Posted on 8-1-2004

Israeli invasion of Nablus continues

The West bank city of Nablus has now been under constant attack for 20
days. On Saturday, four Palestinians were killed and a fifth left
brain-dead after being shot in the head with live ammunition. This
brings the number of Palestinians killed in Nablus during this offensive
to 14 and counting. Israeli soldiers have attacked peaceful
demonstrations and even a funeral.

The old city in Nablus has repeatedly been subjected to a total curfew.
Many families have forced to leave their homes by occupying forces,
while those that remain are frequently confined to their houses for days
at a time by a military closure that is enforced with reckless violence
and a casual disregard for human life.

With the local population trapped in their homes, Israeli troops have
set about destroying significant sections of the city's architectural
heart. In the last two days, soldiers have begun dynamiting sections of
the old city claiming they were searching for Palestinian militants
hiding in tunnels beneath these buildings. In the process they have
systematically destroyed a number a buildings of great architectural and
historical value, although not a single militant was found in the old
city during the search.

These demolitions prompted locals to form a peaceful demonstration in
protest. However, Israeli soldiers opened fire on the demonstrators,
killing the three men. There have been four recorded incidents of
occupying troops preventing medical relief from reaching the wounded.

Two days ago, ten Palestinians were also wounded in Nablus when Israeli
soldiers fired on demonstrators who were throwing stones.

Throughout this offensive, Nablus has also been subjected to an
information blackout that has allowed the Israeli troops to wreak
violence across the city with impunity. All aspects of daily life are
abused and it is imperative that the international community is alerted
to the realities of the Israeli siege in the city, and to the gross
violations of human rights taking place there on a daily basis.