November 21 - 27, 2002

Israeli occupying forces have perpetrated more human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including willful killings, shelling of, and incursion into Palestinian areas and agricultural land leveling.  This week, 21-27 November 2002, 7 civilians – 6 Palestinians and an UNRWA official – and a security man were killed by Israeli forces.  This number does not include Palestinians who were killed in military attacks.

On Friday, 22 November 2002, Israeli forces, reinforced with dozens of heavy military vehicles, invaded Bethlehem and surrounding towns, villages and refugee camp.  They seized complete control over these areas and imposed a curfew.    Israeli forces waged a campaign of arrests against Palestinian civilians.  About 50 Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli forces since the beginning of this new offensive.  Israeli forces also took retaliatory steps against families of wanted Palestinians.  The Israeli invasion came shortly before the beginning of preparations for Christmas.

This week, the Gaza Strip was subjected to various kinds of attacks by Israeli forces.  On Monday, 25 November 2002, Israeli forces encroached into Deir al-Balah.  They opened fire everywhere wounding 5 Palestinian civilians.  They also fired at a Palestinian ambulance that tried to offer help to the wounded.  The ambulance driver was hit by 2 live bullets.  Israeli forces destroyed the house of the family of a wanted Palestinian.  They also arrested his 4 brothers. 

On Friday, 22 November 2002, Israeli forces, reinforced with dozens of heavy military vehicles and 3 helicopters and covered by intense shelling, moved approximately 3km into al-Qarara village and al-Satar al-Sharqi area in the north of Khan Yunis.  Israeli tanks took position on Salah al-Din Street, the main road between the north and south of the Gaza Strip, and on branch roads, so they tightened the grab on the area.  During the 4-hour aggression, Israeli forces destroyed 2 Palestinian houses and raided some other ones.

In addition to the 9 houses that were destroyed in Deir al-Balah and al-Qarara village in the Gaza Strip, and Bethlehem in the West Bank, Israeli forces destroyed three houses in Nablus on the same ground. 

This week, Israeli forces razed large areas of Palestinian agricultural land in the Gaza Strip, especially in Deir al-Balah. 

This week, Israeli forces committed a series of apparent willful killings that left 6 Palestinians and an UNRWA official dead.  On Friday, 22 November 2002, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian child and an UNRWA official in Jenin refugee camp.  On Thursday, 21 November 2002, Israeli forces in military locations in the vicinity of “Netzarim” settlement, south of Gaza City, shelled a Palestinian security site.  A Palestinian security man was killed.  On Sunday, 24 November 2002, Israeli soldiers at a military checkpoint west of Nablus fired at a number of Palestinian civilians who attempted to travel to the city.  An old man fell over, and smashed his head on a large stone, which caused his death.   

On Monday, 25 November 2002, Israeli soldiers on tanks shot dead a Palestinian child, when they opened fire at passing Palestinian school children and civilians.  On Wednesday, 27 November 2002, Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian civilian while he was on his way to the mosque in ‘Askar refugee camp, east of Nablus.  On the same day, a Palestinian civilian was killed in Bethlehem, when Israeli solders at a military roadblock opened fire at his car. 

Israeli forces have maintained the total siege imposed on the OPT, collectively punishing the Palestinian people. Israeli forces have partitioned Palestinian areas, transforming them into cantons, violating Palestinian civilians’ economic, social and cultural rights.  They have also imposed curfews on several different areas.

To access the full report click here.