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Four Years of Intifada: Highlights of systematic violations

28 September 2004


On 29 September 2004, the fourth anniversary of the Palestinian Intifada, Al-Haq reminds members of the international community that Israeli authorities are continuing their flagrant disregard for international human rights and humanitarian law in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Although a common feature of the 37 year long Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Al-Haqs documentation indicates that since the beginning of the Intifada, the perpetration of these human rights violations by Israeli authorities has increased in both scale and intensity. 

South Africans protest visit Ehud Olmert to South Africa

2 October 2004


The South African Palestine Solidarity Committee called upon the South African government to cancel the proposed invitation to Deputy Prime Minister of Apartheid Israel, Ehud Olmert, to visit South Africa. Olmert is scheduled to have talks with state officials, supporters of Apartheid Israel and business people in two weeks time. Olmert’s proposed visit comes in the wake of meetings between ten senior Likud Party representatives and South African officials and Cabinet Ministers. According to an official statement the South African government views Olmert’s trip as part of ‘mediatory’ efforts to bring about peace in the Middle East. 

Gaza Daily Update, 4.00 PM

3 October 2004


Israeli forces continue their military assault on the northern part of the Gaza Strip. So far, Israeli forces killed 65 Palestinians, including 19 children since the start of the operation on 28 September. More than 244 Palestinians, including 81 children, have been wounded. Residents suffer from a lack of food, water and medicines. Israeli tanks twice fired a shell near an UNRWA school, killing 29-year old Mahir Zaqout. In Jabalia refugee camp there is severe shortage of drinking water. Israeli forces continue demolishing homes and commercial stores, razing farm lands and shelling residential areas. Israeli forces restrict access to humanitarian and medical aid. 

Four Years of Intifada: Palestinians paying the price

29 September 2004


Over the past four years, Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated grave breaches of international humanitarian law against Palestinian civilians in a manner unprecedented since 1967. International silence has served to encourage the Israeli government and its occupying troops to escalate the number of attacks against Palestinian civilians, while acting with impunity. Over the past twelve months, Israeli forces have stepped up illegal operations in the occupied Palestinian territories, employing highly developed heavy weaponry such as F16s, Apache helicopters, tanks and armored personnel carriers against civilians. 

UNCTAD report on Palestinian economy calls for intensified donor commitment to development

29 September 2004


Action on Palestinian development policy may be postponed by the weight of events on the ground. At the same time, however, even if greater stability is achieved, it does not necessarily mean that structural imbalances and distortions will simply recede, warns UNCTAD in its annual report on assistance to the Palestinian people. The report, which will be reviewed at the forthcoming meeting of UNCTAD’s governing body, the Trade and Development Board, Geneva, 4-15 October, notes that the 4.5% estimated growth in real GDP that occurred in 2003 is not sufficient to signal genuine recovery. Its sustainability is uncertain, subject to the implementation of the two-state solution. 

Gaza Daily Update, 9.30 PM

30 September 2004


Israeli forces invaded northern Gaza, one of the most populated areas of the Gaza Strip. Israeli spokespersons announced that they carried out the invasion to stop Palestinian militants firing Qassam rockets on Israeli towns. The invasion is ongoing and open-ended. Israeli forces have killed at least 27 Palestinians. Israeli forces are in control of the main streets in northern Gaza and are inside Jabalia refugee camp, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia. Israel shelled civilians in Jabalia, killing 9 Palestinians and wounding dozens more. Only one of the dead could be identified because the bodies were completely disfigured. 

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.