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(Washington, DC) -- Amnesty International today expressed grave concern for the safety of civilians, following Israeli military helicopter attacks in Gaza City and Ramallah which reportedly injured Palestinian civilians.
"The reports we are getting from our research team on the ground raise serious concerns, and we appeal to the US and other governments to insist on respect for human rights and protection of civilian lives," said William F. Schulz, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA (AIUSA)
"Recent events have created a climate in which human rights violations will flourish unless there is absolute respect for the rule of law, including fundamental principles of human rights and humanitarian law," Schulz said. "Already about 100 people have their lost their lives and hundreds of others have been injured."
Israeli helicopter gunships fired on targets in Ramallah/al-Bireh and Gaza City earlier today near the Palestinian Authority's headquarters in those towns. There have been reports that civilians have been injured in Ramallah/al-Bireh.
According to media reports, the Israel Defense Forces has stated: "Army helicopters today attacked Palestinian police buildings where two army reservists were lynched, as well as other targets. ... This operation was a symbolic warning to the Palestinian leadership to let it know we will not stand idly by in the face of violence."
The attacks appeared to be in response to the reported killing of at least two Israeli soldiers in Ramallah/al-Bireh earlier today. The exact circumstances of their deaths remain unclear. A group of soldiers were in the custody of the Palestinian Authority at the Ramallah/al-Bireh police headquarters. A large number of civilians reportedly entered the police station and attacked the soldiers. According to media reports, the Palestinian Authority has stated that it made all efforts to protect the soldiers, but was unable to do so, while the Israeli government holds the Palestinian Authority responsible for the attacks.
"Today's events confirm the need for the United Nations to establish urgently an independent international investigation to investigate all allegations of serious human rights abuses that have taken place since 29 September in Israel, the Occupied Territories and south Lebanon," Schulz said.
12 October 2000, 21.30 hours local time
Reports are now coming in that Israel has begun attacking the Palestinian National Authority headquarters in Nablus with helicopter gunships. Details are being collected and final verification should be available shortly. This is the third Palestinian city that Israel has attacked today.
Earlier Israel bombed Ramallah and the Gaza Strip in actions that it claims were in retaliation for the killing of two soldiers by Palestinians. However, Israel's bombing appears to be an offensive attack the scale of which indicates that a political motive. Both the motive and the attacks are in violation of international law and should be ceased immediately.
Israel's actions are illegal under international law. The Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits retaliation of any kind for any reason and requires military forces to act with respect to life and, in particular, not to target civilians and civilian installations. Israel has violated peace and security in the region, and committed the region to a period of violence.
Law condemns Israeli aggression and calls upon the Security Council to hold an urgent meeting to take affirmative action against Israel.
Background
In Ramallah, the second floor of the Al Bireh police station was destroyed and
Palestinian National Authority headquarters was bombed.
The Al Wahda Hotel and another building opposite the Al Bireh police station had their windows blown in from the bomb blast. 17 people have been injured and are being treated at Ramallah Hospital.
In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed the President's office, the Force 17 security services, and the naval forces' buildings.
The actions follow from Israeli violence against Palestinians during the last two weeks. Israeli forces killed 89 Palestinians, including 27 children, and injured 3,676 Palestinians. Using excessive force indiscriminately, with the sole intention of killing or seriously wounding Palestinians.
The violence began when Israeli hard-right politician Ariel Sharon visited the Dome of the Rock compound. Sharon was involved in the 1982 massacre of thousands of Palestinians in the Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps during Israel's illegal invasion of Lebanon.
LAW
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Tel: 00 972 2 583 3428/3298/3537/3530/3430
Fax: 00 972 2 583 3317 Email: law@lawsociety.org
Website: http://www.lawsociety.org
12 October 2000, 21.00 hours local time
Two additional towns have come under Israeli attack in this hour: Israel has just begun shooting at Abu Snaina and Al Sheikh, suburbs of Hebron, with helicopter gunships.
Israel is also continuing its attack on the Palestinian National Authority headquarters in Nablus. The attack began with fire from helicopter gunships, and they are now firing from the ground using anti-aircraft guns.
Earlier Israel bombed Ramallah and the Gaza Strip in actions that it claims were in retaliation for the killing of two soldiers by Palestinians. However, Israel's bombing appears to be an offensive attack the scale of which indicates that a political motive. Both the motive and the attacks are in violation of international law and should be ceased immediately.
Israel's actions are illegal under international law. The Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits retaliation of any kind for any reason and requires military forces to act with respect to life and, in particular, not to target civilians and civilian installations. Israel has violated peace and security in the region, and committed the region to a period of violence.
Law condemns Israeli aggression and calls upon the Security Council to hold an urgent meeting to take affirmative action against Israel.
Background In Ramallah, the second floor of the Al Bireh police station was destroyed and Palestinian National Authority headquarters was bombed.
The Al Wahda Hotel and another building opposite the Al Bireh police station had their windows blown in from the bomb blast. 17 people have been injured and are being treated at Ramallah Hospital.
In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed the President's office, the Force 17 security services, and the naval forces' buildings.
The actions follow from Israeli violence against Palestinians during the last two weeks. Israeli forces killed 89 Palestinians, including 27 children, and injured 3,676 Palestinians. Using excessive force indiscriminately, with the sole intention of killing or seriously wounding Palestinians.
The violence began when Israeli hard-right politician Ariel Sharon visited the Dome of the Rock compound. Sharon was involved in the 1982 massacre of thousands of Palestinians in the Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps during Israel's illegal invasion of Lebanon.
LAW
PO Box 20873
Jerusalem
Tel: 00 972 2 583 3428/3298/3537/3530/3430
Fax: 00 972 2 583 3317
Email: law@lawsociety.org
Website: http://www.lawsociety.org
12 October 2000, 14.30 local time
LAW's fieldworkers have reported that civilians areas in Ramallah are being bombed. Law's fieldworkers are presently investigating the damage and reports will be issued shortly.
Law condemns this escalation of violence. This is a serious violation of international law, which absolutely prohibits retaliation of any kind.
Law is asking for States to call an urgent meeting of Security Council and for the international community to demand that Israel desists from further military actions.
LAW is writing to Mary Robinson, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, to write to Israel to call a halt to these military actions. We have also asked her to contact the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, and the international community to press Israel towards respecting international law and ending its military attacks on Palestinians.
14.40. The Palestinian television studios in Ramallah has been bombed.
LAW PO Box 20873 Jerusalem Tel: 00 972 2 583 3428/3298/3537/3530/3430 Fax: 00 972 2 583 3317 Email: law@lawsociety.org Website: http://www.lawsociety.org
At 10:15 this morning in Ramallah, two armed Israeli undercover operatives were discovered in a crowd of mourners who set upon them, beating one of them to death and severely wounding the other. The Israeli military has been undertaking military actions that strongly suggest severe retaliatory action.
LAW CALLS FOR AN URGENT INTERVENTION TO PRIME MINISTER BARAK TO DESIST FROM TAKING ANY RETALIATORY ACTION AND TO ENCOURAGE ALL SIDES TO ACT WITH RESPECT TO LIFE.
There are conflicting reports as to what happened, but credible sources give the following version.
This morning, within a funeral procession for a Palestinian killed by Israeli action, two persons in a Ford car, both carrying Israeli issued M16 automatic weapons and wearing Israeli military fatigues, was discovered by the mourners. On discovery, the two ran into the nearby Al Bireh police station. The mourners rushed the police station, overpowering the police who sought to protect the two men, beating one to death and seriously injuring the second.
It seems that the police were able to wrestle the dead man and the other from the crowd and handed them quickly over to Israeli forces. 18 Palestinian police were injured in the process, some seriously.
The Israeli military responded almost immediately. Reports describe a military advance of men and heavy artillery and armoured vehicles from the north of Ramallah near the City Inn Hotel, towards Ramallah/ town centre. Palestinian police and Israeli forces engaged in a gun battle. The Israeli incursion was checked and Israeli forces retreated back to Area B. The Israeli troops are said to have fired indiscriminately with live ammunition in the advance and retreat, but no injuries have yet been reported.
Four helicopter gunships are circling over Ramallah at low attitude. In light of recent events, this would seem to be a precursor to missile attacks against the civilian population. There is an exodus of Palestinians in fear of Israeli retaliation. Ramallah has been sealed by the Israeli military forces and makeshift checkpoints have been placed around the city closing it to all traffic.
The Palestinian National Authority has declared a state of emergency and high military alert, as the risk of Israeli retaliation appears to be high. The Palestinian security services have evacuated Palestinian families living near Israeli military installation for their safety.
Eyewitnesses have reported tanks and missiles have been placed on alert and are now being directed towards Ramallah from the high ground near the Beit El Settlement. The Beit El military compound and settlement seems to have prepared for conflict.
Law is regrets the loss of life. It is concerned that Israel instructed the operatives to go into Ramallah at this time of significant tension. It is also concerned that Israel may have re-launched a campaign of undercover executions, a military practice that was consistently employed throughout the Intifada.
Reports are coming in that another Palestinian has been killed. Further details will be reported when these become available.
There is a grave and imminent danger that Israel will retaliate using heavy military force to the killing.
LAW IS CALLING FOR AN URGENT INTERVENTION TO ENSURE THAT NO ESCALATION OF THE VIOLENCE OCCURS AT THIS TIME AND ALL PARTIES ACT WITH RESPECT TO LIFE.