Palestinian Center for Human Rights 10 June 2004
Palestinian children standing in front of their destroyed home in Tel Sultan neighborhood in Rafah (PCHR)
Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated more violations of human rights against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). Human rights violations perpetrated by Israeli occupying forces included willful killings, incursions into Palestinian areas, indiscriminate shelling and house demolitions. Israeli occupying forces have also continued construction of the “Annexation Wall” inside the West Bank and have continued to impose a tight siege on the OPTs. This week, 4 Palestinians, including 2 handicapped civilians and one child, were killed and at least 20 others were injured by Israeli troops.
In the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops continued to shell Palestinian residential areas, especially in Khan Yunis and Rafah. A Palestinian child was killed and 15 other civilians, including 3 children and 2 women, were injured. Israeli helicopter gunships also destroyed 2 workshops in Gaza City. Another Palestinian was killed when he exchanged fire with Israeli troops that had moved into Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip. This week, Israeli occupying forces conducted 5 military incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they destroyed 2 houses in Rafah and razed 14 donums of Palestinian agricultural land in Deir al-Balah.
In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces launched a series of attacks against Palestinian civilians. Two handicapped Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli troops. Israeli troops also arrested dozens of Palestinians throughout the West Bank. In addition, Israeli settlers continued their attacks against Palestinian civilians and their properties.
Israeli occupying forces have continued construction of the annexation wall inside the West Bank, especially around Jerusalem, in the northern Jordan Valley and in Qalqilya. They razed more areas of Palestinian land and started to construct some sections of the wall around Jerusalem. Israeli occupying authorities also issued a military order seizing areas of Palestinian land in Bethlehem for the purpose of wall construction. This week, the Israeli High Court allowed the Israeli military to level areas of Palestinian land in Shaqba village, southwest of Ramallah, for the purpose of the construction of a section of the wall.
Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPTs and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have continued to close most border crossings. A number of these crossings were partially reopened, but under severe restrictions. On Tuesday, 8 June 2004, Israeli occupying forces closed the “Erez” industrial zone in the northern Gaza Strip, denying access of around 5000 Palestinian workers to their work places. In the West Bank, Israeli occupying forces have continued to impose a strict siege on Palestinian communities. They have also imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians.
To download the full report click here. To view previous weekly reports click here.
Related Links
