31 may 2002
Under their continuous policy of targeting Palestinian infrastructure, Israeli occupying forces destroyed an old church in ‘Aabud village in Ramallah through planting bombs inside.
At approximately 12:00, an armored personnel carrier and four military jeeps of Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Aabud village. Israeli soldiers forced a number of young men to remove Palestinian flags from public institutions and delete patriotic slogans written on walls.
At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the village, but came back again at approximately 18:00. They moved towards a Christian holy site, known as Buriar, in the west of the village. It is a cave that was a part of a historic church. Christians visit it on their feasts.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the village. Soon, residents of the village heard a heavy blast in the area. When they went to check what happened, they found the site totally destroyed.
Israeli Offensive on Nablus
At approximately 03:00, around 150 tanks and armored personnel carriers of Israeli occupying forces, supported by a number of helicopters, invaded Nablus and its refugee camps. They seized complete control over these areas and imposed a curfew. They raided houses and arrested many Palestinians. They also shelled Palestinian houses.
A Palestinian, ‘Emad Fathi Nemer Nasser, 20, from Balata refugee camp, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest.
A main electricity transmitter was destroyed, so electricity was cut from Balata refugee camp and the eastern and southeastern parts of Nablus.
Israeli forces raided houses in Balata refugee camp house by house, through opening holes in their walls that caused severe damage. Israeli forces forced male refugees, aged 14-45 to gather in public yards, where they interrogated them. On the first day of the Israeli offensive, around 1500 Palestinians from Balata refugee camp were arrested.
In Nablus, Israeli forces raided the house of the Secretary of the Fatah Movement in the city ‘Eassam Abu Baker, 45, and arrested him. They also raided houses of some political and field leaders, including the houses of Salah al-Din Darwaza, a Hamas leader who was assassinated by Israeli occupying forces around a year ago, and Jamal al-Tirawi, a Fatah leader.
Israeli forces continued to shell and shoot at Palestinian houses.
As a result, Tariq Helmi al-Kharraz, 23, from the old city of Nablus, was killed by a live bullet in the left eye fired by an Israeli sniper
Under their continuous policy of targeting Palestinian infrastructure, Israeli occupying forces destroyed an old church in ‘Aabud village in Ramallah through planting bombs inside.
At approximately 12:00, an armored personnel carrier and four military jeeps of Israeli occupying forces moved into ‘Aabud village. Israeli soldiers forced a number of young men to remove Palestinian flags from public institutions and delete patriotic slogans written on walls.
At approximately 13:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the village, but came back again at approximately 18:00. They moved towards a Christian holy site, known as Buriar, in the west of the village. It is a cave that was a part of a historic church. Christians visit it on their feasts.
At approximately 21:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the village. Soon, residents of the village heard a heavy blast in the area. When they went to check what happened, they found the site totally destroyed.
Israeli Offensive on Nablus
At approximately 03:00, around 150 tanks and armored personnel carriers of Israeli occupying forces, supported by a number of helicopters, invaded Nablus and its refugee camps. They seized complete control over these areas and imposed a curfew. They raided houses and arrested many Palestinians. They also shelled Palestinian houses.
A Palestinian, ‘Emad Fathi Nemer Nasser, 20, from Balata refugee camp, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the chest.
A main electricity transmitter was destroyed, so electricity was cut from Balata refugee camp and the eastern and southeastern parts of Nablus.
Israeli forces raided houses in Balata refugee camp house by house, through opening holes in their walls that caused severe damage. Israeli forces forced male refugees, aged 14-45 to gather in public yards, where they interrogated them. On the first day of the Israeli offensive, around 1500 Palestinians from Balata refugee camp were arrested.
In Nablus, Israeli forces raided the house of the Secretary of the Fatah Movement in the city ‘Eassam Abu Baker, 45, and arrested him. They also raided houses of some political and field leaders, including the houses of Salah al-Din Darwaza, a Hamas leader who was assassinated by Israeli occupying forces around a year ago, and Jamal al-Tirawi, a Fatah leader.
Israeli forces continued to shell and shoot at Palestinian houses.
As a result, Tariq Helmi al-Kharraz, 23, from the old city of Nablus, was killed by a live bullet in the left eye fired by an Israeli sniper
30 may 2002
At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, shelled Palestinian houses in Block O in Rafah refugee camp. During the shelling that continued sporadically until 18:00, 15 Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Sa’id Younis Subeh, 5, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
2. ‘Awni Shukri Joudeh, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
3. Qais Samir Abu Taha, 22, wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
4. Ahmed Mohammed Abu Hamra, 37, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
5. Khaled Ibrahim Barbakh, 19, wounded by shrapnel in the face and the limbs;
6. Hassan ‘Abdul Rahman Abu Rezeq, 11, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;
7. Majed Mohammed Abu ‘Eyada, 25, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
8. Nirmin Mohammed al-Hams, 22, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
9. Mohammed Mahmoud Ghuneim, 38, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
10. Mohammed Amin Abu Taha, 18, wounded by shrapnel in the right forearm;
11. Ashraf Mohammed ‘Abdul ‘Aal, 17, wounded by shrapnel in the left hand;
12. Mohammed ‘Emad al-Bazzar, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the right eye;
13. Ra’ed Sa’id Zannun, 18, wounded by shrapnel in the left thigh;
14. Ra’ed ‘Aatef Subeh, 22, wounded by shrapnel in the abdomen; and
15. Mohammed Ibrahim Daoud, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the left elbow.
At approximately 17:45, Israeli occupying forces in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian farms, approximately 300m east of the settlement.
Salah Hazem Dhurgham, 20, was wounded by several live bullets throughout the body. He bled to death.
His body was discovered at approximately 18:45 on Friday, on a farm owned by Mustafa Salim al-Barqi. According to PCHR’s investigation, Dhurgham left his house in Bten al-Samin area in the southwest of Khan Yunis towards his family’s farm near “Neve Dekalim” settlement adjacent to al-Barqi’s farm.
The Israeli gunfire from the settlement took place while he was on their farm, but no one, including his father who was on the farm, knew that he was wounded. Late at night, his family started searching for him. They discovered his body on an orange farm owned by al-Barqi, approximately 200m away from the settlement. The area surrounding him was full of blood. A taxi owned by Ra’ed Riadh al-Bayouk was also severely damaged.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces at Surda military checkpoint, north of Ramallah, opened fire at Palestinian civilians passing from Ramallah to Bir Zeit village. Two civilians were wounded:
1. Fadi Ghazi Subeh, 80, wounded by a live bullet in the back; and
2. Rezeq Yousef al-Tawil, 56, wounded by two live bullets in the chest and the left leg.
Also in the morning, Israeli occupying forces at Qalandya military checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem, opened fire at Palestinian civilians crossing the checkpoint. Six civilians, including three children, were wounded:
1. Huassam ‘Abbas Musleh, 15, from Ramllah, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the mouth;
2. Shadi No’man al-Nabulsi, 15, from Ramallah, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head;
3. Walid Mousa Saber, 63, from Ramallah, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left eye;
4. Manar Nafez Sultan, 22, from Ramallah, wounded by a live bullet in the right side;
5. Maher Mohammed Hammad, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the left hand; and
6. Shirihan Abu Ghoush, 24, from al-Jalazoun refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder
At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, shelled Palestinian houses in Block O in Rafah refugee camp. During the shelling that continued sporadically until 18:00, 15 Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Sa’id Younis Subeh, 5, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
2. ‘Awni Shukri Joudeh, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
3. Qais Samir Abu Taha, 22, wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
4. Ahmed Mohammed Abu Hamra, 37, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
5. Khaled Ibrahim Barbakh, 19, wounded by shrapnel in the face and the limbs;
6. Hassan ‘Abdul Rahman Abu Rezeq, 11, wounded by a live bullet in the left leg;
7. Majed Mohammed Abu ‘Eyada, 25, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
8. Nirmin Mohammed al-Hams, 22, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
9. Mohammed Mahmoud Ghuneim, 38, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
10. Mohammed Amin Abu Taha, 18, wounded by shrapnel in the right forearm;
11. Ashraf Mohammed ‘Abdul ‘Aal, 17, wounded by shrapnel in the left hand;
12. Mohammed ‘Emad al-Bazzar, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the right eye;
13. Ra’ed Sa’id Zannun, 18, wounded by shrapnel in the left thigh;
14. Ra’ed ‘Aatef Subeh, 22, wounded by shrapnel in the abdomen; and
15. Mohammed Ibrahim Daoud, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the left elbow.
At approximately 17:45, Israeli occupying forces in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian farms, approximately 300m east of the settlement.
Salah Hazem Dhurgham, 20, was wounded by several live bullets throughout the body. He bled to death.
His body was discovered at approximately 18:45 on Friday, on a farm owned by Mustafa Salim al-Barqi. According to PCHR’s investigation, Dhurgham left his house in Bten al-Samin area in the southwest of Khan Yunis towards his family’s farm near “Neve Dekalim” settlement adjacent to al-Barqi’s farm.
The Israeli gunfire from the settlement took place while he was on their farm, but no one, including his father who was on the farm, knew that he was wounded. Late at night, his family started searching for him. They discovered his body on an orange farm owned by al-Barqi, approximately 200m away from the settlement. The area surrounding him was full of blood. A taxi owned by Ra’ed Riadh al-Bayouk was also severely damaged.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli occupying forces at Surda military checkpoint, north of Ramallah, opened fire at Palestinian civilians passing from Ramallah to Bir Zeit village. Two civilians were wounded:
1. Fadi Ghazi Subeh, 80, wounded by a live bullet in the back; and
2. Rezeq Yousef al-Tawil, 56, wounded by two live bullets in the chest and the left leg.
Also in the morning, Israeli occupying forces at Qalandya military checkpoint, north of occupied Jerusalem, opened fire at Palestinian civilians crossing the checkpoint. Six civilians, including three children, were wounded:
1. Huassam ‘Abbas Musleh, 15, from Ramllah, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the mouth;
2. Shadi No’man al-Nabulsi, 15, from Ramallah, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the head;
3. Walid Mousa Saber, 63, from Ramallah, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the left eye;
4. Manar Nafez Sultan, 22, from Ramallah, wounded by a live bullet in the right side;
5. Maher Mohammed Hammad, 16, wounded by a live bullet in the left hand; and
6. Shirihan Abu Ghoush, 24, from al-Jalazoun refugee camp, wounded by a live bullet in the right shoulder
29 may 2002
At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block O in Rafah. Five Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Fawzi Fayez Abu Taha, 15, seriously wounded by an explosive live bullet in the chest;
2. Zuhair Khami al-Zummar, 46, wounded by an explosive live bullet in the right leg;
3. Eyad Mohammed Abu Taha, 33, wounded by shrapnel in the right thigh;
4. Wa’el Hassan Abu Jazar, 27, wounded by shrapnel in the right thigh; and
5. Mohammed Jamal al-Tawil, 27, wounded by shrapnel in the nose
In an apparent willful killing, Israeli occupying force shot dead a Palestinian civilian while on his way back home from his farm.
At approximately 17:00, Mohammed Ahmed Daoud Sonoubar, 26, from Yatma village, south of Nablus, was on his donkey on his way back from his farm, adjacent to a settler road.
When he was about to cross the road, Israeli soldiers got out of a military jeep that was patrolling the area and for no apparent reason shot him dead. An Israeli ambulance took his body to a site used by Israeli liaison forces south of Nablus before the body was delivered to the PNA. Israeli military sources claimed that the incident took place when Israeli soldiers were patrolling in Ussarin village, south of Nablus, and they noticed a Palestinian.
They ordered him to stop, but he escaped. Israeli soldiers shot him. They claimed that they thought that the young man was holding a gun, but he was carrying a farming tool.
In the Gaza Strip, on Wednesday, Ghalia Ahmed Shalah, 70, from Rafah, died from a heart attack at an Israeli military roadblock, south of Deir al-Balah.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 11:00, Shalah arrived at an Israeli military roadblock in Abu Houli area, south of Deir al-Balah, on her way home in Rafah. The roadblock was closed. She remained at the roadblock until 17:00.
Then, she suffered from difficulties in breathing. An ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society was in the area. Medics of the ambulance offered her first aid, but her health condition continued to deteriorate. After communication with the Israeli side through the Palestinian liaison, the ambulance was allowed to cross the Israeli military roadblock.
When the ambulance arrived at another Israeli military roadblock at al-Matahen junction, north of Khan Yunis, Israeli forces thoroughly searched it. Twenty minutes later, the ambulance was allowed to travel to hospital, but the woman died on the way.
At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block O in Rafah. Five Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Fawzi Fayez Abu Taha, 15, seriously wounded by an explosive live bullet in the chest;
2. Zuhair Khami al-Zummar, 46, wounded by an explosive live bullet in the right leg;
3. Eyad Mohammed Abu Taha, 33, wounded by shrapnel in the right thigh;
4. Wa’el Hassan Abu Jazar, 27, wounded by shrapnel in the right thigh; and
5. Mohammed Jamal al-Tawil, 27, wounded by shrapnel in the nose
In an apparent willful killing, Israeli occupying force shot dead a Palestinian civilian while on his way back home from his farm.
At approximately 17:00, Mohammed Ahmed Daoud Sonoubar, 26, from Yatma village, south of Nablus, was on his donkey on his way back from his farm, adjacent to a settler road.
When he was about to cross the road, Israeli soldiers got out of a military jeep that was patrolling the area and for no apparent reason shot him dead. An Israeli ambulance took his body to a site used by Israeli liaison forces south of Nablus before the body was delivered to the PNA. Israeli military sources claimed that the incident took place when Israeli soldiers were patrolling in Ussarin village, south of Nablus, and they noticed a Palestinian.
They ordered him to stop, but he escaped. Israeli soldiers shot him. They claimed that they thought that the young man was holding a gun, but he was carrying a farming tool.
In the Gaza Strip, on Wednesday, Ghalia Ahmed Shalah, 70, from Rafah, died from a heart attack at an Israeli military roadblock, south of Deir al-Balah.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 11:00, Shalah arrived at an Israeli military roadblock in Abu Houli area, south of Deir al-Balah, on her way home in Rafah. The roadblock was closed. She remained at the roadblock until 17:00.
Then, she suffered from difficulties in breathing. An ambulance of the Palestine Red Crescent Society was in the area. Medics of the ambulance offered her first aid, but her health condition continued to deteriorate. After communication with the Israeli side through the Palestinian liaison, the ambulance was allowed to cross the Israeli military roadblock.
When the ambulance arrived at another Israeli military roadblock at al-Matahen junction, north of Khan Yunis, Israeli forces thoroughly searched it. Twenty minutes later, the ambulance was allowed to travel to hospital, but the woman died on the way.
28 may 2002
At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with dozens of tanks and armored personnel carriers, and covered by intense shelling, invaded Jenin.
A Palestinian civilian, Yousef Saleh Shureim, 55, was killed by a live bullet in the knee, while he was on his way to the mosque.
Israeli forces left Shureim bleeding to death without offering him any medical help, even though his wound was moderate. Two other Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. ‘Ersan ‘Awadh al-Qureini, 80, wounded by shrapnel in the head; and
2. Nasser Hassan Salah, 33, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand.
Israeli forces raided houses, gathered civilians in streets and yards and arrested nine of them.
At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 800m into the north of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. They raided a site used by the Palestinian National Security Force. Israeli forces held two Palestinian security men and confiscated their guns before their withdrawal from the area.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block O in Rafah refugee camp. A child and a woman were wounded:
1. ‘Abdullah Marwan al-Rikhawi, 14, wounded by a live bullet in the buttocks; and
2. Lamiaa’ ‘Abdullah Ghuneim, 21, wounded by shrapnel in the face.
At approximately 21:00, three Israeli tanks and six armored personnel carriers moved into Bitounia village, southwest of Ramallah. They surrounded the house of Hassan Yousef, a political leader of Hamas in the West Bank. They called through loudspeakers on residents of the house.
When Yousef’s wife and six children got out of the house, Israeli forces held them. They interrogated the wife about where Yousef and his son Nasrallah were hiding.
At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces opened fire at the house. The Israeli gunfire continued until midnight. Fire broke out in the reception room and windows of the house were broken. Israeli forces withdrew from the area at 01:00 on the following day after they had searched the house.
At approximately 02:30, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with dozens of tanks and armored personnel carriers, and covered by intense shelling, invaded Jenin.
A Palestinian civilian, Yousef Saleh Shureim, 55, was killed by a live bullet in the knee, while he was on his way to the mosque.
Israeli forces left Shureim bleeding to death without offering him any medical help, even though his wound was moderate. Two other Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. ‘Ersan ‘Awadh al-Qureini, 80, wounded by shrapnel in the head; and
2. Nasser Hassan Salah, 33, wounded by a live bullet in the right hand.
Israeli forces raided houses, gathered civilians in streets and yards and arrested nine of them.
At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupying forces moved approximately 800m into the north of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. They raided a site used by the Palestinian National Security Force. Israeli forces held two Palestinian security men and confiscated their guns before their withdrawal from the area.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in Block O in Rafah refugee camp. A child and a woman were wounded:
1. ‘Abdullah Marwan al-Rikhawi, 14, wounded by a live bullet in the buttocks; and
2. Lamiaa’ ‘Abdullah Ghuneim, 21, wounded by shrapnel in the face.
At approximately 21:00, three Israeli tanks and six armored personnel carriers moved into Bitounia village, southwest of Ramallah. They surrounded the house of Hassan Yousef, a political leader of Hamas in the West Bank. They called through loudspeakers on residents of the house.
When Yousef’s wife and six children got out of the house, Israeli forces held them. They interrogated the wife about where Yousef and his son Nasrallah were hiding.
At approximately 21:30, Israeli forces opened fire at the house. The Israeli gunfire continued until midnight. Fire broke out in the reception room and windows of the house were broken. Israeli forces withdrew from the area at 01:00 on the following day after they had searched the house.
27 may 2002
At approximately 04:30, Israeli occupying forces invaded the Bethlehem area again. They seized complete control over the towns of Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahur, as well as al-Duha village and al-Duheisha refugee camp. They raided Palestinian houses, especially in al-Dheisha refugee camp and the centre of Bethlehem. Israeli forces, accompanied by interrogators, raided the house of Mousa Hammash, father-in-law of Ahmed al-Mughrabi, a Fatah activist wanted by Israeli forces.
They interrogated al-Mughrabi’s wife and humiliated residents of the house. During the Israeli invasion of al-Duheisha refugee camp, two Palestinian children were wounded by Israeli gunfire:
1. ‘Abdullah Ibrahim ‘Abdullah al-‘Eissa, 15, seriously wounded by a live bullet that cut an artery in the right thigh; and
2. Nazir Ibrahim ‘Abdullah al-‘Eissa, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the left hand.
In addition, during the Israeli invasion, a number of houses were damaged. Israeli forces also seized an UNRWA school and Araras building.
They raided offices of Bethlehem 2000 Radio and destroyed the doors and furniture. They also confiscated a broadcasting set, cutting off broadcasts of the radio station.
At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in Ramallah in the West bank. Soon, they surrounded a 3-story apartment building, in which 4 families live. They ordered the families through loudspeakers to get out of the building.
Then, they forced 32-year-old Mustafa ‘Ali Mutair, a supermarket owner, to enter the building with them, using him as a human shield. After they had searched the building, they held him with other residents of the building.
Before their withdrawal from the area, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian girl, ‘Abir Zeidan, 21, and a young man, Mohammed al-Nubani, 20, and took them to a concentration camp west of Ramallah. The girl was released in the evening, while the young man was kept in custody.
At approximately 04:30, Israeli occupying forces invaded the Bethlehem area again. They seized complete control over the towns of Bethlehem, Beit Jala, and Beit Sahur, as well as al-Duha village and al-Duheisha refugee camp. They raided Palestinian houses, especially in al-Dheisha refugee camp and the centre of Bethlehem. Israeli forces, accompanied by interrogators, raided the house of Mousa Hammash, father-in-law of Ahmed al-Mughrabi, a Fatah activist wanted by Israeli forces.
They interrogated al-Mughrabi’s wife and humiliated residents of the house. During the Israeli invasion of al-Duheisha refugee camp, two Palestinian children were wounded by Israeli gunfire:
1. ‘Abdullah Ibrahim ‘Abdullah al-‘Eissa, 15, seriously wounded by a live bullet that cut an artery in the right thigh; and
2. Nazir Ibrahim ‘Abdullah al-‘Eissa, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the left hand.
In addition, during the Israeli invasion, a number of houses were damaged. Israeli forces also seized an UNRWA school and Araras building.
They raided offices of Bethlehem 2000 Radio and destroyed the doors and furniture. They also confiscated a broadcasting set, cutting off broadcasts of the radio station.
At approximately 13:00, Israeli occupying forces moved into Um al-Sharayet neighborhood in Ramallah in the West bank. Soon, they surrounded a 3-story apartment building, in which 4 families live. They ordered the families through loudspeakers to get out of the building.
Then, they forced 32-year-old Mustafa ‘Ali Mutair, a supermarket owner, to enter the building with them, using him as a human shield. After they had searched the building, they held him with other residents of the building.
Before their withdrawal from the area, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian girl, ‘Abir Zeidan, 21, and a young man, Mohammed al-Nubani, 20, and took them to a concentration camp west of Ramallah. The girl was released in the evening, while the young man was kept in custody.
26 may 2002
In the afternoon, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with dozens of tanks and armored personnel carriers and covered by intense shelling, invaded Tulkarm in the West Bank.
A Palestinian civilian, Asa’d Ibrahim al-Qutob, 57, was killed by a live bullet in the head. At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces opened fire at al-Qutob’s house. When he was trying to move from his room to a more secure place inside the house, he was hit by a live bullet in the head.
At approximately 23:20, Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by a bulldozer, coming from the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, moved approximately 400m into the east of Gaza City. Immediately, an Israeli bulldozer demolished a site used by the Palestinian National Security Force, and razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land.
In the afternoon, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with dozens of tanks and armored personnel carriers and covered by intense shelling, invaded Tulkarm in the West Bank.
A Palestinian civilian, Asa’d Ibrahim al-Qutob, 57, was killed by a live bullet in the head. At approximately 01:00, Israeli forces opened fire at al-Qutob’s house. When he was trying to move from his room to a more secure place inside the house, he was hit by a live bullet in the head.
At approximately 23:20, Israeli occupying forces, accompanied by a bulldozer, coming from the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, moved approximately 400m into the east of Gaza City. Immediately, an Israeli bulldozer demolished a site used by the Palestinian National Security Force, and razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land.
25 may 2002
In an apparent willful killing, Israeli occupying forces killed a Palestinian woman and her niece while they were grazing animals in Gaza Valley village, southeast of Gaza.
According to PCHR’s investigation and eyewitnesses’ testimonies, at approximately 16:00, Kamal Saleh Suleiman Abu ‘Oleyan, 40, and her niece Anwar ‘Oleyan Saleh Abu Sa’id, 12, were grazing animals approximately 400m away from the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Gaza Valley village.
Suddenly and for no apparent reason, Israeli occupying forces at the border opened fire at the area. The two Palestinian civilians were wounded by live bullets. Then, a tank and an infantry unit moved approximately 200m into the area. They opened fire at farms in the area, causing grass to catch aflame and burning the two wounded civilians.
Five ambulances moved to the area upon a call by the child’s brother who saw the incident from a distance, but they were not able to reach the wounded due to intense gunfire from Israeli occupying forces.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the area and ambulances were able to reach the two victims, but they found them totally burnt.
At approximately 20:30, 20 Israeli tanks, supported by helicopters and covered by intense shelling, invaded Bethlehem. They imposed a curfew on large areas in the city. Then, Israeli occupying forces seized a building and surrounded the house of Mohammed Shehada in Wadi Ma’ali area.
They called through loudspeakers at Shehada and his family, comprised of his wife and four children, to exit the house and surrender. Israeli forces withdrew from the city at approximately 04:00 on the following day after they terrified Palestinian civilians and without making arrests.
At approximately 15:30, a number of Palestinian young men and children gathered at the entrance of Kufor Malek village, east of Ramallah. They threw stones towards four passing Israeli military jeeps. Israeli soldiers chased them inside the village. Israeli forces imposed a curfew on the village and fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, and tear gas at villagers.
Israeli forces besieged four young men and children in an alley and fired at them from a very close distance. The four were wounded:
1. ‘Aamer ‘Abdul Hamid Abu Rustom, 16, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the left leg and the right shoulder and side;
2. Mohammed Jom’a Yamin, 26, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the left hand;
3. Tahrir Sari Ghuneimat, 24, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the left leg; and
4. Mousa Hamayel, 14, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the left foot.
In the evening, Israeli soldiers at a military checkpoint near Qalandya, north of occupied Jerusalem, fired at Palestinian civilians who were on their way back to their houses. Two civilians were wounded:
1. ‘Ali Mohammed ‘Abdul Sami’, 26, from Qalandya refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the legs; and
2. Baha’ ‘Abdul Hamid Shehda, 17, from al-Am’ari refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the hands.
Also in the evening, Israeli occupying soldiers in an armored personnel carrier opened fire at a civilian car that was traveling on Dura-Hebron road.
The driver, Yasser Shehda Mohammed Hamdan, 23, was wounded by shrapnel in the neck and the left shoulder.
At approximately 05:50 on Saturday, a Palestinian baby died shortly after being born at an Israeli military roadblock in Bethlehem. Early in the morning, Fadia Kamel Za’oul, from Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem, felt pains of childbirth.
At approximately 04:00, her husband Jamal took her in his brother’s car towards a hospital in Bethlehem. When they arrived at the junction of al-Khader village, they found by sand barriers established by Israeli occupying forces to block the road. They were forced to get out of the car and take another car that traveled towards Bethlehem through al-Sidra-Beit Jala road.
When they arrived at an Israeli military roadblock in the area, Israeli soldiers denied them passage. The woman’s pains increased, so her husband called an ambulance, which quickly arrived.
Israeli soldiers refused to allow the evacuation of the woman into the ambulance, and allowed an obstetrician to deliver the baby. Lives of the woman and her baby were endangered, so Israeli soldiers allowed the passage of the ambulance towards hospital, but the baby died at approximately 05:50, shortly after arrival at the hospital.
Also on the same day morning, 64-year-old Mustafa ‘Abdul Jawad al-Qarut Edkeidek, from al-‘Eizaria village, east of occupied Jerusalem, died at an Israeli military roadblock while on his way from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
He suffered from a heart attack while waiting at the Israeli military roadblock. Israeli occupying soldiers denied the access of ambulances to the area. Two hours later, they brought an Israeli ambulance, but Edkeidek was dead.
In an apparent willful killing, Israeli occupying forces killed a Palestinian woman and her niece while they were grazing animals in Gaza Valley village, southeast of Gaza.
According to PCHR’s investigation and eyewitnesses’ testimonies, at approximately 16:00, Kamal Saleh Suleiman Abu ‘Oleyan, 40, and her niece Anwar ‘Oleyan Saleh Abu Sa’id, 12, were grazing animals approximately 400m away from the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Gaza Valley village.
Suddenly and for no apparent reason, Israeli occupying forces at the border opened fire at the area. The two Palestinian civilians were wounded by live bullets. Then, a tank and an infantry unit moved approximately 200m into the area. They opened fire at farms in the area, causing grass to catch aflame and burning the two wounded civilians.
Five ambulances moved to the area upon a call by the child’s brother who saw the incident from a distance, but they were not able to reach the wounded due to intense gunfire from Israeli occupying forces.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces withdrew from the area and ambulances were able to reach the two victims, but they found them totally burnt.
At approximately 20:30, 20 Israeli tanks, supported by helicopters and covered by intense shelling, invaded Bethlehem. They imposed a curfew on large areas in the city. Then, Israeli occupying forces seized a building and surrounded the house of Mohammed Shehada in Wadi Ma’ali area.
They called through loudspeakers at Shehada and his family, comprised of his wife and four children, to exit the house and surrender. Israeli forces withdrew from the city at approximately 04:00 on the following day after they terrified Palestinian civilians and without making arrests.
At approximately 15:30, a number of Palestinian young men and children gathered at the entrance of Kufor Malek village, east of Ramallah. They threw stones towards four passing Israeli military jeeps. Israeli soldiers chased them inside the village. Israeli forces imposed a curfew on the village and fired live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, and tear gas at villagers.
Israeli forces besieged four young men and children in an alley and fired at them from a very close distance. The four were wounded:
1. ‘Aamer ‘Abdul Hamid Abu Rustom, 16, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the left leg and the right shoulder and side;
2. Mohammed Jom’a Yamin, 26, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the left hand;
3. Tahrir Sari Ghuneimat, 24, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the left leg; and
4. Mousa Hamayel, 14, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the left foot.
In the evening, Israeli soldiers at a military checkpoint near Qalandya, north of occupied Jerusalem, fired at Palestinian civilians who were on their way back to their houses. Two civilians were wounded:
1. ‘Ali Mohammed ‘Abdul Sami’, 26, from Qalandya refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the legs; and
2. Baha’ ‘Abdul Hamid Shehda, 17, from al-Am’ari refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel from live bullets in the hands.
Also in the evening, Israeli occupying soldiers in an armored personnel carrier opened fire at a civilian car that was traveling on Dura-Hebron road.
The driver, Yasser Shehda Mohammed Hamdan, 23, was wounded by shrapnel in the neck and the left shoulder.
At approximately 05:50 on Saturday, a Palestinian baby died shortly after being born at an Israeli military roadblock in Bethlehem. Early in the morning, Fadia Kamel Za’oul, from Nahalin village, west of Bethlehem, felt pains of childbirth.
At approximately 04:00, her husband Jamal took her in his brother’s car towards a hospital in Bethlehem. When they arrived at the junction of al-Khader village, they found by sand barriers established by Israeli occupying forces to block the road. They were forced to get out of the car and take another car that traveled towards Bethlehem through al-Sidra-Beit Jala road.
When they arrived at an Israeli military roadblock in the area, Israeli soldiers denied them passage. The woman’s pains increased, so her husband called an ambulance, which quickly arrived.
Israeli soldiers refused to allow the evacuation of the woman into the ambulance, and allowed an obstetrician to deliver the baby. Lives of the woman and her baby were endangered, so Israeli soldiers allowed the passage of the ambulance towards hospital, but the baby died at approximately 05:50, shortly after arrival at the hospital.
Also on the same day morning, 64-year-old Mustafa ‘Abdul Jawad al-Qarut Edkeidek, from al-‘Eizaria village, east of occupied Jerusalem, died at an Israeli military roadblock while on his way from Jerusalem to Bethlehem.
He suffered from a heart attack while waiting at the Israeli military roadblock. Israeli occupying soldiers denied the access of ambulances to the area. Two hours later, they brought an Israeli ambulance, but Edkeidek was dead.
24 may 2002
As part of their policy of targeting Palestinian civilian facilities and property, Israeli occupying forces destroyed a workshop in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza, causing severe damage to adjacent workshops and factories.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 01:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 1200m into al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza, coming from a settler road linking al-Shuhada’ junction and al-Mentar crossing, east of the city.
At approximately 03:15, Israeli forces planted bombs in a lathe workshop owned by Ahmed Ibrahim Mahmoud ‘Aashour and destroyed it.
According to the owner, his workshop stood on a 400-square-meter area of land, was tin-roofed and contained 12 lathes designed for manufacturing machines that cut marble. Products of the workshop used to be exported to the West Bank.
As a result of the attack, the nine Palestinian workers working in the workshop were deprived of the primary source of income.
Israeli forces also razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables and olives owned by ‘Alla’ Nazhmi Dallul. Seven Palestinian civilians were moved to Shifa’ Hospital in Gaza, suffering from shocks and bruises while trying to escape from the area.
A number of adjacent workshops and factories were damaged.
The eastern part of the workshop was destroyed, and two Mercedes cars owned by Riad al-Sirhi and ‘Aatef As’ad al-Aswad were severely damaged.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and covered by intense shelling, invaded and seized complete control over Tulkarm and its two refugee camps, Tulkarm and Nour Shams.
An artillery shell hit a flat in al-Dhabe’ building in the west of the city, owned by Hassan Mahmoud Hassan Jamil, 33. Israeli forces fired the shell from an area approximately 300m away from the building.
The flat’s owner, his wife, Hanadi Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahim Da’bas, 30, and their four children, aged 1-9, were wounded by shrapnel.
At approximately 10:00, while Mahmoud Musbah Qadah, 20, from Shaqba village, west of Ramallah, was traveling in his car inside his village, two Israeli military jeeps raided the village. Israeli occupying soldiers got out of the jeeps, and for no apparent reason opened fire at the car.
Qadah was wounded by two live bullets in the right arm and shoulder. His family was not able to evacuate him to hospital due to restrictions on movement imposed by Israeli military roadblocks and checkpoints, so a physician came to the house and offered him first aid. His family was able to evacuate him to hospital in the following morning.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at a settler road between al-Mentar crossing and al-Shuhada’ junction, south of Gaza City, fired at a number of Palestinian young men who threw stones towards those forces from a distance of approximately 400m. Two young men were wounded:
1. Sameh Muhannad Abu ‘Amru, 18, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh; and
2. Mohammed Faraj al-‘Emrani, 25, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.
As part of their policy of targeting Palestinian civilian facilities and property, Israeli occupying forces destroyed a workshop in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza, causing severe damage to adjacent workshops and factories.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 01:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 1200m into al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza, coming from a settler road linking al-Shuhada’ junction and al-Mentar crossing, east of the city.
At approximately 03:15, Israeli forces planted bombs in a lathe workshop owned by Ahmed Ibrahim Mahmoud ‘Aashour and destroyed it.
According to the owner, his workshop stood on a 400-square-meter area of land, was tin-roofed and contained 12 lathes designed for manufacturing machines that cut marble. Products of the workshop used to be exported to the West Bank.
As a result of the attack, the nine Palestinian workers working in the workshop were deprived of the primary source of income.
Israeli forces also razed a 4-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables and olives owned by ‘Alla’ Nazhmi Dallul. Seven Palestinian civilians were moved to Shifa’ Hospital in Gaza, suffering from shocks and bruises while trying to escape from the area.
A number of adjacent workshops and factories were damaged.
The eastern part of the workshop was destroyed, and two Mercedes cars owned by Riad al-Sirhi and ‘Aatef As’ad al-Aswad were severely damaged.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and covered by intense shelling, invaded and seized complete control over Tulkarm and its two refugee camps, Tulkarm and Nour Shams.
An artillery shell hit a flat in al-Dhabe’ building in the west of the city, owned by Hassan Mahmoud Hassan Jamil, 33. Israeli forces fired the shell from an area approximately 300m away from the building.
The flat’s owner, his wife, Hanadi Mohammed ‘Abdul Rahim Da’bas, 30, and their four children, aged 1-9, were wounded by shrapnel.
At approximately 10:00, while Mahmoud Musbah Qadah, 20, from Shaqba village, west of Ramallah, was traveling in his car inside his village, two Israeli military jeeps raided the village. Israeli occupying soldiers got out of the jeeps, and for no apparent reason opened fire at the car.
Qadah was wounded by two live bullets in the right arm and shoulder. His family was not able to evacuate him to hospital due to restrictions on movement imposed by Israeli military roadblocks and checkpoints, so a physician came to the house and offered him first aid. His family was able to evacuate him to hospital in the following morning.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at a settler road between al-Mentar crossing and al-Shuhada’ junction, south of Gaza City, fired at a number of Palestinian young men who threw stones towards those forces from a distance of approximately 400m. Two young men were wounded:
1. Sameh Muhannad Abu ‘Amru, 18, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh; and
2. Mohammed Faraj al-‘Emrani, 25, from al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.
23 may 2002
At approximately 01:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 300m into Qaeshta neighborhood and Block O area adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah in the Gaza strip. During this incursion, which continued until 03:00, Israeli forces destroyed 22 stores owned by the Qeshta family. They also severely damaged five houses:
1. Furniture and electrical sets of a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 8 people live, owned by ‘Abdullah Musbah Mowafi, were severely damaged. Israeli forces also put ruins of the stores that were demolished in the house.
2. Israeli forces destroyed the fence of a 200-square-meter, one-story house, in which 15 people live, owned by Ashraf ‘Abdul Karim Suleiman Qaeshta. Three pillars of the house were cracked.
3. Israeli forces destroyed the fence of a 180-square-meter, one-story house, in which 8 people live, owned by Sa’id Mahmoud Hamad Qeshta. Three pillars of the house cracked.
4. Pillars of a 300-square-meter, three-story, in which 15 people live, owned by Yousef Mohammed Mahmoud Qeshta.
5. Israeli forces destroyed the fence and a room of a 180-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which one person live, owned by Suhaila Suleiman ‘Abdul Hadi Qeshta.
Four Palestinian civilians were also wounded by Israeli gunfire:
1. Fida’ Nabil Ziada, 18, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head;
2. Mohammed Saleh al-Sidudi, 15, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the left arm;
3. Hussein Nazhmi Mowafi, 17, wounded by shrapnel in the right foot; and
4. Faraj ‘Abdul Hai Abu Lebda, 30, wounded by shrapnel in the abdomen.
In addition, the infrastructure of the area was severely damaged.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with tanks and armored personnel carriers, invaded Seilat al-Harthia village, west of Jenin in the northern West Bank. They imposed a curfew, and raided and searched houses.
During this invasion, Israeli forces opened fire at houses, wounding 60-year-old ‘Abdul Karim Najib Jaradat with a live bullet in the leg, who was on his way to the mosque for the dawn prayer. Before they withdrew from the village, Israeli forces also arrested two Palestinians:
1. Shadi Ahmed al-Sa’di, 19; and
2. Amir Mousa Mohye al-Din, 18.
At approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses that had been shelled in the morning.
A Palestinian civilian, Bassam Hamad Qeshta, 30, was killed by a live bullet in the chest.
According to PCHR’s investigation, Qeshta was shot while he was helping his relatives to evacuate their house after it was damaged by Israeli shelling in the morning.
At approximately 01:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 300m into Qaeshta neighborhood and Block O area adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah in the Gaza strip. During this incursion, which continued until 03:00, Israeli forces destroyed 22 stores owned by the Qeshta family. They also severely damaged five houses:
1. Furniture and electrical sets of a 150-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which 8 people live, owned by ‘Abdullah Musbah Mowafi, were severely damaged. Israeli forces also put ruins of the stores that were demolished in the house.
2. Israeli forces destroyed the fence of a 200-square-meter, one-story house, in which 15 people live, owned by Ashraf ‘Abdul Karim Suleiman Qaeshta. Three pillars of the house were cracked.
3. Israeli forces destroyed the fence of a 180-square-meter, one-story house, in which 8 people live, owned by Sa’id Mahmoud Hamad Qeshta. Three pillars of the house cracked.
4. Pillars of a 300-square-meter, three-story, in which 15 people live, owned by Yousef Mohammed Mahmoud Qeshta.
5. Israeli forces destroyed the fence and a room of a 180-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house, in which one person live, owned by Suhaila Suleiman ‘Abdul Hadi Qeshta.
Four Palestinian civilians were also wounded by Israeli gunfire:
1. Fida’ Nabil Ziada, 18, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the head;
2. Mohammed Saleh al-Sidudi, 15, wounded by shrapnel in the head and the left arm;
3. Hussein Nazhmi Mowafi, 17, wounded by shrapnel in the right foot; and
4. Faraj ‘Abdul Hai Abu Lebda, 30, wounded by shrapnel in the abdomen.
In addition, the infrastructure of the area was severely damaged.
At approximately 02:00, Israeli occupying forces, reinforced with tanks and armored personnel carriers, invaded Seilat al-Harthia village, west of Jenin in the northern West Bank. They imposed a curfew, and raided and searched houses.
During this invasion, Israeli forces opened fire at houses, wounding 60-year-old ‘Abdul Karim Najib Jaradat with a live bullet in the leg, who was on his way to the mosque for the dawn prayer. Before they withdrew from the village, Israeli forces also arrested two Palestinians:
1. Shadi Ahmed al-Sa’di, 19; and
2. Amir Mousa Mohye al-Din, 18.
At approximately 18:00, Israeli occupying forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses that had been shelled in the morning.
A Palestinian civilian, Bassam Hamad Qeshta, 30, was killed by a live bullet in the chest.
According to PCHR’s investigation, Qeshta was shot while he was helping his relatives to evacuate their house after it was damaged by Israeli shelling in the morning.