Update on IOF Incursion in North Gaza
By Al Mezan
October 02, 2004
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)
carried out a wide-scaled incursion into the area of North Gaza(One of the most
populated areas in the Gaza Strip; North Gaza Governorate is composed of three
major residential areas: Jabalia towns and its refugee camp, the town of Beit
Hanoun and the town of Beit Lahia. The population of this area is over 250,000.)
at approximately 10pm on Tuesday 28 September 2004. IOF spokespersons announced
that the Israeli Army carried out the incursion to stop the launch of Qssam and
other hand-made rockets on the Israeli village of Sderot and Jewish settlements
in the Gaza Strip. The incursion is still underway for the fourth day.
Forty-four Palestinians have been killed and 223 injured by the time of issuing
this update. Numerous homes and private property have also been destroyed as IOF
utilize air force and heavy tanks in th,.is military operation.
Events of day two: 10 – 12
Thursday 30 September 2004:
- Palestinian residents of
Jabalia took to the street demonstrating against IOF's killings and
destruction during the past three days.
- IOF continued the
bombardment of different targets in north during the night of Thursday 30
September 2004, and today.
- At about 10pm yesterday,
Thursday 30 September 2004, IOF fired missiles at a group of Palestinian
resistance members east of Beit Lahia. Three were killed and four injured.
Events of day three: Friday
1 October 2004:
- At 7:30am IOF tanks and
armored bulldozers demolished dozens of homes in Qleebo neighborhood in Beit
Lahia. Israeli soldiers broke into the house of Ad-Dahnoun family in the
area and forced the family to evacuate it. Soldiers are using the house as
an observation post.
- At approximately 9:30am
today, IOF air force fired a missile at a crowd of Palestinians in Tel Az
Zaatar neighborhood. Two people, 26-year-old Jihad Abu Al Jabeen and
21-year-old Mustafa Hammash, were killed. The bombardment took place in a
populated area and five civilians were injured. Additionally, five houses
were damaged, including the house of Al Mezan's fieldworker in North Gaza.
- At around 10:30am IOF
opened fire at the Abu Iskandar Rest-house, which is located near Erez
crossing in the north of the Gaza Strip. Eyewitnesses reported to the Center
that tanks fired six shells at it before they occupied it and destroyed all
of its facilities(This Rest-house is built on ten dunams and encompass
several buildings. The Office of President Arafat used it for the reception
of VIP.). Later, Al Mezan knew that three Palestinian armed men were in the
place and exchanged fire with IOF. The Israeli Army announced that it killed
one and arrested two. IOF arrested four people who worked at the Rest-house.
- Today morning the families
of 10 people who were killed by an Israeli tanks shell yesterday identified
their bodies today morning. Al Mezan knew that the victims were: Nidal Said
Al Bishawi, aged 16, his brother Sultan Said Al Bishawi, aged 14, Mahmud
Mu'een Al Madhoun, aged 20, Iyad Ala' Shams, aged 14, Muhammad Khalid Rihan,
aged 14, Mutaz At Taluly, aged 14, Ahmad Adnan Al Bura'i, aged 16, Tariq
Abdullah Zaqout, aged 17, Mahmud Abu Al Jidyan, aged 23 and Muhammad Ra'fat
Al Bura'i, aged 19. According to the families, it was difficult to identify
their sons because their bodies were severely disfigured.
- Israeli tanks positioned
in Abu Safiyeh area opened fire on Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun. Several
civilians were injured including children. Seven-year-old Adham Az Zaaneen,
who is the son of Al Mezan's staff member was injured from shrapnel as he
was in front of his house in Beit Hanoun.
- At approximately 11am
today IOF fired a tank shell at a house east of Jabalia camp. Two people
were killed, 29-year-old Nidal Matar, and 18-year-old Nasim Nateel. Five
other Palestinians were injured; two of whom seriously. Several homes were
also damaged in this attack.
- Israeli tanks shelled
UNRWA B School in Jabalia injuring six people. This attack comes after IOF
destroyed the fences and guard houses in two schools in the camp.
- Al Mezan's fieldworker
reported that IOF stopped a Palestinian ambulance in Ryad As Saliheen
neighborhood in Jabalia camp. The ambulance, which belongs to the
Palestinian Red Crescent Society, was on its way to lift a sick old man to
hospital. According to the ambulance driver, armored bulldozers blocked the
ambulance's way by dirt from both directions.
- Israeli helicopter
gun-ships fired missiles at a refrigerators' workshop in As Sahaba Street in
Gaza City. The workshop is owned by Abu Hijazi Shahin. It was completely
destroyed, but no injuries were reported.
- IOF bulldozers continued
their work to open a dirt road in Tel Az Zaatar. This road enables them to
reach the heart of the neighborhood.
- IOF continued building up
troops at Abu Safyeh area and the settlement of Nisanit in the north of
Gaza. Israeli officials' statements that the incursion would be expanded
also continued.
- IOF opened fire at a horse
cart at the beach road south to Gaza City. The incident took place at the
spot where IOF blocked the road five days earlier. The horse was killed and
two people were injured, the horse's owner and his son.
- Al Mezan Center for Human
Rights sent two letters to the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Kofi
Anan, and the European Union Presidency calling for their urgent
intervention to stop the violations of human rights perpetrated by the
Israel occupation forces. The Center called on the UN and the EU to mobilize
more effective international intervention to stop Israel's breaches of
international law and to dispatch an international protection mission to the
OPT. Full texts of the letters are available in English at:
http://www.mezan.org/site_en/resource_center/mezan_publications/detail.php?id=88
http://www.mezan.org/site_en/resource_center/mezan_publications/detail.php?id=87
- On Thursday 30 September
2004, UNRWA issued a press release calling on Government of Israel to lift
restrictions and ensure safety of staff in the Gaza Strip. The release said
that the Israeli latest operation in North Gaza severely disrupted the
Agency's operations. It also said that "The Agency has reminded the
Government of Israel of its obligations under international law, including
bilateral agreements it has entered into with UNRWA and calls on it once
again to restore the freedom of movement of Agency staff and guarantee their
safety at all times". It also asserted that basic services, such as health
and education, were disrupted by the Israeli closures. Hundreds of the staff
members working in these fields were not able to return to their home since
28 September 2004, according to the release. The Agency's Commissioner
General, Mr. Peter Hansen, said that "for UNRWA to continue to deliver
essential services to the refugees, the Government of Israel must live up to
its obligations under international law. It is crucial that it ensure both
our freedom of movement and our safety".
Al Mezan Statement:
Al Mezan Center for Human Right
renews its condemnation of IOF's violations of human rights is north Gaza,
especially the arbitrary shelling of residential areas and the collective
punishment of the civilian population this area, which has so far resulted in
dozens of deaths and injuries and the destruction of homes and private
properties. Such acts constitute grave breaches of the International
Humanitarian Law, especially the Fourth Geneva Convention (art. 146, art. 147).
The Center believes that the
failure of the international community to effectively intervene has only urged
Israel to continue its breach of international law. Al Mezan calls for urgent
international community to protect Palestinian civilians in the OPT and to put
an end to its collective punishment of Palestinian civilians.
http://www.miftah.org
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