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
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
Israeli forces announced today the expension of the so-called “Operation Rainbow”, which started in the early morning hours of Tuesday, to the Brazil and Salam neighborhoods southeast of the town. This has been confirmed by reports from Palestinian sources, witnessing Israeli tanks entering these neighborhoods. The siege of Tel Al Sultan continued and is causing severe humanitarian implications due to the destruction of the water network. Israeli forces raided two areas of the city, killing 5 Palestinians. This brings the death toll in the town to 37 since the beginning of Israel’s military offensive. Read more about Rafah Daily Update, 3.00pm
The total number of Palestinians who killed in the town of Rafah since Tuesday is at least 41, including 14 children. Some 103 people have been injured; more than half of them are children. The movement of ambulance services is still obstructed by the IOF. Al Mezan Center for Human Rights has documented dozens of cases of bulldozing of streets and houses in Tel Al Sultan, As-Salam and Al Brazil neighborhoods. Demolitions were carried out without warning in the majority of the documented cases. One day after the UN Security Council condemned Israeli actions, the effects of the international community’s condemnation appears limited. Read more about Rafah Daily Update, 11:00pm
Israel’s acts during the last 55 days constitute alarming indications of the possible situation should a war with Iraq be initiated in the region, warn human rights organizations Al Mezan and Al-Haq. There is fear that the OPT may witness an unprecedented increase in human rights violations. Read more about Israel commences plans and war crimes prior to expected war on Iraq