Two days after the temporary halt of Israel’s latest military operation in the Gaza Strip in which over 100 homes in Rafah were demolished, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz says IOF will escalate its activities in the Gaza Strip, particularly in the area of the Rafah-Egypt boarder-line. Israeli army Chief of Staff, Moshe Ya’alon confirmed that the IOF plans to demolish hundreds of Palestinian houses along the Rafah-Egypt border. Human rights organizations, UN and several international organizations asserted that such intentional demolition constitutes grave breaches to international humanitarian law and crimes of war. Read more about Rafah Daily Update
At around 1 am on Tuesday, 18 May 2004, Israeli apaches fired two missiles on Block P in Rafah refugee camp killing three Palestinians and injuring five others. The three persons killed are: 24-year-old Muhammad Khalil Al Hindi; 27-year-old Walid Musa Al Jazzar; and 27-year-old Muhammad Abdul Rahman An Nawajha. They died from missiles shrapnel in different parts of their bodies. At 4:10 am, Israeli tanks and bulldozers entered the Tel Al Sultan neighborhood and the nearby so-called Western refugee camp in Rafah. Israeli Apaches fired two missiles on Bilal Ibn Rabah Mosque in Block Q, killing five Palestinians. Read more about Rafah Daily Update, 12.00am
On the first day of the Israeli offensive in Rafah, 20 Palestinians were killed by 6 pm, 7 of whom are children. Medical sources, as well as Al Mezan’s own fieldworker, reported that the number of the injured reached over 50 while ambulance movement is still obstructed, contrary to an Israeli Army’s statement. Medical staff are still being besieged in a house as Israeli tanks surround the area and fire on anything moving. Eyewitnesses in Rafah reported to Al Mezan’s fieldworker that Asmaa Khalifa, a teacher who lives in Tel Al Sultan, could not reach a medical center to give birth to her baby. With tanks in front of her house firing at anything that moves, she was taken from window to window till she reached the house of a midwife in the area. Read more about Rafah Daily Update, 9.00pm
Today, Israeli forces continued military operations in Rafah. Israeli tanks are still blocking the streets leading to Tel Al Sultan and are present in Brazil neighborhood, as well as on the main road between Rafah and Khan Yunis. Israeli officials said that Israeli forces will continue their operations. Israeli forces killed at least 44 Palestinians and wounded more than 120 Palestinians. The humanitarian situation deteriorates. Water networks and other infrastructure has been destroyed. There are reports about health risks due to mixed sewage and water in Tel Al Sultan. Israeli forces continue demolishing Palestinian homes. Read more about Rafah Daily Update, 3.00pm
Adalah, Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center For Human Rights, Habitat International Coalition, Palestinian Center for Human Rights and World Organisation Against Torture22 May 2004
As the situation in Rafah and elsewhere in the Gaza Strip further deteriorates, local and international human rights organisations deplore the inaction of the international community.�The last two weeks have seen the devastation of residential areas in southern Gaza, as Israeli occupying forces have demolished hundreds of homes, cut water and electricity lines, and left over 2,000 Palestinian refugees homeless.� In a chilling development, Israeli forces have demolished houses in which the residents who have not been given warning were still inside.� Scores of Palestinians have been killed during the last two weeks, including the killing of 8 Palestinians and injuring of 41 others during a peaceful demonstration on 19 May 2004. Read more about Human Rights groups: "No State is Above the Law"
Today, Israeli forces redeployed in the town of Rafah, leaving most of the populated areas. Israeli tanks are still seen around these areas, however, blocking the streets leading to them. Israeli spokespersons, as well as Israeli officials said the operation in Rafah was still underway. As of 11pm Friday, at least 42 Palestinians have been killed in Rafah. At least 112 Palestinians have been wounded. Israeli sources announced that operation “Rainbow” would continue and that Israeli forces would invade other sections of Rafah shortly. Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Tel Sultan area and other areas continues to deteriorate. Read more about Rafah Daily Update, 11.00pm
Israeli forces entered the western outskirts of Rafah at around 11:30 yesterday. Loudspeakers ordered all men over the age of 16 to leave their homes and gather in one place in the Abu Halweh neighborhood. Israeli forces are still in the area carrying out house-to-house searches. Today, operation “Rainbow” entered its fifth day. Israeli tanks are still blocking the streets leading to Tel Al Sultan and Brazil as well as the main road between Rafah and Khan Yunis. Israeli officials confirmed that military activity will continue and expansion is expected. At least 43 Palestinians have been killed in Rafah since the beginning of the military assault on Rafah. At least 112 people have been wounded. Read more about Rafah Daily Update, 3.00pm
Today the Israeli High Court accepted the Israeli army’s claims in response to an urgent petition filed yesterday by four Israeli human rights organizations. During the hearing, which lasted for well over two hours, the court accepted the army’s claims that in fact all is well in the Rafah region and that there are very few problems related to water, food, medicines and freedom of movement for ambulances and patients. The Israeli JAG claimed that whatever problems do exist are being addressed by the army. Human rights groups continue to receive information from the Rafah region that in fact water, electricity and food, especially milk, remain problematic. Read more about High Court accepts Israeli army's position
At midday on Wednesday 19 May 2004, the second day of Israel’s offensive in Rafah, the total number of Palestinians killed is 24, including 7 children, and 50 injured. Ambulance movement is still obstructed. Al Mezan Center for Human Rights documented several cases of bulldozing of streets and numerous cases of destruction and damage of houses in Tel Al Sultan neighborhood. IOF killed four Palestinians who left their homes complying with a military order by IOF today morning in the Tel Al Sultan neighborhood of Rafah. Khalil Abu Al Saeed, Shadi Al Mghari, Sabir Abu Libdeh, and Usama Abdullah Abu Nasser were shot and killed in the streets of the neighborhood. Many others were wounded, too, including children. Read more about Rafah Daily Update, 3.00pm
Israeli forces raided a march in Rafah, killing 8 Palestinians, most of them children. This brings the death toll in the twon to 32 since the beginning of the Israeli assault. At midday on Wednesday, 19 May, approximately 100 were also reported injured. Ambulance movement services were still obstructed. Al Mezan Center for Human Rights documented several cases of bulldozing of streets and numerous cases of destruction and damage of homes in Tel Al Sultan neighborhoodd. Israeli helicopters and tanks fired shells into a crowd of protestors who marched in Rafah. Read more about Rafah Daily Update, 11.00pm
