In light of the current wave of Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, in which Israeli forces are carrying out widespread military incursions into Palestinian towns, villages, and refugee camps, killing innocent civilians and terrorizing an entire captive population, MIFTAH is calling on the international community to break the silence and take immediate steps in condemning the Israeli government for its atrocities and crimes, and to take immediate steps in providing protection for the Palestinian people.

Late last night, Monday March 11th, 2002, Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers carried out a full military incursion into the Palestinian town of Ramallah, thereby reoccupying the town and holding its citizens captive to the horrors of Israel's military machine. Reports estimate that around 150 tanks and armored personnel carriers have invaded the town, and surrounded Al-Am'ari refugee camp.

Since February 28th, 2002, similar incursions took place in Balata refugee camp in Nablus, Jenin refugee camp, Aida and Dheisheh refugee camps in Bethlehem, as well Tulkarem refugee camp. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society estimates that Israeli forces killed more than 150 Palestinians, wounded around 1,000, and arrested more than 2,500 since these incursions took place. The vast majority of the victims are civilians, and a significant number are medical staff killed by Israeli troops while performing rescue operations.

Repeatedly, the Palestinians have cautioned against Israel's unleashing of brute military force against Palestinian civilians, and the cost of such policies on innocent human lives. Repeatedly, the Palestinians have called for international protection from the horrors of Israel's aggression and atrocities.

Today, Tuesday March 12th, 2002, Israeli troops killed 6 Palestinians in Ramallah, held many families hostages in their own homes, and destroyed essential infrastructures, including the main water supply of Ramallah and Al-Bireh. The Israeli army has invaded almost all the streets of Ramallah and Al-Bireh, and there are evident signs of a premeditated Israeli invasion of Al-Am'ari refugee camp, the results of which will leave scores dead and wounded.

This is an urgent appeal to the international community to take immediate steps to:

• prevent another Israeli massacre of Palestinian civilians throughout the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
• end the Israeli invasion of Ramallah and Al-Bireh,
• end Israeli incursions in all Palestinian towns, villages, and refugee camps,
• call for an immediate Israeli withdrawal from all territories occupied in June 1967,
• provide immediate international observers to protect the Palestinians from Israeli aggression,
• and finally, urge governments, NGO's, human rights organizations, and all civil society institutions to publicly condemn the Israeli government for its crimes against the Palestinians people,

The Palestinian people are in desperate need for international society to take a stance against a cruel Israeli policy that continues to unleash pain, suffering, and humiliation on a defenseless population living under occupation.