LAWE URGENTLY CALLS FOR INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO ISRAELI HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS THAT LED TO CURRENT VIOLENCE

AS BLOODSHED CONTINUES IN WEST BANK AND GAZA

27 September 1996

LAWE - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment urgently calls on international organizations and the diplomatic community to send missions to investigate the Israeli human rights violations which have led up to the current violence rocking the West Bank and Gaza Strip. As the death toll rises, it is imperative to understand the factors underlying the frustration and anger of the Palestinian people. Israeli policies of house demolitions, land confiscations, settlement expansion, closure, administrative detentions and torture, which have continued despite the Oslo process and with little international condemnation, has directly contributed to the current unstable and violent atmosphere in this area. The international community must reassume its long-neglected responsibilities towards the Palestinian people and immediately take action to help ensure that Palestinians will obtain a just and lasting settlement.

The current situation, as of 3:00 pm local time:

West Bank:

Jerusalem:

3 killed and 40 injured after Israeli security forces entered Al Aqsa mosque and opened fire with live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas on thousands of worshipers gathered there. Many worshippers have injuries in the head and upper parts of the body. The dead are Ayman Dqeyiq, Juwad Zanlabid and Ibrahim Abu Ghana'a. Witnesses state that Israeli soldiers fired tear gas into East Jerusalem's Mekasset Hospital.

Bethlehem:

45 injured, mostly from tear gas, including three injured from live gun-fire. One is in critical condition, and another has been injured by rubber bullets. Apparently Israeli soldiers are attempting to enter the Bethlehem area from behind a hotel located near Rachel's Tomb. The Palestinian police are trying to keep demonstrators back, although youth are still throwing stones. The Israeli army has repeatedly fired massive amounts of tear gas at the crowds, sometimes in volleys of up to 30 gas bombs. In Beit Sahour village, near Bethlehem, Israeli forces entered briefly into this Palestinian Autonomous Area. At least one tank has been deployed just inside the main Israeli military checkpoint into Bethlehem.

Tulkarem:

One killed and 15 injured, five of whom in critical condition, during battles and demonstrations in this area. Imad Mohammed Mu'ammar, 30 years old, died from wounds from live ammunition following a gun-fight between Palestinian forces and the Israeli army. One Israeli soldier has been killed and five injured.

Hebron:

Total curfew has been clamped on this area - no outbreaks have been reported.

Jenin:

Three have been injured so far in clashes between demonstrators and Israeli soldiers.

Nablus:

Peaceful demonstrations are currently taking place in the area.

Qalqilya:

Violent demonstrations broke out after the afternoon prayers, and demonstrators attacked Israeli military checkpoints. 15 have been injured so far in these demonstrations.

Ramallah:

Approximately 5000 demonstrators have reached the Israeli military checkpoint between Israeli controlled Area C and the Palestinian Autonomous Area, the scene of previous clashes. Currently helicopters are firing live ammunition into the crowds, seriously wounding five in the head and upper body.

Jericho:

Two Palestinians killed during a huge demonstration outside of Jericho, near the settlement of Elisha. Angry demonstrators marched on this Jewish settlement, and the Israeli army has deployed tanks to defend the area.

Gaza:

More violent demonstrations have broken out throughout the Gaza Strip today. Reports state that hundreds of armed demonstrators are currently marching towards the Erez checkpoint. In Khan Younis over a thousand demonstrators have gathered. In the Jewish settlement of Kfar Dorom, witnesses report that hundreds of demonstrators have surrounded this settlement, and are throwing bottles and rocks into the settlement area. The Israeli military has deployed tanks at the checkpoints into the Gaza Strip.

LAWE - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment is a non-governmental organization, dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy. LAWE is also an affiliate member of the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights.