Press Release

October 19 2000
Press Release Index

Twentieth Consecutive Day of Violence as Askar Refugee Camp Comes Under Attack by Israeli Settler Rampage    

After the twentieth day of violence, al-Haq reiterates its call for the international community to intervene immediately to stop the grave breaches of international humanitarian law committed by the Israeli Military forces and to implement measures to protect Palestinians living under Israeli Military Occupation in the Palestinian Occupied Territories.

Israeli settlers continued their rampage throughout the West Bank as Askar Refugee Camp, east of Nablus, came under armed attack today by Israeli settlers. Palestinian civilians were forced to defend themselves by responding with gunfire as they came under heavy, armed attack by the settlers. One Palestinian, Zahi al-Arda, 34 years old, was killed as the result of the confrontations and three others were injured seriously. In a related development, near an Israeli military outpost on Ebal mountain north of Nablus, Israeli soldiers opened machine gunfire on Palestinian civilians using 500 mm and 800 mm bullets. Helicopters also assisted in the assault. One Palestinian was injured from a 500 mm bullet wound to the chest and is in critical condition in Rafidiya hospital. Eyewitnesses reported to al-Haq that military helicopters shot at the ambulances that were evacuating the injured. These assaults happened twice during a 15 minute period.

According to data collected by al-Haq from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) since the clashes began:
The number of ambulances that were shot at by the Israeli military totals 25.
The number of injuries amongst the PRCS staff totals 30.
The number of ambulances prohibited from passing through Israeli checkpoints is 54.
At least one death can be attributed to the Israeli Military denying an ambulance entrance to treat the injured. 

Despite the Sharm al-Sheikh summit and its recommendations, the entire West Bank and Gaza Strip remains under siege. In Hebron, in area H2, a strict curfew remains in force for 35,000 Palestinians. 

Al-Haq reiterates its call to the international community to pressure the government of Israel to abide by the principles and provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention and to stop committing grave breaches against the Palestinian People.

Al-Haq also calls for the international community to implement mechanisms to guarantee the protection and safety of civilians in times of war.

Al-Haq calls upon the United Nations General Assembly, who are meeting now for this exceptional instance, to take measures to protect the Palestinians from military and settler aggression by executing its legal responsibility according to GA Resolution 377: Unity for Peace and to implement all other United Nations resolutions relating to the Palestinian people.