26 jan 2001
In the afternoon, a number of Palestinian children gathered near a bypass road used by settlers near Al-Mentar (Karni) Outlet, to the east of Gaza City. Some of them came close to a tank of the Israeli occupation forces, and one tried to dislodge an Israeli flag put on a flagpole near the tank.
Israeli occupation soldiers opened fire with medium caliber bullets at the children, wounding the child Maharan Saleh Abu Wardeh, 14 years old, from Jabalya, with a medium caliber bullet that penetrated his right thigh and exited his left one.
The child was evacuated to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City. Medical sources stated that the bullet tore the bones of the child’s thighs.
Also in the afternoon, clashes erupted between Palestinian civilians and the Israeli occupation forces at the southern entrance of Qalqilya. The Israeli occupation forces opened fire on Palestinian civilians, wounding four, including two children. The wounded were:
1) Samer Jehad A’jjouri, 21 years old, wounded with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the chest;
2) the child Mohammed Tawfiq A’mmar, 12 years old, wounded with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head;
3) the child Mohammed Fathi Samamra, 12 years old, wounded with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head; and
4) Mohammed Sharif Hassanein, 27 years old, wounded with a live bullet in the right thigh.
Also in the afternoon, clashes erupted between Palestinian civilians and the Israeli occupation forces at the northern entrance of Al-Bireh. The Israeli occupation forces fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, and tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians, wounding three with live bullets and another nine with rubber-coated metal bullets. Furthermore, dozens of Palestinian civilians suffered from suffocation due to inhaling tear gas.
Israeli occupation forces positioned in the vicinity of Netzarim settlement, to the south of Gaza City, fired heavy and medium bullets at Palestinian houses in Sheikh E’jlin neighborhood in Gaza City. The targeted houses are about 2 kilometers to the north of the mentioned settlement. PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that bullets made holes 3 centimeters in diameter in the southern walls of these houses, damaged water storage tanks and an electricity network, and broke windows. The affected houses were:
1) The house of Abdel-Razeq Yousef Khalil Shamallakh, a 400-square-meter, two-story house, in which 30 people live;
2) The house of Adib Yousef Khalil Shamallakh, a 400-square-meter, two-story house, in which 13 people live;
3) The house of Mohammed Najib Yousef Shamallakh, a 400-square-meter, two-story house, in which 10 people live;
4) The house of Mousa Abdel-Hadi Abdel-Wahab Shamallakh, a 250-square-meter, two-story house, in which 15 people live;
5) The house of Younis Hamed Oudeh Shamallakh, a 300-square-meter, two-story house, in which 12 people live;
6) The house of Riadh Asa’d Shamallakh, a 400-square-meter, two-story house, in which 15 people live;
7) The house of Dalal Abdel-Hadi Abdel-Wahab Shamallakh, a 250-square-meter, two-story house, in which seven people live;
8) The house of Abdel-Wahab Abdullah Shamallakh, a 250-square-meter, two-story house, in which eight people live;
9) The house of Nemer Mohammed Shamallakh, a 350-square-meter, two-story house, in which 14 people live;
10) The house of Hassan Ahmed Oudeh, a 300-square-meter, two-story house, in which six people live;
11) The house of Abdel-Rahman Ahmed Oudeh, a 300-square-meter, two-story house, in which six people live; and
12) The house of A’zziz Ahmed A’wwad, a 200-square-meter, two-story house, in which four people live.
In the afternoon, a number of Palestinian children gathered near a bypass road used by settlers near Al-Mentar (Karni) Outlet, to the east of Gaza City. Some of them came close to a tank of the Israeli occupation forces, and one tried to dislodge an Israeli flag put on a flagpole near the tank.
Israeli occupation soldiers opened fire with medium caliber bullets at the children, wounding the child Maharan Saleh Abu Wardeh, 14 years old, from Jabalya, with a medium caliber bullet that penetrated his right thigh and exited his left one.
The child was evacuated to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City. Medical sources stated that the bullet tore the bones of the child’s thighs.
Also in the afternoon, clashes erupted between Palestinian civilians and the Israeli occupation forces at the southern entrance of Qalqilya. The Israeli occupation forces opened fire on Palestinian civilians, wounding four, including two children. The wounded were:
1) Samer Jehad A’jjouri, 21 years old, wounded with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the chest;
2) the child Mohammed Tawfiq A’mmar, 12 years old, wounded with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head;
3) the child Mohammed Fathi Samamra, 12 years old, wounded with a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head; and
4) Mohammed Sharif Hassanein, 27 years old, wounded with a live bullet in the right thigh.
Also in the afternoon, clashes erupted between Palestinian civilians and the Israeli occupation forces at the northern entrance of Al-Bireh. The Israeli occupation forces fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, and tear gas canisters at Palestinian civilians, wounding three with live bullets and another nine with rubber-coated metal bullets. Furthermore, dozens of Palestinian civilians suffered from suffocation due to inhaling tear gas.
Israeli occupation forces positioned in the vicinity of Netzarim settlement, to the south of Gaza City, fired heavy and medium bullets at Palestinian houses in Sheikh E’jlin neighborhood in Gaza City. The targeted houses are about 2 kilometers to the north of the mentioned settlement. PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that bullets made holes 3 centimeters in diameter in the southern walls of these houses, damaged water storage tanks and an electricity network, and broke windows. The affected houses were:
1) The house of Abdel-Razeq Yousef Khalil Shamallakh, a 400-square-meter, two-story house, in which 30 people live;
2) The house of Adib Yousef Khalil Shamallakh, a 400-square-meter, two-story house, in which 13 people live;
3) The house of Mohammed Najib Yousef Shamallakh, a 400-square-meter, two-story house, in which 10 people live;
4) The house of Mousa Abdel-Hadi Abdel-Wahab Shamallakh, a 250-square-meter, two-story house, in which 15 people live;
5) The house of Younis Hamed Oudeh Shamallakh, a 300-square-meter, two-story house, in which 12 people live;
6) The house of Riadh Asa’d Shamallakh, a 400-square-meter, two-story house, in which 15 people live;
7) The house of Dalal Abdel-Hadi Abdel-Wahab Shamallakh, a 250-square-meter, two-story house, in which seven people live;
8) The house of Abdel-Wahab Abdullah Shamallakh, a 250-square-meter, two-story house, in which eight people live;
9) The house of Nemer Mohammed Shamallakh, a 350-square-meter, two-story house, in which 14 people live;
10) The house of Hassan Ahmed Oudeh, a 300-square-meter, two-story house, in which six people live;
11) The house of Abdel-Rahman Ahmed Oudeh, a 300-square-meter, two-story house, in which six people live; and
12) The house of A’zziz Ahmed A’wwad, a 200-square-meter, two-story house, in which four people live.
25 jan 2001
Late at night, Israeli occupation forces beat medical personnel of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society while they were on duty in clearly marked medical uniforms and ambulances. PCHR learned that Al-Bireh medical aid center was informed at approximately 22:30 local time that some Palestinians were wounded in the village of Sarda, to the north of Ramallah, when the Israeli occupation forces burst into the village. Soon, an ambulance, driven by Talal Abdel-Malek Abu E’ideh, and accompanied by Naji El-Barghouthi, went to the village.
Israeli occupation forces stopped the ambulance on a road to the west of the village and ordered the two to get out of the ambulance, forcing them to kneel on the ground for an hour and a half, during which soldiers strictly checked the ambulance and disconnected its communication equipment. A press release by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society stated that Israeli occupation soldiers beat the two.
Due to the very cold weather and being beaten by the soldiers, the driver suffered from cramps in his legs and hands and from severe pains in the chest. Occupation soldiers prevented his evacuation to hospital. The press release added that another ambulance went to the area after communication with driver Abu E’ideh was cut.
Personnel of the second ambulance received the same treatment by Israeli occupation soldiers. At approximately 00:45 local time on the following day, Israeli occupation soldiers allowed two of the medical personnel to leave the area and to transfer driver Abu E’ideh to hospital. The fourth man was released at approximately 1:30 local time.
Late at night, Israeli occupation forces beat medical personnel of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society while they were on duty in clearly marked medical uniforms and ambulances. PCHR learned that Al-Bireh medical aid center was informed at approximately 22:30 local time that some Palestinians were wounded in the village of Sarda, to the north of Ramallah, when the Israeli occupation forces burst into the village. Soon, an ambulance, driven by Talal Abdel-Malek Abu E’ideh, and accompanied by Naji El-Barghouthi, went to the village.
Israeli occupation forces stopped the ambulance on a road to the west of the village and ordered the two to get out of the ambulance, forcing them to kneel on the ground for an hour and a half, during which soldiers strictly checked the ambulance and disconnected its communication equipment. A press release by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society stated that Israeli occupation soldiers beat the two.
Due to the very cold weather and being beaten by the soldiers, the driver suffered from cramps in his legs and hands and from severe pains in the chest. Occupation soldiers prevented his evacuation to hospital. The press release added that another ambulance went to the area after communication with driver Abu E’ideh was cut.
Personnel of the second ambulance received the same treatment by Israeli occupation soldiers. At approximately 00:45 local time on the following day, Israeli occupation soldiers allowed two of the medical personnel to leave the area and to transfer driver Abu E’ideh to hospital. The fourth man was released at approximately 1:30 local time.
24 jan 2001
In the evening, at approximately 21:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces opened fire on three Palestinians in Rafah, killing two, and the third, a 15-year-old child, was not wounded and escaped from the area. PCHR fears that the two martyrs were killed by the Israeli occupation forces after they were wounded with live ammunition and then were arrested, or that their bodies were mutilated. The two martyrs are:
1) Khalil Samir Mohammed Al-Sindi, 22 years old, from Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah. He was hit with more than 20 live bullets in the chest, the abdomen, and the extremities. Bruises were found on his body as a result of being beaten.
2) Safwat E’ssam Qeshta, 17 years old, a student in the 11th grade, from Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah, was hit with several live bullets in the chest.
In his testimony to PCHR, the child who survived the incident said that he and his colleagues, Khalil and Safwat, went close to Slao settlement at approximately 21:30 local time, in order to destroy its greenhouses. When they were about 50m away from the mentioned settlement, Israeli occupation soldiers positioned behind barbwires surrounding the settlement opened fire on them.
He also said that he escaped from the area and that he heard cries from his colleagues. After he escaped, he relayed what had happened. An ambulance went to the area, but it could not get closer because of the dangerous situation. Eyewitnesses said that intensive shooting was heard at approximately 22:00 local time in the area where the incident took place.
On Thursday morning, bodies of the martyrs were found in the area where the incident took place, 50m away from Slao settlement in Rafah. One of the two bodies was transferred to Al-Joneina hospital in Rafah and the other one was transferred to Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis.
PCHR’s Notes on the Incident:
1) The Israeli occupation forces opened fire on the three young men suddenly with the aim to kill them from a distance of only 50m, and these forces did not resort to other means to drive them away from the settlement.
2) It is not certain that the two martyrs were killed instantly, as bruises that were found on the body of one of them raise suspicions that he might have been wounded and then arrested before he was killed.
3) None of the three young men was carrying a weapon, nor did they posed any threat on the lives of the Israeli occupation soldiers, so it was possible to arrest them instead of killing them.
In the evening, at approximately 20:30 local time, the Israeli occupation forces fired artillery shells and heavy and medium bullets at Palestinian houses and civilian facilities in the area of Jabal Al-Tawil and Sateh Marahaba neighborhoods in Al-Bireh. As a result, houses and civilian facilities were severely damaged, and a building of the Palestinian Ministry of Finance was directly hit. Its walls and windows were damaged.
In the evening, at approximately 21:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces opened fire on three Palestinians in Rafah, killing two, and the third, a 15-year-old child, was not wounded and escaped from the area. PCHR fears that the two martyrs were killed by the Israeli occupation forces after they were wounded with live ammunition and then were arrested, or that their bodies were mutilated. The two martyrs are:
1) Khalil Samir Mohammed Al-Sindi, 22 years old, from Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah. He was hit with more than 20 live bullets in the chest, the abdomen, and the extremities. Bruises were found on his body as a result of being beaten.
2) Safwat E’ssam Qeshta, 17 years old, a student in the 11th grade, from Tal Al-Sultan neighborhood in Rafah, was hit with several live bullets in the chest.
In his testimony to PCHR, the child who survived the incident said that he and his colleagues, Khalil and Safwat, went close to Slao settlement at approximately 21:30 local time, in order to destroy its greenhouses. When they were about 50m away from the mentioned settlement, Israeli occupation soldiers positioned behind barbwires surrounding the settlement opened fire on them.
He also said that he escaped from the area and that he heard cries from his colleagues. After he escaped, he relayed what had happened. An ambulance went to the area, but it could not get closer because of the dangerous situation. Eyewitnesses said that intensive shooting was heard at approximately 22:00 local time in the area where the incident took place.
On Thursday morning, bodies of the martyrs were found in the area where the incident took place, 50m away from Slao settlement in Rafah. One of the two bodies was transferred to Al-Joneina hospital in Rafah and the other one was transferred to Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis.
PCHR’s Notes on the Incident:
1) The Israeli occupation forces opened fire on the three young men suddenly with the aim to kill them from a distance of only 50m, and these forces did not resort to other means to drive them away from the settlement.
2) It is not certain that the two martyrs were killed instantly, as bruises that were found on the body of one of them raise suspicions that he might have been wounded and then arrested before he was killed.
3) None of the three young men was carrying a weapon, nor did they posed any threat on the lives of the Israeli occupation soldiers, so it was possible to arrest them instead of killing them.
In the evening, at approximately 20:30 local time, the Israeli occupation forces fired artillery shells and heavy and medium bullets at Palestinian houses and civilian facilities in the area of Jabal Al-Tawil and Sateh Marahaba neighborhoods in Al-Bireh. As a result, houses and civilian facilities were severely damaged, and a building of the Palestinian Ministry of Finance was directly hit. Its walls and windows were damaged.
23 jan 2001
On Tuesday, January 23, 2001, at approximately, at approximately 18:40 local time, E’isha Naji Mohammed Nassar, 28 years old, mother of five children, from the village of Al-Jania in Ramallah, died after the Israeli occupation forces prevented an ambulance from transferring her to a hospital. The victim had undergone a Caesarian operation on December 27, 2000, and came back to her village.
On January 23, 2001, her health condition deteriorated, and her family tried to transfer her to a hospital. Because of the current strict siege imposed by the Israeli occupation forces, she was transferred by a private car to an Israeli occupation force military roadblock near Doleb settlement, to the west of Ramallah. There an ambulance from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society waited for her arrival at the other side. However, the Israeli occupation forces prohibited the passage of the woman and obstructed her access to the ambulance for 20 minutes, although these forces were informed that she was in critical condition. The woman died before reaching the ambulance.
On Tuesday, January 23, 2001, at approximately, at approximately 18:40 local time, E’isha Naji Mohammed Nassar, 28 years old, mother of five children, from the village of Al-Jania in Ramallah, died after the Israeli occupation forces prevented an ambulance from transferring her to a hospital. The victim had undergone a Caesarian operation on December 27, 2000, and came back to her village.
On January 23, 2001, her health condition deteriorated, and her family tried to transfer her to a hospital. Because of the current strict siege imposed by the Israeli occupation forces, she was transferred by a private car to an Israeli occupation force military roadblock near Doleb settlement, to the west of Ramallah. There an ambulance from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society waited for her arrival at the other side. However, the Israeli occupation forces prohibited the passage of the woman and obstructed her access to the ambulance for 20 minutes, although these forces were informed that she was in critical condition. The woman died before reaching the ambulance.
21 jan 2001
In the afternoon, at approximately 15:30 local time, Israeli occupation soldiers opened fire on Mohammed Sharif Mohammed Al-Sharif, 16 years old, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City. He was killed him with a live bullet in the chest, during clashes between a number of Palestinian children and the Israeli occupation forces in the east of Gaza.
According to eyewitnesses, about 100 Palestinian children had demonstrated since the morning, about 100m away from a bypass road near Al-Mentar Crossing to the east of Gaza City. Settlers use the crossing, and Israeli occupation forces were positioned there. At approximately 15:20 local time, two Israeli occupation force military jeeps moved into within 30m away from demonstrating children, so the children ran away.
About seven minutes later, four children moved forward and threw stones at the two military jeeps from a distance of about 30m. Then, three soldiers got out of jeeps and one of them pointed his silenced gun towards one of those children, and fired. As a result, the child Al-Sharif was critically wounded with a live bullet in the chest. He died on the way to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City.
Investigations carried out by PCHR concluded that:
1) Killing the child Al-Sharif was willful and intentional, as a part of the record of crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians.
2) Opening fire by the Israeli occupation soldiers on Palestinian children was not justified by the clashes that took place in the area, which were limited. No threat was posed to the lives of those soldiers.
3) Israeli occupation soldiers could have resorted to less lethal means to disperse demonstrating children; however, they immediately opened fire in order to kill.
4) The distance between the victim and the murderer was about 30m, so that soldier could have fired at extremities or at the lower part of the body, but he pointed his gun directly at the chest of the child, intending to kill him.
5) The movement of the two Israeli occupation force jeeps up to a distance of 30m away from demonstrators escalated the situation. Before that, Palestinian children had been about 150m away from the Israeli occupation forces so that they could not have been hit by stones thrown by the children.
In the evening, at approximately 21:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces fired artillery shells and heavy and medium bullets at Palestinian residential neighborhoods in the area of Al-Balaou’ at the northern entrance of Al-Bireh. This caused severe damage to houses and civilian facilities, including a building of the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government.
In the afternoon, at approximately 15:30 local time, Israeli occupation soldiers opened fire on Mohammed Sharif Mohammed Al-Sharif, 16 years old, from Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City. He was killed him with a live bullet in the chest, during clashes between a number of Palestinian children and the Israeli occupation forces in the east of Gaza.
According to eyewitnesses, about 100 Palestinian children had demonstrated since the morning, about 100m away from a bypass road near Al-Mentar Crossing to the east of Gaza City. Settlers use the crossing, and Israeli occupation forces were positioned there. At approximately 15:20 local time, two Israeli occupation force military jeeps moved into within 30m away from demonstrating children, so the children ran away.
About seven minutes later, four children moved forward and threw stones at the two military jeeps from a distance of about 30m. Then, three soldiers got out of jeeps and one of them pointed his silenced gun towards one of those children, and fired. As a result, the child Al-Sharif was critically wounded with a live bullet in the chest. He died on the way to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City.
Investigations carried out by PCHR concluded that:
1) Killing the child Al-Sharif was willful and intentional, as a part of the record of crimes committed by the Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians.
2) Opening fire by the Israeli occupation soldiers on Palestinian children was not justified by the clashes that took place in the area, which were limited. No threat was posed to the lives of those soldiers.
3) Israeli occupation soldiers could have resorted to less lethal means to disperse demonstrating children; however, they immediately opened fire in order to kill.
4) The distance between the victim and the murderer was about 30m, so that soldier could have fired at extremities or at the lower part of the body, but he pointed his gun directly at the chest of the child, intending to kill him.
5) The movement of the two Israeli occupation force jeeps up to a distance of 30m away from demonstrators escalated the situation. Before that, Palestinian children had been about 150m away from the Israeli occupation forces so that they could not have been hit by stones thrown by the children.
In the evening, at approximately 21:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces fired artillery shells and heavy and medium bullets at Palestinian residential neighborhoods in the area of Al-Balaou’ at the northern entrance of Al-Bireh. This caused severe damage to houses and civilian facilities, including a building of the Palestinian Ministry of Local Government.
19 jan 2001
In the evening, at approximately 18:30 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned in two military sites in Nitzar Hazani and Qatis settlements fired heavy and medium bullets at the west of the area of Al-Qarar in Khan Yunis. The mentioned military sites are 150-200m to the west of Al-Qarara. PCHR’s field officer reported that firing at Palestinian houses and farms in the area sporadically lasted until 7:00 local time on the following day, and that Palestinian civilians were terrified throughout night.
He added that Salem Abdel-Qader Abu Shabab was wounded with a live bullet in the abdomen and was evacuated to Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis. Damages as a result of such fire were as follows:
1) Bullets made holes 2-5cm in external and internal walls, and destroyed windows of a 250-square-meter, three-story house, in which seven families consisting of 38 people lived. The house is owned by Kamal Mohammed Hassan El-Awadhi.
2) Bullets made holes 2cm in diameter in the façade of a 100-square-meter, one-story house, in which four people live, owned by Nidhal Mohammed Abdullah Abu Bakra.
3) Bullets made holes 2cm in diameter in the façade of a 500-square-meter, one-story house, in which 11 people live, owned by Mohammed Suleiman Abu Meghasib. In addition, a donkey owned by the family was wounded with live ammunition.
4) Bullets made holes 2cm in diameter in the façade of a 200-square-meter, one-story house, in which six people live, owned by Majdi Ibrahim Abu Meghasib.
5) Bullets made holes 2cm in diameter in the façade of an under-construction house, owned by Khaled Abdel-Karim Abu Khammash.
6) Bullets made holes 2cm in diameter in walls of a 100-square-meter, one-room tin house, owned by Haneya Abdullah Mohammed Abu Bakra. In her testimony to PCHR, Mrs. Abu Bakra said that she was inside her house, when shooting started. Several bullets penetrated tin walls into her room. She added that she was about to be hit, but she lied down on the ground and was able to escape to her brother’s house.
In the evening, at approximately 19:00 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned near Slah El-Din Gate on the border in Rafah opened fire on Palestinian houses adjacent to the border in Block “O” of Rafah refugee camp. As a result, two children were wounded with shrapnel rom live bullets while they were passing on a road 300m away from Salah El-Din Gate. The two were evacuated to Al-Joneina hospital in Rafah. They were:
1) The child Mohammed Omar Khalil Abu Shawish, 11 years old, a pupil in the fifth grade of elementary school, wounded with shrapnel in the right leg that made a five-cm hole; and
2) The child Tasnim Omar Khalil Abu Shawish, 8 years old, a pupil in the third grade of elementary school, wounded with shrapnel in the shoulder and the extremities.
In the evening, at approximately 18:30 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned in two military sites in Nitzar Hazani and Qatis settlements fired heavy and medium bullets at the west of the area of Al-Qarar in Khan Yunis. The mentioned military sites are 150-200m to the west of Al-Qarara. PCHR’s field officer reported that firing at Palestinian houses and farms in the area sporadically lasted until 7:00 local time on the following day, and that Palestinian civilians were terrified throughout night.
He added that Salem Abdel-Qader Abu Shabab was wounded with a live bullet in the abdomen and was evacuated to Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis. Damages as a result of such fire were as follows:
1) Bullets made holes 2-5cm in external and internal walls, and destroyed windows of a 250-square-meter, three-story house, in which seven families consisting of 38 people lived. The house is owned by Kamal Mohammed Hassan El-Awadhi.
2) Bullets made holes 2cm in diameter in the façade of a 100-square-meter, one-story house, in which four people live, owned by Nidhal Mohammed Abdullah Abu Bakra.
3) Bullets made holes 2cm in diameter in the façade of a 500-square-meter, one-story house, in which 11 people live, owned by Mohammed Suleiman Abu Meghasib. In addition, a donkey owned by the family was wounded with live ammunition.
4) Bullets made holes 2cm in diameter in the façade of a 200-square-meter, one-story house, in which six people live, owned by Majdi Ibrahim Abu Meghasib.
5) Bullets made holes 2cm in diameter in the façade of an under-construction house, owned by Khaled Abdel-Karim Abu Khammash.
6) Bullets made holes 2cm in diameter in walls of a 100-square-meter, one-room tin house, owned by Haneya Abdullah Mohammed Abu Bakra. In her testimony to PCHR, Mrs. Abu Bakra said that she was inside her house, when shooting started. Several bullets penetrated tin walls into her room. She added that she was about to be hit, but she lied down on the ground and was able to escape to her brother’s house.
In the evening, at approximately 19:00 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned near Slah El-Din Gate on the border in Rafah opened fire on Palestinian houses adjacent to the border in Block “O” of Rafah refugee camp. As a result, two children were wounded with shrapnel rom live bullets while they were passing on a road 300m away from Salah El-Din Gate. The two were evacuated to Al-Joneina hospital in Rafah. They were:
1) The child Mohammed Omar Khalil Abu Shawish, 11 years old, a pupil in the fifth grade of elementary school, wounded with shrapnel in the right leg that made a five-cm hole; and
2) The child Tasnim Omar Khalil Abu Shawish, 8 years old, a pupil in the third grade of elementary school, wounded with shrapnel in the shoulder and the extremities.
18 jan 2001
In the morning, at approximately 6:00 local time, Israeli occupation soldiers fired at Amena Mahmoud Mohammed Khalafallah, 55 years old, from Khan Yunis, wounding her with a live bullet in the right arm. In her testimony to PCHR, Mrs. Khalafallah said that she went out of her house to a cemetery in the southwest of the refugee camp of Khan Yunis.
When she arrived the cemetery, she heard shooting by Israeli occupation forces positioned in a military site in the vicinity of Neve Dekalim settlement, 200m to the west of the cemetery. This resulted in wounding her in the arm. Mrs. Khalafallah was evacuated to Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis. She added that shooting took place when there were no clashes in the area.
Also in the morning, at approximately 9:00 local time, Israeli occupation soldiers fired at Ossama Sha’ban Mohammed Abdel-Dayem, 25 years old, from Beit Lahia, wounding him with a medium caliber bullet in the right arm.
In his testimony to PCHR, Abdel-Dayem said that he was working in a greenhouse on his piece of land, 1500m to the east of Dogit settlement in the north of Beit Lahia. He added that he heard sounds of two live bullets being shot from the mentioned settlement, when there were no clashes in the area. One of them hit him in the arm. Abdel-Dayem was evacuated to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City.
In the morning, at approximately 6:00 local time, Israeli occupation soldiers fired at Amena Mahmoud Mohammed Khalafallah, 55 years old, from Khan Yunis, wounding her with a live bullet in the right arm. In her testimony to PCHR, Mrs. Khalafallah said that she went out of her house to a cemetery in the southwest of the refugee camp of Khan Yunis.
When she arrived the cemetery, she heard shooting by Israeli occupation forces positioned in a military site in the vicinity of Neve Dekalim settlement, 200m to the west of the cemetery. This resulted in wounding her in the arm. Mrs. Khalafallah was evacuated to Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis. She added that shooting took place when there were no clashes in the area.
Also in the morning, at approximately 9:00 local time, Israeli occupation soldiers fired at Ossama Sha’ban Mohammed Abdel-Dayem, 25 years old, from Beit Lahia, wounding him with a medium caliber bullet in the right arm.
In his testimony to PCHR, Abdel-Dayem said that he was working in a greenhouse on his piece of land, 1500m to the east of Dogit settlement in the north of Beit Lahia. He added that he heard sounds of two live bullets being shot from the mentioned settlement, when there were no clashes in the area. One of them hit him in the arm. Abdel-Dayem was evacuated to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City.
17 jan 2001
In the morning, at approximately 11:00 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned near Al-Montar (Karni) crossing, to the east of Gaza City opened fire on a sanitation truck from the Gaza Municipality, from a distance of more than 200m. A live bullet penetrated the windshield, wounding the driver Mosbah Joudeh El-Sheikh, 48 years old, from Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, with shrapnel in the neck. He was evacuated to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City.
In the evening, at approximately 22:00 local time, five tanks of the Israeli occupation forces moved from the area of Rafah Border Crossing to the west along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. They opened fire on Palestinian houses adjacent to the border in Al-Salam, Al-Barazil and Qeshta neighborhoods and Block “O” in Rafah. These tanks also fired artillery shells that hit two houses in Qeshta neighborhood at approximately 23:00 local time, as follows:
1) Two artillery shells hit a 140-square-meter, two-story house, in which 20 people live, 70m to the north of the border, owned by Hamad Hamdan Hassan Qeshta. They made holes 20cm in diameter in walls. None of the residents were there as they had left it in the previous weeks due to frequent shelling.
2) Two artillery shells hit a 120-square-meter, two-story house, in which 13 people live, 70m to the north of the border, owned by Hamad Hamdan Hassan Qeshta. They made holes 20cm in diameter in the walls. None of the residents were there as they had left in the past weeks due to frequent shelling.
In the morning, at approximately 11:00 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned near Al-Montar (Karni) crossing, to the east of Gaza City opened fire on a sanitation truck from the Gaza Municipality, from a distance of more than 200m. A live bullet penetrated the windshield, wounding the driver Mosbah Joudeh El-Sheikh, 48 years old, from Al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza City, with shrapnel in the neck. He was evacuated to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City.
In the evening, at approximately 22:00 local time, five tanks of the Israeli occupation forces moved from the area of Rafah Border Crossing to the west along the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. They opened fire on Palestinian houses adjacent to the border in Al-Salam, Al-Barazil and Qeshta neighborhoods and Block “O” in Rafah. These tanks also fired artillery shells that hit two houses in Qeshta neighborhood at approximately 23:00 local time, as follows:
1) Two artillery shells hit a 140-square-meter, two-story house, in which 20 people live, 70m to the north of the border, owned by Hamad Hamdan Hassan Qeshta. They made holes 20cm in diameter in walls. None of the residents were there as they had left it in the previous weeks due to frequent shelling.
2) Two artillery shells hit a 120-square-meter, two-story house, in which 13 people live, 70m to the north of the border, owned by Hamad Hamdan Hassan Qeshta. They made holes 20cm in diameter in the walls. None of the residents were there as they had left in the past weeks due to frequent shelling.
16 jan 2001
In the morning, at approximately 10:00 local time, dozens of Palestinian children demonstrated, 150m from an area where Israeli occupation forces were positioned, close to a road used by settlers near the Al-Montar (Karni) crossing into Israel, to the east of Gaza City. During clashes, which lasted sporadically until 17:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces fired live ammunition wounding five children as follows:
1) The child Mohammed Tayseer Abu A’jweh, 14 years old, from Al-Sharjaeeya neighborhood, was wounded with a live bullet in the left leg.
2) The child Khamis Ismail El Aiyoubi, 14 years old, from Al-Sharjaeeya neighborhood, was wounded with a live bullet in the right leg.
3) Rami Zeid Sebeita, 17 years old, from Al- Sharjaeeya neighborhood, was wounded with two live bullets in the two knees.
4) The child Sae’d Salman El-Khouli, 15 years old, from Al- Sharjaeeya neighborhood, was wounded with a live bullet in the left leg.
5) Zakaria Mohammed El-Jamal, 17 years old, from Jabalia, was wounded with a live bullet in the left thigh.
In the evening, at approximately 19:00 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned in the vicinity of Netzarim settlement, to the south of Gaza City, fired artillery shells and heavy and medium bullets at Palestinian houses and agricultural land, to the northwest of the settlement. PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that the shelling lasted until midnight and targeted a 150-square-meter gas station, which was also home to a four-story building used as offices.
These targets, owned by Al-Je’el Company, were 800m away from military sites of the Israeli occupation forces. The company had already left the gas station and the offices due to prior attacks. The shelling made holes more than one meter in diameter in eastern walls of the second, the third and the fourth floors, and holes 30cm in diameter in western walls of the second floor.
In the morning, at approximately 10:00 local time, dozens of Palestinian children demonstrated, 150m from an area where Israeli occupation forces were positioned, close to a road used by settlers near the Al-Montar (Karni) crossing into Israel, to the east of Gaza City. During clashes, which lasted sporadically until 17:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces fired live ammunition wounding five children as follows:
1) The child Mohammed Tayseer Abu A’jweh, 14 years old, from Al-Sharjaeeya neighborhood, was wounded with a live bullet in the left leg.
2) The child Khamis Ismail El Aiyoubi, 14 years old, from Al-Sharjaeeya neighborhood, was wounded with a live bullet in the right leg.
3) Rami Zeid Sebeita, 17 years old, from Al- Sharjaeeya neighborhood, was wounded with two live bullets in the two knees.
4) The child Sae’d Salman El-Khouli, 15 years old, from Al- Sharjaeeya neighborhood, was wounded with a live bullet in the left leg.
5) Zakaria Mohammed El-Jamal, 17 years old, from Jabalia, was wounded with a live bullet in the left thigh.
In the evening, at approximately 19:00 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned in the vicinity of Netzarim settlement, to the south of Gaza City, fired artillery shells and heavy and medium bullets at Palestinian houses and agricultural land, to the northwest of the settlement. PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that the shelling lasted until midnight and targeted a 150-square-meter gas station, which was also home to a four-story building used as offices.
These targets, owned by Al-Je’el Company, were 800m away from military sites of the Israeli occupation forces. The company had already left the gas station and the offices due to prior attacks. The shelling made holes more than one meter in diameter in eastern walls of the second, the third and the fourth floors, and holes 30cm in diameter in western walls of the second floor.
15 jan 2001
In the morning, at approximately 11:00 local time, Rae’d Smir Jendeya, 18 years old, from Al-Sharjeeya neighborhood in Gaza City, was wounded with two live bullets in the back and the left arm fired by the Israeli occupation forces.
In the morning, the Israeli occupation forces started to raze areas of agricultural land near a road used by settlers, to the east of Gaza City. PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that about 20 Palestinian young men and children demonstrated in the area. The Israeli occupation forces fired at them, wounding Jendeya.
In the evening, at approximately 17:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces penetrated into the village of Salem in Nablus. Palestinian civilians, resident of the village, faced these forces. The Israeli occupation forces opened fire on Palestinian civilians, killing Madhi A’ahed Abdullah Shehadeh, 24 years old, with a live bullet in the chest from a far distance.
In the evening, at approximately 21:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces fired more than 20 artillery shells and many heavy and medium bullets at Palestinian houses in the west of the refugee camp of Khan Yunis. PCHR’s field officer reported that the sources of the fire, which lasted until 3:00 local time on the following day, were the Israeli occupation forces military posts in the vicinity of Al-Tuffah roadblock and those near Neve Dekalim settlement. This resulted in severe damage to some Palestinian houses, which their residents had already left in the past weeks due to continuous shelling. Damages were as follows:
1) An artillery shell destroyed the asbestos roof of a 350-square-meter home, in which 30 people live, owned by Mahmoud Hamad Abu Radhwan.
2) Three artillery shells and some bullets made holes in walls of a 130-square-meter, two-story house, in which 10 people live, owned by A’adel Ali Abu Obeida.
3) Artillery shells and bullets made holes in walls of a five-story house, in which 18 people live, owned by A’adel ALI Abu Obeida.
4) An artillery shell hit a 130-square-meter, one-story house, in which 13 people live, owned by Jamil Sha’ban El-Tabesh, making holes 30cm in diameter in walls.
5) An artillery shell hit a 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which three people live, owned by Omar Jaber Mustafa Hejjo, destroying the asbestos roof and damaging water storage tanks and a television aerial.
6) An artillery shell hit a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which six people live, owned by Wae’l Jaber Mustafa Hejjo, destroying the asbestos roof.
7) Shrapnel from an artillery shell hit the house of Halim Salim Hejjo, damaging water storage tanks and making holes in the asbestos roof.
8) An artillery shell hit a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which three people live, owned by Ali Mahmoud Abu Shoqeir, destroying the asbestos roof and damaging water storage tanks.
9) An artillery shell and some bullets hit an 80-square-meter, two-story house, in which 11 people live, owned by Suleiman Hassan Abu Mukheimer, making holes 15cm in diameter in external walls, and 3cm in diameter in internal ones.
10) An artillery shell and some bullets hit a 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 22 people live, owned by Jaber Mohammed Abu Radhwan, making holes in walls and destroying the asbestos roof.
11) An artillery shell and bullets hit a 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 10 people live, owned by E’mad Abdel-Karim Abu Obeida, making holes in walls and destroying the asbestos roof.
12) An artillery shell hit a commercial store owned by Fayeq Oudeh Abu Akker, making holes 20cm in diameter in its door.
Settlers Launch barbarious Attacks on Properties of Palestinian Citizens in the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis
On January 15, 2001, dozens of settlers from the Gush Qatif settlement Block burst into the Al-Mawasi (agricultural) area in the west of Khan Yunis, which is under the control of the Israeli occupation forces, and attacked the properties of Palestinian citizens at the seashore and in Al-Mawasi area.
According to eyewitnesses, settlers attacked the area on Monday, January 15, 2001, in the afternoon, at approximately 12:30 local time, under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces. They started to attack Palestinian civilian facilities, houses, and agricultural land. Eyewitnesses added that settlers opened fire on Palestinian houses, set fire to three of these houses and some greenhouses, and destroyed irrigation networks on agricultural land.
They also set fire to some restaurants and cafés at the seashore. The Israeli occupation forces only intervened to put an end to the attack after two hours. By then it was too late. They had already terrified Palestinian citizens and caused massive destruction as follows:
1) They burned a 300-square-meter house owned by Sayed Abdullah Al-Najjar.
2) They burned a 150-square-meter house, in which five people live, owned by Ibrahim Yousef El-Lahham.
3) They burned a 300-square-meter house, in which 12 people live, owned by Awwad Khamis Al-Najjar.
4) They set fire to a commercial store of agricultural tools, owned Rafiq Abdel-Razeq El-Majaydeh. Palestinian citizens put the fire out.
5) They destroyed an irrigation network and a water pump on a tract of agricultural land, opposite to the entrance of Neve Dekalim settlement, owned by children of Abdel-Rahaman Al-Farra. PCHR’s field officer in Khan Yunis reported that attacking this tract of land was the starting point of the attacks launched by settlers.
6) They destroyed an irrigation network on agricultural land owned by Sabri Al-Najjar.
7) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by Rae’d Riadh El-Mayouk.
8) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by Abdullah El-Desouqi.
9) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by Mohammed Saleh El-Lahham.
10) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by Tariq Mustafa El-Majaydeh.
11) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by Ibrahim Omar El-Majaydeh.
12) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by A’dnan Hassan Sha’at.
13) They burned two greenhouses on a two-donum area of agricultural land owned by Samir Joma’a Al-Najjar.
14) They broke the windshield of a Mercedes automobile owned by Hamada Abdel-A’al Al-Najjar.
In the evening of the same day, at approximately 18:00 local time, about 500 settlers gathered at the entrance of Neve Dekalim settlement, and then dispersed into Al-Mawasi area. They continued their attacks on the properties of Palestinian citizens, under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces. The new attacks, which lasted until 2:00 local time on the following day, resulted in:
1) Razing a three-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas and a greenhouse planted with vegetables owned by Ibrahim El-Shae’r.
2) Razing six greenhouses on a 6.5-donum area of agricultural land owned by Salim Abdel-Mo’ti El-Salqawi.
3) Razing a two-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas and palms owned by Khalil Abdel-Shafouq El-A’badleh.
4) Razing a two-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas and demolishing three stores and a part of a bird farm, owned by Hhassan El-A’badleh.
5) Burning two greenhouses planted with vegetables owned by Mohammed Mohammed El-Zeq.
6) Partially burning two greenhouses planted with vegetables owned by E’id Zourob.
7) Destroying a greenhouse planted with vegetables owned by E’zzat Tafiq El-Astal.
8) Burning and destroying a room and a water pump owned by Saqer El-Agha.
9) Demolishing a room, destroying a well and a water pump, and razing a one-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas, owned by Mohammed Omar El-Astal.
10) Attempting to burn Al-A’qqad mosque. Settlers set fire to an umbrella adjacent to it, but Palestinian citizens put the fire out.
In the evening of Sunday, January 14, 2001, and in the morning of the following day, the Israeli occupation forces searched Palestinian houses in the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis. They arrested Sabri Sayed Abdullah Al-Najjar, 40 years old. These forces were heavily deployed in the area, preventing Palestinian citizens from getting out of their houses. They closed the two roads connecting Al-Mawasi with Rafah and Khan Yunis (Tal Al-Sultan roadblock in Rafah and Al-Tuffah roadblock in Khan Yunis), and all of the muddy back roads.
In the morning, at approximately 11:00 local time, Rae’d Smir Jendeya, 18 years old, from Al-Sharjeeya neighborhood in Gaza City, was wounded with two live bullets in the back and the left arm fired by the Israeli occupation forces.
In the morning, the Israeli occupation forces started to raze areas of agricultural land near a road used by settlers, to the east of Gaza City. PCHR’s field officer in the area reported that about 20 Palestinian young men and children demonstrated in the area. The Israeli occupation forces fired at them, wounding Jendeya.
In the evening, at approximately 17:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces penetrated into the village of Salem in Nablus. Palestinian civilians, resident of the village, faced these forces. The Israeli occupation forces opened fire on Palestinian civilians, killing Madhi A’ahed Abdullah Shehadeh, 24 years old, with a live bullet in the chest from a far distance.
In the evening, at approximately 21:00 local time, the Israeli occupation forces fired more than 20 artillery shells and many heavy and medium bullets at Palestinian houses in the west of the refugee camp of Khan Yunis. PCHR’s field officer reported that the sources of the fire, which lasted until 3:00 local time on the following day, were the Israeli occupation forces military posts in the vicinity of Al-Tuffah roadblock and those near Neve Dekalim settlement. This resulted in severe damage to some Palestinian houses, which their residents had already left in the past weeks due to continuous shelling. Damages were as follows:
1) An artillery shell destroyed the asbestos roof of a 350-square-meter home, in which 30 people live, owned by Mahmoud Hamad Abu Radhwan.
2) Three artillery shells and some bullets made holes in walls of a 130-square-meter, two-story house, in which 10 people live, owned by A’adel Ali Abu Obeida.
3) Artillery shells and bullets made holes in walls of a five-story house, in which 18 people live, owned by A’adel ALI Abu Obeida.
4) An artillery shell hit a 130-square-meter, one-story house, in which 13 people live, owned by Jamil Sha’ban El-Tabesh, making holes 30cm in diameter in walls.
5) An artillery shell hit a 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which three people live, owned by Omar Jaber Mustafa Hejjo, destroying the asbestos roof and damaging water storage tanks and a television aerial.
6) An artillery shell hit a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which six people live, owned by Wae’l Jaber Mustafa Hejjo, destroying the asbestos roof.
7) Shrapnel from an artillery shell hit the house of Halim Salim Hejjo, damaging water storage tanks and making holes in the asbestos roof.
8) An artillery shell hit a 100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which three people live, owned by Ali Mahmoud Abu Shoqeir, destroying the asbestos roof and damaging water storage tanks.
9) An artillery shell and some bullets hit an 80-square-meter, two-story house, in which 11 people live, owned by Suleiman Hassan Abu Mukheimer, making holes 15cm in diameter in external walls, and 3cm in diameter in internal ones.
10) An artillery shell and some bullets hit a 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 22 people live, owned by Jaber Mohammed Abu Radhwan, making holes in walls and destroying the asbestos roof.
11) An artillery shell and bullets hit a 200-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 10 people live, owned by E’mad Abdel-Karim Abu Obeida, making holes in walls and destroying the asbestos roof.
12) An artillery shell hit a commercial store owned by Fayeq Oudeh Abu Akker, making holes 20cm in diameter in its door.
Settlers Launch barbarious Attacks on Properties of Palestinian Citizens in the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Younis
On January 15, 2001, dozens of settlers from the Gush Qatif settlement Block burst into the Al-Mawasi (agricultural) area in the west of Khan Yunis, which is under the control of the Israeli occupation forces, and attacked the properties of Palestinian citizens at the seashore and in Al-Mawasi area.
According to eyewitnesses, settlers attacked the area on Monday, January 15, 2001, in the afternoon, at approximately 12:30 local time, under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces. They started to attack Palestinian civilian facilities, houses, and agricultural land. Eyewitnesses added that settlers opened fire on Palestinian houses, set fire to three of these houses and some greenhouses, and destroyed irrigation networks on agricultural land.
They also set fire to some restaurants and cafés at the seashore. The Israeli occupation forces only intervened to put an end to the attack after two hours. By then it was too late. They had already terrified Palestinian citizens and caused massive destruction as follows:
1) They burned a 300-square-meter house owned by Sayed Abdullah Al-Najjar.
2) They burned a 150-square-meter house, in which five people live, owned by Ibrahim Yousef El-Lahham.
3) They burned a 300-square-meter house, in which 12 people live, owned by Awwad Khamis Al-Najjar.
4) They set fire to a commercial store of agricultural tools, owned Rafiq Abdel-Razeq El-Majaydeh. Palestinian citizens put the fire out.
5) They destroyed an irrigation network and a water pump on a tract of agricultural land, opposite to the entrance of Neve Dekalim settlement, owned by children of Abdel-Rahaman Al-Farra. PCHR’s field officer in Khan Yunis reported that attacking this tract of land was the starting point of the attacks launched by settlers.
6) They destroyed an irrigation network on agricultural land owned by Sabri Al-Najjar.
7) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by Rae’d Riadh El-Mayouk.
8) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by Abdullah El-Desouqi.
9) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by Mohammed Saleh El-Lahham.
10) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by Tariq Mustafa El-Majaydeh.
11) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by Ibrahim Omar El-Majaydeh.
12) They burned a restaurant on the seashore owned by A’dnan Hassan Sha’at.
13) They burned two greenhouses on a two-donum area of agricultural land owned by Samir Joma’a Al-Najjar.
14) They broke the windshield of a Mercedes automobile owned by Hamada Abdel-A’al Al-Najjar.
In the evening of the same day, at approximately 18:00 local time, about 500 settlers gathered at the entrance of Neve Dekalim settlement, and then dispersed into Al-Mawasi area. They continued their attacks on the properties of Palestinian citizens, under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces. The new attacks, which lasted until 2:00 local time on the following day, resulted in:
1) Razing a three-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas and a greenhouse planted with vegetables owned by Ibrahim El-Shae’r.
2) Razing six greenhouses on a 6.5-donum area of agricultural land owned by Salim Abdel-Mo’ti El-Salqawi.
3) Razing a two-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas and palms owned by Khalil Abdel-Shafouq El-A’badleh.
4) Razing a two-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas and demolishing three stores and a part of a bird farm, owned by Hhassan El-A’badleh.
5) Burning two greenhouses planted with vegetables owned by Mohammed Mohammed El-Zeq.
6) Partially burning two greenhouses planted with vegetables owned by E’id Zourob.
7) Destroying a greenhouse planted with vegetables owned by E’zzat Tafiq El-Astal.
8) Burning and destroying a room and a water pump owned by Saqer El-Agha.
9) Demolishing a room, destroying a well and a water pump, and razing a one-donum area of agricultural land planted with guavas, owned by Mohammed Omar El-Astal.
10) Attempting to burn Al-A’qqad mosque. Settlers set fire to an umbrella adjacent to it, but Palestinian citizens put the fire out.
In the evening of Sunday, January 14, 2001, and in the morning of the following day, the Israeli occupation forces searched Palestinian houses in the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis. They arrested Sabri Sayed Abdullah Al-Najjar, 40 years old. These forces were heavily deployed in the area, preventing Palestinian citizens from getting out of their houses. They closed the two roads connecting Al-Mawasi with Rafah and Khan Yunis (Tal Al-Sultan roadblock in Rafah and Al-Tuffah roadblock in Khan Yunis), and all of the muddy back roads.
14 jan 2001
In the morning, at approximately 9:00 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned at the entrance of Erez industrial zone in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire on Palestinian laborers. Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed El-Shanbari, 20 years old, from Beit Hanoun was wounded, with a live bullet that tore through an artery in his left leg.
PCHR’s field officer in the northern area of the Gaza Strip reported that Palestinian laborers of the industrial zone had been gathered at its entrance since 6:00 local time. They were shouting, and protesting against humiliating security procedures carried out by the Israeli occupation forces. These forces closed the industrial zone, prohibiting the entry of Palestinian laborers, and chaos spread.
Then, the Israeli occupation forces opened fire on the Palestinian, wounding the above-mentioned laborer, who was evacuated to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City. In the evening, at approximately 18:00 local time, the child Omar Farouq Khaled, 11 years old, from Al-Bireh, was pronounced dead at Ramallah hospital. The child Khaled was hit with an explosive bullet in the head fired by the Israeli occupation forces on January 7, 2001. According to eyewitnesses, at 11:00 local time on Sunday, January 7, 2001 a sniper from the Israeli occupation forces fired at the child from an observation tower. The tower was about 200m away, at the northern entrance of Al-Bireh.
In the morning, at approximately 9:00 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned at the entrance of Erez industrial zone in the north of the Gaza Strip, opened fire on Palestinian laborers. Ahmed Mohammed Ahmed El-Shanbari, 20 years old, from Beit Hanoun was wounded, with a live bullet that tore through an artery in his left leg.
PCHR’s field officer in the northern area of the Gaza Strip reported that Palestinian laborers of the industrial zone had been gathered at its entrance since 6:00 local time. They were shouting, and protesting against humiliating security procedures carried out by the Israeli occupation forces. These forces closed the industrial zone, prohibiting the entry of Palestinian laborers, and chaos spread.
Then, the Israeli occupation forces opened fire on the Palestinian, wounding the above-mentioned laborer, who was evacuated to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City. In the evening, at approximately 18:00 local time, the child Omar Farouq Khaled, 11 years old, from Al-Bireh, was pronounced dead at Ramallah hospital. The child Khaled was hit with an explosive bullet in the head fired by the Israeli occupation forces on January 7, 2001. According to eyewitnesses, at 11:00 local time on Sunday, January 7, 2001 a sniper from the Israeli occupation forces fired at the child from an observation tower. The tower was about 200m away, at the northern entrance of Al-Bireh.
13 jan 2001
At approximately 11:00 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned at a branch road of Al-Shuhada’ (Netzarim) junction leading to Netzarim settlement in the west, to the south of Gaza City, opened fire on a number of Palestinian civilians. The civilians were demonstrating in Al-Moghraqa area, to the south of the aforementioned road.
As a result, the child Hassan Fae’q Mohammed Abu El-Haj, 12 years old, from Nusseirat, was wounded with a live bullet in the back. He was evacuated to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City.
At approximately 11:00 local time, Israeli occupation forces positioned at a branch road of Al-Shuhada’ (Netzarim) junction leading to Netzarim settlement in the west, to the south of Gaza City, opened fire on a number of Palestinian civilians. The civilians were demonstrating in Al-Moghraqa area, to the south of the aforementioned road.
As a result, the child Hassan Fae’q Mohammed Abu El-Haj, 12 years old, from Nusseirat, was wounded with a live bullet in the back. He was evacuated to Shifa’ hospital in Gaza City.