• Al Haq Two Palestinians Killed and Scores Injured in Attacks by the Israeli Occupying Forces
• Women's Organization for Political Prisoners (WOFPP)Newsletter

Al Haq

While the UN Human Rights Inquiry Mission carries out its investigation, the Occupied Territories have witnessed an intensification of Israeli systematic human rights violations. Tanks and other heavy weaponry are once again being used against the civilian Palestinian population. Israeli Forces in the Occupied Territories continued their excessive use of force against Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip yesterday killing two Palestinians and leading to the deaths of two others. Al-Haq fieldworkers’ reports also indicate that scores of people were injured, including two foreign journalists. Those left dead were:

Issam Rasheed al-Tawil, 29, from Hebron died of a gunshot wound to the belly sustained while at work on a farm on the outskirts of Hebron.

Shaker Sulleman al-Manasra, 25, from Hebron died of a gunshot wound to the neck sustained while he was in his home.

Mohammad Khader Ismael al-Hawande, 26, from al-Samu’ in the Hebron District died in a car crash while being pursued by Israeli forces.

Abdul Rahman Makhmoud Juma’, 79, from Beit Le’id near Tulkarm died while being held for several hours at an Israeli checkpoint. At the time of his death he was attempting to reach a hospital. This case is still under investigation.

None of the above mentioned individuals were involved in clashes at the times of their deaths. These deaths bring to 358 the number of Palestinians killed since the outbreak of the al-Aqsa Intifada. Almost one third of those killed have been children under the age of 18. Fifteen Palestinians have been either assassinated or summarily executed.

In addition to the deaths reported yesterday Israeli forces once again shelled civilian areas in Hebron, El Bireh, and the Gaza Strip.

From 8:30 to 11:30 pm Israeli Forces in Hebron shelled and directed heavy machinegun fire at Palestinian controlled areas of the city. During this shelling and shooting both al-Tawil and al- Manasra were killed. Seven other individuals were also seriously injured in these attacks. Yesterday afternoon Israeli tanks fired shells at protesters in El Bireh near Ramallah causing extensive damage to the Ministry of Local Government and an apartment building. At least ten civilians including two foreign journalists were injured. Finally, Khan Younis and Rafah in the Gaza Strip were shelled extensively throughout the night causing extensive damage to civilian property and numerous injuries. These attacks followed intense shelling in Khan Younis Thursday during which Jihan Qanan was struck in the belly by an Israeli bullet while in her home. Jihan was six months pregnant when shot, and the bullet that struck her lodged in the head of the fetus killing it and causing her to miscarry. She remains in the hospital in critical condition.

These actions come upon the heals of an intensification of the sieges and closures imposed as forms of collective punishment against the Palestinian people. Israel continues to act in total disregard of international humanitarian law, international human rights principles, and the demands of the international community. 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. The Security Council should reconsider its decision regarding the deployment of an international protections force for the Palestinian people and should immediately take steps to form such a force to ensure Israeli compliance with United Nations Resolutions and international law.

Women's Organization for Political Prisoners (WOFPP)

Since the beginning of the Intifada (the Palestinian Uprising) on 28 September 2000 and the strictly enforced hermetic closure and siege, Israel has not permitted any family visits from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to political prisoners in Israeli prisons. As all parcels for the prisoners can only be brought to the prison by the families, the prisoners did not receive any warm clothing. Therefore WOFPP tried personally to bring some winter clothes to the prison, but met with refusal. WOFPP tried to obtain information as to who may grant permission to bring clothing to the prisoners. There was no answer. WOFPP then wrote to the Head of Israeli Prison Authorities, but again no answer was given.

Neve Tirza Prison
On 13 February 2001 lawyer Hisham Abu Shehadeh visited the prisoners on behalf of WOFPP. From his report we learn that

1) The prisoners have not received any newspapers since the beginning of February.

2) During wintertime the daily recreation period in the prison is supposed to start at 9 am. The prisoners complain that the wardens do not allow them to start their recreation before 10 or even 11 am.

3) The time allowed them to buy their necessities in the prison canteen has been limited to the point of practically preventing them from making their purchases. (Due to the fact that the families cannot help the prisoners, WOFPP has increased the canteen allowance).

4) The prisoners claim that new books in Arabic have been supplied, but the prison authorities maintain that the wardens do not have the time to take the prisoners to the library.

Suad Ghazal, 17 years old, from Sebastia. Suad's trial took place on 21 January 2001 in the Military Court in Dotan. She was condemned to 6 ˝ years in prison, of which she has purged 2 years. (For a minor it is a harsh verdict). Suad wishes to continue her school studies, which she was unable to do up to now. The prison authorities claimed that she could not receive any books for studying purposes before being sentenced. It is to be hoped that the prison authorities will now grant her permission to obtain the books she needs for her studies.

Nasreen Taha, 28 years old, from Bidiya near Nablus, mother of three children. On 29 November she appeared before the Parole Board, but they refused to release her before the end of her sentence. No reason was given. She wishes to study for her matriculation and needs the relevant books and material.

Maha Al-'Aak, 22 years old, from 'Aaida Refugee Camp near Bethlehem. On 10 February she was brought to court in Jerusalem; her trial will be continued at a later date. Her mother brought a letter from Maha's sister. The letter was given to the warden accompanying her, but she has not received it.

Suna Gh'ai, 33 years old, from Tulkarem, mother of one child. Suna complains that the criminal prisoners still continue harassing her and the other political prisoners.