Palestine Time The Israeli occupation forces have continued their killings and criminal acts against Palestinian civilians who have continued to organize demonstrations in protest to the Israeli actions for the 26th consecutive day. The number of martyrs killed by the Israeli occupation forces has increased to 122, including 35 children, and more than 3,400 have been wounded.
Since the morning, in the area of Erez, in the northern part of the Gaza strip, clashes have broken out between Palestinian demonstrators and the Israeli occupation forces which have responded firing live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas.
This afternoon, the child Nedal Mohammed Dbeika, 14 years, from Al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza City, was killed by a bullet in the abdomen shot by the Israeli occupation forces. Additionally, 23 people have been wounded with live bullets and 4 with rubber-coated metal bullets, and dozens of civilians were hurt due to inhaling tear gas used by the Israeli occupation forces in the area.
The wounded were evacuated to Al-Awda hospital in Jabalya and Shifa' hospital in Gaza. In Khan Yunis, this morning, the child Eyad Ossama Shaath, 12 years, died from his wound in the head by a rubber-coated metal bullets shot by the Israeli occupation forces on October 21, 2000. PCHR's field officer in Khan Yunis reported that the child was shot from less than a 20-meter distance. Sources of Shifa' hospital in Gaza stated that a bullet penetrated the child's forehead and settled in his head. In Khan Yunis, clashes broke out between Palestinian demonstrators and the Israeli occupation forces near an Israeli military site to the west of the refugee camp of Khan Yunis. The Israeli occupation forces responded firing live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas. As a result, 44 Palestinian civilians were wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets and 7 by live ammunition.
Additionally, dozens of civilians, mostly children, were hurt due to inhaling tear gas used by the Israeli occupation forces in the area. In the vicinity of the settlement of Kfar Darom, two Palestinian were wounded by live ammunition fired by the Israeli occupation forces at Palestinian demonstrators. PCHR in the area reported that the Israeli occupation forces threw Molotov cocktails towards the area on which demonstrators assembled. As a result, trees surrounding a nearby elementary school burnt. In Rafah, clashes broke out this afternoon between Palestinian demonstrators and the Israeli occupation forces.
PCHR's field officer in Rafah reported that 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded by live ammunition and 4 by rubber-coated metal bullets on the areas of Salah El-Din Gate on the borders with Egypt, and Tal El-Sultan. In addition, dozens of civilians were hurt due to inhaling tear gas. Last night, tanks and bulldozers of the Israeli occupation forces invaded the road leading from Netzarim Junction to Karni Outlet. Since this morning, 3 tanks have been stationed on an area under the full control of the Palestinian National Authority to the east of Al-Mentar area. This is an unprecedented escalation on the area where no military post has ever been. This action is part of the reinforcement of the Israeli occupation forces throughout the Gaza Strip in direct friction with Palestinian civilians, which may threaten these civilians' security and safety. Bulldozers swept the agricultural and wooded land on both sides of the road.
PCHR's field officer reported that sweeping at 21:00 GMT last night and continued until 7:00 GMT this morning. They swept on both sides of the road an area of 40m wide and 3km long. Orchards of citrus and olive trees, hothouses and other agricultural facilities were destroyed (PCHR will issue a detailed report tomorrow on sweeping of land that have been carried out by the Israeli occupation forces since the beginning of this month). Last night, the Israeli occupation forces fired rockets and heavy bullets at some neighborhood of Hebron.
As a result, Abdel Aziz Abu Sneineh, 55 years, was killed by a heavy bullet in the head. PCHR learned that the martyr Abu Sneineh at home when he was shot dead.
PCHR reiterates its call upon the international community and the High Contracting Parties to Geneva Fourth Convention to immediately intervene to stop the continued killings and abuses perpetrated by the Israeli occupation forces.
PCHR calls for providing international protection for Palestinian civilians as it is the only way that will ensure their security and safety.
PCHR warns of the continued reinforcement, establishment of new military posts, and sweeping of land by the Israeli occupation forces, as these forces seek to tighten their grip on Palestinian cities and villages.
PCHR fear that stationing tanks of the Israeli occupation forces to the east of Al-Mentar area in Gaza may pave the way for establishing a new military post in the area. For more information please contact: Palestinian Centre for Human Rights Tel/Fax: 972 7 282 4776/ 282 3725 E-mail: pchr@pchrgaza.org Web Page: www.pchrgaza.org
The Massacre Continues: Escalating their Collective Punishment Measures against the Palestinian Civilians in the Occupied Territories, The Israeli Occupation Forces Shelled Hebron, Beit Jala and Rafah
In the context of the current policy of the belligerent Israeli Occupation Forces that encompasses killing the Palestinian civilians, destruction of their properties, and shelling of their houses, these forces shelled Hebron, Beit jala, and Rafah last night. In doing so, they used their tanks and anti-tank missiles. Detailas are as follows:
1. Hebron: Israeli tanks shelled the neighborhoods of Abu Sneineh, Ashaikh, Batoun, Attakrouri, Asha'abi, and Jabal Arrahmah. A missile penetrated the glass of a window in a house owned by 55 year old Abdalaziz Mahmoud Taha Abu Sneineh. It directly hit the back of his head resulting in his death and injury of the rest of family members. This raises the number of Palestinians killed by the Israelis since 29/9/2000 to 121 and the number of injured to more than 6600. The shelling in Hebron resulted in the destruction of the house owned by Abdalaziz Mahmoud Taha Abu Sneineh as well as another house owned by his son, Harbi Abdalaziz Abu Sneineh, a 31year old father of 3 children aged between 11 months and 9 years. The shelling also caused damage to the windows of several other houses and completely destroyed 2 cars.
2. Beit Jala: The Israeli shelling resulted in destroying three houses and injuring 4 Palestinians; three of them were personnel belonging to the military medical services (a doctor, an ambulance driver, and paramedical rescuer). An ambulance was hit by bullets and missile parts.
3. Rafah: The Israeli forces shelled the houses located near Salah Addin border gate using (Lau) missiles resulting in severe damage. Last night, the belligerent Israeli Occupation Forces used their bulldozers and tanks to clear the trees alongside the road located to the east of Gaza known by "eastern line/ road". The clearing included the parts of the above-mentioned road located between Karni crosssing in the north and Assuhada' junction in the south. The width of the cleared area was 40 meters. These forces also closed the road connecting the two halves of Gaza Strip at Ashuhada' junctin. Last night at 11:00 p.m. they even opened fire at cars moving in both directions (south and north). Yesterday afternoon, in the context of comprehensive closure and collective punishment Israeli policies, the belligerent Israeli Occupation Forces closed the international airport of Gaza, Rafah border passage and King Husein border passage. As a result, trucks carrying medical aid could not enter the Occupied Territories. The airport has been reopened early this mourning, but the siege imposed upon the Palestinian cities is still very strict.
AL-MEZAN Center for Human Rights highly appreciates the resolution issued by United Nations' Human Rights Committee number E/CN.4/S-5/L.2/rev.1 on 19/10/2000 calling for initiating an investigation in regard to the Israeli violations of human rights in the Occupied Territories.
In the light of this, AL-MEZAN requests the investigation committee to immediately start its task. It also requests Mrs. Mary Robinson, the high commissioner for human rights and the special reporters to reach the Palestinian Occupied Territories as soon as possible. Moreover, it stresses its request that the international community must immediately intervene to provide protection for the Palestinian civilians and present the Israeli war criminals before trial as soon as possible.
al-Haq
Al- Haq condemns war crimes committed by Israel in the Palestinian Occupied Territories Clashes continued today as at least one Palestinian was killed.
Youssef Nimer Mari, from Jenin, was killed as he was struck in the heart by live ammunition fired by the Israeli Occupying Forces. He was demonstrating at al-Jalama checkpoint near Jenin when he was shot. Yesterday, 23 October 2000, Abdil Aziz Mahmoud Abu Snieneh, 57, from the Old City of Hebron was killed after the Israeli Occupying Forces opened fire from machine guns, tanks and helicopters against Palestinian civilians in the city. Al-Haq's obtained reliable information from eyewitness accounts from an area under curfew in Hebron's Old City, at 10:30pm yesterday.
Al- Haq learned that the Israeli occupying forces camping in Usamah Government School opened fire against civilians in the area killing Abu Snieneh while he was home with his family. Abu Snieneh was shot with a 500mm bullet that struck him in the head only minutes after he moved his family to other rooms in the house when the shooting began. According to al- Haq's field worker who visited the area this morning, after curfew was lifted for only one and a half hours, the house was heavily fired upon. There are 68 traces of bullets on the walls of the house and another ten traces inside the house. There was no evidence of gunmen, guns or any shooting from the house when the ambulance arrived 25 minutes after the victim was shot to death.
According to al- Haq's documentation, this is not the first time that the Israeli Occupying Forces use heavy fire machine guns, helicopters and tanks against Palestinian civilians in this particualar area. This is totally contradicts statements made by the Israeli Army spokesman indicating that Israeli gunfire was used only as a retalitory measure against shooting from Abu Snieneh's home.
The location of the house is on the exact border between H1 and H2. (The difference being that one is under full Israeli control and the other under the control of the PA. The part under full Israeli control has been under strict curfew since the beginning of this recent uprising.) Bombing this area and other civilian areas is clear evidence that the Israeli Occupying Forces deliberately damage the civilians' properties with the intent to inflect heavy destruction.
All of these practices are in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 especially article 147, Protocol I of Fourth Geneva Convention of 1977 and specifically Article 85. This also contradicts the Nuremberg Court and the International Criminal Court Pacts. While al- Haq is deeply concerned about the on-going grave breaches committed by the Israeli Occupying Forces against the Palestinian civilians, it demands the following:
1. Immediate international intervention by the states parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 to pressure Israel to stop its practices and provide protection to Palestinian civilians.
2. Formation of an international criminal court, similar to that of Yugoslavia and other countries to try Israeli war criminals.
3. Implementation of the resolution issued by the United Nations Human Rights Committee number E/CN.4/-5/L.2/rev.1 passed on 19/10/2000 calling for initiating an investigation regarding Israeli violations of human rights in the Occupied Territories. In light of this, al-Haq requests the investigation committee to immediately undertake their responsibility.
4. Mrs. Mary Robinson, the high commissioner for human rights and special rapporteurs to reach the Palestininan Occupied Territories immediately. -END- AL-HAQ, an NGO in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and the West Bank affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists-Geneva, was established in 1979 by a group of Palestinian lawyers in order to uphold the rule of law and defend Palestinian human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. AL-HAQ, P.O. Box 1413, Ramallah, Palestine. Tel: +972 2 295 4646, Fax: +972 2 295 4903, E-mail haq@alhaq.org, www.alhaq.org Website:
The Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees
URGENT APPEAL UPDATE Rockets and Shells Bombard Palestinian Towns Tear-Gas Fired into House with Children
Israeli tanks and helicopters blasted the Palestinian town of Beit Jala with shells and rockets for the second straight night, destroying homes and forcing families to endure another night of terror. Rocket attacks also took place in the West Bank towns of Hebron and Jenin, and in Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Four more Palestinians died yesterday in Israeli attacks, including a 60-year-old Hebron resident shot to death in his home. Abdel-Aziz Abu Sneineh was killed and four of his children injured in attacks on ten Palestinian homes in Hebron last night. While the size of weapons used against Palestinian civilians continues to grow, the Israeli army is intensifying its use of supposedly 'non-lethal' weapons to dangerous levels.
UPMRC teams at the scene of clashes near the West Bank town of Ramallah yesterday report that the army is firing tear-gas indiscriminately in quantities that cause severe injury. Three children are hospitalized after suffering from gas inhalation when a tear-gas canister landed inside their house. Medical studies have documented the health hazards of using tear-gas in enclosed spaces and in excessive quantities. Attacks on medical teams also continued yesterday, with three more UPMRC volunteers injured.
18-year-olds Arafat Zaid and Murad Ramadan were struck with shrapnel from exploding high-velocity bullets while assisting the injured near Ramallah. Another First-Aid volunteer, 17-year-old Firas Sabbah, was hit by a rubber bullet. As always, our First-Aid teams were wearing clothing that clearly identifies them as medical personnel. Despite this, the number of UPMRC staff and volunteers injured by Israeli military fire has increased to 14. Additionally, two ambulances were attacked by Israeli forces as they attempted to reach the injured in Beit Jala last night.
A 27-year-old Palestinian doctor, Maher Abdel-Qader, was injured in one of these attacks. The UPMRC repeats its appeal for international protection for Palestinian civilians from Israeli attacks and insists upon the right of medical teams to aid the wounded without fear of attack or injury.
To view all of the UPMRC's Emergency Appeals and updates regarding the Israeli army's use of force against Palestinians over the past two and a half weeks, visit the UPMRC website at http://www.upmrc.org. For further information please contact Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi at 050-254218 or the UPMRC office at 02-583-3510/ 02-583-4021. The Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees P.O. Box 51483 Jerusalem Tel: +972-2-583-3510 Fax: +972-2-583-0679 E-mail: mrs@baraka.org Website: http://www.upmrc.org
LAW
Israeli Forces Continue Firing Into Civilian Areas
Israeli forces continued to attack Palestinian residential areas yesterday, further damaging Palestinian property and injuring four people.
Beit Jala: At 7:30 am, yesterday morning, Israeli forces using anti-tank machine guns, fired on the Kbir Oneh and Aras neighborhoods of Beit Jala. Four houses were hit and a doctor, an ambulance driver, a paramedic and a civilian were wounded.
Hebron: At 10:pm last night, Israeli forces, again using heavy machine gun fire, fired into the Area A neighborhoods of Abu Sneineh, Qaitoun, Ashabagh, Ghrarra, Shi'aba, and Jabal Arahmeh. Several bullets entered the home of Abed Al Aziz Abu Sneineh, one hitting him in the head, killing him instantly and another wounding his eldest son. A younger son suffered a nervous breakdown.
Gaza: At 12:30 am this morning, Israeli forces fired directly at homes at the Salah Adin Gate. Several homes were severely damaged.
Today's Update:
* Israeli forces continue to seal off main West Bank towns, banning residents from entering and exiting.
* It has been reported that more military vehicles and heavy artillery have been positioned at the Ashuhada Junction, the Al Matahen and the Karni Passage in the Gaza strip.
* Military bulldozers uprooted orange trees along the 2-kilometer road linking the Karni Passage and the Ashuhada Junction. Trees planted in 40-meter swaths on both sides of the road were destroyed.
* Israeli forces have blocked the road connecting northern and southern Gaza. Deaths: Imad Sha'ath, 13, from Gaza, died today from injuries he sustained after being hit in the head with a rubber coated bullet on October 21, 2000.
Injuries: Five Palestinians are in critical condition after being injured in clashes today. Deeb Anajar, 13, hit in the head Ribhi Al Kafazneh, 25, hit in the thigh Mahmoud Abu Rayya, 15, hit in both thighs Rami Al Balbeisi, 15, hit in the chest 15 year old from the Athaker family, shot in the chest
LAW is pursuing the following:
* The Israeli government is made responsible for the violence committed against Palestinian civilians.
* Those responsible for these actions are investigated and brought to trial.
* Immediate action is taken to protect Palestinians civilians and force Israel to comply with articles of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees
URGENT APPEAL UPDATE Rockets and Shells Bombard Palestinian Towns Tear-Gas Fired into House with Children
Israeli tanks and helicopters blasted the Palestinian town of Beit Jala with shells and rockets for the second straight night, destroying homes and forcing families to endure another night of terror. Rocket attacks also took place in the West Bank towns of Hebron and Jenin, and in Rafah in the Gaza Strip. Four more Palestinians died yesterday in Israeli attacks, including a 60-year-old Hebron resident shot to death in his home. Abdel-Aziz Abu Sneineh was killed and four of his children injured in attacks on ten Palestinian homes in Hebron last night. While the size of weapons used against Palestinian civilians continues to grow, the Israeli army is intensifying its use of supposedly 'non-lethal' weapons to dangerous levels.
UPMRC teams at the scene of clashes near the West Bank town of Ramallah yesterday report that the army is firing tear-gas indiscriminately in quantities that cause severe injury. Three children are hospitalized after suffering from gas inhalation when a tear-gas canister landed inside their house. Medical studies have documented the health hazards of using tear-gas in enclosed spaces and in excessive quantities. Attacks on medical teams also continued yesterday, with three more UPMRC volunteers injured.
18-year-olds Arafat Zaid and Murad Ramadan were struck with shrapnel from exploding high-velocity bullets while assisting the injured near Ramallah. Another First-Aid volunteer, 17-year-old Firas Sabbah, was hit by a rubber bullet. As always, our First-Aid teams were wearing clothing that clearly identifies them as medical personnel. Despite this, the number of UPMRC staff and volunteers injured by Israeli military fire has increased to 14.
Additionally, two ambulances were attacked by Israeli forces as they attempted to reach the injured in Beit Jala last night. A 27-year-old Palestinian doctor, Maher Abdel-Qader, was injured in one of these attacks. The UPMRC repeats its appeal for international protection for Palestinian civilians from Israeli attacks and insists upon the right of medical teams to aid the wounded without fear of attack or injury.
To view all of the UPMRC's Emergency Appeals and updates regarding the Israeli army's use of force against Palestinians over the past two and a half weeks, visit the UPMRC website at http://www.upmrc.org. For further information please contact Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi at 050-254218 or the UPMRC office at 02-583-3510/ 02-583-4021. The Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees P.O. Box 51483 Jerusalem Tel: +972-2-583-3510 Fax: +972-2-583-0679 E-mail: mrs@baraka.org Website: http://www.upmrc.org