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Israeli forces kill 13 Palestinians in Gaza and Rafah

11 February 2004


This morning, Israeli occupying forces killed 12 Palestinians in al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza city and one Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces in the Rafah refugee camp.  Three of the victims killed in al-Shojaeya died when Israeli occupying forces destroyed a house over them.  In addition, at least 50 Palestinians, including 23 children, were injured in the two incidents.  Medical sources at hospitals in the Gaza Strip described the condition of 20 of those injured as moderate to serious. This took place as Israeli forces moved into Gaza city and Rafah refugee camp. 

WFP purchases olive oil to help ease hardship of Palestinian farmers

11 February 2004


In an effort to address the dire socioeconomic conditions in the Palestinian Territories, the World Food Programme — in collaboration with the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture — will purchase 416 MT of olive oil, at a value of US$1.3 million, from 2600 selected poor Palestinian farmers. The agency will then deliver the locally purchased olive oil to WFP beneficiaries living in Gaza and in the south of the West Bank who have limited access to oil due to its high cost and unavailability. 

Japan donates $5.9 million to Palestine refugees

7 February 2004


Japan has announced a donation of US$ 5.9 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. The donation includes an emergency grant of US$ 1,513,200 to support UNRWA’s emergency activities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip where the refugees have been suffering the effects of violence, curfews and closures. The emergency grant will enable UNRWA to provide equipment and supplies to its health centres in Gaza to meet the increased medical care the refugees there. 

Eyes Wide Open: The Siege

9 February 2004


B’Tselem has produced a music video as part of the campaign against Israel’s siege policy. The song - “Eyes Wide Open” - is a remake of a popular Israeli song, featuring well-known Israeli artists. The song’s lyrics speak of the need to acknowledge the reality. The music video features footage taken at roadblocks and checkpoints and shows the reality of Israel’s siege policy. 

Seeking An Organized Solidarity

Rifat Odeh Kassis 8 February 2004


Ten years ago, backed by solidarity groups from all over the world, it appeared that the Intifada had succeeded in forcing Israel to recognize the PLO as sole representative of the Palestinian people. However, with Oslo made many groups felt that Palestinians were in control of their destiny. Today, only few will assert that Palestinians are in control of their destiny? Rifat Odeh Kassis believes we cannot afford to wait until initiatives such as the “Road Map” or “Geneva” are implemented. 

US rejects ICJ jurisdiction on separation barrier

30 January 2004


The United States submitted a written statement to the International Court expressing its continuing view that the referral is inappropriate and may impede efforts to achieve progress towards a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians. The statement emphasized the Quartet-led roadmap as the agreed upon method for moving forward and it urged the Court to give due regard to the principle that its advisory opinion jurisdiction is not intended as a means of circumventing the right of states to determine whether to submit their disputes to judicial settlement. 

Israeli forces kill Palestinian child and wound 11 others in assassination attempt

7 February 2004


Failing to assassinate a wanted Palestinian, Israeli forces killed a Palestinian child (11) and injured 11 other civilians, including three children, one of which is in serious condition. An Israeli attack helicopter fired a missile at a civilian car, a white Peugot 205, on Wihda street, a densely populated area in Gaza City. The missile hit the front of the car but failed to kill the passengers. However, 11-year old Tariq al-Sousi, who was on his way to school, was thrown off his feet by the explosion and hit a nearby tree. He was transferred to hospital but soon after he died of his wounds. 

Israeli forces kill Palestinian and wound 12 others in Rafah

8 February 2004


Israeli forces invaded Rafah and opened fire, wounding 12 Palestinian residents, including two children and two women. Israeli forces then surrounded the home of Ashraf Abu Libda, who is wanted by Israel, and ordered him to surrender. After he refused, an exchange of fire occured, in which Abu Libda was killed by several live bullets throughout his body. Israeli forces have maintained their presence in the area and have continued to open fire on residents. They surrounded a number of homes. PCHR is concerned that this military operation may cause more casualties among unarmed Palestinian civilians. 

Interview: Wendy Pearlman, author of 'Occupied Voices: Stories of Everyday Life from the Second Intifada'

Maureen Clare Murphy 11 February 2004


“If you want the conflict to end and you want peace, can you really afford to ignore their points of view? Go ahead; try to make peace without the Palestinians, without understanding Palestinians’ experiences and their goals as they see them. They’re going to be at war for generations — go ahead,” Wendy Pearlman, author of Occupied Voices: Stories of Everyday Life from the Second Intifada, tells EI’s Maureen Clare Murphy. Pearlman , who interviewed 27 West Bank and Gazans for her new work oral history, explains to EI the challenges to publishing a book dedicated to understanding the hardships endured by Palestinians under Israeli military occupation. 

Offices of Gaza weekly ransacked

4 February 2004


RSF has demanded a prompt and full investigation after the Gaza City offices of the weekly newspaper “Al-Daar” were ransacked during the Muslim Eid festival, between 1 and 3 February 2004. “The Palestinian Authority should act decisively to prevent attacks against journalists and the media in the territories under its control,” the organisation said in a letter to Palestinian Interior Minister Hakam Balaawi. Al-Daar editor-in-chief Hassan Al-Kachef said the offices had been ransacked and computers were damaged but nothing was stolen, which ruled out a normal burglary.