The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) urges the Israeli authorities to withdraw its army from Nablus, where the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) made a new incursion today 3rd May, at 4 a.m., with tanks and helicopters, after Nablus was declared “closed military zone” again yesterday morning.

FIDH condemns this new incursion into a town, which had been evacuated by the IDF on April 23rd. Nablus has been still surrounded by the IDF since then. But inside the town, the inhabitants had started rebuilding houses, water supplies and other vital infrastructures since April 23rd that will be damaged again following this new incursion.

A delegation of the FIDH left Nablus yesterday at 2 p.m. after spending several days there. According to the information collected, the military operation that took place between 3rd and 23rd April resulted in 80 deaths, around 300 wounded persons and severe violations of human rights and humanitarian law. The FIDH will shortly publish its findings regarding the IDF incursion in Nablus in April.

Previous military operations in the West Bank have affected the civilian population first and foremost. In light of the preliminary findings of the FIDH delegation in Nablus, the FIDH is extremely concerned that this military operation may again cause the death and wounding of civilians, as was the case during the IDF incursion that took place from 3rd to 23rd April.

FIDH urges Israel to comply with its international commitments and, in particular, to ensure that the army respects human rights and international humanitarian law principles enshrined in the IVth Geneva Convention concerning the protection of civilians in times of war, including access by medical staff.

Federation International des Ligues des Droits de l’Homme (FIDH), 17, passage de la Main d’Or, 75011, Paris, France, CCP Paris: 76 76 Z, Tel. (33-1) 43 55 25 18 / Fax. (33-1) 43 55 18 80, Email: fidh@fidh.org, web: www.fidh.org