Al-Mezan Update on IOF Incursion in North Gaza
By Al-Mezan
October 14, 2004
Update on IOF Incursion in North Gaza
Volume 14
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF)
carried out a wide-scaled incursion into the area of North Gaza[1] at
approximately 10pm on Tuesday 28 September 2004. IOF spokespersons announced
that the Israeli Army carried out the incursion to stop the launch of Qassam 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 15th day. 123
Palestinians[2]; among whom are 31 children, have been killed and 407; including
135 children, were 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 this military operation, which takes place in one of the most
densely-populated areas in the world.. In addition, as the incursion continues,
the civilian population of the area suffer shortage in food and water supply. In
the areas which IOF occupy civilians lack the most basic needs. Al Mezan is
still receiving plights from people who have been in urgent need for medicine
and water. This update depends, in the first place, on the center's own follow
up and documentation of the human rights violations in the Gaza Strip.
Events of day 15, Wednesday 13 October 2004:
- IOF's military operation
in North Gaza entered its 15th day today, 12 October 2004. According to Al
Mezan's fieldworkers, 122 Palestinians have been killed and at least 407
wounded from IOF fire. Among the deceased are 31 children. Moreover, IOF
demolished 77 homes completely and hundreds of homes partially since 28
September 2004. They also leveled an area of 510 dunams of farmland, most of
which in this area. IOF also destroyed numerous public facilities, including
police and security posts, schools, mosques and kindergartens were damaged
or destroyed.
- At approximately 7pm
yesterday, 12 October 2004, ten IOF tanks and armored bulldozers stormed
into Al Manshiyeh neighborhood in Beit Lahia. They leveled ten dunams of
agricultural land, which is owned by the families of Al Habel, Abu Zaydeh
and Al Masri. Israeli soldiers broke into a four-story-building and used its
roof for observation. The families living in the building were detained into
one room. IOF use the same conduct each time they use houses for observation
(see the affidavit below).
- 51-year-old Ibrahim
Muhammad Ad Dahnoun, whose house was used as a watching post by IOF twice,
gave the following affidavit to Al Mezan Center for Human Rights: "I live in
the main Street of the town of Beit Lahia, opposite to the Tel Az Zaater
neighborhood of Jabalia. I have 11 sons and daughters, 8 of whom are
children. With the families of my two sons and my parents, there are 40
persons living in our 3-story-house, most of whom are children. At
approximately 9:30am on Thursday 2004, as I was sitting in the second floor
of my house, I heard the sound of tanks engines. It appeared to me that the
sound was approaching my house. I looked through a window and saw a tank
destroying the trees around the house and hit the main gate destroying it. I
then saw about 20 Israeli soldiers entering the ground floor. Within
moments, some of them were in the second floor. Their faces were painted
with a black color. They order us to gather into one room. A soldier stood
at the door and watched us as we were stuffed in the room. A soldier told us
that we were not allowed to move, even to go to bring water or food, or to
go to the bathroom, unless we are told to do by the guard. We were kept in
the room until 11pm on the same day when the soldiers left the house. Two
days later, on 2 October 2004, at 9am, I saw a tank and an armored bulldozer
approaching the house. The tank opened fire at the house. A soldier's head
was seen getting out of the tank, and he waved to us to evacuate the house.
We went outside, every one of us. I heard my mother weeping loudly, but a
soldier opened fire near her feet and told her to silence. I spoke to the
soldier, in Hebrew, and told him I needed to bring important documents from
upstairs. He said I could go, but must hurry up. I went upstairs and brought
our important documents. The same soldier told me that we should leave the
house and find a neighbor's house to stay in. We left for my brother's
nearby house. There were 52 individuals at his house with us. We had to stay
in two stores in the ground floor because there was not any space for us.
Within two days, we, and my brother's family, were out of food and water. My
parents, who are both in the 60s and suffer from heart disease and diabetes,
also ran out of medicine. We stayed there until 6 October 2004, when, at
about 3pm, soldiers called us through a loudspeaker and ordered us to
evacuate my brother's house and leave the area. We headed towards our family
house in the center of Beit Lahia. Until today, we do not know anything
about our homes and farm. In the past, the Israeli forces demolished our
farm, which area is 16.5 dunams, four times and destroyed our water well. We
are in a very bad condition after losing our farm and house."
- At 8:20pm yesterday about
20 IOF tanks and armored bulldozers entered the northwest of the town of
Beit Lahia. They leveled 20 dunams of land, owned by the families of Al
Kaseeh, Abu Hamideh, and Al Radee'. Hundreds of dunams of cultivated land
have been leveled by IOF during the current incursion of north Gaza.
- Israeli jet fighters,
thought to be U.S. made F16s, were seen in the sky of Gaza city and north
Gaza at a low height yesterday night.
- At 11:35pm yesterday, IOF
tanks fired four shells towards As Sika Street, east of Jabalia. The
shelling caused severe damage to numerous homes in the street.
- At approximately 12:15am
today, Wednesday, 13 October 2004, IOF opened machinegun fire and flares
towards Tel Az Zaatar neighborhood in Jabalia. Several homes were damaged,
as a result.
- IOF's closure of the Gaza
Strip continued over last night and today. Between 1pm and 5pm today, IOF
allowed vehicular movement at the beach road while the Abu Holy checkpoint,
in the middle of the Strip, remained close until 6pm. IOF closed the Abu
Holy checkpoint on 29 September 2004, and the beach road two days earlier
dividing the strip into three segments. The humanitarian situation in the
southern area of the strip have been deteriorating because the population
there are dependent on Gaza City for supplies. Moreover, emergency cases,
especially people who need to travel for health care, have been mounting in
the different areas of the strip.
- The humanitarian situation
in the north Gaza area continued to worsen as IOF expanded their incursion
in the area. A strict siege on north Gaza has been imposed since 28
September 2004, when IOF initiated a major military operation there. Reports
about civilians who are trapped inside their houses without food and
medicines are mounting.
- About 40 minutes after
midnight today, Israeli tanks stormed into the town of Beit Lahia. Witnesses
reported that a line of tanks, estimated of 45 tanks, entered the
northeastern part of the town and reached the town's center. Tanks avoided
paved streets and created their own way by destroying homes and trees.
Troops broke into several homes and buildings and occupied them for
observation. Witnesses from the town informed the Center that tanks used
narrow dirt roads and have been stationed near the municipality building in
the middle of the town.
- Al Mezan's fieldworker in
north Gaza reported that IOF destroyed dozens of homes as tanks and
bulldozers used alleys to enter Beit Lahia. Several homes were completely
destroyed, too. One of these homes is owned by Ala' Al Bahri. The Center is
still investigating the impact of the recent expansion of IOF's incursion on
human life and property.
- At 3:15am today, an IOF
helicopter gunship launched a missile towards a spot near the Beit Lahia
cemetery killing 24-year-old Muhammad Karam Ma'rouf. Two other people were
injured in the attack, one of whom critically.
- At 3:25am today, an
Israeli helicopter gunship launched a missile towards Block (7) in Jabalia
camp. It hit a residential area and injured 42-year-old Muhammad Ash Shrafi
and his wife, Amneh. Numerous homes were damaged due to this attack.
- Israeli marine forces
opened fire towards Beit Lahia and Jabalia beach at approximately 4:30am
today. Witnesses said that military boats fired five sound bombs at the area
and that several homes were damaged. They added that many children were
treated from trauma.
- Al Mezan's fieldworker in
north Gaza reported that IOF opened intense fire towards homes in the center
of Beit Lahia, and the neighborhoods of Al Manshiyeh, Al Hatabiyeh and Al
Jam'yeh at 5:25am today. Tens of homes were damaged in these areas.
- At 8:50am today, IOF
opened machinegun fire towards Al Manshiyeh neighborhood in Beit Lahia. Four
people were injured, as a result. Three of the injured are brothers, and of
whom are 3-year-old Fadi Salah and 8-year-old Nidal Salah.
- At 9:30am today, two
Palestinians, 37-year-old Jihad Ameen Mousa and 29-year-old Khadir Muhammad
At Taluli, were announced dead at the hospital. The two of them were injured
in an IOF missile attack in Block (4) in Jabalia camp on 9 October 2004.
- At 10am today, IOF tanks
fired a shell at a spot near the Beit Lahia Girls Preparatory School. The
school building, a nearby mosque and several homes were damaged. It should
be noted that this area has been frequently targeted by tank shells over the
past two days.
- At 12:20pm today IOF fired
a missile towards a crowd of people in the western part of Beit Lahia. Two
persons, 38-year-old Riziq Hasan Az Zeety and 25-year-old Muhammad Said Al
Masri, were killed immediately.
- At 2:45pm today, IOF tanks
created a military post on a hill in the Al Jam'yeh Street in Beit Lahia.
Witnesses informed Al Mezan that IOF have been reinforcing their presence in
the town.
- During half an hour,
starting at 3:15pm today, IOF tanks fired about 20 shells towards Tel Az
Zaatar neighborhood. Most of the shells fell into a field. They caused
severe damage to many houses that are located near the field. Tanks also
opened fire on the same area. Residents of the area, who have been exposed
to continued firing, said they noticed that the machinegun fire sounded
strange, especially after they hit solid objects.
- At 10am today, medical
sources reported that 10-year-old Ghadeer Jaber Mkhemar, from Khan Younis,
passed away. The school girl died from an injury in the chest she sustained
yesterday when she was at her desk in an UNRWA school in Khan Younis refugee
camp when IOF opened fire towards the school. With the death of Ghadeer, the
toll of Palestinian children, who were killed by IOF since September 2000,
rises to 516 in the Gaza Strip alone.
- In the middle of the Gaza
Strip, IOF notified the family of Mahmud Al Aidy that their home would be
demolished. The house is located east of the settlement of Nitzarim. The
family was given two hours to evacuate. Al Mezan's lawyers initiated legal
action and were notified that the demolition order had been cancelled.
- Al Mezan's fieldworker
reported to the Center that IOF launched tank 8 shells towards Tel Az Zaatar
neighborhood in Jabalia around 5pm today. Witnesses also said that they saw
Israeli soldiers, who are positioned on the Qleebo hill opposite to the
neighborhood, fired about 20 bombs on the neighborhood.
- At 5:20pm today, Israeli
tanks fired a shell towards Al Awda towers in the north of Beit Lahia.
Several homes and a school were damaged, as a result.
- In Rafah, southern the
Gaza strip, IOF killed 16-year-old Jihad Housam Barhoum. Eyewitnesses said
that an Israeli tank opened fire indiscriminately towards Block (J) in Rafah
refugee camp. 8-year-old Abdul Rahman Barhoum sustained critical wounds in
his back in the same incident, which took place at 6:40pm today.
Relevant statements made by local and international entitles:
- On 12 Oct 2004, the UN
Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, said that he was deeply troubled by the
continuing military action and violence in the Gaza Strip, especially its
effect on local children. Annan's spokesman, said he deplored the "high toll
of death and injuries among the civilian population" and grieved "for the
many children who have been killed or wounded" during the Israeli military
operations in the north of the Gaza Strip. He added that he was "disturbed
by the destruction of civilian property, infrastructure and agricultural
land during the operations", and called on the Israeli Government to "do its
utmost to avoid harming Palestinian civilians". He reminded both sides of
their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians,
and urged them to cease all forms of violence and search for a peaceful
settlement.
- Sultan of Oman, Qabus Ibn
Said, voiced his deep concern about the suffering of Palestinian civilians
due to the Israeli army conduct in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. He
called for international intervention to enable the Palestinian people to
build his own independent state under the international law.
- The UNRWA
Commissioner-General, Mr. Peter Hansen, said that the killing of
10-year-school girl today, the second act of its kind within one month, was
“horrific by anyone’s standards.” Hansen's statement came after the
announcement of the death of Ghadeer Mkheemar, who was injured yesterday at
her desk in a United Nations run school in Khan Younis. He added that “the
pace of child deaths in Gaza has been accelerating terribly in recent
weeks,” and that almost every day “The most basic of the rights of the child
– to life – is now being violated.” Mr. Hansen said that UNRWA schools have
been attacked by the Israeli army four times during the past two years and
that the UNRWA has repeatedly called on the Israeli military to stop firing
at its schools. He also voiced his concern about parents hesitate to send
their children to schools.
Al Mezan Statement:
Al Mezan Center for Human Right
condemns Israel's continued collective punishment of Palestinian civilians in
the OPT, and especially in the North Gaza area. The Center emphasizes that IOF
committed violations, and continue, serious violations of human rights is this
area, especially the arbitrary shelling and bombardment of residential areas,
the use of excessive and disproportionate force, the obstruction of ambulance
and humanitarian teams movement and, he destruction of homes and private
properties. The Center is especially concerned for the loss of children and
civilian life in the Gaza Strip under the IOF indiscriminate firing of civilians
areas and schools. Such acts breach the International Humanitarian Law and human
rights standards and necessitate urgent action by the international community.
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, especially as the
humanitarian situation of tens of thousands of civilians is deteriorating
rapidly. The Israeli military conduct constitutes evident crimes of war and
necessitate bringing the perpetrators to justice, under the provisions of the
international law.
Al Mezan calls upon the United
Nations Security Council to condemn the Israeli breaches of the international
law and to initiate investigations in the IOF's violations of human rights in
the Gaza Strip, and to dispatch a monitoring and protection mission to the OPT
is a must at this particular time
List of Palestinians who were killed by IOF since the beginning of the incursion
No. Name Age Address
- Tawfeeq Muhammad Ash
Shrafi, 24, Jabalia camp
- Ahmad Ibrahim Madi, 17,
Jabalia camp
- Said Muhammad Abi Al Aish,
14, Jabalia camp
- Mus'ab Mahmud Al Barad'i,
21, Gaza City
- Fathi Ahmad Abu Sawaween,
23, Gaza City
- Khalil Khalil Naji, 27,
Gaza City
- Usama Muhammad Al Bursh,
21, Jabalia town
- Abdul hai An Najjar, 24,
Jabalia camp
- Ra'fat Rafeeq Jaballah,
25, Jabalia, Tel Az Zaatar
- Sufyan Abu Al Jidyan, 33,
Jabalia, Tel Az Zaatar
- Hamza Asaad Ahmad, 27,
Beit Lahia
- Muhammad Yousif Al Habel,
65, Beit Lahia
- Muhammad Al Ja'beer, 18,
Jabalia camp
- Hazim Hussein Farajallah,
24, Jabalia camp
- Atif Jamal Al Ashqar, 27,
Beit Lahia
- Muhammad Jamil Al Ustath,
25, Jabalia, Al Karama
- Muhammad Abdul Salam
Shalha, 16, Jabalia camp
- Muhammad raafat Al Rifi,
19, Gaza City
- Yihia Akram Hammad, 17,
Beit Lahia
- Tamir Abdul Aziz Abu
Shakyan, 14, Jabalia camp
- Mus'ab Mahmud Jum'a, 22,
Jabalia camp
- Hussam Ghunaim, 19,
Jabalia camp
- Abdullah Abu Udeh, 16,
Gaza City
- Arafat Bilal Yasin, 24,
Gaza City
- Muhammad Abu Hasira, 25,
Gaza City
- Diyaa ad-Din Al Kahlout,
17, Gaza City
- Mahmud Abu Al Jidyan 23,
Jabalia, Tel Az Zaatar
- Mutaz Abdul Malik At
Taluli, 14, Jabalia camp
- Muhammad Khalid Raihan,
14, Jabalia camp
- Ziyad Ala' Shams, 14, Gaza
City
- Mahmud Al Madhoun, 17,
Jabalia camp
- Sultan Said Al Bishawi,
14, Gaza City
- Nidal Said Al Bishawi, 16,
Gaza City
- Mahmud Muhammad Al Hashash,
62, Rafah
- Mahmud Abu Tyour, 10, Khan
Younis
- Mahmoud Umran, 77, Khan
Younis
- Tariq Abdullah Zaqout, 17,
Jabalia camp
- Ahmad Adnan al Bura'i, 16,
Gaza City
- Iyad Zaqout, 31, Beit
Lahia
- Jihad Mahmud Abu Al Jbeen,
26, Jabalia camp
- Mostafa Hammash, 21,
Jabalia camp
- Nidal Muhammad Matar, 29,
Jabalia camp
- Wasim Mustafa Natil, 18,
Jabalia camp
- Ibrahim Ali Asaliya, 26,
Jabalia, Tel Az Zaatar
- Hani Said Mushtaha, 17,
Gaza City
- Jadallah Ahmed Abu Skheela,
27, Jabalia camp
- Miqbel Khzeiq, 26, Gaza
City
- Ibrahim Mamud Abu Al
Qumsan, 21, Jabalia camp
- Muhammad Rafiq Salem, 20,
Beit Lahia
- Fathi Abdul Rahman Afana,
45, Jabalia, Tel Az Zaatar
- Eid Muhammad Afana, 36,
Jabalia, Tel Az Zaatar
- Ibrahim Hasan Hamdan, 43,
Jabalia, Tel Az Zaatar
- Wahid Talal Abdul Rahman,
25, Jabalia Refugee Camp
- Yaser Muhammad Abu Ghbaiyd,
20, Jabalia Refugee Camp
- Imad Muhammad Al Mansi,
27, Gaza City
- Muhammad Mousa Al Shami,
22, Jabalia camp
- Abdul Mun'em Ihsan Abu
Baker, 20, Gaza City
- Yaser Mustafah Dahalan,
21, Jabalia camp
- Mahdai Jamal Mushtaha, 30,
Gaza City
- Khaled Al Amriti, 28, Gaza
City
- Musbah Hussein Al Rantisi,
20, Jabalia camp
- Rami Akram Quddas, 22,
Jabalia camp
- Muhammad Ibrahim Al Shrafi,
22, Jabalia camp
- Ra'id Abu Wadi, 36,
Jabalia camp
- Fadi Farid Az Za'anin, 23,
Beit Hanun
- Maher Jamil Zaqout, 29,
Jabalia camp
- Nidal Mohsen Al Madhoun,
13, Jabalia camp
- Muhammad Diyab An Najjar,
13, Jabalia camp
- Saber Ibrahim Asaliya, 13,
Jabalia camp
- Faris Omar Al Habel, 21,
Beit Lahia
- Romel Muhammad Al Barawi,
20, Beit Lahia
- Ismail Ibrahim Qahman, 21,
Beit Lahia
- Muhammad Saber Al Baba,
23, Beit Lahia
- Muhammad Mousa Al Hissi,
27, Jabalia camp
- Ramzi Shehda Hasaballa,
20, Jabalia camp
- Asma' Nader Dwidar, 17,
Jabalia camp
- Lu'ay Ayman An Najjar, 4,
Khan Younis
- Waif Salim Asalyeh, 30,
Jabalia
- Abdullah Naji darduna, 25,
Jabalia (police officer)
- Said Jamal Al Majdalawi,
30, An Nuseirat
- Iman Darweesh Al Hams, 13,
Rafah
- Hussam Muhammad Al Rass,
24, Gaza City
- Basher Khalil Ad Dabash,
42, Gaza City
- Tharif Yousif Al Ar'eer,
30, Gaza City
- Hasan Abdul Hai Darweesh,
30, Beit Lahia
- Mousa Abdul Hai Darweesh,
24, Beit Lahia
- Abdullah Hussien Qahman,
15, Beit Lahia
- Hamdan Faraj Ubaid, 50,
Beit Lahia
- Hammudeh Hamdan Ubaid, 22,
Beit Lahia
- Ramy Abdul Rahman Abu
Mhisin, 25, Bureij camp
- Ali Khalid Al Jaru, 19,
Deir Al Balah
- Iyad Abu Al Atta, 23, Deir
Al Balah
- Muhammad Abu Saif, 16,
Jabalia camp
- Raid Abu Zaid, 15, Jabalia
camp
- Sulaiman Abu Foul, 15,
Beit Lahia
- Lu'ay Jamal Hamad, 27,
Beit Hanoun
- Khalid Abdul Aziz Abu
T'imeh, 24, Khan Younis
- Hasan Jum'a Al Sharatha,
13, Jabalia
- Samah Samir Nassar, 9,
Beit Hanoun
- Muhammad nabil Subeh, 19,
Jabalia camp
- Yasir Salih Al Khateeb,
18, Jabalia camp
- Imad Yihia Bader, 22, Khan
Younis
- Saqer Awni Saqer, 23, Khan
Younis
- Salameh Ismail Abu Sil'a,
27, Jabalia camp
- Muhammad Yihia Udwan, 20,
Beit Hanoun
- Arafat Fuad Naser, 24,
Beit Hanoun
- Abdul Ra'uf Nabhan, 25
Jabalia camp
- Ameen Mahmud Salim, 36,
Jabalia camp
- Sufiyan Mousa Salim, 28,
Jabalia camp
- Raid Muhammad Al Mabhouh,
22, Jabalia camp
- Mahir Muhammad Zaqout, 39,
Jabalia camp
- Sameh Zamil Al Wheedi, 21,
Jabalia camp
- Ahmad Zaki Hamad, 22, Beit
Hanoun
- Yousif Mamuh Abu Zaid, 21,
Jabalia camp
- Samir Muhammad Khamash,
29, Deir Al Balah
- Salih Abu Al Hseen, 35,
Wadi As Salqa
- Khader Muhammad At Taluli,
29, Jabalia camp
- Jihad Ameen Mousa, 37,
Jabalia camp
- Ghadeer Jaber Mkheemar,
10, Khan Younis
- Qiziq Hasan Az Zeety, 38,
Jabalia camp
- Muhammad Said Al Masri,
25, Beit Lahia
- Jihad Housam Barhoum, 16,
Rafah
- Muhammad Karam Ma'rouf,
24, Beit Lahia
http://www.miftah.org
|