Posted on 13-10-2003

Israeli Invasion Of Gaza
Palestine Monitor, October, 11th 2003

On Friday October 10th, the 6th consecutive day that Gaza has been held
under complete closure, Israeli occupying forces invaded the refugee camps
of Yibna and al Shouot south of Rafah. Seven Palestinians have been killed
and more than 60 injured. During the invasion, Israeli military bulldozers
continued the land-razing operation, started on Monday. Approximately 400
dunums of Palestinian agricultural land between Morag settlement and Sofa
Crossing has been razed and many homes and buildings destroyed.

According to witnesses the Israeli invasion was particularly heavy - the
Palestinian Center for Human Rights reported that at around 12 midnight,
more than 80 Israeli tanks, accompanied by military bulldozers and
helicopters, moved approximately 300 meters into Blocks L and J of the
Rafah refugee camp randomly shelling civilian residential homes and
buildings. As the Palestinians fled to the streets to avoid being crushed
to death in random indiscriminate shelling attacks, Israeli forces took up
positions within homes and on the roofs of tall buildings. There were also
reports that Israeli forces were firing gas grenades containing a black gas
believed to be adamatite - the use of which is forbidden according to
international law. Medical authorities urged people to avoid the gas at all
costs, as it not only causes difficulty in breathing but seriously affects
the nervous system.

Seven Palestinians were reported killed during the incursion. Among them
were three children, of 15, 12 and 8 years. Two of them died when Israeli
missiles blew their heads from their bodies. Israeli Occupying Forces also
reportedly opened fire at Palestinian medics attempting to access the
wounded, including an ambulance from the Abu Yousuf Najar Hospital in
Rafah. The head of the hospital said they were severely under prepared to
handle the number injured. Like most medical centers in the area the
hospital is severely under equipped, emergency medical supplies are lacking
because of the closures. The Abu Yousef Hospital is also very small and
cannot cope with the more serious casualties requiring major surgery and
intensive care; these cases are usually transferred to the European
hospital or Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis. Such transfers have now been
made incredibly difficult due to the extensive closures. The large Israeli
military presence in this area has cut off all travel between Khan Younis
and Rafah, and Israeli soldiers have continued to open fire at Palestinians
moving in the area. Many ambulance drivers are being forced to resort to
carrying critically ill Patients over rough unpaved back roads - this under
threat of Israeli army tank and machine gun fire against anyone trying to
circumvent checkpoints.

The total internal and external closure of the Gaza Strip, was imposed by
Israeli Occupying Forces from early morning on Sunday, 5 October. All main
internal roads were closed, segregating the Gaza Strip into four isolated
zones, in addition to all external access routes to Israel and Egypt. The
closure and occupation is ongoing and a further four Palestinians have been
injured today - one an elderly man narrowly escaped as Israeli bulldozers
began demolishing his house.

According to Israeli military sources, this operation is set to continue
for several days. Israel has also ordered the continuation of a wider
strict lockdown preventing all Palestinians from traveling within all
Palestinian territories.