Press Release

29 March 2001
Press Release Index

As the Intifada Enters its Seventh Month Two Palestinians are Killed as Israeli Attack Helicopters Bomb Palestinian Cities Another Three Palestinians are Killed as Clashes Continue
At 7:45 yesterday evening Israeli attack helicopters bombed Force 17 bases and several other
targets in both Ramallah and Gaza. Two Palestinians were killed in these attacks and scores
were injured. Al-Haq strongly condemns the Israeli authorities actions, which have only served
to escalate violence in an already volatile atmosphere. The disproportionate use of force and
the targeting of sites not directly linked to any attacks upon Israeli citizens cannot be justified. 
While Israel claims to have carried out attacks upon strategic targets with the goal of causing as
few casualties as possible, the facts speak otherwise. Approximately 67 people were injured in
the attacks, most of them in Gaza, and two were killed. Those killed were 

? Akram Al-Hindi, 25 –Al-Hindi, a member of Force 17 was originally from Gaza, but was
stationed in Ramallah. He was killed when a missile fired from an attack helicopter hit the
headquarters of Force 17 in Ramallah. Al- Hindi was talking on the phone with his mother
when he was killed. 
? Su’ad Sheik Khalil, 43 – Su’ad was killed by a live bullet that struck her in the head. She
was returning home to the neighborhood of Betunia on the outskirts of Ramallah with one of her
children when a bullet fired from a heavy machinegun from the Ofer Military compound, which
faces Betunia, struck her in the head. 

Another four people were injured in the attack upon the Force 17 headquarters in Ramallah. A
total of 7 missiles were fired at the compound causing extensive damage. Additionally, the
Israeli forces bombed an electrical generator in Ramallah, temporarily cutting power in parts of
the city. In Gaza helicopters and tanks bombed five locations. They included, the Force 17
headquarters in Dir Al Balah, a Force 17 supply building located in downtown Gaza City near
Arafat’s personal headquarters, Force 17 headquarters in Khan Younis, Force 17 headquarters
in Jabalia, and the headquarters of the National Security Forces near Jabalia. According to
information given to al-Haq by the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza 62 people were
injured in these attacks and several buildings neighboring those struck were damaged. 

Additionally, three more Palestinians were killed today during clashes with Israeli forces. 
Mahmoud Khalid Abu Shahadah, 16 years old, and Mohammed Salman Abu Shamla, 17 years
old, both residents of Jabalia Refugee camp, were killed during a demonstration at the Beit
Hanoun crossing in the north of the Gaza strip. Both were shot in the chest, and neither was
armed when shot. There was no shooting from the Palestinian protestors when the Israeli
Forces opened fire. Another 13 Palestinians, all between the ages of 13 and 18, were injured
during the protest. Israeli Forces also opened fire on Palestinians near Netzarim in the south of
Gaza, killing Hosam Ghanim al-Krunz, a 21 year- old member of the Protective Security forces
and a resident of al-Bureij Refugee camp. 

Finally, Israeli Settlers have been attacking civilian neighborhoods in Hebron for the last two
days. They have burned several homes, the Sharia Court, and cars, and have vandalized shops
and private property. They have also attacked several Palestinian residents of the city. Almost
nothing has been done to restrain them. At the time of the writing of this release Israeli tanks
were shelling the Abu Sneini neighborhood of Hebron. 

The Israeli bombing attacks came in the wake of several bombings carried out by Palestinians
within Israel. The Israeli government announced that its bombing off these Palestinian targets
was being undertaken in order to prevent further attacks upon Israel, and as part of an effort to
destroy the capacity of those who the Israeli authorities hold responsible for carrying out attacks
against Israel. Israeli Prime minister Ariel Sharon announce that Israel’s “days of restraint are
over.” Given the repeated condemnations of Israel’s excessive and indiscriminate use of force
by the United Nations and the International Community, and the continued violence perpetrated
by Israeli forces and settlers over the last twenty-four hours, al-Haq must express its concern
over any loosening of the supposed “restraint” shown by Israeli forces. While attacks upon
civilians must be condemned, and those who are responsible should be brought to justice, the
indiscriminate attacks perpetrated by Israeli forces under the rubric of security cannot be
justified. 

Over the past six months Israeli forces have violated almost every basic human right to which
Palestinians are entitled, and settlers have carried out attacks upon Palestinians and their
property with impunity. Israel’s continued belligerent occupation of the Palestinian territories is
a flagrant violation of International law and UN Resolutions. The following are some
recommended courses of action that should be implemented in order to help insure the rights of
the Palestinian people who continue to live under Israeli occupation. 

1. Ensure international protection for the Palestinian People by creating an international
protection force to be deployed in the occupied territories. 

2. Encourage the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to enforce the
provisions of the Convention and its Protocols. 

3. Urge the international community and the United Nations General Assembly to exercise their
role under international law by adopting effective measures, including economic sanctions, to
oblige Israel to adhere to UN resolutions including Resolutions 194, 242, and 338. Should
Israel persist in flouting its obligations under international law, the United Nations General
Assembly should consider action to suspend Israel’s membership in the UN until it fulfills its
legal obligations. 

4. Send a human rights monitoring force to the Occupied Territories to document all violations
social, economic, cultural, civil and political that result from the continued Israeli occupation. 

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