3 Palestinian Civilians Killed and 35 Houses Destroyed by Israeli Occupation Forces

While Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have continued their wide scale offensive on the northern Gaza Strip for more than 2 weeks, they have escalated attacks against Palestinian civilians and their property in other areas of the Gaza Strip. On Thursday morning, 14 October 2004, IOF killed 3 Palestinian civilians, including an elderly man, and destroyed 35 houses during an incursion into Rafah refugee camp. Each time, IOF try to justify such house demolitions in Rafah by claiming that they are searching for tunnels, but in fact, such attacks aim at creating a buffer zone along the Egyptian border, south of the town, and expel local inhabitants.

According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, late at night on Wednesday, 13 October 2004, Israeli heavy military vehicles moved into Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border. On Thursday morning, 14 October 2004, more Israeli troops, reinforced by helicopters, were brought to the area to expand this incursion. Under the cover of indiscriminate shelling, IOF started to demolish Palestinian houses in the area without prior warning and without allowing their inhabitants to vacate any of their belongings. At approximately 02:30, an Israeli helicopter gunship fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians who gathered near their houses. Three civilians were instantly killed:

1. 'Ali 'Abdul Karim Sha'at, 20;
 
2. Ahmed Saleh al-Tahrawi, 21; and
 
3. Isma'il Mohammed Sawalha, 70.

This Israeli military incursion continued until 05:30, during which time IOF destroyed 30 Palestinian houses completely and 5 others partially, rendering 402 people (70 families) homeless.

Rafah town and refugee camp are areas that have been subject the largest destruction and campaigns of forcible migration. Since the beginning of the current Intifada, at least 1500 houses have been totally destroyed and 2200 others have been partially destroyed by IOF in Rafah, 90% of which in the refugee camp. More than once, Rafah was declared a disaster area.

PCHR strongly condemns the daily crimes committed by IOF, and asserts that these crimes constitute collective punishment under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which also prohibits forcible migration of civilian population and the destruction of their private property. PCHR remains particularly concerned for the failure of the international community to provide protection for Palestinian civilians and property, in accordance with its obligations in times of armed conflicts. PCHR calls upon:

1. The international community to immediately intervene to provide protection for the Palestinian civilian population.

2. The High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to take concrete steps to stop Israeli attacks, which have recently escalated.

3. The High Commissioner for Human Rights to immediately visit the Occupied Palestinian Territories to watch violations of human rights perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians.

4. Humanitarian organizations to provide immediate assistance for victims of violations of international humanitarian law perpetrated by IOF against Palestinian civilians.