This report highlights the chronology of events concerning colonizing activities in the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip that occurred during the months of July to September. It describes and evaluates events and their effects on the Palestinian communities and predicts the repercussions expected in the future as a result of those events.
Contents:
1. Chronology of events in the West Bank during the 3rd Quarter of 2003
· Chronology of events during the month of July 2003
· Chronology of events during the month of August 2003
· Chronology of events during the month of September 2003
2. Chronology of events in Jerusalem during the 3rd Quarter of 2003
· Chronology of events during the month of July 2003
· Chronology of events during the month of August 2003
· Chronology of events during the month of September 2003
3. Chronology of events in the Gaza Strip during the 3rd Quarter of 2003
· Chronology of events during the month of July 2003
· Chronology of events during the month of August 2003
· Chronology of events during the month of September 2003
1-Chronology of events in the West Bank during the 3rd Quarter of 2003.
For background information on the West Bank . The Israeli violations that were reported between the months of July to September are reported in the following tables. Table 1: Chronology of events during the month of July 2003
Date |
Violation |
Location |
Violators |
Notes |
01-Jul-03 |
S- Bulldozing agricultural land for annexation to separation wall |
Jenin- Zaboba village |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
|
01-Jul-03 |
S- Bulldozing a 5 km long strip of agricultural land for the construction of separation wall. |
Tulkarem- Al Ras village |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
|
03-Jul-03 |
C -Allowing settlers to build in Tel Rumaida in the old city of Hebron and Preventing the Palestinian committee for reconstruction in the old city from continuing works. |
IA – Israeli authorities and army |
|
|
03-Jul-03 |
D- Demolishing a 120 square meter house owned by Mr. Fawzi Abu Rumeila ( 15 occupants) under the pretext of un- licensing |
IS- Israeli Authorities |
|
|
03-Jul-03 |
O- Destroying and leveling 40 dunum of land, uprooting 40 trees and demolishing 3 poultry farms owned by the family of Mr. Othman Amer |
Qalqilya- Masha |
IA- Israeli army |
|
04-Jul-03 |
S – Seizing the house of Mr. Hassan Ra'i and turning it to a military observation post |
Hebron- Old city- Wadi An Nasara |
IA – Israeli army |
|
04-Jul-03 |
U-Uprooting trees and crops from the land of Mr. Ahamad Jaber |
Hebron- Near Kiriyat Araba' |
IC-Israeli settlers |
|
06-Jul-03 |
S- A military order to confiscate 100 `dunum of land for constructing the separation wall |
IA- Israeli authorities |
|
|
06-Jul-03 |
D- Army tanksdestroy crops and irrigation systems. |
Jenin- Iben Amer plain |
IA- Israeli army |
|
06-Jul-03 |
S- A military order to confiscate 300 dunum of land owned by 90 families and located near Nablus – Ramallah main road. |
Nablus- Luban Ash Sharqiya |
IA- Israeli army |
|
08-Jul-03 |
R – Starting to construct a new road to link between the settlement of Nahal Nigihut and the Israeli proper and the confiscation of 54 dunum for this purpose. |
Hebron – Dora |
IA – Israeli Authorities |
|
09-Jul-03 |
E – Seizing 4 dunums owned by the family of Said Da'na near the south western fence of Kiryat Arba' settlement |
IC – Jewish settlers |
settlers placed a number of tents at the site and celebrated the occasion. |
|
10-Jul-03 |
O- Attacking Palestinian houses and stealing a number of sheep belonging to the widow of Mr. Ghaleb An Najar |
Nablus- Burin village |
IC- Israeli settlers |
|
10-Jul-03 |
S- A military order to confiscate 424 dunum of land to be used for the separation wall |
Tulkarem- Zeita, Qaffin, Nazlet Issa and Illar. |
IA- Israeli authorities |
|
10-Jul-03 |
O- Preventing farmers from reaching their fields separated by the apartheid wall |
Tulkarem- Deir Al Ghusun |
IA- Israeli army |
|
10-Jul-03 |
S- A military order to confiscate 8 dunums near the settlement of Elkana. The land is 152 meter long and 16-19 meters wide. |
Qalqiliya- Masha |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
|
10-Jul-03 |
C- Establishing of a new settlement close to the bypass road passing by Salim village. 15 caravans were set up. |
Nablus- Salim |
IC- Israeli settlers |
|
10-Jul-03 |
S -Dismissing dozens of farmers from their fields and preventing them from collecting wheat and barley with the aim of annexing theirland to the settlement of Sinsana. |
Hebron- Ramadin |
IA, IC – Israeli army and settlers |
The farmers were informed not to enter their land unless they get permission from the Israeli military |
11-Jul-03 |
O – Blocking with Barbed wires all the entrances of Palestinian quarters surrounding the Ibrahimi mosque and turning those quarters into a big prison |
IA – Israeli authorities and army |
|
|
14-Jul-03 |
S – Seizing under gun point the 120 M2 house of Mr. Kaid Shaker As Suweiti located near the settlement of Mitzbe Lachish to the west of Dora town. |
Hebron- Dora |
IC – Israeli settlers |
A Jewish family resided in place of the dismissed Palestinian family |
14-Jul-03 |
O -Attacking Palestinian farmers tending their land and forcing them to leave under gunpoint. |
Hebron-Dora |
IC – Israeli settlers |
|
14-Jul-03 |
S – Fencing a 4 dunum piece of land for Mr. Said Dana' located at the south west corner of Kiriyat Arba' settlement. |
IC – Israeli settlers |
An apartheid wall is under construction in the area separating between Palestinian families and providing free passage for settlers to Ibrahimi mosque. The road will be for exclusive Jewish use. |
|
16-Jul-03 |
E- Constructing housing units on 32 dunums of land owned by Mr. Mohammed Abu Shamleh as part of a new settlement under the name of Mobo Dothan B, which eventually will confiscate about 1200 dunum of private Palestinian land. |
Jenin- Ya'bad |
IA- Israeli authorities |
|
17-Jul-03 |
O-Trying to steal a number of sheep for Mr. Yahiya Abu Haniya resulting in confrontations in which Mr. Adnan Abu Haniya was injured |
Nublus- Yanun |
IC- Israeli settlers |
|
17-Jul-03 |
D- Destroying 600 dumums and separating 6000 dunums for the construction of the Separation Wall |
Tulkarem- Qaffin |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
|
20-Jul-03 |
Qalqiliya district |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
|
|
21-Jul-03 |
U- Uprooting 80 olive trees owned by the family of Jaber |
Salfit- Haris |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
|
22-Jul-03 |
S – Seizing the roofs of 15 business stores opposite the settlement of Beit Rumano in the heart of the old city of Hebron according to military order |
Hebron – old city |
IA – Israeli authorities and Army |
|
23-Jul-03 |
P- Planning the establishment of a public garden affiliated to Beit Eil settlement |
Ramallah- Beit Eil |
IA- Israeli authorities |
|
25-Jul-03 |
O- The arrival of 5400 new settlers to the occupied territories within the first half of this year raising the number of settlers to 231493 according to Israeli statistics. |
Occupied territories |
IA, IC- Israeli authorities, Israeli settlers. |
|
27-Jul-03 |
D- bulldozing the land of Mr. Abdullah Hussein and uprooting hundreds of trees, in addition to the destruction of 200 dunums owned by Mr. Suhail Abdul Karim |
Tulkarem- Shuweika |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
|
28-Jul-03 |
D-S- Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics confirmed that the separation wall will destroy and separate 2735 square km of West Bank land ( 45.3%) |
West Bank |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
|
29-Jul-03 |
O-Attacking Palestinian residents and houses in Wadi An Nasara, south west of Kiriyar Arba' settlement using automatic weapons, stones and petrol bombs. |
Hebron- Wadi An Nasara |
IC-Israeli settlers |
More than 100 settlers took part in the attack at mid night setting fire to a number of houses and causing heavy damage to properties. |
Table 2: Chronology of events during the month of August 2003
Date |
Violation |
Location |
Violators |
Notes |
01-Aug-03 |
O- Closing all the entrances leading to the Ibrahimi mosque in the old city to prevent Palestinian worshipers from reaching the holy place for Friday prayers. |
Hebron- old city |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
|
02-Aug-03 |
O- Flying by gliding planes settlers attack farmers in the plains of Hawara |
Nablus- Hawara |
IC- Israeli settlers |
|
02-Aug-03 |
O-Attacking Palestinian residents and houses in Wadi An Nasara area to the south west of Kiriyat Arba' settlement and preventing Palestinian worshipers from reaching the Ibrahimi mosque. |
Hebron – Wadi An Nasara |
IC – Jewish settlers |
See case study continuous attacks against the Palestinian family of Da'na', July, 2003. |
05-Aug-03 |
C- Re- establishing the colonial nucleus of Higoborim in Wadi An Nasara which was dismantled 7 months ago. |
Hebron- wadi An Nasara |
IC -Israeli settlers |
Higoborim is located near a constant Israeli army observation post in Wadi An Nasara |
05-Aug-03 |
O- Attacking Palestinian houses and residents in Wadi An Nasara using stones and empty bottles. Loud speakers and drums were used as a means of terrifying Palestinian residents in the area. |
Hebron- Wadi An Nasara |
IC-Israeli settlers |
A number of olive trees owned by Da'na family were cut during the attack. |
06-Aug-03 |
O- A report issued by the Ministry of Agriculture ( MOA)- Hebron office estimated the agricultural losses in Hebron district as a result of Israeli violations during the month of July, 2003 at 239 000 dollars |
Hebron district |
IA, IC-Israeli authorities, Israeli army and Israeli settlers |
|
06-Aug-03 |
S- Confiscating 100 dunum of land owned by the family of Barqawi for the purpose of expanding the settlement of Dir Ban. |
Tulkarem- Shufa |
IA, IC-Israeli authorities, Israeli settlers |
|
08-Aug-03 |
O- Bringing 60 settlers from France to live in West Bank settlements |
West Bank |
IA- Israeli authorities |
|
10-Aug-03 |
O- Extending the closure of Hebron university and the polytechnic for one month |
Hebron city |
IA-Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
|
10-Aug-03 |
O- Dozens of Palestinian farmers are forced to wait long hours on the separation wall gates to reach their fields. Farmer Ahmad Abu Jazer who owns 23 dunum is one of them |
Tulkarem- Zeita |
IA- Israeli army, |
|
10-Aug-03 |
S- Cutting water and electricity from the house of Mr. Aziz Zaid ( 80 years old) which is located in the separated area of the apartheid wall. |
Jenin- Tora |
IA- Israeli army, |
|
11-Aug-03 |
O – A field study issued by the Ministry of Housing (MOH)- Hebron office estimated the losses inflicted to housing and public works in Hebron district during the past 34 months of Intifada at 30 million dollar |
Hebron district |
IA, IC- Israeli authorities, Israeli army and Israeli settlers |
|
12-Aug-03 |
R – Opening a road leading to the top of Abu Juneid mountain |
Hebron -old city |
IA-Israeli authorities and Israeli army |
|
13-Aug-03 |
O- The mayor of Hebron, Mr. Mustafa Natsha said that the city of Hebron needs 25 000 cubic meters of water per day and only receives 4500 cubic meter ( only 18 % of ordinary supply) |
Hebron city |
IA – Israeli authorities |
|
14-Aug-03 |
D- Dynamiting the house of the family of martyr Khamis Jurdan ( 11 occupants) |
Nablus- Askar refugee camp |
IA- Israeli army |
|
14-Aug-03 |
S- Bulldozing and destroying 800 dunums of land for annexation to the separation wall. 1500 fruitful trees were also uprooted. |
Qalqilya- Jayus |
IA- Israeli army |
|
14-Aug-03 |
E- Erecting a new colonial nucleus and providing it with electric power taking advantage of the on going curfew on nearby Palestinian areas |
Nablus- Hawara |
IC- Israeli settlers |
|
14-Aug-03 |
D- Dynamiting the family house of martyr Islam Iqtishat |
Nablus- Askar refugee camp |
IA- Israeli army |
|
16-Aug-03 |
D- Dynamiting a residential building comprised of five housing units owned by Mr. Burhan Hilal |
IA- Israeli army |
|
|
16-Aug-03 |
D- Dynamiting the family house of martyr Amjad Abu Salim. The house comprised of two floors and housed 10 people |
Nablus- Balata refugee camp |
IA- Israeli army |
|
17-Aug-03 |
S – Starting to establish two military observation posts at the top of Abu Juneid and Takruri mountains overlooking the old city center. 10 dunum were confiscated for this purpose. |
Hebron- old city |
IA – Israeli Army |
|
19-Aug-03 |
O- Destroying large areas of archeological and historical sites to make room for the construction of separation wall |
Tulkarem- Qaffin |
IA- Israeli army |
|
20-Aug-03 |
O – A report issued by the Israeli human rights organization '' Betselem'' said that 43% of Palestinians in the Israeli controlled part of Hebron ( H2) have left their homes, in addition to the closure of 2000 stores and businesses and three schools as a result of continuous violence by Israeli settlers, army and the absence of law. |
Hebron- old city |
IA, IC – Israeli authorities, Army and settlers |
|
21-Aug-03 |
O – Closing the mosque of Ali Al- Baka' in Sheik quarter of the old city and detaining 15 people. |
Hebron- old city |
IA – Israeli army |
|
21-Aug-03 |
O- A study by the Palestinian central Bureau of Statistics put the number of settlers by the end of 2002 at 412785 spreading over 346 settlement ( 320 in West Bank and 17 in Gaza) of which 171 settlement are official. |
West Bank and Gaza Strip |
IA, C- Israeli authorities, Israeli settlers |
|
22-Aug-03 |
D -Dynamiting the house of the families of martyr Ra'id AbdulHamid Misk in Hebron and martyr Ali Yusif Halahleh in the village of Kharas, 10 km to the west of the city under security pretext |
Hebron and Kharas |
IA – Israeli Army |
|
22-Aug-03 |
E – Erecting 8 caravans at the top of Junied mountain overlooking the old city |
Hebron -old city |
IA, IC – Israeli Army- Israeli settlers |
|
22-Aug-03 |
D- Dynamiting two houses, the first of which belongs to the family of martyr Ahmad Abahra and the second to the family of martyr Ahmad Yahiya |
Jenin- Yamun, Kufr Ra'i |
IA- Israeli army |
|
22-Aug-03 |
S- Storming the city of Nablus and making the Anglican church a military post |
Nablus city |
IA- Israeli army |
|
23-Aug-03 |
O – Imposing curfew on the old city for the third consecutive day |
Hebron-old city |
IA- Israeli Army |
|
23-Aug-03 |
R- Finishing the construction of 300 meter long road and separation wall in Wadi Anasara. The road has been named ''prayers road ''for exclusive Jewish use linking between the settlement of Kiryat Arba' and Ibrahimi mosque. The apartheid wall is 300 meters long and two meters high. |
Hebron city |
IA – Israeli Authorities and Israeli army |
See case study continuous attacks against the Palestinian family of Da'na', July, 2003. |
23-Aug-03 |
D- Dynamiting the family house of prisoner Zaid Ibsis |
Tulkarem- Ramin |
IA- Israeli Army |
|
23-Aug-03 |
D- Destroying the family house of Mr. Abdul Samii' Al Kilani for security pretexts |
Jenin- Nazlet Ash Sheik |
IA- Israeli Army |
|
23-Aug-03 |
S- Preventing the citizens of the separated village of Daher Al Maleh from going to their workplaces and land. The village has been separated from West Bank by the construction of the apartheid wall |
Jenin – Daher Al Maleh |
IA- Israeli army |
|
23-Aug-03 |
D- Destroying 120 businesses and stores and 360 dunums of land as well as the separation of 500 other dumums. |
IA- Israeli army |
|
|
25-Aug-03 |
O- Attacking Palestinian citizens and houses in Wadi An Nasara in celebration of the completion of road and apartheid wall in the place |
Hebron- Wadi An Nasara |
IC, IA – Israeli settlers and Israeli army |
See case study continuous attacks against the Palestinian family of Da'na, July, 2003. |
25-Aug-03 |
D- Demolishing a house under the pretext of security |
Nablus- old city |
IA- Israeli army |
|
25-Aug-03 |
S- Issuing a military order to confiscate 16 dunum of land to be used for the construction of new military posts and expanding existing ones. The target land comprises houses, business stores and agricultural land. |
IA- Israeli army |
|
|
25-Aug-03 |
S- Issuing a military order to confiscate three and half dumum to enlarge military post |
IA- Israeli army |
|
|
25-Aug-03 |
S- Starting to bulldoze 45 dunum of agricultural land for annexation to separation wall |
IA- Israeli army, Israeli authorities |
|
|
26-Aug-03 |
E- Expanding the settlement of Etna'il by erecting 4 tents at the distance of 200 meters from the settlement fence on adjacent Palestinian land owned by the family of Abu Sheikha from neighboring Karma village. |
Hebron – karma village |
IC- Israeli settlers |
|
26-Aug-03 |
C- Cutting 100 olive trees under the pretext of security owned by Mrs. Yusra Qados |
Nablus- Borin |
IA- Israeli army |
|
26-Aug-03 |
O- Preventing farmers from reaching their fields, especially those located near the settlement of Enab and bypass road. |
Nablus- Bidiya |
IA- Israeli army |
|
26-Aug-03 |
D- Burning large areas of land cultivated with olive trees surrounding the settlement of Areil |
Nablus- Iskaka, Yasuf |
IC- Israeli settlers |
|
28-Aug-03 |
D- Demolishing a two floor house for Mr. Faiz Sayigh under security pretexts |
Nablus- old city |
IA- Israeli army |
|
28-Aug-03 |
S- Bulldozing hundreds of dunums and uprooting hundreds of trees for annexation to separation wall |
Tulkarem- Qaffin, Nazlet Issa, Baqa Ash sharqiya |
IA- Israeli army |
|
28-Aug-03 |
D- Dynamiting an uninhabited house |
Tulkarem- North western quarter |
IA- Israeli army |
|
29-Aug-03 |
O- Erecting two additional gates at the entrance to Habla village depriving people from exit or entry |
Qalqiliay- Habla |
IA- Israeli army |
|
29-Aug-03 |
D- Dynamiting the two floor house of Mr. Maher Zakarneh ( 15 occupants) for security pretexts. |
Jenin- Qabatiya |
IA- Israeli army |
|
29-Aug-03 |
S- Bulldozing large areas of land and uprooting hundreds of trees for annexation to separation wall. 500 additional dunums will be eventually destroyed and confiscated |
Tulkarem- Nazlet Issa |
IA- Israeli army |
|
30-Aug-03 |
O- Separating and confining 600 Palestinian civilians in two villages following the construction of separation wall |
Qalqiliya- Ras at Tira, Ad Dab'a |
IA – Israeli Army |
See case study ''Impact of the Separation wall on Qalqilya district'' Oct.2003 |
30-Aug-03 |
D- Destroying and separating 50 000 dunum in 17 villages in Tulkarem district, in addition to uprooting 50 000 trees and confiscating 6 wells with a total production capacity of one million M3 |
Tulkarem district |
IA- Israeli army, Israeli authorities |
|
31-Aug-03 |
O- A report by the Palestinian ministry of Health confirms the death of 30 fetuses at military checkpoints since the beginning of Intifada, in addition to 53 succesful deliveries. |
Occupied territories |
IA- Israeli army, Israeli authorities |
|
Table 3: Chronology of events during the month of September 2003.
Date |
Violation |
Location |
Violators |
01-Sep-03 |
S- Bulldozing 50 dunums in Qaffin and uprooting hundreds of trees and bulldozing 50 dunums in Nazlet Issa for annexation to separation wall. |
Tulkarem- Qaffin and Nazlet Issa |
IA – Israeli Army |
02-Sep-03 |
D- Dynamiting the three floor house of prisoner Taleb Musa Makhamreh ( 25 occupants) for security pretext. |
Hebron- Yata |
IA- Israeli army |
03-Sep-03 |
O- Digging 3 meters deep trenches along road No. 60 in Dahriya area, south of Hebron to prevent Palestinian cars from using this road. |
Hebron – Dahriya |
IA – Israeli Army |
04-Sep-03 |
O-Imposing curfew on the old city for the third consecutive week |
Hebron- old city |
IA-Israeli Army |
04-Sep-03 |
O-Bulldozing large areas of land along road number 60 for security pretexts. |
Hebron- Karma |
IA- Israeli army |
04-Sep-03 |
S-Confiscating large areas of land for the construction of huge water line to provide water for Israeli settlements in the area |
Hebron- Beit Awwa |
IA- Israeli authorities |
04-Sep-03 |
R- Bulldozing 75 dunum of agricultural land belonging to the family of As Suweiti for the purpose of building a 1.5 km long and 50 m wide colonial road. |
Hebron- Beit Awwa |
IA- Israeli authorities |
05-Sep-03 |
U – Ordering the family of Da'na to uproot 200 trees in the vicinity of their house for security pretexts |
Hebron – Wadi An Nasara |
IA – Israeli Authorities, Israeli Army |
05-Sep-03 |
O- Depriving Palestinians of about 12 million M2 of underground water in the western aquifer after separating 40 wells by the construction of apartheid wall. |
West Bank |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
06-Sep-03 |
D- dynamiting a 7 storey residential building ( 15 flats) under security pretexts. |
Nablus- Al Makhfiya quarter |
IA- Israeli army |
07-Sep-03 |
S- In most up to date study, Israel confiscated 165000 dunum of land in 76 Palestinian communities for the purpose of constructing the separation wall, including 40160 dunum belonging to the Palestinian authority and124333 dunum private land with a total material loss of 10 700 000 $ |
West Bank |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
08-Sep-03 |
D- Burning dozens of olive trees and an electric generator providing power to 9000 Palestinians |
Salfit- Kufr Ad Diik & Burgin |
IC- Israeli settlers |
08-Sep-03 |
O- Preventing water tanks from reaching Palestinian communities east of Yata despite the fact that the operation was co-coordinated between the Red Cross and the Israeli so- called civil administration |
Hebron – Yata |
IA- Israeli army |
09-Sep-03 |
D- Dynamiting the business store of Mr. Nabil Mohammed Hijazi for security pretext. |
Hebron city |
IA- Israeli army |
09-Sep-03 |
D- Dynamiting a 3 storey residential building owned by Mr. Sharif Farhana causing damage to two neighboring houses |
Tulkarem city |
IA- Israeli army |
09-Sep-03 |
Qalqiliay district |
IA- Israeli army |
|
10-Sep-03 |
D -Dynamiting an 8 storey residential building housing 28 families during a military attack. Two Palestinian people were killed in the operation |
Hebron – Wadi Abu Kteila |
IA – Israeli Army |
11-Sep-03 |
S- Storming a hospital and seizing computers and files. |
Tulkarem city |
IA – Israeli Army |
11-Sep-03 |
O- Attacking Palestinians, vandalizing properties, and chasing children |
Jenin- Silat Ad Daher |
IC- Israeli settlers |
12-Sep-03 |
D -Dynamiting two houses belonging to the families of martyr Abdullah Qawasmi and Basil Qawasmi forcing 8 families to become homeless. |
Hebron city |
IA Israeli army |
13-Sep-03 |
D -Dynamiting a two storey house owned by the family of martyr Ez Edin Misk forcing occupants to become homeless |
Hebron city |
IA – Israeli Army |
13-Sep-03 |
S- A report by the national office for land defense put the number of confiscated land during the period from April- August 2003 at 27 000 dunum on which 18 new colonial nuclei have been established, including 9443 dunum confiscated by military orders, 16325 confiscated by other means and the remaining area was confiscated by settlers |
West Bank |
IA, IC- Israeli authorities, Israeli army, Israeli settlers |
15-Sep-03 |
D – Demolishing 10 housing units, 4 barracks, 5 pools and water tanks under the pretext of un-licensing |
Hebron- Baqa area |
IA – Israeli Authorities |
15-Sep-03 |
D- Dynamiting the 3 storey family house of martyr Bashar Shawahna ( 15 occupants) for security pretext. |
Jenin- As Silat Al Harthiya |
IA- Israeli army |
16-Sep-03 |
D- Demolishing the house of Mrs. Sarah Turkman and the house of Mrs. Zahriya Turkman ( 14 occupants) because there were located near an Israeli settlement. |
Jenin – Turkman quarter |
IA-Israeli army, Israeli authorities |
16-Sep-03 |
D- Handing two notices for Mr. Khalid Hamdi and Mr. Riad Amer ordering them to destroy their poultry farms ( 420 M2 and 250 M2 ) consecutively which are located near the separation wall |
Salfit- Masha |
IA- Israeli army |
16-Sep-03 |
S- A new military order to confiscate 130 dunum for the establishment of military camp and enlargement of existing checkpoint |
Tulkarem- Irtah |
IA- Israeli army |
17-Sep-03 |
U- Uprooting more than 50 olive and almond tree in the vicinity of the house of Da'na family |
Hebron- Wadi An Nasara |
IC – Israeli settlers |
18-Sep-03 |
D- Dynamiting the two storey house of Mr. Waleed Aref for security pretexts causing damage to neighboring houses |
IA- Israeli army |
|
19-Sep-03 |
D- Closing two houses by oxygen owned by brother Munzer and Nafez Da'na. |
Hebron- Wadi Anasara |
IA-Israeli Army |
19-Sep-03 |
S- Seizing the house of Mr. Mohammed Ali Nassar and turning it to a military observation post |
Hebron- Yata – Zeif junction |
IA – Israeli Army |
19-Sep-03 |
U- Uprooting 250 olive trees located near the trans Samaria colonial road |
Salfit- Kifl Haris |
IA- Israeli army |
20-Sep-03 |
D- Dynamiting the house of Mr. Rida Tubasi |
Jenin- Brurqin |
IA- Israeli army |
21-Sep-03 |
O- Informing Palestinian local authorities -more than 10 villages – of the new army arrangement of opening metal gates three times a day – 15 minutes each time- for local people to pass through, affecting about 80% of the total district population |
Qalqiliya district |
IA- Israeli army, Israeli authorities |
21-Sep-03 |
R- Starting to bulldoze agricultural land with the aim of establishing a colonial road, which is the third of its type, so far destroying 150 dunums. |
Salfit- Burqin |
IA- Israeli authorities |
22-Sep-03 |
S- Stealing 250 sheep owned by farmers Nimer Abu Sa'ada and Nazieh Isma'il |
Nublus- Salim |
IC- Israeli settlers |
22-Sep-03 |
D- Preventing fire workers from putting down a huge fire which destroyed thousands of olive and almond trees owned by farmers Aref Awad, Amin Mahmud, Abdulkarim Salman, Marwan Zaid, Hussein Awad, Bassam and Sameh Hatab and Talal Abdul Ra'uf. |
Tulkarem- Ar Ras, Kufr Sur. |
IC- Israeli settlers |
22-Sep-03 |
D- dynamiting a number of caves |
Hebron- Jabel Joher |
IA- Israeli army |
23-Sep-03 |
D- Dynamiting the house of Mr. Akram Shahin for security pretext |
Hebron- city |
IA- Israeli army |
23-Sep-03 |
S- A new military order to confiscate 150 dunum for the purpose of using the land as barking lot for trucks carrying merchandize from Israel |
Tulkarem- Irtah |
IA- Israeli authorities |
24-Sep-03 |
D- collapse of big section of the Islamic museum in Al Haram Al Sharif western yard due to on going Israeli excavations |
Jerusalem- old city |
IA- Israeli authorities |
24-Sep-03 |
D-Bulldozing a 4 storey building ( 5 flats) and 650 M2 owned by Mr. Mohammed As Siayd under the pretext of un- licensing |
Jerusalem- Mount olives |
IA- Israeli authorities |
25-Sep-03 |
D- Handing Mr. Azmi Ad Dameiri a house demolition order under the pretext of closeness to separation wall |
Tulkarem city |
IA- Israeli army |
26-Sep-03 |
O- Physically attacking a group of International solidarity Groups and confiscating 7 passports at an army checkpoint |
Nablus district |
IA- Israeli army |
28-Sep-03 |
O- The family of prisoner Mustafa Al Qaneiri calls upon international judicial and human rights organization to save the life of her son who suffers chronic diseases and receives no medication by prison authorities |
Jenin- Jenin refugee camp |
IA- Israeli authorities, Israeli army |
29-Sep-03 |
S- Forcing 12 Palestinians who owned houses at the edge of village to sign empty papers under the pretext of security |
Nablus- Sura |
IA- Israeli army |
30-Sep-03 |
O- A report issued on the fourth anniversary of Intifada by Nablus governorate put the number of martyrs at 425, in addition to 5260 injured, the total destruction of 295 house, the partial destruction of 6800 house, the detention of 7000 people of whom 1350 are still behind bars |
Nablus district |
IA, IC- Israeli authorities, Isaraeli army, Israeli settlers |
2- Chronology of events in Jerusalem during the 3rd Quarter of 2003
Table 4: Chronology of events in Jerusalem during the month of July 2003
date |
Violation |
Location |
Violators |
02-Jul-03 |
D- The house of Fawzi Abu Rmaileh was demolished under the pretext of not having building permits; as a result 15 inhabitants were displaced. |
Jerusalem district,Al Ashqariya area in Beit Haifa neighborhood |
IA |
02-Jul-03 |
P- Israel is willing to construct a new building project that will add 3200 housing units to Betar Illit settlement southeast Jerusalem city, 1360 housing units to Tzur Hadasa city and another 4281 housing units to Ma'ale Adumim settlement by the end of the year 2003. |
Jerusalem district |
IA |
03-Jul-03 |
P- Extending an open call for international community to stop Israeli plans to confiscate 14000 dunum of Palestinian land |
Jerusalem- Beit Iksa |
IA |
09-Jul-03 |
D- Demolishing an Olive Presser in Israeli-Arab town of Zalafa |
Jerusalem district |
Israeli Ministry of Interior |
10-Jul-03 |
P-The Medical center in Shu'fat camp licensed by the UNRWA northeast Jerusalem city is threatened to be demolished under the pretext of being illegally built |
IA |
|
15-Jul-03 |
P- Military orders to demolish 'Asem and Adel 'Abed El 'Al two-storey house under the pretext of not having building permits. Several families in Jabal Al Mukabbir, Sur Bahir and Al Sawahira Al Sharqiya southeast Jerusalem city were also handed military orders to demolish their houses for the same reason |
Jerusalem district, Ras Khamis neighborhood in Shu'fat camp |
IA |
16-Jul-03 |
D-Destroying a Gas station that belongs to Isam 'Eid under the pretext of not having building permit |
Jerusalem district, Ras Khamis neighborhood in Shu'fat camp |
IA |
20-Jul-03 |
D-Destroying 10 dunums of land and uprooting 200 tees owned by Dr. Sami Asa'ad |
Jerusalem – Qalandiya |
IA |
25-Jul-03 |
S- Starting a campaign to evict 36 families holding West Bank IDs and planning to demolish 30 houses |
Jerusalem- Dahiyat Al Salam in Anata and Shu'fat |
IA |
27-Jul-03 |
S- Expropriation of 136 dunums of lands owned by Palestinians in Sur Bahir village in the renowned area of Wade Al Hemss, south of the Occupied East Jerusalem to establish a segment of the apartheid Segregation wall, with a width of 40-70 meters, stretching approximately 3 km length, as well as erecting fortified watch towers along the wall. Further 46 dunums of Palestinian-owned lands of Abu Dis in east Jerusalem have been expropriated for the same purpose. |
Jeruslem district |
IA |
27-Jul-03 |
P-Jerusalem center for the Social and Economical rights announced that hundreds of alarms were handed to residents in the southern, eastern and northern areas of Jerusalem city to demolish their houses, of which, 36 alarms to residents of Shu'fat camp. The reason behind this demolishing campaign is either to expand one of two settlements Pesgat Zeev and Abu Ghneim (Har Homa) settlements or to continue the Separation Wall constructions. |
IA |
|
30-Jul-03 |
D- The second floor of the two-storey house owned by Musa Al Selfeti was demolished under the pretext being unlicensed |
Jeruslem district, 'Ein Al Foqa district in Silwan south of Jerusalem |
IA |
30-Jul-03 |
P- 30 houses are threatened to be demolished in Al Sal'a neighborhood in Jabal Al Mukabbir south of Jerusalem at favor of erecting a bypass road for the Separation Wall process; meanwhile, six of those houses are to be demolished in the coming days. |
Jeruslem district, in Al Sal'a neighborhood in Jabal Al Mukabbir south of Jerusalem |
IA |
Table 5: Chronology of events during the month of August 2003
Date |
Violation |
Location |
Violators |
01-Aug-03 |
P- A new colonization project is to take place in Jerusalem city to create a sequence of colonization in the area since the Israeli government decided to add 3200 new housing units to Betar 'Ilit settlement, 1512 to Giv'at Beniamen settlement, 4281 to Ma'ale Adumim settlement and 1055 to pezgat Zeev settlement. |
Jerusalem district |
IA |
02-Aug-03 |
P- Israel is to build a new national park in Jerusalem city starting from Mount scopus, Olive Mountain, and Silwan areas to reach Guy Bin Hatum to support the colonial sequence in east Jerusalem. |
Jerusalem district |
IA |
02-Aug-03 |
P- Plan to isolate Dahiyat Al Barid area and Ar Ram from eastern Jerusalem by Cement blocks. |
Jerusalem district |
IA |
02-Aug-03 |
P- Revealing a plan by Israeli Yada'ut Ahranot newspaper to build 20 000 units in settlements in Jerusalem as followed: 1000 in Giva'at Zeev, 3200 in Betar Illit, 6500 in Abu Ghuneim ( Har Homa), 700 in Neve Ya'cub, 1512 in Binyamin, 800 on Bisgat Zeev, 4281 in Ma'aleh Adumim, 130 in Ras Al Amud, 40 in Abu Dis and uknown number in Wadi Al Juz. |
Jerusalem district |
IA |
02-Aug-03 |
P- Planning to establish a public garden to link between east and west Jerusalem on Palestinian land belonging to Palestinian people. The plan is sponsored by the ministry of tourism. |
Jerusalem- quarters of Ath Thuri, Jabel Al Mukaber, As Sawahra, Sur Baher and Abu Tur. |
IA |
06-Aug-03 |
P- The Committee for Building and Construction published a master plan for the new road Israel is planning to erect in the south eastern side of Jerusalem city which will begin from Ha'ila valley reaching to Jada Bagin to the west of Jerusalem. The road is considered to be the third entrance to Jerusalem city at favor to expand Beit Shimash, Tzur Hadasa and Betar Illit settlements. The total length of the road is 27km. |
Jerusalem district |
IA |
10-Aug-03 |
Jerusalem district |
IA |
|
10-Aug-03 |
S- Confiscating 490 dunums between Bethlehem and Jerusalem with the aim of creating geographical continuity among the settlements of Ma'aleh Adumim, Gilo and Har Homa. |
Jerusalem and Bethelhem- the villages of Al Khas, Anu'man, Ezariya, Abu Dis and As Sawahra |
IA |
10-Aug-03 |
O- Fining Palestinian Jerusalemite Mr. Sa'id Shuweiki the amount of 130 000 NIS under the pretext of building without license. |
Jerusalem |
IA |
11-Aug-03 |
P- Military orders to demolish Iman Al Razim house under the pretext of not having building permits. |
Jeruslem district, Khalit Sinad in Shu'fat camp |
IA |
12-Aug-03 |
20 house demolitions alarms were issued under the pretext of not having building permits; In addition, the IOF demolished the carrage owned by Jawad Siyam. |
Jerusalem district, Al Ashqariya neighborhood in Beit Hanina |
IA |
12-Aug-03 |
D- Handing over 20 families house demolition orders |
Jerusalem- Beit Hanina |
IA |
13-Aug-03 |
P- The Palestinian society for Human Rights and Environment Protection (LAW) confirmed that the Israeli occupation authorities plan to demolish 34 Palestinian houses,. As a result 163 Palestinian inhabitants would be definitely displaced. |
IA |
|
13-Aug-03 |
D- The IOF demolished without pre-notification the houses of Omar Muhammad Sara and Muhammad 'Ali 'Atiya to continue erecting the Separation Wall path and to connect it with Abu Ghneim (Har Homa) in the south and Al Khan Al Ahmar in the east. In addition, 60 demolition orders were given to other residents in the area for the same reason. |
IA |
|
14-Aug-03 |
S, P- Military orders to confiscate 173 dunums of their lands at favor to erect two new parts of the Separation Wall (2km length, 7km length consecutively). Tens of houses are threatened to be demolished by this violent process. |
Jerusalem district, Sur Bahir, Jabbal Al Mukabbir and As Sawahira Esh Sharqiya southeast Jerusalem city |
IA |
14-Aug-03 |
S- A new military order to confiscate 173 dunum of land for the construction of colonial roads |
Jerusalem- Sur Baher, Jabel Al Mukaber, As Sawhra Ash Sharqiya, Wadi Qadum |
IA |
17-Aug-03 |
P- The Israeli Supreme Court rejected the appeal to demolish Faiq Othman's house under the pretext of not having building permits. |
Jeruslem district, northwest Jerusalem city |
IA |
18-Aug-03 |
D- Demolition of three houses was conducted without a pre-notification under the pretext of not having building permits, northeast of Jerusalem. The houses belong to: Saleh Muhammad Isma'il Al Razim, Khader Farid Al Ja'bary and Khaled Nemir Mahmmoud. |
Jerusalem district, Beit Hanina and in Al Haraiq area east of Al 'Isawiya city |
IA |
19-Aug-03 |
D- Israeli Bulldozers demolished 4 houses under the pretext of being unlicensed.In addition, the IOF demolished 3 Barracks owned by: Amin Al Salhout, Jaza Mattar Shqairat and Tawfiq Al Sarkhi. |
IA |
|
19-Aug-03 |
D- Demolishing 3 houses under the pretext of un- licensing: the first belongs to Mr. Saleh Isma'il ( 10 occupants); the second to Khader Farid ( 12 occupants); the third to Khaled Mahmud. |
Jerusalem- Shu'fat, Beit Hanina, |
IA |
20-Aug-03 |
D-Demolishing 4 houses and 3 barracks in Jabel Al Mukaber under the pretext of un- licensing |
Jerusalem- Jabel Al Mukaber |
IA |
21-Aug-03 |
B- Demolishing two houses owned by Mr. Mohammed Shuweiki (5 occupants) and Mrs. Khitam Abdul Razeq under the pretext of un- licensing |
Jerusalem- Silwan, Wadi Qadum |
IA |
23-Aug-03 |
An Israeli company is willing to rebuild the 24m high ''Hahorbeh'' synagogue . The synagogue is to be built over one dunum of land. |
Jerusalem district, in the old city of Jerusalem |
IA |
25-Aug-03 |
S,P- The IOF handed residents of Beit Iksa, Beit Surik and Qaluniya villages northwest Jerusalem city military orders to confiscate 1628 dunums of agricultural lands to construct 13.5km of the Separation Wall. In addition the Israeli troops handed residents of Abu Dis military orders to confiscate 45 dunums of agricultural lands cultivated with Olive trees for the same purpose. |
Jerusalem district |
IA |
25-Aug-03 | U,S,P- Razing agricultural lands in Abu Dis city at favor of the Separation Wall path; in addition, the IOF handed residents of Ash Shayyah district military orders to confiscate more lands for the same reason. |
Jerusalem- Old city |
IC, IA |
27-Aug-03 |
S,P- New military orders were handed to residents of Sur Bahir city southeast Jerusalem city perambulating to connect Abu Ghneim (Har Homa) settlement in the south with Ma'ale Adumim in the east. If The plan is executed, it will isolate 72 Palestinian families outside the Separation Wall borders. |
Jeruslem district |
IA |
28-Aug-03 |
S- Distributing military orders confirming the Israeli intension to start building the separation wall on the 20th of Sep. 2003, separating 72 family and splitting Sur Baher into two parts. |
Jerusalem- Sur Baher |
IA |
29-Aug-03 |
D-The Israeli bulldozers demolished 5 commercial stores along with a concrete wall built on 2,5 dunums of land without pre-notification. The stores belong to Iyad Sa'ida and Jamal Khouys from Al Herdoub in Al Tur neighborhood and were demolished under the pretext of not having building permits. |
Jerusalem district, At Tur neiborhood |
IA |
30-Aug-03 | S- Trying to seize Cliff hotel to make room for the construction of separation wall |
IA |
|
31-Aug-03 | U,S,P- Razing agricultural lands in Abu Dis city at favor of the Separation Wall path; in addition, the IOF handed residents of Ash Shayyah district military orders to confiscate more lands for the same reason. |
Jerusalem district, Abu Dis and Ash Shayyah |
IA |
Table 6: Chronology of events during the month of September 2003
Date |
Violation |
Location |
Violators |
01-Sep-03 |
S- Starting to bulldoze three places as preparation for the construction of separation wall. Many Palestinians received land confiscation notices for the same purpose. |
Jerusalem, Bethlehem- Abu Diss and Ash Shaiyah quarter on mount olives |
IA |
01-Sep-03 |
O- Trying to storm Al Haram Al Sharif to perform rituals but were confronted by the Palestinian guards of the mosque. |
Jerusalem- Al Haram Al Sharif |
IC |
02-Sep-03 |
D- The IOF demolished for the second time the house of Imad Debish under the pretext of not having building permits |
Jerusalem district, Sur Bahir village southeast of Jerusalem city, |
IA |
03-Sep-03 |
D- The demolition of Omar I'wesat's house under the pretext of not having building permits. |
IA |
|
03-Sep-03 |
D- Demolishing a 200 M2 house owned by Mr. Imad Dabash for the second time under the pretext of un- licensing |
Jerusalem- Sur Baher |
IA |
04-Sep-03 |
S- Seizure of a two-storey Palestinian house The house belongs to Serandaj family. |
Jerusalem district, the old city of Jerusalem city near the Dung gate. |
IC |
04-Sep-03 |
D- The demolition of a room and a 50 meters wall, which surrounds the house of Issa Hussein Abu Sukar |
IA |
|
04-Sep-03 |
P- New demolition orders to the residents of Abu Dis and another order to confiscate Kleef Hotel at favor of the Separation Wall |
Jerusalem district, Abu Dis |
IA |
07-Sep-03 |
O- The Israeli court imposed a penalty of 30,000 NIS on Fathiya Saleh Jabarin in Al Ashqariya neighborhood in Beit Hanina city which forced her to demolish her own house because of her incapability to pay the penalty fee. |
Jerusalem district, Al Ashqariya neighborhood in Beit Hanina city |
IA |
07-Sep-03 |
D- Forcing Mrs. Fathiya Saleh Jabarin to destroy her 60 M2 house ( 7 occupants) and paying a fine of 5000 NIS. |
Jerusalem- Beit Hanina |
IA |
10-Sep-03 |
O- Forcing store keepers in many quarters in occupied Jerusalem, especially in Salah Eddin and king Solomon streets to shut down. |
Jerusalem |
IA |
11-Sep-03 |
P- Seven families from Al Ashqariya, Al Aqaba and At Tabil neighborhoods in Beit Hanina city were informed to evacuate their houses in a maximum time duration of 48 hours preparing to demolish them under the pretext of not having building permits. |
Jerusalem district, Beit Hanina locality |
IA |
11-Sep-03 |
D- Ordering 7 Palestinian families to evacuate their homes (70 occupants) within 48 hours prior for destruction |
Jerusalem -Beit Hanina |
IA |
16-Sep-03 |
U- Hundreds of dunums cultivated with 2000 Olive trees in Al Sheikh Sa'id, Al Sawahira and Wad El Nar areas were razed southeast Jerusalem city at favor of the Separation Wall path. In addition to the seizure of 20 dunums of agricultural land in Beit Surik village. |
Jerusalem district |
IA |
16-Sep-03 |
U- Uprooting 200 olive trees and leveling hundreds of dunums for the establishment of separation wall |
Jerusalem- Ash Shek Sa'ad, As Sawahra Ash Sharqiya |
IA |
17-Sep-03 |
D- The IOF demolished a two-storey house in Ras Khamis area in Jerusalem city owned by Rashid Mahmmoud Shehata. In addition, the IOF demolished for the second time the two-storey building of Khader Farid El Ja'bari and the building of 'Abed El Hadi Omar Al Hiroub in Beit Hanina city. |
Jeruslem district |
IA |
17-Sep-03 |
P- The IOF handed resident of Qatanna village northwest of Jerusalem city seven demolition orders conducted under the pretext of their location in 'Israeli land administration' areas; as a result, 80 dwellers will be displaced. The houses belong to: Jamal, 'Abed El Fatah, Ja'far, Yousef, Muhammad, Musa Ahmad Yousef Al Faqeh and Yaser Hussein Muahmmad Tah. |
Jerusalem district, Qattana village |
IA |
17-Sep-03 |
D- Demolishing three houses: the first belongs to Mr. Rashid Shahada ( 360 M2 ); the second to Mr. Khader Al Ja'bari ( 180 M2 ); the third to Mr. AbdulHadi Alhurub ( 200 M2 ) in addition to the destruction of a cement wall near the clony of Bisgat Zeev owned by Mr. Azam Maraqa |
Jerusalem- Shu'fat, Beit Hanina |
IA |
22-Sep-03 |
The IOF demolished the house of Rashed Za'atreh in Al 'Ezzariya, to the east of Jerusalem city due to its closeness to the new bypass road that will connect the Israeli complexes together as well as Ma'ale Adumim settlement with Jerusalem city center. |
Jeruslem district, East Jerusalem |
IA |
23-Sep-03 |
O- The IOF charged resident Daoud Kamal Qanbar from Ras El 'Amud a penalty of 45,000 NIS under the pretext of not having building permits. |
Jeruslem district |
IA |
23-Sep-03 |
D- The IOF demolished a three-storey building composed of five apartments under the pretext of not having building permits. |
Jerusalem district, Ash Shayyah area in At Tur neighborhood |
IA |
23-Sep-03 |
D- Bulldozing the130 M2 house of Mr. Rashid Za'trah ( 12 occupants) under the pretext of un- licensing |
Jerusalem- Ezariya ( Bethany) |
IA |
26-Sep-03 |
O- Allowing Yahuda Cohin, head of an Israeli extremist movement to enter Al Haram Al Sharif. This movement explicitly calls for the destruction of Al Haram Al Sharif and the establishment of the third temple in place. |
Jerusalem- old city |
IA |
29-Sep-03 |
O- Dozens of settlers accompanied by soldiers broke through into the old city of Jerusalem attacking Palestinians and vandalizing their properties and blocking many roads. |
Jerusalem- Old city |
IA, IC |
30-Sep-03 |
P- The Israeli Ministry of Defense is to change the Separation Wall path in Abu Dis village to the western parts of the village. This change would prevent the razing of 62 dunums from lands of Al Quds University. |
IA |
|
30-Sep-03 |
O- Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners affairs called up on international community to save the life of prisoner child Mohammed As Sinawi who suffers cancer. 387 children are behind bars including 31 sick. |
Jerusalem -'Ezariya ( Bethany) |
IA |
3- Chronology of events in the Gaza Strip in the 3rd Quarter of 2003
Table 7: Destruction of Palestinian Agricultural Lands in July 3, 2003
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area confiscated |
Trees uprooted |
|
North of Kfar Darum settlement, southeast of Deit Al-Balah |
Ahmed Mohammed al-'Azaiza |
Razing of lands |
5-dunum |
Olive trees |
|
North of Kfar Darum settlement, southeast of Deit Al |
Hammad Mohammed al-Gharb |
Razing of lands |
1.5- -dunum |
Olive trees |
|
North of Kfar Darum settlement, southeast of Deit Al |
'Eid 'Ali Darwish |
Razing of lands |
300-square-meter |
Olive trees |
|
North of Kfar Darum settlement, southeast of Deit Al |
Khalil Rabi' Swaidan |
Razing of lands |
1.5-dunum |
Olive trees |
|
Total |
8.30 dunum |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
Table 8:- Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties July 5, 2003
No. |
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area |
Losses |
1. |
Tal Zo'rob area in the southwest of Rafah |
Yahia Shehda Zo'rob. |
Razing and destruction of land and properties |
8-dunum |
Greenhouses planted with vegetables. Uprooting of 40 palm trees. Destruction of water well, 3 storage rooms, an agricultural pool, 3 water pumps and an irrigation network |
2. |
Tal Zo'rob area in the southwest of Rafah |
Ziad Shehda Zo'rob. |
Razing and destruction of land and properties |
2-dunum |
Uprooting of Olive trees. Destruction of agricultural pool, an irrigation network and agricultural equipments. |
3. |
Tal Zo'rob area in the southwest of Rafah |
Sa'id Shehda Zo'rob. |
Razing and destruction of land and properties |
4-dunum |
Uprooting of fruits, olives and citrus trees. Destruction of an irrigation network, an agricultural pool and equipments. |
Total |
14 dunum |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
Table 9:- Razing of Palestinian Agricultural Lands Palestinian – July 8, 2003
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area |
Losses |
Tal Zo'roub area in the southeast of Rafah |
Zo'roub family |
Razing and destruction of agricultural land and equipments |
100 dunums |
Uprooting of Palms and citrus trees. |
Total |
100 Dunums |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
Restrictions on Freedom on Movement in the OPT:-
The closure imposed by Israel on the Palestinian Territories for the past two and a half years has restricted the ability of Palestinians to travel and work to a degree unprecedented in the 35-year Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The internal closure separates the Palestinian localities in the West Bank and Gaza strip from each other and results in the hampering or complete freezing of the economic, educational, medical, and social service activities necessary for a healthy society.
In addition, the existence of checkpoints, roadblocks and other physical barriers all through the main and secondary roads affects the economic and agricultural sectors, which in turn, caused unemployment rate and poverty level to increase; besides, depriving Palestinians from their right of freedom of movement, to work, to health and to proper education necessary for a healthy society.
During the period of 03-09 of July, the Israeli occupying forces continue to restrict movement at crossing borders in Gaza Strip:
-
On July 3, the IOF closed Al Matahen and Abu Holi military checkpoints on Salah Al Din street
-
On July 8, the IOF placed an Iron Gate and barbwire on Abu Al Ajin road, a road linking Wadi Al Salqa village in central Gaza strip and Al Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis.
-
Maintain siege on Al Mawasi area (extends from the north of Khan Yunis to the south of Rafah, a distance of approximately 12km in the southern Gaza: Restrictions on passage through Al Tuffah checkpoint between Al Mawasi area and Khan Yunis continue. the checkpoint is only opened from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 14.00 to 17:00. In addition, passage is restricted such that males under 35 and females under 25 are not permited to cross the checkpoint. Palestinians are to be subject to harassment and ill treatment.
-
Close of Rafah-Khan Yunis wetern road, which is the only external exit of for the Gaza Strip: Opening hours are restricted to a maximum of 8 hours a day and passage is subject to severe delays; besides, terminal is often subject to random and prolonged closures.
-
Closure of part of Salah Al Din street near Kfar Darom settlement in the Gaza Strip
-
Erez crossing point (Beit Hanoun): It is opened for a limited number of workers. The number of Palestinian workers allowed entry into Israel decreased to 1162 from pre-Intifada levels of more than 30.3000. The crossing point is also subjected to random and prolonged closures.
-
Karni commercial crossing operated at only 30% of its normal capacity and the IOF allowed the transportation of only 5% of Palestinian products through the crossing of Israel; besides, the IOF denied entry of metal and chemical products in the Gaza Strip.
-
In Al Sayafa area, located between the Israeli settlements of Dogit and Elli Sinai in the northern Gaza Strip, families live in extreme difficult condition in moving into and out of the area due to Israeli measures:
1. Limited number of Palestinians is allowed to enter the area, either residents of the area or farmers who have agricultural lands.
2. Palestinians are allowed to enter or exit the area only from 7:00 to 9:00 and from 14:00 to 17:00
3. Lack of paved roads and denial of access for vehicles
4. People living in the area lack basic services, such as electricity.
5. Basic foodstuffs, animal feeds and fuels are allowed into the area only on Monday and Tuesday.
6. Farmers are restricted in transporting produce out of the area and in bringing in materials.
Table 10:- July 10 and 14, 2003
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area |
People displaced |
Block J in Rafah refugee camp |
Tala'at Hamed Abu Hamra and his brother |
House demolition |
230 square- meter |
25 people (4 families) |
North of Moraj settlement, south of Khan Yunis |
Sami 'Ataya Al Bahabsa |
Iron- roofed rooms demolition |
80 square-meter |
—— |
North of Moraj settlement, south of Khan Yunis |
Salma Hamdan Al Bahabsa |
Tent and bird farm |
——– |
——– |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
283 dunums of land was confiscated for the sake of constructing a new road, which begins in the vicinity of Israeli military locations on Palestinian lands in Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis, to then surrounds the settlement of Moraj from the north and west. The distant between the road and the settlement ranges between 5 meters to 200 meters. The road is 1800 m long and 10 m wide. Following are the details of Palestinian land that were confiscated to construct the new road: Table 11:- Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties during the period of 10-23 of July 2003
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area |
|
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis |
Salim Ahmad Al Najjar |
Land confiscation |
64 dunums |
|
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis |
Musbah Ahmed Mohammed Al Najjar |
Land confiscation |
1 dunum |
|
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis |
'Abdul Al Hamid Hassan Musallam Al Sha'er |
Land confiscation |
33 dunum |
|
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis |
Salma Suleimna Al Sha'er |
Land confiscation |
45 dunums |
|
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis |
Hamad and Mas'oud Shaker Al Najjar |
Land confiscation |
50 dunums |
|
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis |
Maher Sha'ban al-Najjar |
Land confiscation |
5 dunum |
|
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis |
'Abed Hafez al-Najjar |
Land confiscation |
20 dunum |
|
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis |
Mohammed Tabasi. |
Land confiscation |
7 dunum |
|
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis |
Isma'il al-Najjar |
Land confiscation |
6 dunum |
|
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis |
Wahbi Mohammed al-Najjar |
Land confiscation |
12 dunum |
|
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Yunis |
Public land |
Land confiscation |
40-dunum |
|
Total |
283 |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
Deny of free movement:-
- 8000 Mawasi residents and the wider communites in Khan Younis and Rafah are subject to attacks and harassment by Israeli soldiers. Curfews are imposed on the area for periods of days
- An Israeli settler has been stealing water from a Palestinian well in the north of the area. He has also surrounded a 25-dunum area of land owned by the family of Hafez Rajab Fares with barbwire and prevented Palestinian farmers from reaching this tract of land. The same has happened to a 6-dunum area of land owned by 'Abdul Rahman 'Ali al-'Abadla.
- On 22 July 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Tuffah checkpoint, and informed the Palestinian liaison that passage would be allowed only for people who are over 30.
- On 22 July 2003, the al-Tuffah and Tel al Sultan checkpoints, which allow entry to the Mawasi area, continue to be subject to arbitrary closures and changing conditions of entry.
- Erez (Beit Hanoun) crossing point: since 30 June 2003, 13004 Palestinian workers from the Gaza Strip have been allowed to cross into Israel for work. These workers have met the conditions set by Israeli occupying authorities, which include that a worker must be over 28, married with children, have a magnetic card issued by Israeli occupying authorities and have registered work with an identified Israeli employer in addition to ill treatment, including prolonged and arbitrary delays, humiliation, and arbitrary confiscation of work permits
- The Rafah terminal is the only exit and entry point for Palestinians traveling abroad. The Israeli authorities have increased opening hours at the terminal to 12 hours a day, but completion of security procedures is extremely slow. No facilities and travelers are forced to spend long hours in the sun and sleep on the floor outside.
- On 10 July 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Matahen and Abu Houli military checkpoints on Salah al-Din Street for more than 3 hours.
- On 14 July 2003, Israeli occupying forces reopened the Abu al-Ajin road junction, which crosses the 'Kissufim' settler road established in the 1990s and separates villages of al-Qarara and Wadi al-Salqa villages. This road junction had been closed for Palestinians since the beginning of the Intifada by the establishment of cement blocks and an iron gate. The Israeli occupying forces removed the cement blocks and opened the Iron Gate.
- On 15 July 2003, Israeli occupying forces reopened the junction and allowed a limited number of Palestinian cars to use it.
- On 16 July 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the iron gate although the road was still officially open. Palestinians do not use the road junction because they are afraid of attacks by settlers.
- On 21 July 2003, Israeli settlers who were traveling in buses on the 'Kissufim' settler road, opened fire at Palestinian cars waiting at the Abu al-'Ajin junction.
- On Wednesday, 23 July 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Matahen and Abu Houli military checkpoints, denying movement of Palestinians and their vehicles along Salah al-Din Street. The checkpoints were reopened few hours later.
Table 12:- Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties on the 27th of July 2003
District |
Date |
Name |
Type of violations |
Losses |
Zo'rob neighborhood, south of Rafah |
July 27,2003 |
Mohammed Mahmoud Zo'rob |
Razing of properties |
greenhouse |
Zo'rob neighborhood, south of Rafah |
July 27,2003 |
by 'Abdul Karim 'Aashour Dhuhair. |
Demolition of fence surrounding a land |
1-dunum |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
Palestinians living in areas adjacent to Israeli settlements and military locations always suffered from Israeli aggressive measures. Following are significant aspects of this suffering:
-
Many people are evacuated from their houses as they are subjected to frequent Israeli shelling.
-
Palestinians are not able to move in these areas after 21:00.
-
They move carefully inside their houses and cannot mount roofs to avoid being hurt by Israeli gunfire.
-
They have not been able to reach their agricultural land as Israeli occupying forces fire at farmers who enter their lands.
Restriction on Freedom of Movement in the Occupied territories.
-
On July 25, 2003, IOF imposed new restrictions on the movement of al-Mawasi residents who already have magnetic cards. Male residents under 16 and over 25 can cross the al-Tuffah checkpoint to get in and out of the area without prior notice, but those who are between 16 and 25 can cross the checkpoint only upon coordination with the Israeli side. Same conditions were applied to Tal al-Sultan checkpoint at the entrance of the area in Rafah.
-
Residents of the above mentioned areas cannot carry any objects across the checkpoints. Israeli occupying forces only allow entry of foodstuffs on Friday and Saturday each week, and metal products on Tuesday of each week. Foodstuffs are transported to al-Tuffah checkpoint in trucks, where they are then reloaded onto other trucks on the other side of the checkpoint, which increases the cost of foodstuffs for the extremely poor local population. The checkpoint is opened from 09:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 17:00. People crossing the checkpoint are subject to Israeli military restrictions and checking.
-
The IOF established an iron gate on Abu al-'Ajin road between al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis, and Wadi al-Salqa village in the central Gaza Strip.
-
On 1 August 2003, IOF closed al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints, denying movement of Palestinians and their vehicles along Salah al-Din Street. The checkpoints were reopened two hours later.
-
On the of 5th August 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the two checkpoints. They reopened them half an hour later.
-
At Rafah terminal, IOF often obstruct the travel of patients. Procedures of transporting patients through the terminal area very slow, without paying any consideration to their health conditions. An ambulance, which transports a patient, can enter the terminal only upon coordination with the Israeli side. It has to wait for long period, up to 6 hours sometimes. Then, it moves towards the joint Israeli-Palestinian liaison point, where the driver is checked. The patient is then moved to another ambulance at the terminal. When his/her passport is stamped, he or she is moved to an Egyptian ambulance that transport him/her to the Egyptian side of the terminal. The same applies to patients traveling back to the Gaza Strip.
-
On 30 of July 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed Sofa crossing at the border with Israel, northeast of Rafah, for no apparent reason. The crossing was reopened on the following day.
Table 13:- Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties during the period of 07-13 August 2003
Date |
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area confiscated |
losses |
10 August 2003 |
East of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Nabil Khalil 'Aayesh |
Land confiscation |
5-dunum area |
Uprooting of Olives trees. |
|
Sheikh 'Ejlin neighborhood in Gaza City, approximately 120m away from 'Netzarim' settlement |
Mohammed Bekheet Mansour Abu Khousa |
House seizure |
3-storey house |
Family was forced to evacuate the house |
——– |
Al-Ja'farawi area, east of Deir al-Balah |
Nafez Yousef Abu Nahia |
House seizure |
a 300-square-meter, 3-storey house |
restriction on the movement of the residents leaving and entering the house |
——– |
Al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis |
Sa'id and Fu'ad Mabrouk al-Qedra. |
House seizure |
2 houses (a 250-square-meter house), The second house is 400-square-meter, two-storey house. |
The first house , is uninhabited
|
——– |
Al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis, |
——– |
House seizure |
2 buildings located 70m south of an Israeli military location at al-Matahen junction on Salah al-Din Street |
|
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
Siege on Gaza areas:-
- The IOF mpose a siege on the Khan Yunis shoreline, denying Palestinian fishermen access to the sea. they have also blocked 10 launches, 45 boats, 50 feluccas and other fishing equipment, preventing Palestinian fishermen from using or maintaining them.
- number of fishermen has dropped from 800 before the Intifada to the present number of 470.
- On 7 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints, denying the movement of Palestinians and their vehicles along Salah al-Din Street
- On 11 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed al-Matahen and Abu Houli checkpoints and reopened them half an hour later.
- On 9 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces issued a decision denying movement of Palestinian women through Tal al-Sultan military checkpoint leading to al-Mawasi area, west of Rafah
- On 10 August 2003: In al-Sayafa area, the IOF held 48 residents of the area at the gate established at the entrance of the area.
Table 14:- Destruction of Palestinian civilian during the period of 14-27 August 2003
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area |
results |
Block L in Rafah refugee camp |
Suhaila Mohammed Barhoum |
House demolition |
250 square meter. |
7 dwellers were displaced. |
southwest of Rafah |
'Abdullah 'Abada Abu Samhadaneh |
+Land confiscation |
8-dunum area |
olives, palms and citrus trees were uprooted |
|
|
Destruction of agricultural properties |
|
40-meter-deep well, two agricultural pools and three insecticide sprayers |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
Continued Siege on the Gaza Strip
Israeli occupying forces still maintain restrictions on movement at border crossings. Such restriction are imposed on al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip, Rafah-Khan Yunis western road, part of Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) near 'Kfar Darom' settlement in the central Gaza Strip and Abu al-'Ajin road between Wadi al-Salqa village in Deir al-Balah and al-Qarara village in Khan Yunis.
On 19 August 2003, in al-Sayafa area, which is located between 'Dogit' and 'Elli Sinai' settlements north of Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip. IOF denied the entry of Palestinian civilians into the area using animal carts and workers had to walk a 300-meter distance between the external and internal gates of the area.
Palestinian farmers whose agricultural lands in al-Sayafa have been razed are not permitted to re-cultivate their land. Leveled and uncultivated land totals an estimated area of 3,500 dunums. Besides, IOF also confiscated about 1,000 dunums to establish a security fence and a bypass road for Israeli settlements in the northern Gaza Strip.
Palestinian workers still face extreme difficulties on their way to their work places in Israel. They are met with conditions set by the IOF, which include that a worker must be over 28, married with children, have a magnetic card issued by Israeli occupying authorities and have registered work with an identified Israeli employer. Israeli occupying forces still restrict travel of Palestinians through Rafah Terminal on the Egyptian border.
An iron wall along the Egyptian border, opposite the Rafah refugee camp. Works began on 16 October 2002, beginning at the part of the border opposite to Block O. The wall extended to the part of the border opposite to Block L in the west
Works at the wall were resumed in June 2003, beginning from Salah al-Din Gate and moving east towards al-Sha'er and al-Brazil neighborhoods. The wall is iron-made and 12-meter-high and is expected to be 8km long, extending from Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west to Rafah Terminal in the east. It extends 30-50 meters inside Palestinian Authority controlled areas.
Israeli occupying forces have established a fortified, iron-made, 20-meter-high observation tower opposite to Omar Ben al-Khattab Street.
On 22 August 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed the junctions of al-Matahen, Abu Houli and al-Shuhada on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. This act effectively partitions the Gaza Strip into three isolated zones and prevented movement of Palestinian civilians until 20:00. Israeli occupying forces have also blocked al-Shuhada junction, south of Gaza city of the same day. See case study for more details
Table 15:- Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties during the period of 28-31 August 2003
Date |
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Losses |
results |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Radwan Hassan 'Abdullah Shabat |
Land confiscation |
4-dunum |
olives |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Salim Abu Ramadan |
Land confiscation |
6-dunum |
citrus |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Ramadan Mohammed Jaber Na'im. |
Land confiscation |
3-dunum |
olives, |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Na'im Mohammed Jaber Na'im |
Land confiscation |
6-dunum |
olives and citrus |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Mohammed Shehda Sa'id Hamdan |
Land confiscation |
1.5-dunum |
olives and figs |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Shehada Sa'id Suleiman Hamdan |
Land confiscation |
1.5-dunum |
olives and citrus |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Khadra Tawfiq 'Abdul Hadi Hamad. |
Land confiscation |
1-dunum |
olives |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Mousa Tawfiq 'Abdul Hadi Hamad and brothers |
Land confiscation |
17-dunum |
olives |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Mousa Tawfiq 'Abdul Hadi Hamad |
Land confiscation |
8.5-dunum |
citrus |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
'Abdul Rahman Tawfiq 'Abdul Hadi Hamad and brothers. |
Land confiscation |
6-dunum |
citrus |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
'Arafat Saleh al-Hartani. |
Land confiscation |
40-dunum |
citrus |
|
28 August, 2003 |
west of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Mahmoud Tawfiq 'Abdul Hadi Hamad |
Land confiscation |
3-dunum |
citrus |
|
Total |
97.5 dunum |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
Table 16:- Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties during the period of 28-31 August 2003
Date |
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area |
Losses |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Mohammed Sha'ban Yousef Swailem. |
Land razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
3.5-dunum |
Citrus and destroyed an irrigation network |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
by Fayez Sha'ban Yousef Swailem. |
Land razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
3.5-dunum |
Citrus and destroyed an irrigation network |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Jamal Sha'ban Yousef Swailem. |
Land razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
3.5-dunum |
Citrus and destroyed an irrigation network |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Hassan ShaÃ???'ban Yousef Swailem. |
Land razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
3.5-dunum |
citrus and destroyed an irrigation network |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Hamed Taha Ahmed al-Zant. |
Land razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
15-dunum |
Citrus and destroyed an irrigation network. partially demolished a 100-square-meter house and a 360-square-meter bird farm |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Aaya Farah |
Land razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
8-dunum |
citrus and destroyed an irrigation network |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Fadhel Basiouni Mohammed Hassan. |
Land razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
4-dunum |
citrus and destroyed an irrigation network |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Na'im Basiouni Mohammed Hassan |
Land razing |
4-dunum |
Citrus trees |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Heirs of Mohammed 'Abdullah Abu Ramadan. |
Land razing and destruction of private properties |
28-dunum |
Citrus trees and demolished a 300-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Munther Kholousi Khayal |
Land razing |
4.5-dunum |
Citrus trees |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Khamis Musbah Hussein Khayal. |
Land razing |
6-dunum |
Citrus trees |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
'Arafat Saleh al-Hartani. |
Land razing |
40-dunum |
Citrus trees |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Ziad Saleh Hussein Swailem |
Land razing |
80 beehives |
—————- |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Mohammed 'Abdul Raziq Hussein al-Majdalawi, |
Land razing |
a 200-square-meter house |
15 dwellers |
|
29 August 2003 |
the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun |
Midhat Kamal Ahmed Abu Ramadan |
Land razing |
22-dunum |
Citrus trees and destroyed an irrigation network |
|
Total |
145.5 dunums in addition to 200 square meter house and 80 beehives |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
Table 17: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip on September 4th, 2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
People affected |
Area |
Losses |
1 |
Southeast Deir Al Balah |
Razing of agricultural land |
Hatem Mohammed Ahmad abu Samra |
28 dunum |
Olive, Citrus & Fruits trees |
|
|
Razing of concrete wall and spiked fence |
|
200m, |
|
2 |
Southeast Deir Al Balah |
Razing of agricultural land |
Khalil Suliaman Hasan Abu Samra |
2 dunums |
Olive & Palm trees |
|
|
Razing of spiked fence |
|
300 m length |
|
3 |
Southeast Deir Al Balah |
Razing of agricultural land |
Salamah Suliaman Hasan Abu Samra |
1.5 dunum |
Olive, Citrus & Fruits trees |
4 |
Southeast Deir Al Balah |
Razing of agricultural land |
Omar Suliaman Hasan Abu Samra |
1.5 dunum |
Olive, Citrus & Fruits trees |
5 |
Southeast Deir Al Balah |
Razing of agricultural land |
Hasan Suliaman Hasan Abu Samra |
4 dunums |
Olive, Citrus and Palm trees |
Total |
37 dunum |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003.
Table 18:- Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip on September 5, 2003.
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
People affected |
Area |
Losses |
1 |
Al Mughraqa area, south of Gaza strip |
Razing of agricultural land |
Hasan Ali Al Derawi |
1.5 dunum |
Olive and Figs trees |
|
|
Razing of spiked fence |
|
50m length |
|
2 |
Al Mughraqa area, south of Gaza strip |
Razing of agricultural land |
Suliaman Ali Al Derawi |
2.5 dunum |
Olive and citrus trees |
|
|
Razing of spiked fence |
|
200m length |
|
3 |
Al Mughraqa area, south of Gaza strip |
Razing of agricultural land |
Mahmmoud Sha'ban Al Helo |
5 dunums |
Olive and citrus trees |
|
|
Razing of spiked fence |
|
200m |
|
4 |
Al Mughraqa area, south of Gaza strip |
Razing of agricultural land |
Majed Abdullah Al Hasanat |
0.5 dunum |
citrus trees |
5 |
Al Mughraqa area, south of Gaza strip |
Razing of agricultural land |
Isaac Abdel Karim Hassan |
1 dunum |
corn |
6 |
Al Mughraqa area, south of Gaza strip |
Razing of agricultural land |
Ra'fat Sulaiman Shain |
0.5 dunum |
olive trees |
7 |
Al Mughraqa area, south of Gaza strip |
Razing of agricultural land |
Zuhair 'Alami |
1 dunum |
citrus trees |
8 |
Al Mughraqa area, south of Gaza strip |
Razing of agricultural land |
Abdel Fattah Ahmad Hamdan |
2.5 dunum |
Olive and Figs trees |
|
|
Razing of concrete Wall |
|
200 m length |
|
9 |
Al Mughraqa area, south of Gaza strip |
Razing of agricultural land |
Faraj Rashad Al Malhi. |
3 dunums |
Olive trees |
Total |
17.5 dunum |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003.
Table 19: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip on September 5th,2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
People affected |
Area |
Losses |
1 |
Zuroub Square, southwest Rafah city |
Razing of agricultural land |
Nour Al Deen Breka |
3 dunums |
Olive trees and green beans |
2 |
Zuroub Square, southwest Rafah city |
Razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
Farouq Mohammad Breka |
3.5 dunums |
3 Green houses+ water network+ pumping motor and water pool |
3 |
Zuroub Square, southwest Rafah city |
Razing of agricultural land |
Saleh Mohammad Breka |
3.5 dunums |
olive trees |
|
|
Razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
|
|
Agricultural equipments room water network+ pumping motor and water pool |
4 |
Zuroub Square, southwest Rafah city |
Razing of agricultural land |
Salah Mohammad Breka |
3.5 dunums |
Olive trees, Green beans and Eggplants |
|
|
Razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
|
|
Agricultural equipments room water network+ pumping motor and water pool |
5 |
Zuroub Square, southwest Rafah city |
Razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
Ahmad Muhammad Breka |
3 dunums |
3 green houses + 40m depth well +water network+ pumping motor and water pool |
6 |
Zuroub Square, southwest Rafah city |
Razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
Omar Muhammad Breka |
3 dunum |
3 green houses + 40m depth well +water network+ pumping motor and water pool |
7 |
Zuroub Square, southwest Rafah city |
Razing of agricultural land |
Hafez Tawfiq Breka |
2 dunums |
olive trees |
|
|
Razing and destruction of agricultural equipments |
|
|
water network+ pumping motor and water pool |
8 |
Zuroub Square, southwest Rafah city |
|
Yousof Muhammad Breka |
3500 m2 |
Water network |
9 |
Zuroub Square, southwest Rafah city |
|
Ahmad Muhammad Breka |
3500 m2 |
Water network |
10 |
Zuroub Square, southwest Rafah city |
Razing of Concrete Wall |
Ahmad Sulaiman Hijazi |
40 meters |
|
Total |
21.5 dunum |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003.
Table 20: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip on September 5th, 2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
People affected |
Area |
Losses |
1 |
Um Al Selk, southwest Khan Younus City |
Razing of Agricultural land |
Issa Mustafa Al Lahham |
21 dunums |
Onion |
|
|
Razing of agricultural equipments |
|
|
3 green houses |
|
|
Razing of agricultural equipments |
|
100 m2 |
4 agricultural rooms |
|
|
Razing of agricultural equipments |
|
|
water network+ pumping motor and water pool |
2 |
Um Al Selk, southwest Khan Younus City |
Razing of agricultural land and destruction of equipments |
Sami, Ghazi and Suhail Hasan Shehdeh |
8 dunums |
8 green houses+ destruction of a water network |
3 |
Um Al Selk, southwest Khan Younus City |
Razing of agricultural lands |
Fadel Hijazi Odeh Hijazi |
2 dunums |
Cucumbers |
|
|
Razing of agricultural equipment |
|
|
Water network |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003.
Table 21:- Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip on September 6th,2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
People affected |
Area |
Losses |
1 |
Um Al Selk, southwest Khan Younus City |
Razing & destruction of agricultural equipments |
Khaled Odeh Hijazi |
2 dunums |
Green house cultivated with Cucumber + destruction of water network and a spiked fence |
2 |
Um Al Selk, southwest Khan Younus City |
Razing of agricultural land |
Hasan Mahmoud Al Sha'er. |
5 dunums |
uncultivated |
|
|
Razing of agricultural equipments |
|
|
Agricultural room, pumping motor and water network |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003.
On Sunday, the 7th of September, the Israeli army backed by Bulldozers destroyed seven houses and partially damaged many others in Rafah refugee camp, the southern-most camp along the Egyptian border. Following this military operation, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) escalated its violation on Thursday, the 11th of September 2003 against the Palestinian territories and demolished another 16 houses in Yibna refugee camp in the city of Rafah without pre-warning. The bulldozers also destroyed the camps infrastructure resulting in power outage and the destruction of several water and phone lines. The number of families turned homeless was almost 35, a sum of 165 family members, mostly children. The houses are owned by the families of Abed Al-al, Abu Taha, Abu Jaser, Shaqfa, Al Taweel, Redwan And Al Arja families.
In a field survey conducted by ARIJ's partner 'PCHR' in Gaza Strip. During the months of July, August and September 2003, the Israeli forces incurred into a number of Palestinian cities and camps in Gaza Strip and razed 70 dunums of agricultural land all cultivated with Olive and fruitful trees. Most of the operations were carried out in Rafah, Deir Al Balah and Khan Younus; in addition to the destruction of many types of agricultural equipments. Below is a brief description of the Israeli violations in Gaza Strip accompanied by tables that clarify the losses in the agricultural sector:
-
To the southeast of Deir Al Balah, a total of 37 dunums of agricultural land cultivated with fruitful trees mainly Olive and Citrus were razed and 3 concrete walls were demolished by the IOF.
-
A total of 17.5 dunums of agricultural lands cultivated with fruitful trees and 3 spiked fence were razed by the IOF in Al Mughraqa area, to the south of Gaza Strip.
-
In Zuroub Square, southwest Rafah city, the IOF razed 21.5 of agricultural land cultivated with fruitful trees in addition to 2 water networks and 1 concrete wall.
-
In Um Selk Area, southwest Khan Younus city, the IOF razed a total of 38 dunums of agricultural land.
-
In Al Qarara city, to the north of Khan Younus, the IOF razed a total of 2.5 dunums of agricultural land and water well.
-
In Qizan an Najjar, to the south of Khan Younus, the IOF razed a total of 10 dunums of agricultural land; Besides, the IOF partially demolished a house inhabited by 36 people.
-
In Block L of Yibna Refugee camp of Rafah, the IOF completely demolished 10 houses, and partially damaged another 7 houses. 221 people turned homeless as a result of the Israeli violation in the area.
-
In Block J in Rafah city, 8 houses were completely demolished by the IOF. As a result, 110 people turned homeless.
-
In Al Salam neighborhood, South of Rafah city, the IOF completely demolished one house and razed 4 dunums of agricultural land in addition to 2 irrigation network.
Table 22:- Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip on September 7th,2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
People affected |
Area |
Losses |
1 |
Al Qarara city, north of Khan Younus |
Razing of agricultural land |
Jam'an Salameh Al Sumairi |
1.5 dunum |
Olive trees |
|
|
Razing of agricultural equipment |
|
90 m depth |
Water well |
2 |
Al Qarara city, north of Khan Younus |
Razing of agricultural land & destruction of equipments |
Ibrahim Hamdan Al Sumairi |
1 dunum |
Olive and Figs trees + destruction of water network |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003.
Table 23: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip on September 8th, 2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
People affected |
Area |
Losses |
1 |
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Younus city |
Razing of agricultural land and destruction of equipment |
Khaled Marzouq Salameh Al Sha'er |
2 dunums |
Olive trees + water network |
2 |
|
Razing of agricultural land and destruction of equipment |
Ashraf Ibrahim Tabbasi |
7 dunums |
Green Pepper + water network. |
3 |
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Younus city |
Razing of agricultural land |
Mustafa Abdel 'Aziz Al Najjar |
50m length row |
Figs trees |
4 |
Qizan An Najjar area, south of Khan Younus city |
Razing of agricultural land |
Hamed Al Najjar |
50m length row |
Figs trees |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003.
Table 24: Shelling of Palestinian houses dated on September 11, 2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
Name |
Area |
# of dwellers |
1. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
House demolition |
Husni Hamdan Abu Taha |
300 m2 |
4 families (26 people) |
2. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
House demolition |
'Ata Ahamd Shaqfa |
80 m2 |
7 people |
3. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
House demolition |
Mohammad Yousef Aby Ziada |
175 m2 |
3 families (16 people) |
4. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
House demolition |
Hassan Marzouq Abu Jazar |
90 m2 |
8 people |
5. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
House demolition |
Fatima Isma'el Abu Jazar |
80 m2 |
8 people |
6. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
House demolition |
Anis Mohammad Al 'Arja |
200 m2 |
2 families (13 people) |
7. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
House demolition |
Mahomoud Mohammad Al 'Arja |
150 m2 |
16 people |
8. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
House demolition |
Hamdan Mohammad Al 'Arja |
250 m2 |
4 families (25 people) |
9. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
House demolition |
Hamda Hamad Radwan |
200 m2 |
3 families |
10. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
House demolition |
Bahaa'Mohammad Radwan |
100 m2 |
4 people |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
Table 25: Partial House demolition in Block L of Yibna refugee camp
dated on September 11, 2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
Name |
Area |
# of dwellers |
1.
|
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
Partial House demolition |
Khaled Sa'ed Radwan |
100 m2 |
2 families ( 9 people) |
2. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
Partial House demolition |
Hasan Suliaman Radwan |
170 m2 |
5 families |
3. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
Partial House demolition |
'Ali Hasan Radwan |
80 m2 |
8 people |
4. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
Partial House demolition |
Amin Khalil 'Omar |
130 m2 |
10 people |
5. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
Partial House demolition |
Hamda Ahmad 'abdul 'Aal |
220 m2 |
3 families (18 people) |
6. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
Partial House demolition |
Ahmad 'Ali Shaqfa |
90 m2 |
1 person |
7. |
Block L of Yibna refugee camp of Rafah |
Partial House demolition |
'Abdel Hai Marzouq Salama Al Sha'er |
130 m2 |
4 people |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003.
Table 26: Partial House demolition in Block L of Yibna refugee camp
dated on September 12, 2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
Name |
Area |
# of dwellers |
1. |
Qizan An Najjar, in the south of Khan Younus |
Partial house demolition |
Rezeq Salama Suliaman Al Sha'er |
130 m2 |
3 families (36 people) |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003.
able 27: Partial House demolition in Block L of Yibna refugee camp dated on September 14, 2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
Name |
Area |
# of dwellers |
1. |
Block J in Rafah |
House demolition |
Majdi 'Abdul Ra'ouf Sha'at |
150 m2 |
10 people |
2. |
Block J in Rafah |
House demolition |
Hammad Mohammad Sha'at |
150 m2 |
5 people |
3. |
Block J in Rafah |
House demolition |
Yahya Ahmad 'Ayyash |
270 m2 ( 3 storey house) |
7 families (31 people) |
4. |
Block J in Rafah |
House demolition |
Ibrahim Yousof An Najjar |
210 m2 |
9 people |
5. |
Block J in Rafah |
House demolition |
'Abdul Wahab Al Zatma |
270 m2 |
9 people |
6. |
Block J in Rafah |
House demolition |
Ra'ed Zaki Al Jazzar |
250 m2 |
2 families ( 7 people) |
7. |
Block J in Rafah |
House demolition |
Mahmoud Abdel 'Aziz Al Jazzar |
250 m2 |
5 families (30 people) |
8. |
Block J in Rafah |
House demolition |
'Abed Hassan Al Jamal |
200 m2 |
9 people |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003.
Table 28: Various violations dated on September 15, 2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
Name |
Area |
Losses / inhabitants |
1. |
Al Salam Neighborhood, south of Rafah |
House demolition |
Fathi 'Ali Mohammad 'Abdul 'Aal |
200 m2 |
68 people |
2. |
Al Salam Neighborhood, south of Rafah |
Razing of land & destruction of agricultural equipments |
Nizam Khamis Khalil Sha'at |
2 dunums |
Olive and palm trees + irrigation network |
3. |
Al Salam Neighborhood, south of Rafah |
Razing of land & destruction of agricultural equipments |
Mohammad Ahmad Al Masri |
2 dunums |
Olive trees + irrigation network |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003.
Table 29: Partial and Total house demolition dated on September 15, 2003
No. |
Location |
Type of violation |
Name |
Area |
# of dwellers |
1. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
House demolition |
Hassan 'Awadh Mohammad Barhoum |
200 m2 |
9 people |
2. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
House demolition |
Munira 'Awadh Hamed Barhoum |
100 m2 |
7 people |
3. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
Partial House demolition |
Hassan 'Abdullah Barhoum |
120 m2 |
2 families (5 people ) |
4. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
Partial House demolition |
Salman Hassan Barhoum |
150 m2 |
8 people |
5. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
Partial House demolition |
Na'im Ahmed 'Abdullah Barhoum |
180 m2 |
10 people |
6. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
Partial House demolition |
Ahmad Hamdan Yousof Barhoum |
150 m2 |
6 people |
7. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
Partial House demolition |
Sabri 'Abed Shuraiqi |
120 m2 |
8 people |
8. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
Partial House demolition |
Iyad Ahmad Hamdan Barhoum |
120 m2 |
3 people |
9. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
Partial House demolition |
Sa'id Sulaimna Barhoum |
120 m2 |
6 people |
10. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
Partial House demolition |
Na'im Sa'id Sulaiman Barhoum |
100 m2 |
3 people |
11. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
Partial House demolition |
Hamdan Joma'a Mohammad Barhoum |
130 m2 |
10 people |
12. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
Partial House demolition |
Isma'il Juma'a Ahmad Barhoum |
100 m2 |
8 people |
13. |
Block K, in Rafah city |
Partial House demolition |
Mohammad Ahmad Mohammad Abu Qamar |
100 m 2 |
2 families (15 people) |
Source: PCHR field survey, September 2003
Closure and Checkpoints
-
On September 4, 2003, the IOF closed Al Matahen and Abu Al Holi junctions that connect south and north Gaza together.
-
On September 7, 2003, the IOF closed Al Tuffah and Tal Al Sultan junctions that connect Khan Younus city and Rafah with Al Mawasi togther.
-
On September 7, 2003, the IOf closed the Erez crossing point, north of Gaza strip and prevented thousands of Palestinian workers from going to their work places.
-
On September 8, 2003, the IOF closed Al Mintar crossing point, east of Gaza strip, which is considered the only commercial crossing point that connects the West Bank and Gaza Strip with Israel. The closure of Al Mintar crossing point resulted in the ravaging large amounts of supplies mainly fruits and vegetables.
Junctions are opened on stages during the day and Palestinian vehicles are forced to wait in long lines especially in the morning and the afternoon, which are the periods that witness active movement of Palestinian vehicles. Thus, forcing restrictions on movement as Palestinians move into and out their areas. The IOF intentionally and constantly escalate their violations towards Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to hinder their ability to enjoy the right to live an ordinary life and hamper or freeze their daily activities, which in return causes a lot of frustration and despair and makes peaceful coexistence practically unattainable.
Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties during the period of 18-24 of September 2003
Table 30:- Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties: September 19 2003
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area confiscated |
Trees uprooted |
Gizan al-Najjar area in the south of Khan Younis |
Darwish Suleiman Al-Masri. |
Destruction of agricultural equipments |
1 dunum greenhouse |
|
al-Salam neighborhood adjacent to the Egyptian border, south of Rafah |
Ramzi 'Abdul Rahman 'Abdul 'Aal |
House Demolition |
100-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house |
7 people lived. |
Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the Egyptian border |
Muhareb Talal Muhareb Timraz, |
House demolition |
120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house |
5 people lived. |
al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip |
Jamal Hassan Yousef Abu Shanab and his brothers |
Land razing and trees uprooting |
6-dunum area and a 200-meter-long barbwire fence |
citrus and olives |
al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip |
Mahmoud Yousef Abu Shanab and his brothers |
Land razing and trees uprooting |
6-dunum area |
citrus and olives |
Table 31:- Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties: 20 September 2003
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area confiscated |
Trees uprooted |
Abu Sabt area in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Younis |
Salman 'Ali Abu Sabt. |
House demolition |
3-storey house |
3 families (13 people) live |
Block J in Rafah refugee camp, adjacent to the border |
Jamal D'ib Hassan Jouda. |
House demolition |
a 150-square-meter house
|
8 people lived |
Table 32: Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties: September 21, 2003
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area confiscated |
Trees uprooted |
Zo'rob neighborhood in the south of Rafah |
Mahrous Mohammed Khalil al-Dabbas |
House demolition |
a 120-square-meter house |
2 people lived |
Zo'rob neighborhood in the south of Rafah |
Mousa Mohammed Khalil Zo'rob. |
Confiscation of land |
2-dunum area on which 2 greenhouses stood |
|
On 22 September 2003 IOF established a military observation tower in the vicinity of 'Gush Qatif' settlement bloc, southwest of Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah.
Table 33: Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties: September 23, 2003
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area confiscated |
Trees uprooted |
Gizan Abu Rashwan area in the southwest of Khan Yunis, |
Mohammed 'Abdullah al-Sha'er |
Land confiscation and destruction of agricultural equipments. |
3-dunum area, destroyed an 80-square-meter rural house, an agricultural pool and an irrigation network |
3 greenhouses planted with tomatoes stood |
Gizan Abu Rashwan area in the southwest of Khan Yunis, |
Fadhel Hijazi 'Ouda Hijazi |
Land confiscation and destruction of agricultural equipments. |
3.5-dunum area and destroyed an irrigation network |
3 greenhouses planted with cucumbers stood |
Gizan Abu Rashwan area in the southwest of Khan Yunis, |
Khaled Hijazi 'Ouda Hijazi. |
Land confiscation and destruction of agricultural equipments. |
3.5-dunum area and destroyed an irrigation network |
3 greenhouses planted with cucumbers stood |
Gizan Abu Rashwan area in the southwest of Khan Yunis, |
Hussein Hijazi 'Ouda Hijazi |
. Land confiscation and destruction of agricultural equipments. |
3.5-dunum area and destroyed an irrigation network |
3 greenhouses planted with cucumbers stood |
Gizan Abu Rashwan area in the southwest of Khan Yunis lies to the north of a settler road linking the 'Morag' settlement and 'Gush Qatif'settlement blocs
Israeli occupying forces blocked a branch road leading to houses in Khan Yunis with sand barriers. As a result, 30 residents of the 4 houses were not able to reach their houses and were forced to spend the night outdoors. the houses in Khan Yunis are:
-
A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned Salema Suleiman 'Ali al-Tarabin, in which 8 people live. The house stands on a 500-square-meter area of land, which also includes an animal farm.
-
A 120-square-meter, iron-roofed house owned Saleh Jermi 'Atiya al-Tarabin, in which 7 people live. There is also an animal farm near the house.
-
A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned Zer'eia Musleh 'Ouda al-Tarabin, in which 6 people live.
-
A 120-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house owned Fyez Jermi ''Atiya al-Tarabin, in which 9 people live.
Table 34:- Destruction of Palestinian civilian properties on the 23rd of September , 2003
District |
Name |
Type of violations |
Area confiscated |
Losses |
Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis |
Mahmoud Suleiman Qudaih |
Destruction of agricultural equipments and land confiscation |
80-square-meter, asbestos-roofed rural house and a 150-square-meter, iron-roofed bird farm. |
Razing of 500-square-meter area of agricultural land and destruction of an irrigation network |
Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis |
Amin Sa'adat Salman Rouk |
Land confiscation and demolition of agricultural rooms |
1dunum area and a 100-meter-long row of wild figs, and demolished 2 rooms. |
olives |
Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis |
Rasmia Suleiman Mohammed Qudaih. |
Land confiscation |
2-dunum area and destroyed an irrigation network |
olives |
al-Manara neighborhood near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. |
Faraj Khalil Ahmed al-Sha'er |
House demolition |
300-square-meter house |
29 people (4 families) lived |
Al-Manara neighborhood near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. |
Akram Mahmoud 'Abdullah Abu Taqiya |
House demolition |
130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house |
13 people (2 families) lived; |
Al-Manara neighborhood near the Egyptian border, south of Rafah. |
Majed Mahmoud 'Abdullah Abu Taqiya |
House demolition |
A 130-square-meter, asbestos-roofed house |
9 people (2 families) lived |
In addition, the IOF partially destroyed 11 other houses, leaving 185 people (24 families) homeless. Israeli forces also destroyed fences surrounding land in the area.
September 24, 2003
Israeli occupying forces raided al-Aqsa kindergarten in Gizan al-Najar area, west of 'Morag' settlement south of Khan Yunis. The kindergarten has been evacuated due to the dangerous situation in the area.
IOF positioned in military locations around 'Gani Tal' settlement, northwest of Khan Yunis.
IOF positioned in military locations in the vicinity of the 'Kfar Darom' settlement, east of Deir al-Balah.
Continued Siege on the OPT
In the Gaza Strip, during the period of 18-24 September, the IOF at Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints, north of Khan Yunis, on Salah al-Din Street (the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip) restricted movement of Palestinian civilians traveling between the north and south of the Gaza Strip. IOF have also maintained the closure of the western road between Rafah and Khan Yunis; a section of Salah al-Din Street in the central Gaza Strip; Abu al-'Ajin road between Wadi al-Salqa and al-Qarara villages, north of Khan Yunis; and a number of branch roads. In addition, Israeli occupying forces have maintained a strict siege on the al-Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip and al-Sayafa area in the north.
-
Israeli occupying forces re-erected 2 observation towers at Abu Houli and al-Matahen junctions on Salah al-Din Street north of Khan Yunis
-
On 19 September 2003, Israeli occupying forces closed Abu Houli and al-Matahen checkpoints.
September 28,2003
The IOF destroyed a 700-meter-long road that links between the village and a number of civilian facilities and leads to 8 houses, in which 60 people live. They also uprooted 15 olive trees, and destroyed a 500-meter-long water pipeline owned Khalil 'Abed Dalloul.
IOF razed a 2.5-dunum area of agricultural land planted with citrus and olives owned by Jamal Hassan Yousef Abu Shanab in the eastern portion of al-Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.
Continued Siege on the Gaza Strip
Israeli occupying forces continue to employ harsh tactics at the checkpoints throughout the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces have maintained the closure of al-Shuhadaa' junction, south of Gaza City; in addition to Jamal 'Abd al-Nasser Street between Rafah and Khan-Younis; Abu 'Ajeen road, between Wadi al-Salka village and al-Karara in Khan-Younis; as well as a number of roads connecting al-Karara and Wadi al Salka villages with Salah al-Din Street. Israeli occupying forces also continued to impose a complete siege on the Mawasi area in the southern Gaza Strip, and al-Sayafa area between the Israeli settlements of Eli Sinai and Dugit, in the northern Gaza Strip.
The IOF closed the Abu Houli and Matahen checkpoints on the 29 and 30 September of 2003. The IOF held many cars between the 2 checkpoints and subjected them to thorough searches.
On 26 September 2003, IOF tightened the siege and comprehensive closure of the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Israeli forces re-closed the Erez crossing, in the northern Gaza Strip. The closure lasted for 3 days, until Monday, 29 September 2003. Workers over the age of 35 were permitted to cross the border. As a result, only 8397 out of the tens of thousands of Palestinian workers were eligible to reach their work places.
Related case studies:-
Prepared by:
The Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem