thursday, 4 July, Israeli occupying forces assassinated two Palestinians in Gaza City. According to PCHR's investigation, at approximately 21:00, a heavy explosion occurred in al-Thawra Street, branch of al-Nasser Street, in Gaza City. Palestinians hurried to the area to check what happened.
They found a civilian car, white Mercedes, approximately 150m north of Shifa’ Hospital, burning. They saw parts of the body of one passenger on the ground, while the body of another passenger was still in the car. The two passengers were identified as:
1. Jihad Isma’il al-‘Aamarin, 46, an from al-Zaytoun neighborhood, an officer of the Palestinian Public Security Service; and
2. Wa’el Jawad al-Namara, 33, al-‘Amarin’s nephew, an officer of the Preventive Security Service.
According to eyewitnesses, the car targeted by the explosion was a taxi owned by al-‘Amarin. The person who used to work as its driver disappeared immediately after the explosion occurred. It is believed that he escaped to an Israeli settlement in the Gaza Strip.
According to field investigation, a bomb was planted under the front seat of the car. Palestinian sources accused Israeli occupying forces of responsibility for the explosion, which targeted al-‘Amarin. Israeli occupying forces claim that al-‘Amarin was the leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Gaza. Israeli occupying forces have often used bombs to assassinate a number of Palestinian activists. During this Intiafada, this method was first used by Israeli occupying forces to assassinate Ibrahim Bani ‘Ouda in Nablus on 23 November 2000.
A New Assassination
In a continuation of the assassination policy officially adopted by the Israeli government against Palestinian activists and political leaders, on Thursday, 4 July, Israeli occupying forces assassinated two Palestinians in Gaza City. According to PCHR's investigation, at approximately 21:00, a heavy explosion occurred in al-Thawra Street, branch of al-Nasser Street, in Gaza City. Palestinians hurried to the area to check what happened.
They found a civilian car, white Mercedes, approximately 150m north of Shifa’ Hospital, burning. They saw parts of the body of one passenger on the ground, while the body of another passenger was still in the car. The two passengers were identified as:
1. Jihad Isma’il al-‘Aamarin, 46, an from al-Zaytoun neighborhood, an officer of the Palestinian Public Security Service; and
2. Wa’el Jawad al-Namara, 33, al-‘Amarin’s nephew, an officer of the Preventive Security Service.
According to eyewitnesses, the car targeted by the explosion was a taxi owned by al-‘Amarin. The person who used to work as its driver disappeared immediately after the explosion occurred. It is believed that he escaped to an Israeli settlement in the Gaza Strip.
According to field investigation, a bomb was planted under the front seat of the car. Palestinian sources accused Israeli occupying forces of responsibility for the explosion, which targeted al-‘Amarin. Israeli occupying forces claim that al-‘Amarin was the leader of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades in Gaza. Israeli occupying forces have often used bombs to assassinate a number of Palestinian activists. During this Intiafada, this method was first used by Israeli occupying forces to assassinate Ibrahim Bani ‘Ouda in Nablus on 23 November 2000.
