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Israel pushes on with assault on Gaza

2 October 2004


Israeli occupying troops have continued their attacks on Palestinian civilians in the northern Gaza Strip for the 5th consecutive day in disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians. They have caused dozens of casualties among Palestinian civilians and have largely destroyed civilian facilities. On Saturday morning, 2 October 2004, Israeli occupying troops expanded their military operations in the Gaza Strip, especially in Beit Hanoun. Since the beginning of this latest offensive on the northern Gaza Strip, 45 Palestinians, including 21 civilians, 15 of whom are children, have been killed by Israeli troops. In addition, at least 250 Palestinians have been injured. Israeli troops have demolished dozens of homes and large areas of agricultural land. 

Gaza Daily Update, 10.00 PM

1 October 2004


Israeli forces killed more Palestinians in northern Gaza. Residents of Jabalia refugee camp took to the street protesting Israel’s killings and destruction during the past few days. Israeli forces continued shelling residential areas. Israeli forces demolished dozens of homes in Beit Lahia. Israeli forces confiscated a number of homes and turned them into military posts. Israeli tanks fire shells at homes and various places are cut off from food, water and medicines. Israeli forces prevent ambulances from access the sick and wounded. Israeli forces continue their assault on Gaza’s largest refugee camp. 

Gaza Daily Update, 10.00 PM

2 October 2004


Israeli forces carry out a wide-scaled invasion of northern Gaza. Forty-four Palestinians have been killed so far. Israeli forces destroyed numerous homes and private property. Ambulances are not allowed access. Residents in all besieged communities suffer from lack of food, water and medicines. The humanitarian situation deteriorates. Israeli forces destroyed homes in Jabalia, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun. An Israeli airplane fired a missile at a crowd in Tel Az Zatar, killing three civilians. Israeli tanks invaded Salah ad Din Street, isolating the Izba neighborhood in Beit Hanoun. Israeli forces fired at an ambulance in Jabalia. 

Israel escalates offensive on Gaza as death toll reaches 39

1 October 2004


The number of Palestinians killed by Israeli troops since the beginning of this latest offensive on the northern Gaza Strip has increased to 39, including 19 civilians, 14 of whom are children. In addition, at least 210 Palestinians have been injured. This high number of casualties is attributed to the excessive and disproportionate use of force by Israeli troops against the Palestinian civilian population in the northern Gaza Strip. On the other hand, Israeli troops have destroyed at least 25 Palestinian houses and fences of a number of UNRWA schools. Dozens of houses have been also severely damaged by Israeli troops. In addition, large areas in the northern Gaza Strip have been isolated, while Israeli troops have seized a number of buildings, transforming their roofs into military sites. 

Amnesty: "Israeli army must respect human rights"

1 October 2004


Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of the Palestinian population in the Jabaliya refugee camp and elsewhere in the northern Gaza Strip, where the Israeli army is carrying out a large-scale offensive. In the past two days the Israeli army has killed more than 35 Palestinians, including several children and other unarmed residents who were not participating in armed confrontations with Israeli soldiers. Most of those killed and injured were hit by Israeli army tank fire and at least two were killed by a missile fired by a helicopter gunship. Amnesty International is concerned that the Israeli army’s use of excessive force in this latest incursion in the Gaza Strip will result in further loss of lives and wanton destruction of Palestinian homes and property. 

Jewish American group calls for international intervention to stop Israel's massive military invasion of Gaza Strip

1 October 2004


Jewish Voice for Peace, a national Jewish-American organization with 10,000 supporters, called for an immediate halt to the massive Israeli invasion of Gaza Strip. The group called for the United States and the international community to intervene to stop the Israeli military operation and prevent the rocket attacks by Hamas that have provided the pretext for it. “Israeli actions have already cost dozens of Palestinian lives, severely injured many more innocent civilians, and has seen the destruction of more Palestinian homes,” said Mitchell Plitnick, JVP’s Co-Director. “The planned invasion is sure to multiply these numbers greatly.” 

UNRWA calls on Israel to lift restrictions and ensure safety of staff in the Gaza Strip

30 September 2004


The latest large-scale military operations initiated by the Israeli Army have once again severely disrupted the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The Agency has reminded the Government of Israel of its obligations under international law, including bilateral agreements it has entered into with UNRWA and calls on it once again to restore the freedom of movement of Agency staff and guarantee their safety at all times. The military operations undertaken by the Israeli Army have in effect tri-sected the Gaza Strip. 

The "silent" plan for Jerusalem

Johara Baker 30 September 2004


According to a report published in the Israeli daily Ha’aretz on September 14, the plan proposed by West Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupoliansky, city engineer Uri Shitrit and head of the planning team Moshe Cohen, calls for “massive intervention” to prevent overcrowding in the Old City. The report said that government funds would be used to offer alternative housing outside the Old City walls to interested residents. Shufat Refugee Camp, the only refugee camp in East Jerusalem, which the municipality promised to rehabilitate, was proposed as an alternative residence. Johara Baker reports for the Palestine Report. 

A Palestinian Ronaldo's Stolen Dreams

30 September 2004


The IDF’s code name for the invasion of Southern Gaza was “Operation Rainbow.” According to Palestinian medical sources, 56 Palestinians were killed during the military operation, including 22 children. Eleven-year-old Hamad El-Neirab remembers “I was in the demonstration, we were clapping and chanting, suddenly the Israeli helicopters fired a missile into the demonstration. I fell to the ground. After the explosion, I stood to run away but a second rocket blew up near me, and I was wounded in both legs.” Today, the boy from a Gaza Strip refugee camp sat half a world away in a state-of-the-art Washington, DC examination room to be fitted for a new leg. 

Widescale Israeli military offensive on the Northern Gaza Strip

30 September 2004


Israeli occupying troops have continued their wide scale offensive on the northern Gaza Strip for the 3rd consecutive day. At the time of going to print, 15 Palestinians, including 3 children, have been killed and at least 120 others were injured, some of them are in a serious condition. Israeli troops have also destroyed a number of houses and civilian facilities. Israeli troops have used excessive force against unarmed Palestinian civilians. According to Palestinian medical sources, most of the injured were hit in the upper part of the body. PCHR expresses deep concern for this intense presence of Israeli troops in the area, especially in Jabalya refugee camp which is one of the most populated areas in the Gaza Strip.