For the 4th Consecutive Day: IOF Perpetrate State-sponsored Terrorism in Beit Hanoun

[Tom Joad]

From the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.
http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2006/122-2006.htm
4 Palestinians Killed and 150 Injured, Wide-scale destruction of Civilian Property, 5 others Killed in Extra-judicial executions in other parts of the Gaza Strip

For the fourth consecutive day, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continue their land incursion on the town of Beit Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip. This attack comes as part of an IOF operation codenamed "Autumn Clouds." The number of victims has increased to 34 killed, including 21 civilians that include 7 children, 2 women, and 2 paramedics. The injured are 150, most of them unarmed civilians, including approximately 40 women, 40 children, 1 paramedic, and 1 journalist.

PCHR's preliminary investigations indicate that IOF is using it most brutal war machines in the attack on Beit Hanoun; that IOF are using excessive force against unarmed civilians; and that IOF are not using proportionality and necessity in the use of force against Palestinian resistance activists in civilian neighborhoods. The most significant of IOF crimes was the targeting of a demonstration by women in the town, which resulted in the death of 2 women and the injury of 40 others, some seriously. In addition, IOF have been targeting medical personnel, killing 2 and injuring a third. Furthermore, IOF have prevented ambulances from reaching the injured and have hindered the work of medical crews. IOF continue to impose a complete and hermetic closure on the town, causing living conditions to deteriorate in light of cutting off basic services such as water and electricity and the destruction of infrastructure. Furthermore, IOF are rounding up all males ages 16 years or more and taking them to a military detention facility set up in the premises of the college of agriculture in Beit Hanoun. Due to the difficulty in reaching the place, PCHR has not learned of the number of detainees, these released, or those transferred for detention inside Israel. Elsewhere, IOF have killed 5 Palestinians in three extra-judicial executions in Gaza City and Rafah.

PCHR is extremely concerned over the continued aggression against the Gaza Strip, especially the northern part, and is worried over the possibility of the falling of more civilian victims and further destruction of civilian property.
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This is nothing less than a campaign of terror against the people of Gaza in an effort to make political changes. It must be understood that the people of Gaza have, from the time of the "disengagement" been under severe restrictions as to their freedom of movement and trade and economic viability. (e.g.Fishing is even severly restricted) Now there is even more death and destruction, as many Palestinians lack access to clean drinking water (lack of electricity due to bombed power plant) and food is in short supply.

The occupation is getting even more brutal and the people of Palestine wait for the world to take notice.

Demand that the world end the siege of Gaza.

[xchrom]

1. thank you for the report.