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TITLE: Continuing Israeli Attacks on Palestinian Civilians - Two killed and Dozens Wounded |
AUTHOR: |
ORG: LAW |
DATE: February 15, 2001 |
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Israeli attacks on Al Bireh and Bethlehem on Sunday and Monday 11 and 12 February 2001 left two dead and many wounded. 22 year-old Ziyad Abu Sawi from Artas near Bethlehem died on Monday 12 February after receiving a bullet in the heart when Israeli soldiers opened fire at a minibus at Al Khader junction. Two other Palestinian labourers from Bethlehem were wounded in the attack: Mohammed Al Barmeel, 47, was admitted to Al Makasid Hospital in a critical condition after being shot in the in the neck, and Haidar Ayish, 18, was wounded by shrapnel in the head. According to LAW's information, at 6:45 a minibus belonging to the Arkub company was taking Palestinian labourers to Israeli construction sites. Israeli soldiers stationed at Al Khader junction stopped it and opened fire at close range, killing Abu Sawi and wounding the other two. The incident sparked protests in the area, during which Sami Barakat, 17, was shot in the pelvis, and Ahmad Al Barbari, 20, was shot in the left thigh. 35 year-old Atif Al Nabulsi a resident of east Jerusalem from Ramallah died today after Israeli soldiers opened fire at a Palestinian car at Rafat junction, west of Ramallah. Yihya Abu Saif, 17, and Hamdi Arafat, 27, were also wounded in the unprovoked attack. In a separate incident, Israeli forces continued bombing residential areas in Al Aza and Ayda refugee camps, Al Khader, the northern entrance to Bethlehem and the northern entrance to Al Bireh and Um Al Sharayit. The bombing destroyed 11 houses and two cars, one of which was a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance. The following were wounded during the bombing near Bethlehem: 1. Said Al Aza, 41, hit in the right shoulder 2. Hanna Asmari, 42, hit in the back 3. Samar Al Masaid, 18, hit in the right leg 4. Ibraheem Da'dara, 50, hit in several parts of the body 5. Toni Al Zu'bi, 23, hit in the head 6. Mustafa Abu Ghalyun, 35, hit in the head 7. Grace Al bandak, 23, hit in the legs 8. Munthir Katamish, shot in the back and the limbs 9. Fathi Abdul Rahman, shot in the back and the limbs 10. Jabir Al Amour, shot in the back and the limbs 11. Naseem Hamida , shot in the back and the limbs The houses of Yasser Al Mashayikh and Mousa Al Masa'id in Ayda were destroyed by the bombing. Yusif Sbaih's house in Al Khader was hit and partially destroyed. National Security Member Mohammad Abu Al Ataya, 17, from Gaza, was wounded in the bombing of Um Al Sharayit and Beitunya. LAW Society reiterates the following: 1. Israeli forces are committing increased crimes and using the Israeli war arsenal against unarmed Palestinian civilians. 2. They continue to bomb and shell Palestinian residential areas. 3. They continue to use collective punishment against Palestinians and deprive them of their basic human rights. 4. Israeli forces use settlements as bases from which to bomb Palestinian areas LAW demands: 1. The Israeli government to immediately stop its crimes and collective punishment against Palestinians. 2. An international investigation committee to be set up, working according to UN Resolution 1322. 3. The Contracting Parties to the 4th Geneva Convention to ensure Israel's compliance with the Convention. 4. Placing Palestinians under international protection. 5. The international community to put an end to these crimes and the Israeli occupation. LAW - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy. END |