Update on IOF Incursion in North Gaza, Volume 16
By Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights
October 16, 2004
New Page 1
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 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 17th day. 133
Palestinians(109 Palestinians were killed in North Gaza during the same period.
The rest are from Gaza city and South Gaza area); among whom are 31 children,
have been killed and 432; including 139 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
suffers 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 17, Friday 15
October 2004:
- IOF's military operation
in North Gaza entered its 17th day today, 15 October 2004. According to Al
Mezan's fieldworkers, 133 Palestinians have been killed and at least 432
wounded from IOF fire. Among the deceased are 31 children. Moreover, IOF
demolished 85 homes completely and hundreds of homes partially since 28
September 2004. They also leveled an area of 610 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. The besieged population in several neighborhoods in north Gaza
live an alarming humanitarian crisis under severe shortage of food, water
and medicine. International humanitarian agencies voiced their concern about
such a crisis one week earlier.
- With continued closure for
over two weeks, the civilian population of the Gaza Strip suffer increasing
difficulty I terms of movement and access due to restrictions on their
movement by IOF. Hundreds of people who need medical care are not able to
reach health facilities outside their towns or camps. The residents of the
southern parts of the strip lack basic goods and fuel. Moreover, the
educational institutions cannot work properly due to inability of their
personnel to access them.
- At 8am today, IOF fired
artillery towards Al Kashif Hill, east of Jabalia camp. No casualties were
reported. The shelling caused severe damage to hom,es and property, however.
- At 3am, also today, IOF
launched a missile towards the Western part of Jabalia camp. It killed
21-year-old Wail Mousa Salih, from Jabalia camp, 25-year-old Ameen Khalil
Mas'oud and 20-year-old Raid Khalil Abu Saif, both from Gaza city. Several
homes were lightly damaged in the attack.
- At approximately 3:20am
today, IOF fired artillery towards Al Karama Street, east of Jabalia. It hit
a livestock farm destroying it and killing the birds in it. Eyewitnesses
informed Al Mezan that Israeli tanks which were stationed near the Jabalia
Eastern Cemetery fired it.
- About one hour later,
Israeli tanks fired artillery towards the Civil Administration area eastern
Jabalia. Several homes were severely damaged.
- At approximately 7am
today, Israeli tanks opened machinegun fire towards Tel Az Zaatar
neighborhood. The homes of Bashir Salha, which is located in an apartment
building, was burnt due to the shelling. The Center's fieldworker reported
that no casualties occurred as the resident of the building had evacuated it
earlier due to the frequent shelling by IOF.
- At approximately 8am
today, Israeli tanks fired two shells towards the Jabalia Youth Club. The
club and a nearby school were damaged while the attack caused no injuries.
At 11:20am, tanks fired another shell at the same area and caused damage to
several homes.
- Al Mezan's fieldworker in
North Gaza reported that IOF opened machinegun fire towards Tel Az Zaatar
neighborhood in Jabalia at 1:30pm today. The shelling was concentrated near
Al Bashir mosque. Eyewitnesses said that they aw Israeli soldiers firing
bombs from their rifles. No casualties were reported while numerous homes
were damaged. About an hour later, IOF fired the same area with similar
bombs. Two bombs hit the mosque and one hit the house of Zuiheer Dhahir.
Fortunately, none of Dhahir's 15-person-family was injured. Several children
were treated from shock and numerous homes were damaged due to the shelling,
which continued for 20 minutes.
- At 5pm today, Israeli
apaches opened machinegun fire towards Tel Az Zaatar neighborhood in Jabalia
and caused damage to tens of homes. Residents of the neighborhood said the
shelling damaged the water tanks, adding to the already lack of drinking
water in the neighborhood.
- At 5:20pm, 10 minutes
after breakfast of the first day of Ramadan month, IOF opened fire towards
Ezbet Abed Rabu neighborhood in Jabalia town. A 65-year-old woman, Fatima
Muhammad Hussein, was killed from a live bullet in the head while she was
inside her house.
- Al Mezan's fieldworker
reported that the IOF started a major pull-out from North Gaza area at
6:30pm today. Lines of tanks and armored personnel carriers were seen
leaving Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun. This can be the end of a 17-day
incursion in the area. It should be mentioned that Israeli officials said
today that troops could carry out operations in the area at any time.
- At 6:50pm today,
8-year-old Ahmad Rweshed, from Jabalia camp, was injured critically from a
live bullet in the stomach. Witnesses reported that the child was playing
with his light toy, which is a tradition during the month of Ramadan, when
he was injured due to IOF fire as troops were leaving Jabalia.
Relevant statements made by
local and international entitles:
- Following the Israeli
Army's conduct in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Israeli Peace
Block (Gush Shalom) sent messages to Israel high ranking officers informing
them that they were guilty of "offenses tantamount to war crimes". The
letter revealed the organization's intention to initiate legal action
against military officers based on substantial information regarding their
conduct against Palestinian civilians.
- Israeli papers revealed
settler attacks by Israeli settlers against international citizens in the
West Bank. The victims include American and European citizens who were
injured due to numerous attacks. The Israeli security forces did not act
properly to stop such attacks according to the papers.
- In its statement before
the UN General Assembly Sixth Session on legal issues today, United Arab
Emirates representative asserts the responsibility of the international
community in ensuring Israel's respect for the Fourth Geneva Convention in
the OPT.
- In a press conference held
in Amman, Jordan, today, the UNRWA Commissioner-general, Peter Hansen,
called for international pressure on Israel to ensure respect for its
agreements with the Agency and the relevant provisions of international law.
He called Israel, as an occupying power, to help UNRWA achieve its
humanitarian work in the OPT asserting that the relation between UNRWA and
Israel grew tense recently and that this tension was reflected on the
Agency's ability to deliver aid to Palestinian refugees. He also asserted
that UNRWA will continue its work in spite of Israel's restriction of its
personnel and the killing of 11 of its employees since the year 2000. Mr.
Hansen pointed out that Israel has not yet apologized for its practices and
allegations against the Agency although it withdrew its allegations.
- A former US National
Security Council Advisor, Brent Scowcroft, said that the Israeli Prime
Minister, Ariel Sharon, aimed at preventing a Palestinian State when he
initiated a unilateral pull-out from Gaza. He criticized, in an interview
with the Financial Times, The US President's one-sided policy towards the
Israeli-Palestinian issue and the support he provided for Sharon. He added
that Bush agrees on Israel's oppression of Palestinians pointing out that
Sharon used to call the American President after major assaults on
Palestinians, and received support.
- France condemned IOF's
opening threatening fire towards its diplomats in the Gaza Strip Wednesday.
a French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Israeli soldiers fired near
a well-flagged diplomatic vehicle although the diplomats followed the
Israeli army's security procedures. The incident took place near Erez
crossing north of the Gaza Strip as the diplomats were in their way out of
the Strip.
Al Mezan Statement:
Al Mezan Center for Human Right
gravely 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. 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.
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.
Due to the Israeli incursion in
North Gaza and to the presence of IOF tanks 150 meters from its office, which
incurs serous dangers on the center’s office and the safety of its staff, Al
Mezan Center for Human Rights was forced to close its main office in Jabalia
camp. The Center receives the cases who need intervention in person or by
telephone in its Gaza office in Izzadin Al Qassam St., tel/fax: +970 (0)8
2820447/2
http://www.miftah.org
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