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Three Palestinian Killed, Including a Baby, and More than 50 Civilians Injured During
Israeli Attacks on Beit Jala, Jericho, Tulkarum, and Khan Younis
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In what is becoming a daily occurrence Israeli Forces entered into Palestinian controlled A
areas around Beit Jala yesterday. Civilian neighborhoods in Beit Jala have been subject to
intensive Israeli shelling and shooting throughout the Intifada, and many families have been forced
to move. During yesterdays attack one Palestinian was killed and at least twenty were injured.
At approximately 8:00 am yesterday morning Israeli forces supported by armored personnel
carriers and tanks entered approximately 500 meters into Palestinian controlled territory near the
city of Beit Jala in the Bethlehem District. The area taken over is located on the Talitha Kumi
neighborhood on the edge of the town. The incursion followed exchanges of fire between
Palestinian gunmen and Israeli forces during the night. Several buildings were completely
destroyed and many others were severely damaged by shelling, which continued throughout the
seven-hour occupation. Israeli forces also occupied two buildings causing extensive damage. All
of the buildings that were either damaged or destroyed were civilian homes. No warning was
given prior to the attack upon these civilian targets.
Israeli forces killed Mohammad Ibrahim Awad Ibayat, age 47, during the attack. He was killed
when tanks shelled the building in which he was located. Ibayat was on a list of individuals
wanted by the Israeli authorities, and one of the reasons given for the incursion was that it was
known he was in the area. He was the cousin of Hussein Mohammad Salem Ibayat who was
assassinated in Beit Sahour last November. In addition to Ibayat at least 20 other Palestinians
were injured, several seriously. Rawan Zuwahra, age 10, was struck in the head by shrapnel
from a tank shell and lost her eye. Nicola Abu Ghannam, age 6, was shot and lost his arm.
Nicola was fleeing his home, which was being shelled, with his mother when he was shot.
At around 3:00 pm the Israeli forces withdrew to previously held positions, but have since stated
that they will enter into Palestinian controlled areas again if shooting continues. This is the first
time that Israeli troops have entered into Palestinian controlled areas without the decision to
invade A areas being first taken by either the Prime Minister or Cabinet, and should be viewed
as a blatant escalation of the situation. Following the incursion Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin
Ben-Eliezer stated that officers do not need to seek prior approval to enter into A areas. This
sets a dangerous precedent and gives low-level military officers the power to make decisions that
may have enormous political repercussions.
In another incident Israeli forces bombed the Palestinian Intelligence Headquarters in Jericho on
Saturday. This attack was also carried out without any advanced warning being given.
Additionally, Israeli forces shelled and fired with heavy machineguns upon Palestinian controlled
areas in Tulkarum last night. Information gathered by al-Haq from Palestinian sources indicates
that Israeli forces entered into A areas during the attack, although the Israeli authorities have
officially denied these allegations. One Palestinian civilian was killed during the attack and at least
ten were injured.
Finally, Israeli forces shell several neighborhoods in Khan Younis in Gaza today for one hour
beginning at 11:15 am. The targets struck included a school and civilian homes. Four month old
Inam Mohammad Heijo was killed after being struck by shrapnel which entered her abdomen and
exited her back, completely disemboweling her and almost cutting her in half. Inam was in the
arms of her mother, 39 year old Samia Mustafa Heijo, when she was killed. Her mother and her
mothers family were fleeing their home when a shell exploded in front of them. Samia and Suzan
Mustafa Heijo, age 21, were both stuck by numerous pieces of shrapnel and are in critical
condition. Dunia Mustafa Heijo, age 6 was stuck by shrapnel in the arm, and Makhmoud
Mustafa Heijo, 18 months, was stuck by shrapnel in the stomach and is in critical condition. At
least another 20 civilians including several children returning home from school were injured during
the attack. The Israeli authorities stated that the attack was carried out in response to shells fired
at Gazan settlements earlier in the day.
Israel continues to act in total disregard of international humanitarian law, international human
rights principles, and the demands of the international community. The international community
should condemn Israels repeated shelling of civilian Palestinian areas, and their invasions into
Palestinian autonomous areas in the strongest terms. Al-Haq views with concern the Israeli
aggression against Palestinian civilians, and reiterates the following demands:
1. The United Nations Security Council should take the necessary measures to pressure
the Israeli Government to stop its excessive use of force and aggression against Palestinian
civilians.
2. Demand that the resolutions passed by the Human Rights Commission be implemented
fully, including the provision calling for the deployment of an international protections force
in the Occupied Territories, and press the Security Council to take action to end Israels
systematic violation of international humanitarian law.
3. Send human rights monitors to the Occupied Territories to document abuses
perpetrated by Israeli forces.
4. Immediate action by the States Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to bear
responsibility towards breaches and grave breaches committed against Palestinians in the
Occupied Territories, and to fulfill their legal obligations as High Contracting Parties of the
Fourth Geneva Convention under Article 1 of the Convention that states that states must
act to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances.
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