jcl-be
6 oktober 2004, 01:15
10/05/04
Amnesty International expressed its concern today (5 October) at the
deterioration of the human rights and humanitarian situation as a
result of the Israeli army incursion in the Jabaliya refugee camp and
surrounding areas in the northern Gaza Strip (including sectors in the
nearby towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya).
In the past week (since the evening of Tuesday 28 September) more than
70 Palestinians have been killed, more than a third of whom were
unarmed and including some 20 children. Hundreds of others have been
injured.
The Israeli army has repeatedly used excessive force, including heavy
shelling from tanks and helicopter gunships. Experience has shown that
the use of such weapons and the manner in which they have been
deployed by the army in densely populated residential areas (the
Jabaliya refugee camp is one of the most densely populated places in
the world, with more than 100,000 Palestinians living in less than two
square kilometres), invariably results in a high rate of death and
injury of bystanders and people who are not involved in armed
confrontation. These tactics betray a lack of respect for fundamental
human rights principles, including the right to life.
In certain areas the Israeli army has also unlawfully destroyed or
damaged homes, schools, water and electricity networks, roads, and
other crucial infrastructure. Israeli forces have hindered access to
medical services - not only for those injured in the military
operation but also those who need medical care for other reasons,
including women who need to give birth. When able to reach those in
need (they often cannot reach those in need of medical treatment)
ambulances have on several occasions come under Israeli army fire.
Strict closures have also been imposed throughout the Gaza Strip in
the past week, cutting the Gaza Strip into four isolated sections,
paralysing all aspects of life, with people unable to reach their
workplace and students unable to reach the universities. In addition
schools in the area besieged by the Israeli army in the northern Gaza
Strip are closed. Thousands of people living in the besieged areas are
also experiencing shortages of food and other essential goods.
Amnesty International is calling on the Israeli authority to:
Put an immediate end to the use of excessive lethal force
Put an immediate end to unlawful destruction and damage of Palestinian
homes and properties, roads and other infrastructure
Allow immediate access to medical care and other essential services
for the Palestinian population in the affected areas
Respect the right to freedom of movement for the Palestinian
population elsewhere in the Gaza Strip
Amnesty International also calls on Palestinian armed groups not to
initiate attacks and armed confrontation with Israeli troops from
amongst residential areas, as this puts the local residents at risk of
return fire and retaliation from the Israeli army, and reiterates its
call on Palestinian armed groups to put an end to attacks directed
against Israeli civilians in Israel or in the Occupied Territories.
This is an Amnesty International news release published on 5th October
2004
Amnesty International expressed its concern today (5 October) at the
deterioration of the human rights and humanitarian situation as a
result of the Israeli army incursion in the Jabaliya refugee camp and
surrounding areas in the northern Gaza Strip (including sectors in the
nearby towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya).
In the past week (since the evening of Tuesday 28 September) more than
70 Palestinians have been killed, more than a third of whom were
unarmed and including some 20 children. Hundreds of others have been
injured.
The Israeli army has repeatedly used excessive force, including heavy
shelling from tanks and helicopter gunships. Experience has shown that
the use of such weapons and the manner in which they have been
deployed by the army in densely populated residential areas (the
Jabaliya refugee camp is one of the most densely populated places in
the world, with more than 100,000 Palestinians living in less than two
square kilometres), invariably results in a high rate of death and
injury of bystanders and people who are not involved in armed
confrontation. These tactics betray a lack of respect for fundamental
human rights principles, including the right to life.
In certain areas the Israeli army has also unlawfully destroyed or
damaged homes, schools, water and electricity networks, roads, and
other crucial infrastructure. Israeli forces have hindered access to
medical services - not only for those injured in the military
operation but also those who need medical care for other reasons,
including women who need to give birth. When able to reach those in
need (they often cannot reach those in need of medical treatment)
ambulances have on several occasions come under Israeli army fire.
Strict closures have also been imposed throughout the Gaza Strip in
the past week, cutting the Gaza Strip into four isolated sections,
paralysing all aspects of life, with people unable to reach their
workplace and students unable to reach the universities. In addition
schools in the area besieged by the Israeli army in the northern Gaza
Strip are closed. Thousands of people living in the besieged areas are
also experiencing shortages of food and other essential goods.
Amnesty International is calling on the Israeli authority to:
Put an immediate end to the use of excessive lethal force
Put an immediate end to unlawful destruction and damage of Palestinian
homes and properties, roads and other infrastructure
Allow immediate access to medical care and other essential services
for the Palestinian population in the affected areas
Respect the right to freedom of movement for the Palestinian
population elsewhere in the Gaza Strip
Amnesty International also calls on Palestinian armed groups not to
initiate attacks and armed confrontation with Israeli troops from
amongst residential areas, as this puts the local residents at risk of
return fire and retaliation from the Israeli army, and reiterates its
call on Palestinian armed groups to put an end to attacks directed
against Israeli civilians in Israel or in the Occupied Territories.
This is an Amnesty International news release published on 5th October
2004