29 mar 2002
Operation Defencive shield
On 29 March, approximately 200 Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers invaded the compound of PNA President Yasser Arafat in Ramallah and imposed a complete curfew on the city. They opened fire indiscriminately at Palestinian civilians, medical personnel, civil defense and journalists and arrested many Palestinian civilians and security officers. The detainees were taken to local schools, where they were interrogated. Hundreds of the detainees were taken to unknown destinations.
Later, some of the detainees were expelled to the Gaza Strip, and said that had been humiliated and subjected to ill-treatment by Israeli occupation forces. Thousands of Palestinian civilians are facing the prospect of death, starvation, and disease. Israeli occupation forces extra-judicially killed a number of Palestinian security officers, including five members of the Palestinian National Security Force killed inside an apartment building. Israeli forces arrested some of the wounded.
At least 23 Palestinians killed in Ramallah were buried in a mass grave.
Other West Bank cities, including Beit Jala, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Salfit, Jenin and Nablus, were also subjected to the Israeli full-scale offensive. Israeli occupation forces shelled these cities and cut electricity and water links. A church in Bethlehem is still under a strict siege by Israeli occupation forces.
Israeli forces have killed at least 19 Palestinians in these cities, including a woman and her son, whose evacuation to hospital or burial was prevented.
In violation of international humanitarian law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, Israeli occupation forces attacked Palestinian medical personnel and denied them access to the wounded. They also reportedly commandeered ambulances to raid Palestinian houses. They also raided a number of hospitals, especially in Ramallah. Israeli forces arrested five paramedics of the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
In violation of the right of free expression, and in an attempt to silence the press, Israeli occupation forces attacked journalists and media institutions. Four journalists were wounded by Israeli occupation forces in Ramallah and Bethlehem.
PCHR reiterates its call for the international community to immediately intervene to stop violations of human rights, including war crimes, perpetrated by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians. Israeli occupation forces are launching a full-scale war against the Palestinian people.
Since 29 March, Israeli occupation forces have conducted an unprecedented all-out offensive throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Israeli troops on 29 March invaded the compound of PNA President Yasser Arafat in Ramallah and imposed a complete curfew on the city.
According to information received from LAW - the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, the Israeli offensive on Ramallah started on Friday, 29 March. On the first day, five Palestinians were killed by Israeli occupation forces:
1. Suraida Farahan Abu Gharbia, 24, killed by several live bullets throughout the body;
2. 'Omar 'Abdulhamid Hamayel, 45, from Hufor Malek village near Ramallah, hit by several live bullets in the abdomen and the pelvis, and bled to death since ambulances were not able to reach him;
3. Ra'ed Mohammed 'Abdullah al-Damissi, 25, a policeman from Ramallah, killed by three live bullets in the abdomen and the side;
4. Jad 'Ezzat Ahmed Dar Salim, 26, a member of the Palestinian Military Intelligence Service, from Jaba' village near Jerusalem, killed by a live bullet in the heart; and
5. 'Alla' Faze' 'Ali Dharaghma, 22, a policeman from Tubas, killed by a live bullet in the head.
In addition, 20 Palestinians were wounded.
One of the wounded, Shaher Abu Sharar, a member of the Palestinian presidential guard (Force 17), was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen. He was wounded on Friday afternoon. Ambulances were able to evacuate him to hospital only in the evening. On Saturday morning, he was pronounced dead.
In the evening, Israeli occupation forces besieged and sealed off the Tabun building in the centre of Ramallah, which includes offices of press agencies, correspondents of television channels, and banks. On the following morning, they killed five members of the Palestinian National Security Force after having arrested them.
At 10:30 on Saturday, 30 March, while Maher al-Shalabi, director of Palestine Online, was on his way to his office in Tabun building, he discovered bodies of five members of the Palestinian National Security Force on the third floor of the building. When he checked the bodies, he found signs that they had been shot and beaten.
Their blood had coagulated, which indicates that they were killed a long time earlier. Films shown on international and Arab television channels showed bullet wounds back of the heads of the victims, apparently inflicted at point-blank range. Blood was seen on walls. This indicates that they were forced to stand with their faces to the wall before being shot.
Films also showed identity cards of the victims thrown on the ground, which indicates that Israeli occupation forces checked them. The victims are:
1. Khaled Fathi Mohammed 'Awadallah, 62, from Jericho;
2. Isma'il Ibrahim Zeid, 56, from Beit 'Anan village near Jerusalem;
3. Sa'id Mohammed 'Abdulrahman Mahdi, 60, from Gaza;
4. 'Abdulrahman Tawfiq 'Abdullah, 58, from Nablus; and
5. 'Omar Mohammed Mousa, 54, from Jericho
At approximately 16:00, Israeli occupation forces in a military location at the entrance to al-Mawasi area in the west of Rafah for no apparent reason opened fire at Palestinian houses in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. Two Palestinian children were wounded:
1. Mohammed Ahmed Joudeh, 15, wounded by shrapnel in the face; and
2. Kayed ‘Abdul’alim al-Hams, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the head.
At approximately 13:00, after the funeral procession of Zaid Wadi, who was killed by Israeli occupation forces on the previous day, a number of Palestinian boys threw stones towards Israeli forces positioned in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis. Israeli forces fired at the demonstrators wounding two:
1. Mubarak ‘Ali al-Hindi, 16, wounded by two live bullets in the legs; and
2. ‘Ezziddin ‘Ali Hajjaj, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.
In an excessive use of forces, at approximately 15:30, Israeli occupation forces opened fire at Zhafer Mohammed Kumail, 26, from Qabatya village in Jenin, while he was near a park at Deir Abu Dha’if junction. He was wounded by three live bullets in the leg, the side and the chest.
Israeli forces prevented his evacuation to hospital for three hours. He bled to death.
Before such offensive on Bethlehem, on Friday evening, Ahmed Ishaq Hamamra, 24, from Duheisha refugee camp in Bethlehem, was pronounced dead from a previous wound he sustained on Friday, 8 February, when Israeli occupation forces invaded Bethlehem and its refugee camps.
Attacks on Medical Personnel
At approximately 22:00, Israeli occupation forces positioned in the vicinity of the headquarters of the Palestinian President blocked an ambulance of the Palestinian Union of Medical Relief Committees, which was evacuating two Palestinians who were wounded inside the headquarters.
Israeli forces forced the medical personnel to get out of the ambulance and handcuffed them while undoing the bandages of the wounded. At 01:00 on the following day, Israeli forces released the medical personnel and the wounded but kept the ambulance.
At approximately 23:15, Israeli occupation forces blocked another ambulance of the Palestinian Union of Medical Relief Committees while it was on its way to evacuate some Palestinians who were wounded by Israeli forces
Attacks on Journalists and Media Institutions
At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupation forces raided al-Rayan buidling in al-Ersal Street, destroying the front door and elevator with explosives. They seized Amwaj broadcasting corporation and detained five of its staff, transforming it into a military position.
At the same time, Israeli forces seized the building of the Palestinian Union of Agricultural Relief Committees near Ramallah Hospital and detained the staff of local, Arab and international television channels before expelling them in the afternoon.
After they seized the television channels, Israeli forces replaced normal programming with pornographic films.
At approximately 10:45, Israeli occupation forces opened fire at a car clearly marked as belonging to the media, used by Egyptian Nile Television.
A cameraman, Carlos Yousef Hanzhal, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the lower jaw. The scene was broadcast on television channels worldwide; the footage showed the cameraman being fired upon the screams of his colleague who was calling for an ambulance.
Israeli forces also fired at an ambulance that attempted to evacuate him.
Operation Defencive shield
On 29 March, approximately 200 Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers invaded the compound of PNA President Yasser Arafat in Ramallah and imposed a complete curfew on the city. They opened fire indiscriminately at Palestinian civilians, medical personnel, civil defense and journalists and arrested many Palestinian civilians and security officers. The detainees were taken to local schools, where they were interrogated. Hundreds of the detainees were taken to unknown destinations.
Later, some of the detainees were expelled to the Gaza Strip, and said that had been humiliated and subjected to ill-treatment by Israeli occupation forces. Thousands of Palestinian civilians are facing the prospect of death, starvation, and disease. Israeli occupation forces extra-judicially killed a number of Palestinian security officers, including five members of the Palestinian National Security Force killed inside an apartment building. Israeli forces arrested some of the wounded.
At least 23 Palestinians killed in Ramallah were buried in a mass grave.
Other West Bank cities, including Beit Jala, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Salfit, Jenin and Nablus, were also subjected to the Israeli full-scale offensive. Israeli occupation forces shelled these cities and cut electricity and water links. A church in Bethlehem is still under a strict siege by Israeli occupation forces.
Israeli forces have killed at least 19 Palestinians in these cities, including a woman and her son, whose evacuation to hospital or burial was prevented.
In violation of international humanitarian law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, Israeli occupation forces attacked Palestinian medical personnel and denied them access to the wounded. They also reportedly commandeered ambulances to raid Palestinian houses. They also raided a number of hospitals, especially in Ramallah. Israeli forces arrested five paramedics of the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
In violation of the right of free expression, and in an attempt to silence the press, Israeli occupation forces attacked journalists and media institutions. Four journalists were wounded by Israeli occupation forces in Ramallah and Bethlehem.
PCHR reiterates its call for the international community to immediately intervene to stop violations of human rights, including war crimes, perpetrated by Israeli occupation forces against Palestinian civilians. Israeli occupation forces are launching a full-scale war against the Palestinian people.
Since 29 March, Israeli occupation forces have conducted an unprecedented all-out offensive throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Israeli troops on 29 March invaded the compound of PNA President Yasser Arafat in Ramallah and imposed a complete curfew on the city.
According to information received from LAW - the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, the Israeli offensive on Ramallah started on Friday, 29 March. On the first day, five Palestinians were killed by Israeli occupation forces:
1. Suraida Farahan Abu Gharbia, 24, killed by several live bullets throughout the body;
2. 'Omar 'Abdulhamid Hamayel, 45, from Hufor Malek village near Ramallah, hit by several live bullets in the abdomen and the pelvis, and bled to death since ambulances were not able to reach him;
3. Ra'ed Mohammed 'Abdullah al-Damissi, 25, a policeman from Ramallah, killed by three live bullets in the abdomen and the side;
4. Jad 'Ezzat Ahmed Dar Salim, 26, a member of the Palestinian Military Intelligence Service, from Jaba' village near Jerusalem, killed by a live bullet in the heart; and
5. 'Alla' Faze' 'Ali Dharaghma, 22, a policeman from Tubas, killed by a live bullet in the head.
In addition, 20 Palestinians were wounded.
One of the wounded, Shaher Abu Sharar, a member of the Palestinian presidential guard (Force 17), was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen. He was wounded on Friday afternoon. Ambulances were able to evacuate him to hospital only in the evening. On Saturday morning, he was pronounced dead.
In the evening, Israeli occupation forces besieged and sealed off the Tabun building in the centre of Ramallah, which includes offices of press agencies, correspondents of television channels, and banks. On the following morning, they killed five members of the Palestinian National Security Force after having arrested them.
At 10:30 on Saturday, 30 March, while Maher al-Shalabi, director of Palestine Online, was on his way to his office in Tabun building, he discovered bodies of five members of the Palestinian National Security Force on the third floor of the building. When he checked the bodies, he found signs that they had been shot and beaten.
Their blood had coagulated, which indicates that they were killed a long time earlier. Films shown on international and Arab television channels showed bullet wounds back of the heads of the victims, apparently inflicted at point-blank range. Blood was seen on walls. This indicates that they were forced to stand with their faces to the wall before being shot.
Films also showed identity cards of the victims thrown on the ground, which indicates that Israeli occupation forces checked them. The victims are:
1. Khaled Fathi Mohammed 'Awadallah, 62, from Jericho;
2. Isma'il Ibrahim Zeid, 56, from Beit 'Anan village near Jerusalem;
3. Sa'id Mohammed 'Abdulrahman Mahdi, 60, from Gaza;
4. 'Abdulrahman Tawfiq 'Abdullah, 58, from Nablus; and
5. 'Omar Mohammed Mousa, 54, from Jericho
At approximately 16:00, Israeli occupation forces in a military location at the entrance to al-Mawasi area in the west of Rafah for no apparent reason opened fire at Palestinian houses in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. Two Palestinian children were wounded:
1. Mohammed Ahmed Joudeh, 15, wounded by shrapnel in the face; and
2. Kayed ‘Abdul’alim al-Hams, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the head.
At approximately 13:00, after the funeral procession of Zaid Wadi, who was killed by Israeli occupation forces on the previous day, a number of Palestinian boys threw stones towards Israeli forces positioned in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis. Israeli forces fired at the demonstrators wounding two:
1. Mubarak ‘Ali al-Hindi, 16, wounded by two live bullets in the legs; and
2. ‘Ezziddin ‘Ali Hajjaj, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh.
In an excessive use of forces, at approximately 15:30, Israeli occupation forces opened fire at Zhafer Mohammed Kumail, 26, from Qabatya village in Jenin, while he was near a park at Deir Abu Dha’if junction. He was wounded by three live bullets in the leg, the side and the chest.
Israeli forces prevented his evacuation to hospital for three hours. He bled to death.
Before such offensive on Bethlehem, on Friday evening, Ahmed Ishaq Hamamra, 24, from Duheisha refugee camp in Bethlehem, was pronounced dead from a previous wound he sustained on Friday, 8 February, when Israeli occupation forces invaded Bethlehem and its refugee camps.
Attacks on Medical Personnel
At approximately 22:00, Israeli occupation forces positioned in the vicinity of the headquarters of the Palestinian President blocked an ambulance of the Palestinian Union of Medical Relief Committees, which was evacuating two Palestinians who were wounded inside the headquarters.
Israeli forces forced the medical personnel to get out of the ambulance and handcuffed them while undoing the bandages of the wounded. At 01:00 on the following day, Israeli forces released the medical personnel and the wounded but kept the ambulance.
At approximately 23:15, Israeli occupation forces blocked another ambulance of the Palestinian Union of Medical Relief Committees while it was on its way to evacuate some Palestinians who were wounded by Israeli forces
Attacks on Journalists and Media Institutions
At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupation forces raided al-Rayan buidling in al-Ersal Street, destroying the front door and elevator with explosives. They seized Amwaj broadcasting corporation and detained five of its staff, transforming it into a military position.
At the same time, Israeli forces seized the building of the Palestinian Union of Agricultural Relief Committees near Ramallah Hospital and detained the staff of local, Arab and international television channels before expelling them in the afternoon.
After they seized the television channels, Israeli forces replaced normal programming with pornographic films.
At approximately 10:45, Israeli occupation forces opened fire at a car clearly marked as belonging to the media, used by Egyptian Nile Television.
A cameraman, Carlos Yousef Hanzhal, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the lower jaw. The scene was broadcast on television channels worldwide; the footage showed the cameraman being fired upon the screams of his colleague who was calling for an ambulance.
Israeli forces also fired at an ambulance that attempted to evacuate him.
28 mar 2002
In an excessive and disproportionate use of forces, in the morning, Israeli occupation forces fired an artillery shell at a mentally handicapped Palestinian civilian, killing him instantly.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 01:00, Ziad ‘Abdullatif Suleiman Wadi, 40, from Khan Yunis refugee camp, was walking near a settler road west of “Morag” settlement, north of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
As soon as Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the settlement noticed him, they fired an artillery shell at the area where the man was walking, killing him instantly. Israeli forces kept his body until noon, when they delivered him to the Palestinian side through Tal al-Sultan checkpoint in Rafah. According to Palestinian medical source, the victim was hit by an artillery shell in the abdomen.
In an excessive and disproportionate use of forces, in the morning, Israeli occupation forces fired an artillery shell at a mentally handicapped Palestinian civilian, killing him instantly.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 01:00, Ziad ‘Abdullatif Suleiman Wadi, 40, from Khan Yunis refugee camp, was walking near a settler road west of “Morag” settlement, north of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.
As soon as Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the settlement noticed him, they fired an artillery shell at the area where the man was walking, killing him instantly. Israeli forces kept his body until noon, when they delivered him to the Palestinian side through Tal al-Sultan checkpoint in Rafah. According to Palestinian medical source, the victim was hit by an artillery shell in the abdomen.
27 mar 2002
At approximately 01:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, supported by a helicopter, moved into Wadi al-Haryea neighborhood, under full control of the Palestinian National Authority. They raided a Palestinian house and arrested Munjed Rubin Maraqa, 27.
At approximately 03:00, a number of Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 200m into al-Brazil neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, under the cover of intense shelling.
Amin Ahmed ‘Asfour, 22, was critically wounded by a live bullet that entered the back and exited the neck, while he was confronting the invading forces. Electricity was cut from Rafah after an electricity transmitter was destroyed. Israeli forces also seized two Palestinian houses and fired from them at every moving object.
They withdrew from the area at approximately 03:30.
At approximately 01:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles, supported by a helicopter, moved into Wadi al-Haryea neighborhood, under full control of the Palestinian National Authority. They raided a Palestinian house and arrested Munjed Rubin Maraqa, 27.
At approximately 03:00, a number of Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 200m into al-Brazil neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, under the cover of intense shelling.
Amin Ahmed ‘Asfour, 22, was critically wounded by a live bullet that entered the back and exited the neck, while he was confronting the invading forces. Electricity was cut from Rafah after an electricity transmitter was destroyed. Israeli forces also seized two Palestinian houses and fired from them at every moving object.
They withdrew from the area at approximately 03:30.
26 mar 2002
In an excessive use of force, Israeli occupation forces fired at a civilian car which was traveling from Bethlehem to occupied Jerusalem. Two Palestinian young men were killed:
1. Shadi Ibrahim Shaker Hamamra, 26, from Husan village, west of Bethlehem; and
2. Khaled Yousef Mousa, 19, from al-Khader village near Bethlehem.
Israeli occupation forces claimed that the two young men were going to carry out a suicide bombing in Jerusalem. However, television photos showed that they did not carry any explosives.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli occupation forces in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, fired at a number of Palestinian children who were playing on the space between al-Amal neighborhood and the mentioned settlement.
Hamed Fahmi Abu Shanab, 15, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the back.
In an excessive use of force, Israeli occupation forces fired at a civilian car which was traveling from Bethlehem to occupied Jerusalem. Two Palestinian young men were killed:
1. Shadi Ibrahim Shaker Hamamra, 26, from Husan village, west of Bethlehem; and
2. Khaled Yousef Mousa, 19, from al-Khader village near Bethlehem.
Israeli occupation forces claimed that the two young men were going to carry out a suicide bombing in Jerusalem. However, television photos showed that they did not carry any explosives.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli occupation forces in the vicinity of “Gani Tal” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, fired at a number of Palestinian children who were playing on the space between al-Amal neighborhood and the mentioned settlement.
Hamed Fahmi Abu Shanab, 15, was seriously wounded by a live bullet in the back.
25 mar 2002
At approximately 01:00, a number of Israeli heavy military vehicles moved into al-Salam neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. Some Palestinian gunmen confronted the invading Israeli forces, which opened fire indiscriminately.
A gunman, Samer Mohammed ‘Abdel-Jawad, 22, a member of the Palestinian resistance, was killed. Three Palestinian civilians were also wounded:
1. Islam ‘Aamer Abu Ne’ma, 8, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
2. Yahia Mahmoud al-Mallahi, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh; and
3. Mohammed Daoud ‘Eissa, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.
PCHR’s field worker in Rafah reported that the incursion continued lasted until 16:00, during which Palestinian houses were shelled, the electricity and water networks of the neighborhood were damaged, and 20 fuel tanks of a fuel station owned by Yousef Hamed Bahloul were destroyed.
Israeli occupation forces also seized two houses owned by Nassar Mohammed al-Sha’er and Tawfiq Hashem al-‘Ashi, detained their residents in one room and mounted the roofs, before they withdrew from the area.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 500m into al-Satar al-Gharbi area in the northwest of Khan Yunis. They fired an artillery shell at a fuel station owned by Fadi Hammad Abu ‘Oweili. They also razed approximately 30 donums of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and corns and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed Ramadan Fares.
2. They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Abdullah Hafezh Fares.
3. They razed a 12-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Na’im Hassan al-Agha.
4. They razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Fathi ‘Abdel-Ra’ouf Harazallah.
At approximately 10:20, Israeli occupation forces in military location at the center of Hebron shelled Palestinian houses in the city for more than 90 minutes. Three Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. ‘Alla’ Mustafa Qabaja, 21, wounded by shrapnel in the face;
2. ‘Eziddin ‘Ezzat al-Zaru, 28, wounded by shrapnel in the left leg; and
3. Taha Ahmed Abu Gheith, 62, wounded by a live bullet in the left knee.
At approximately 09:30, Israeli occupation forces at al-Matahen roadblock, north of Khan Yunis, fired live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets at Palestinian civilians who were waiting to cross the roadblock towards Gaza City. Three civilians were wounded:
1. Mohammed ‘Ali Abu Mousa, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the face;
2. Ahmed Ibrahim Khalafallah, 19, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left arm; and
3. ‘Abdel-Jabbar ‘Ali al-Farajani, 37, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the face.
This roadblock is closed daily between 17:00 and 09:00.
At approximately 13:00, Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Yassin, 13, from Jabalya refugee camp, was pronounced dead, from a previous wound in the abdomen he sustained by Israeli occupation forces on 12 March.
At approximately 01:00, a number of Israeli heavy military vehicles moved into al-Salam neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. Some Palestinian gunmen confronted the invading Israeli forces, which opened fire indiscriminately.
A gunman, Samer Mohammed ‘Abdel-Jawad, 22, a member of the Palestinian resistance, was killed. Three Palestinian civilians were also wounded:
1. Islam ‘Aamer Abu Ne’ma, 8, wounded by shrapnel in the head;
2. Yahia Mahmoud al-Mallahi, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the left thigh; and
3. Mohammed Daoud ‘Eissa, 19, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.
PCHR’s field worker in Rafah reported that the incursion continued lasted until 16:00, during which Palestinian houses were shelled, the electricity and water networks of the neighborhood were damaged, and 20 fuel tanks of a fuel station owned by Yousef Hamed Bahloul were destroyed.
Israeli occupation forces also seized two houses owned by Nassar Mohammed al-Sha’er and Tawfiq Hashem al-‘Ashi, detained their residents in one room and mounted the roofs, before they withdrew from the area.
At approximately 09:00, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 500m into al-Satar al-Gharbi area in the northwest of Khan Yunis. They fired an artillery shell at a fuel station owned by Fadi Hammad Abu ‘Oweili. They also razed approximately 30 donums of Palestinian agricultural land:
1. They razed a 10-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and corns and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Mohammed Ramadan Fares.
2. They razed a 6-donum area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by ‘Abdullah Hafezh Fares.
3. They razed a 12-donum area of agricultural land planted with vegetables and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Na’im Hassan al-Agha.
4. They razed a 500-square-meter area of agricultural land planted with olives and destroyed an irrigation network owned by Fathi ‘Abdel-Ra’ouf Harazallah.
At approximately 10:20, Israeli occupation forces in military location at the center of Hebron shelled Palestinian houses in the city for more than 90 minutes. Three Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. ‘Alla’ Mustafa Qabaja, 21, wounded by shrapnel in the face;
2. ‘Eziddin ‘Ezzat al-Zaru, 28, wounded by shrapnel in the left leg; and
3. Taha Ahmed Abu Gheith, 62, wounded by a live bullet in the left knee.
At approximately 09:30, Israeli occupation forces at al-Matahen roadblock, north of Khan Yunis, fired live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets at Palestinian civilians who were waiting to cross the roadblock towards Gaza City. Three civilians were wounded:
1. Mohammed ‘Ali Abu Mousa, 19, wounded by a rubber-coated metal bullet in the face;
2. Ahmed Ibrahim Khalafallah, 19, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the left arm; and
3. ‘Abdel-Jabbar ‘Ali al-Farajani, 37, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the face.
This roadblock is closed daily between 17:00 and 09:00.
At approximately 13:00, Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Yassin, 13, from Jabalya refugee camp, was pronounced dead, from a previous wound in the abdomen he sustained by Israeli occupation forces on 12 March.
24 mar 2002
In apparent willful killing, at approximately 08:00, Israeli occupation forces opened fire at a roadblock of the Palestinian National Security Forces at the entrance to Deir al-Sudan village, northwest of Ramallah.
A member of the roadblock, Mohammed ‘Ali Abu Shehada, 26, from al-Boreij refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, was wounded by a live bullet in the foot. Israeli soldiers arrested him and shot him dead from a very close distance.
In another willful killing, Israeli occupation forces shot dead Nash’at Mustafa Abu ‘Aassi, 21, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza, who was suffering from psychological disturbances, while he was walking near a settler road between al-Mentar crossing and al-Shuhada’ junction.
According to an eyewitness, at approximately 11:30, the victim was walking near the road. He called him to move back, but he did not do. Then, an Israeli military jeep arrived at the area and fired at the young men. Additional Israeli military vehicles came and besieged the area.
The young man was left bleeding to death. Israeli forces allowed the entry of a Palestinian ambulance into the area only at approximately 15:15. According to medical sources, Abu ‘Aassi received two live bullets in the back and the right arm.
Also at approximately 11:30, Israeli occupation forces in the vicinity of “Dogit” settlement, fired at Bilal Fathi al-Majdalawi, 26, from Beit Lahia, who suffers from psychological disturbances, while he was walking in al-Sayafa area, wounding him with three live bullets in the buttocks and the right knee.
Then, they arrested him. He was transferred to the Palestinian liaison forces on the following morning.
At approximately 13:30, Israeli occupation forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, fired at a number of Palestinian children who threw stones after the funeral procession of Subhi Abu Namous, who was killed on the previous day. Two children were wounded:
1. Jamal Sabri Zo’rob, 13, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh; and
2. Mohammed Sufian al-Qassas, 15, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the right hand.
At approximately 13:45, a number of Palestinian children threw stones towards Israeli occupation forces at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Jabalya refugee camp.
Mahmoud Munther Rayan, 15, was wounded by two live bullets in the abdomen and the right leg.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli occupation forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Elli Sinai” and “Dogit” settlements, north of Beit Lahia, opened fire at two Palestinian young men in al-Sayafa area. According to PCHR’s investigation, the two young men attempted to escape, but Israeli forces shot them dead.
Then, Israeli forces came towards them. Then, they brought dogs to check the bodies. Two hours later, they allowed the access of a Palestinian ambulance tow the bodies.
The two young men were identified as ‘Eissa Wasfi al-Nathar, 20, and Naji Ahmed al-‘Ajrami, 21, both from Jablaya.
They received several live bullets throughout the body. Israeli occupation forces claimed that the victims were carrying hand grenades, but according to field information the two were not members of any political parties or military organizations.
In apparent willful killing, at approximately 08:00, Israeli occupation forces opened fire at a roadblock of the Palestinian National Security Forces at the entrance to Deir al-Sudan village, northwest of Ramallah.
A member of the roadblock, Mohammed ‘Ali Abu Shehada, 26, from al-Boreij refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, was wounded by a live bullet in the foot. Israeli soldiers arrested him and shot him dead from a very close distance.
In another willful killing, Israeli occupation forces shot dead Nash’at Mustafa Abu ‘Aassi, 21, from al-Zaytoun neighborhood in Gaza, who was suffering from psychological disturbances, while he was walking near a settler road between al-Mentar crossing and al-Shuhada’ junction.
According to an eyewitness, at approximately 11:30, the victim was walking near the road. He called him to move back, but he did not do. Then, an Israeli military jeep arrived at the area and fired at the young men. Additional Israeli military vehicles came and besieged the area.
The young man was left bleeding to death. Israeli forces allowed the entry of a Palestinian ambulance into the area only at approximately 15:15. According to medical sources, Abu ‘Aassi received two live bullets in the back and the right arm.
Also at approximately 11:30, Israeli occupation forces in the vicinity of “Dogit” settlement, fired at Bilal Fathi al-Majdalawi, 26, from Beit Lahia, who suffers from psychological disturbances, while he was walking in al-Sayafa area, wounding him with three live bullets in the buttocks and the right knee.
Then, they arrested him. He was transferred to the Palestinian liaison forces on the following morning.
At approximately 13:30, Israeli occupation forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, fired at a number of Palestinian children who threw stones after the funeral procession of Subhi Abu Namous, who was killed on the previous day. Two children were wounded:
1. Jamal Sabri Zo’rob, 13, wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh; and
2. Mohammed Sufian al-Qassas, 15, wounded by shrapnel from a live bullet in the right hand.
At approximately 13:45, a number of Palestinian children threw stones towards Israeli occupation forces at the eastern border of the Gaza Strip, east of Jabalya refugee camp.
Mahmoud Munther Rayan, 15, was wounded by two live bullets in the abdomen and the right leg.
At approximately 14:00, Israeli occupation forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Elli Sinai” and “Dogit” settlements, north of Beit Lahia, opened fire at two Palestinian young men in al-Sayafa area. According to PCHR’s investigation, the two young men attempted to escape, but Israeli forces shot them dead.
Then, Israeli forces came towards them. Then, they brought dogs to check the bodies. Two hours later, they allowed the access of a Palestinian ambulance tow the bodies.
The two young men were identified as ‘Eissa Wasfi al-Nathar, 20, and Naji Ahmed al-‘Ajrami, 21, both from Jablaya.
They received several live bullets throughout the body. Israeli occupation forces claimed that the victims were carrying hand grenades, but according to field information the two were not members of any political parties or military organizations.
23 mar 2002
Israeli occupation forces killed Nabil Khamis ‘Abdel-‘Azziz ‘Abdel-Ghafour, 39, from al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis, claiming that he violated the daily curfew imposed on the area from 18:00 to 07:00.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 01:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into Abu al-‘Ajin area in al-Qarara under the cover of intensive shooting at Palestinian houses. Then, they raided and searched some houses. According to a resident of the area, Mousa Sweilem Abu Haddaf, Israeli occupation forces raided searched his house.
Then, they ordered him to get out of his house and knock on the doors of his neighbor’s house. When he emerged from the house, he saw a person on the ground who was bleeding. He could not identify him.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupation forces withdrew from the area. According to Abu Haddaf, he called the Palestinian liaison forces informing them that there was a body of a Palestinian man in the area. Then, an ambulance came and evacuated the body to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, where it was identified as that of Abdel Ghafour.
According to medical sources, the body was hit by several live bullets in the head and chest from close range. According to the victim’s family, he went out of his house at approximately 23:30 on Friday, 22 March. He was in a bad psychological state. Israeli occupation forces did not comment on the incident.
At approximately 01:00, a number of Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 100m into Salah al-Din Street in Block J area, adjacent to the Egyptian border south of Rafah. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. Some Palestinian young men and civilians confronted the invading forces.
A gunman, Mohammed ‘Ali Ahmed ‘Othman, 22, was killed by a heavy caliber bullet in the chest. In addition, a number of houses were severely damaged.
At approximately 16:45, Israeli occupation forces in military locations surrounding “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Nimsawi neighborhood.
Subhi Hassan ‘Atteya Abu Namous, 35, a teacher, was killed by a live bullet in the left eye while at home. The victim was also wounded ten months ago by shrapnel from live bullets in the left eye.
In addition, ‘Atta Khalil Abu ‘Eita, 23, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand, and apartment buildings of al-Farra Company were damaged.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli occupation forces positioned at the Egyptian border south of Rafah, for no apparent reason, opened fire at the adjacent al-Brazil neighborhood.
Ashraf Mohammed Abu Harb, 15, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg while he was near his family’s house.
At the same time, Israeli occupation forces positioned in a military location near Salah al-Din Gate at the Egyptian border opened fire on Palestinian houses in Block O area in Rafah refugee camp.
Akram Hassan Joudeh, 14, was wounded by a live bullet in the left arm.
At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupation forces at Deir Ebzi’ military roadblock, west of Ramallah, fired at Palestinian cars that were trying to travel on a nearby branch road.
Ra’ed Mohammed Khalil, 34, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli occupation forces raided ‘Aaboud village, west of Ramallah and for no apparent reason, they opened fire at Palestinian civilians in the village.
Khairiddin Hassan Mustafa, 15, was wounded by a live bullet in the right side, while he was on his way back home from his work. In addition, they arrested ‘Omar Samih al-Barghouthi, 26, from his shop, and Kamza ‘Atta Mezher, 16, mentally handicapped.
Israeli occupation forces killed Nabil Khamis ‘Abdel-‘Azziz ‘Abdel-Ghafour, 39, from al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis, claiming that he violated the daily curfew imposed on the area from 18:00 to 07:00.
According to PCHR’s investigation, at approximately 01:00, Israeli occupation forces moved into Abu al-‘Ajin area in al-Qarara under the cover of intensive shooting at Palestinian houses. Then, they raided and searched some houses. According to a resident of the area, Mousa Sweilem Abu Haddaf, Israeli occupation forces raided searched his house.
Then, they ordered him to get out of his house and knock on the doors of his neighbor’s house. When he emerged from the house, he saw a person on the ground who was bleeding. He could not identify him.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli occupation forces withdrew from the area. According to Abu Haddaf, he called the Palestinian liaison forces informing them that there was a body of a Palestinian man in the area. Then, an ambulance came and evacuated the body to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, where it was identified as that of Abdel Ghafour.
According to medical sources, the body was hit by several live bullets in the head and chest from close range. According to the victim’s family, he went out of his house at approximately 23:30 on Friday, 22 March. He was in a bad psychological state. Israeli occupation forces did not comment on the incident.
At approximately 01:00, a number of Israeli heavy military vehicles moved approximately 100m into Salah al-Din Street in Block J area, adjacent to the Egyptian border south of Rafah. They opened fire at Palestinian houses. Some Palestinian young men and civilians confronted the invading forces.
A gunman, Mohammed ‘Ali Ahmed ‘Othman, 22, was killed by a heavy caliber bullet in the chest. In addition, a number of houses were severely damaged.
At approximately 16:45, Israeli occupation forces in military locations surrounding “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Nimsawi neighborhood.
Subhi Hassan ‘Atteya Abu Namous, 35, a teacher, was killed by a live bullet in the left eye while at home. The victim was also wounded ten months ago by shrapnel from live bullets in the left eye.
In addition, ‘Atta Khalil Abu ‘Eita, 23, was wounded by a live bullet in the right hand, and apartment buildings of al-Farra Company were damaged.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli occupation forces positioned at the Egyptian border south of Rafah, for no apparent reason, opened fire at the adjacent al-Brazil neighborhood.
Ashraf Mohammed Abu Harb, 15, was wounded by a live bullet in the left leg while he was near his family’s house.
At the same time, Israeli occupation forces positioned in a military location near Salah al-Din Gate at the Egyptian border opened fire on Palestinian houses in Block O area in Rafah refugee camp.
Akram Hassan Joudeh, 14, was wounded by a live bullet in the left arm.
At approximately 08:00, Israeli occupation forces at Deir Ebzi’ military roadblock, west of Ramallah, fired at Palestinian cars that were trying to travel on a nearby branch road.
Ra’ed Mohammed Khalil, 34, was wounded by a live bullet in the left foot.
At approximately 16:00, Israeli occupation forces raided ‘Aaboud village, west of Ramallah and for no apparent reason, they opened fire at Palestinian civilians in the village.
Khairiddin Hassan Mustafa, 15, was wounded by a live bullet in the right side, while he was on his way back home from his work. In addition, they arrested ‘Omar Samih al-Barghouthi, 26, from his shop, and Kamza ‘Atta Mezher, 16, mentally handicapped.
22 mar 2002
In the morning, Israeli occupation forces raided Mohammed ‘Ali al-Muhtasseb hospital in Hebron, and severely beat its medical director.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupation forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood adjacent to the border. Three Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Eyad Sha’ban al-Mughari, 30, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
2. Ayman Mohammed Hassan, 30, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen; and
3. Mohammed Jamal Baraka, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the head.
Israeli occupation forces very often shell the area indiscriminately and for no apparent reason, causing large numbers of casualties among Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupation forces raided Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. When they got close to the consolation house of Amjad al-‘Allami, who was killed on 18 March, they opened fire on it.
Nidhal Ibrahim Hamdi al-‘Allami, 20, was critically wounded by an explosive live bullet in the head. He was pronounced dead on the following day.
In the morning, Israeli occupation forces raided Mohammed ‘Ali al-Muhtasseb hospital in Hebron, and severely beat its medical director.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupation forces positioned at the Egyptian border, south of Rafah, opened fire at Palestinian houses in al-Brazil neighborhood adjacent to the border. Three Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Eyad Sha’ban al-Mughari, 30, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
2. Ayman Mohammed Hassan, 30, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen; and
3. Mohammed Jamal Baraka, 16, wounded by shrapnel in the head.
Israeli occupation forces very often shell the area indiscriminately and for no apparent reason, causing large numbers of casualties among Palestinian civilians.
At approximately 15:00, Israeli occupation forces raided Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. When they got close to the consolation house of Amjad al-‘Allami, who was killed on 18 March, they opened fire on it.
Nidhal Ibrahim Hamdi al-‘Allami, 20, was critically wounded by an explosive live bullet in the head. He was pronounced dead on the following day.
21 mar 2002
At approximately 02:00, an Israeli military force comprised of approximately 200 soldiers airdropped from helicopters, reinforced with five tanks and a bulldozer, raided al-Yamoun and Seilat al-Harthia villages in the West Bank. They arrested 20 Palestinians in the two villages.
At approximately 16:00, a number of Israeli heavy military vehicles took position at the Egyptian border opposite to al-Brazil neighborhood in the south of Rafah, near the border between the Gaza strip and Egypt. Then, some of those vehicles moved several meters into the neighborhood under the cover of intensive shelling that targeted Palestinian houses.
The incursion continued until 20:00, during which nine Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Riham Hussam Mustafa Abu Taha, 5, clinically dead after she was shot in the head and she was officially pronounced dead on the following day, Saturday, Friday, 22 March;
2. Hamad Hamad Abu Jazar, 16, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
3. Ra’ed Mahmoud al-Mughari, 24, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
4. Mahmoud Khaled al-Sha’er, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot;
5. Ahmed Mohammed Abu Taha, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the left arm;
6. Ahmed ‘Aatef al-Satari, 12, wounded by a live bullet in the right arm;
7. Ashraf ‘Omar Daoud, 23, wounded by a live bullet in the buttocks;
8. Baker Ibrahim al-Batikhi, 23, wounded by shrapnel in the left arm; and
9. Zeinab Salem al-Sedoudi, 50, wounded by shrapnel in the left foot.
PCHR’s field worker in Rafah reported that Israeli occupying forces fired an artillery shell at an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society while it was evacuating the wounded.
The ambulance was severely damaged, but no casualties were reported among its crew.
Regarding the circumstances of the killing of the child Abu Taha, an eyewitness stated the following to PCHR:
“At approximately 16:00, I was at al-Rawda Street in al-Brazil neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border. I saw a number of Israeli tanks and bulldozers positioned at the border near al-Nour mosque and heard sounds of sporadic shooting. Ten minutes later, I saw an Israeli tank moving several meters into the aforementioned street, which was full of people of various ages.
The tank opened fire intensively and indiscriminately at the street. Many people, including myself, took shelter on branch roads. Soon, I saw a child falling down. I pulled him into a branch road. Then I saw two other children on the ground in front of Abu Baker mosque. I rushed towards them, despite the intense shooting.
When I was approximately 20m away from them, a young man, resident of the area, moved forward and carried a child, whose age is less than five and who was bleeding from the head. I checked the other child and discovered that he was not hurt. I ran after the young man who evacuated the little child.
We stopped a civilian car and took her to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital through branch roads to avoid Israeli forces. The child was bleeding from her left eye and was in complete trance. Medical sources asserted that the child was clinically dead. When her family came to the hospital I knew that her name is Riham Abu Taha aged 5. She was transferred to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis where she died on the following day.”
According to medical sources at Nasser Hospital, a heavy caliber bullet entered the child’s eye and exited her head.
In an apparent willful killing, in the afternoon, Israeli occupation forces shot dead Ayman Mohammed Rashid Khawalda, 23, from ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp in Nablus, and resident of Zawata village, west of the city.
According to investigations carried out by LAW – the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment – Khawalda, a shepherd, moved in the morning as usual towards a pastoral area near Zawata village, which is crossed by a settler road. He was accompanied by a boy from Zawata village.
When the boy went to bring food from his village, Israeli occupation forces came to the area and arrested Khawalda. On Friday morning, Khawalda’s body was discovered in the area. His family had informed the Palestinian liaison forces about the disappearance of their son, but Israeli occupation forces denied his arrest.
According to LAW’s field worker who saw the body at hospital, the victim was severely beaten and was hit by several live bullets in the head, the neck and the abdomen. According to medical sources, the victim received 15 live bullets mostly in the back and the abdomen, which were fired at him from a very close distance.
At approximately 02:00, an Israeli military force comprised of approximately 200 soldiers airdropped from helicopters, reinforced with five tanks and a bulldozer, raided al-Yamoun and Seilat al-Harthia villages in the West Bank. They arrested 20 Palestinians in the two villages.
At approximately 16:00, a number of Israeli heavy military vehicles took position at the Egyptian border opposite to al-Brazil neighborhood in the south of Rafah, near the border between the Gaza strip and Egypt. Then, some of those vehicles moved several meters into the neighborhood under the cover of intensive shelling that targeted Palestinian houses.
The incursion continued until 20:00, during which nine Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Riham Hussam Mustafa Abu Taha, 5, clinically dead after she was shot in the head and she was officially pronounced dead on the following day, Saturday, Friday, 22 March;
2. Hamad Hamad Abu Jazar, 16, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
3. Ra’ed Mahmoud al-Mughari, 24, seriously wounded by a live bullet in the abdomen;
4. Mahmoud Khaled al-Sha’er, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the left foot;
5. Ahmed Mohammed Abu Taha, 15, wounded by a live bullet in the left arm;
6. Ahmed ‘Aatef al-Satari, 12, wounded by a live bullet in the right arm;
7. Ashraf ‘Omar Daoud, 23, wounded by a live bullet in the buttocks;
8. Baker Ibrahim al-Batikhi, 23, wounded by shrapnel in the left arm; and
9. Zeinab Salem al-Sedoudi, 50, wounded by shrapnel in the left foot.
PCHR’s field worker in Rafah reported that Israeli occupying forces fired an artillery shell at an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society while it was evacuating the wounded.
The ambulance was severely damaged, but no casualties were reported among its crew.
Regarding the circumstances of the killing of the child Abu Taha, an eyewitness stated the following to PCHR:
“At approximately 16:00, I was at al-Rawda Street in al-Brazil neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border. I saw a number of Israeli tanks and bulldozers positioned at the border near al-Nour mosque and heard sounds of sporadic shooting. Ten minutes later, I saw an Israeli tank moving several meters into the aforementioned street, which was full of people of various ages.
The tank opened fire intensively and indiscriminately at the street. Many people, including myself, took shelter on branch roads. Soon, I saw a child falling down. I pulled him into a branch road. Then I saw two other children on the ground in front of Abu Baker mosque. I rushed towards them, despite the intense shooting.
When I was approximately 20m away from them, a young man, resident of the area, moved forward and carried a child, whose age is less than five and who was bleeding from the head. I checked the other child and discovered that he was not hurt. I ran after the young man who evacuated the little child.
We stopped a civilian car and took her to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital through branch roads to avoid Israeli forces. The child was bleeding from her left eye and was in complete trance. Medical sources asserted that the child was clinically dead. When her family came to the hospital I knew that her name is Riham Abu Taha aged 5. She was transferred to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis where she died on the following day.”
According to medical sources at Nasser Hospital, a heavy caliber bullet entered the child’s eye and exited her head.
In an apparent willful killing, in the afternoon, Israeli occupation forces shot dead Ayman Mohammed Rashid Khawalda, 23, from ‘Ein Beit al-Maa’ refugee camp in Nablus, and resident of Zawata village, west of the city.
According to investigations carried out by LAW – the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment – Khawalda, a shepherd, moved in the morning as usual towards a pastoral area near Zawata village, which is crossed by a settler road. He was accompanied by a boy from Zawata village.
When the boy went to bring food from his village, Israeli occupation forces came to the area and arrested Khawalda. On Friday morning, Khawalda’s body was discovered in the area. His family had informed the Palestinian liaison forces about the disappearance of their son, but Israeli occupation forces denied his arrest.
According to LAW’s field worker who saw the body at hospital, the victim was severely beaten and was hit by several live bullets in the head, the neck and the abdomen. According to medical sources, the victim received 15 live bullets mostly in the back and the abdomen, which were fired at him from a very close distance.
19 mar 2002
At approximately 11:30, four Israeli tanks moved into Palestinian National Authority controlled areas to the south of “Dogit” settlement in the northern Gaza Strip. They remained there for more than an hour during which they opened fire indiscriminately, but no casualties were reported.
In the meanwhile, two Israeli tanks moved into the north of Gaza, but soon they withdrew.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupation forces at al-Tuffah checkpoint, west of Khan Yunis refugee camp, fired at Palestinian civilians who were waiting to be allowed entry into al-Mawasi area.
Mohammed ‘Omar al-Majaidi, 27, was wounded by shrapnel in the face and the hand.
Attacks by Jewish Settlers
At approximately 14:30, a number of Jewish settlers from “Homesh” settlement, northwest of Nablus, opened fire at students of Seilat al-Zhaher school.
Muntasser Walid Abu Diak, 12, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh.
At approximately 11:30, four Israeli tanks moved into Palestinian National Authority controlled areas to the south of “Dogit” settlement in the northern Gaza Strip. They remained there for more than an hour during which they opened fire indiscriminately, but no casualties were reported.
In the meanwhile, two Israeli tanks moved into the north of Gaza, but soon they withdrew.
At approximately 10:00, Israeli occupation forces at al-Tuffah checkpoint, west of Khan Yunis refugee camp, fired at Palestinian civilians who were waiting to be allowed entry into al-Mawasi area.
Mohammed ‘Omar al-Majaidi, 27, was wounded by shrapnel in the face and the hand.
Attacks by Jewish Settlers
At approximately 14:30, a number of Jewish settlers from “Homesh” settlement, northwest of Nablus, opened fire at students of Seilat al-Zhaher school.
Muntasser Walid Abu Diak, 12, was wounded by a live bullet in the right thigh.
18 mar 2002
At approximately 09:25, Israeli occupation forces positioned atop the Intercontinental Hotel in Bethlehem opened fire at Palestinian houses in ‘Aaida refugee camp. A mute child, Assil ‘Eissa Qaraqe’, 8, was wounded by shrapnel from heavy caliber bullets in the right knee.
At approximately 23:00, three Israeli tanks supported by a helicopter moved approximately 700m into al-Birka area, south of Deir al-Balah. Palestinians confronted the invading Israeli forces, which fired several artillery shells.
Suleiman Hassan al-Zurei’ei, 47, an officer of the Palestinian General Intelligence, was killed by shrapnel from an artillery shell in the head. In addition, 4 other Palestinians were wounded:
1. Eyad Killab, 30, from Nusseirat refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
2. Ramzi Dugheim, 27, wounded by shrapnel in the shoulder;
3. Khaled al-Masar’ei, 34, from Deir al-Balah refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand; and
4. Nasri Mazrou’, 25, from al-Birka area, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand and upper arm.
According to PCHR’s information and testimonies of eyewitnesses, it is likely that a fifth young man, Mamdouh ‘Ali Muhsen, 30, from al-Nusseirat refugee camp, was wounded and Israeli occupation forces arrested him.
His body was discovered in a nearby area this morning. PCHR is concerned that Israeli occupation forces killed him after he was arrested. PCHR has initiated an investigation into the incident.
At approximately 14:00, an elite Israeli unit in a civilian car, supported by three military jeeps, moved into Um al-Dalia neighborhood in Hebron. They trapped Taleb Karam Abu Suneina, 30, and severely beat him.
When his bother-in-law Mohammed Ishaq Abu Mayala, 18, from Hebron, protested this act, Israeli soldiers fired at him, wounding him with a live bullet in the right thigh.
At approximately 16:30, Israeli occupation forces at an iron gate at the entrance to al-Sayafa area, north of Beit Lahia, detained seven children from the Zindah family for more than two hours, during which they ordered them to lie on the ground and then fired over their heads to terrify them.
At approximately 22:00, three Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They opened fire indiscriminately and for no apparent reason at Palestinian civilians and their houses.
Amjad Bahjat Abu Sarah al-‘Allami, 23, was killed by an explosive live bullet in the head.
At approximately 23:15, Israeli occupation forces detained medical personnel of Palestine Red Crescent Society when they moved to al-Birka area, south of Deir al-Balah, to evacuate those who were wounded in clashes in the area. They were released at 09:00 on the following day.
At approximately 09:25, Israeli occupation forces positioned atop the Intercontinental Hotel in Bethlehem opened fire at Palestinian houses in ‘Aaida refugee camp. A mute child, Assil ‘Eissa Qaraqe’, 8, was wounded by shrapnel from heavy caliber bullets in the right knee.
At approximately 23:00, three Israeli tanks supported by a helicopter moved approximately 700m into al-Birka area, south of Deir al-Balah. Palestinians confronted the invading Israeli forces, which fired several artillery shells.
Suleiman Hassan al-Zurei’ei, 47, an officer of the Palestinian General Intelligence, was killed by shrapnel from an artillery shell in the head. In addition, 4 other Palestinians were wounded:
1. Eyad Killab, 30, from Nusseirat refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;
2. Ramzi Dugheim, 27, wounded by shrapnel in the shoulder;
3. Khaled al-Masar’ei, 34, from Deir al-Balah refugee camp, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand; and
4. Nasri Mazrou’, 25, from al-Birka area, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand and upper arm.
According to PCHR’s information and testimonies of eyewitnesses, it is likely that a fifth young man, Mamdouh ‘Ali Muhsen, 30, from al-Nusseirat refugee camp, was wounded and Israeli occupation forces arrested him.
His body was discovered in a nearby area this morning. PCHR is concerned that Israeli occupation forces killed him after he was arrested. PCHR has initiated an investigation into the incident.
At approximately 14:00, an elite Israeli unit in a civilian car, supported by three military jeeps, moved into Um al-Dalia neighborhood in Hebron. They trapped Taleb Karam Abu Suneina, 30, and severely beat him.
When his bother-in-law Mohammed Ishaq Abu Mayala, 18, from Hebron, protested this act, Israeli soldiers fired at him, wounding him with a live bullet in the right thigh.
At approximately 16:30, Israeli occupation forces at an iron gate at the entrance to al-Sayafa area, north of Beit Lahia, detained seven children from the Zindah family for more than two hours, during which they ordered them to lie on the ground and then fired over their heads to terrify them.
At approximately 22:00, three Israeli military jeeps moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They opened fire indiscriminately and for no apparent reason at Palestinian civilians and their houses.
Amjad Bahjat Abu Sarah al-‘Allami, 23, was killed by an explosive live bullet in the head.
At approximately 23:15, Israeli occupation forces detained medical personnel of Palestine Red Crescent Society when they moved to al-Birka area, south of Deir al-Balah, to evacuate those who were wounded in clashes in the area. They were released at 09:00 on the following day.
17 mar 2002
In the morning, Israeli occupation forces in two armored personnel carriers at the northeastern entrance to Nablus, in the northern West Bank, opened fire at Palestinian houses in ‘Askar refugee camp.
Eyad ‘Emad Mohammed al-Mughrabi, 9, was critically wounded by a heavy caliber bullet in the head. He was pronounced dead on Wednesday evening, 20 March. In addition, three other children were wounded:
1. Yousef Jamil Sharqawi, 14, wounded by two live bullets in the left thigh and leg;
2. Samer Basel Hassouna, 9, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot; and
3. Rami Nasser Judeh, 10, wounded by a live bullet in the head.
At approximately 08:30, Israeli occupation forces started demolishing three Palestinian houses in Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, owned by Yousef ‘Awad al-Sumeiri, ‘Awadh ‘Aayesh al-Sumeiri and ‘Oleyan Yousef al-Sumeiri.
At approximately 14:45, dozens of Israeli military vehicles moved into the north of Bethlehem, under the cover of intense shelling that targeted Palestinian civilians and their houses.
Mahmoud Mousa ‘Awad, 24, from Bethlehem, was killed by a heavy caliber bullet in the head. In addition, a number of houses and shops were damaged.
At approximately 23:40, Israeli occupation forces in military locations inside “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, shelled al-Nimsawi neighborhood and Khan Yunis cemetery. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Khalil Hulayel Abu Sitta, 15, wounded by shrapnel in the head; and
2. Nabhan ‘Othman al-Tayeh, 35, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand.
In addition, apartment buildings of al-Farra Company in the neighborhood were severely damaged
At approximately 16:30 on Sunday, Falah Kamel ‘Oudeh Safi al-‘Assa, 30, from al-‘Obeidia village in Bethlehem, was killed by an exploding device while he was on his way back home from his work in “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement.
In his testimony to LAW – the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, chairman of ‘Anata local council Saleh Yousef said that at approximately 16:30 on Sunday, 17 March, an explosion occurred in the area between “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem, and ‘Anata village. Local residents rushed to the scene to check what happened.
They found three young man, one was killed, another was wounded, ‘Oudeh ‘Awadh Abu Sarhan, 28, from al-‘obeidia village, and the third was not hurt. According to the third young man, while the three were back from their work they found a bag on the ground. Al-‘Assa moved towards the bag to open it. Soon, the bag exploded and he was killed.
The body of the victim and the other two young men were moved to their village, but Israeli occupation forces imposed a curfew on the village, took the body of the victim and arrested the other two young men.
According to investigations carried out by LAW, the bag contained an exploding device and was put on a dirt road routinely used by Palestinian laborers. Israeli occupation forces and Jewish settlers do not use this road. So, it is unlikely that it was put by Palestinian gunmen to ambush Israeli occupation forces and Jewish settlers; rather, the opposite is most likely.
Two weeks ago, an extremist Jewish organization called “Revenge of Children”, planted explosives inside a Palestinian school in occupied Jerusalem targeting teachers and pupils.
A teacher and a number of pupils were wounded.
In the morning, Israeli occupation forces in two armored personnel carriers at the northeastern entrance to Nablus, in the northern West Bank, opened fire at Palestinian houses in ‘Askar refugee camp.
Eyad ‘Emad Mohammed al-Mughrabi, 9, was critically wounded by a heavy caliber bullet in the head. He was pronounced dead on Wednesday evening, 20 March. In addition, three other children were wounded:
1. Yousef Jamil Sharqawi, 14, wounded by two live bullets in the left thigh and leg;
2. Samer Basel Hassouna, 9, wounded by a live bullet in the right foot; and
3. Rami Nasser Judeh, 10, wounded by a live bullet in the head.
At approximately 08:30, Israeli occupation forces started demolishing three Palestinian houses in Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, owned by Yousef ‘Awad al-Sumeiri, ‘Awadh ‘Aayesh al-Sumeiri and ‘Oleyan Yousef al-Sumeiri.
At approximately 14:45, dozens of Israeli military vehicles moved into the north of Bethlehem, under the cover of intense shelling that targeted Palestinian civilians and their houses.
Mahmoud Mousa ‘Awad, 24, from Bethlehem, was killed by a heavy caliber bullet in the head. In addition, a number of houses and shops were damaged.
At approximately 23:40, Israeli occupation forces in military locations inside “Neve Dekalim” settlement, west of Khan Yunis, shelled al-Nimsawi neighborhood and Khan Yunis cemetery. Two Palestinian civilians were wounded:
1. Khalil Hulayel Abu Sitta, 15, wounded by shrapnel in the head; and
2. Nabhan ‘Othman al-Tayeh, 35, wounded by shrapnel in the right hand.
In addition, apartment buildings of al-Farra Company in the neighborhood were severely damaged
At approximately 16:30 on Sunday, Falah Kamel ‘Oudeh Safi al-‘Assa, 30, from al-‘Obeidia village in Bethlehem, was killed by an exploding device while he was on his way back home from his work in “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement.
In his testimony to LAW – the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, chairman of ‘Anata local council Saleh Yousef said that at approximately 16:30 on Sunday, 17 March, an explosion occurred in the area between “Pisgat Ze’ev” settlement, east of occupied Jerusalem, and ‘Anata village. Local residents rushed to the scene to check what happened.
They found three young man, one was killed, another was wounded, ‘Oudeh ‘Awadh Abu Sarhan, 28, from al-‘obeidia village, and the third was not hurt. According to the third young man, while the three were back from their work they found a bag on the ground. Al-‘Assa moved towards the bag to open it. Soon, the bag exploded and he was killed.
The body of the victim and the other two young men were moved to their village, but Israeli occupation forces imposed a curfew on the village, took the body of the victim and arrested the other two young men.
According to investigations carried out by LAW, the bag contained an exploding device and was put on a dirt road routinely used by Palestinian laborers. Israeli occupation forces and Jewish settlers do not use this road. So, it is unlikely that it was put by Palestinian gunmen to ambush Israeli occupation forces and Jewish settlers; rather, the opposite is most likely.
Two weeks ago, an extremist Jewish organization called “Revenge of Children”, planted explosives inside a Palestinian school in occupied Jerusalem targeting teachers and pupils.
A teacher and a number of pupils were wounded.
16 mar 2002
In the evening, Israeli occupation forces in settlements inside Hebron shelled Palestinian houses and buildings in the city. Bader building, which includes many offices, was severely damaged.
At approximately 06:00, in an apparent willful killing, Israeli occupation forces fired at a civilian car in Wadi al-Nassara neighborhood in Hebron. Mohammed ‘Abdel-Salam Dhiab Da’na, 25, was killed by two live bullets in the chest.
Attacks by Jewish Settlers
At approximately 15:00, a Jewish settler fired at 15-year-old Ra’eda ‘Abdel-Hamid Tannina, from Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron, while she was with her family going to their farm near bypass road 35.
She was wounded in the chest. According to her mother, there were no clashes in the area.
In the evening, Israeli occupation forces in settlements inside Hebron shelled Palestinian houses and buildings in the city. Bader building, which includes many offices, was severely damaged.
At approximately 06:00, in an apparent willful killing, Israeli occupation forces fired at a civilian car in Wadi al-Nassara neighborhood in Hebron. Mohammed ‘Abdel-Salam Dhiab Da’na, 25, was killed by two live bullets in the chest.
Attacks by Jewish Settlers
At approximately 15:00, a Jewish settler fired at 15-year-old Ra’eda ‘Abdel-Hamid Tannina, from Tarqoumia village, west of Hebron, while she was with her family going to their farm near bypass road 35.
She was wounded in the chest. According to her mother, there were no clashes in the area.