Despite the sharp decrease in violent clashes following the declaration of a 3-month truce by Palestinian resistance organizations, Israeli occupying forces have continued to conduct human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including unlawful killings, collective punishment, shelling of and incursions into Palestinian areas, land leveling and arrests. This week, 3-9 July 2003, 2 Palestinian civilians were killed and 5 others were wounded by Israeli occupying forces.

Israeli occupying forces shot dead 2 Palestinian civilians in the West Bank and wounded 5 others in a number of incidents in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip. On Thursday, 3 July 2003, Israeli occupying forces shot dead Mohammed Shawar al-Nees, 32, from Qalqilya, allegedly wanted by Israel, and wounded and arrested another Palestinian. On Wednesday, 9 July 2003, Israeli occupying forces shot dead Eyad Mohammed Shalayesh, 27, from Bourqin village, west of Jenin, and seriously wounded his wife, during an Israeli military raid on the family’s house.

This week, Israeli occupying forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In the Gaza Strip, this week, Israeli occupying forces conducted 5 incursions into Palestinian areas, during which they razed more than 120 donums of agricultural land, especially in Rafah.

Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on large areas of the OPT. While they have slightly eased the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, they have tightened the siege imposed on the West Bank.

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