Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continued their invasion and siege of the Al Nakhla (Brazil) Neighborhood in Rafah that began on Wednesday October 15, 2003.
Eyewitnesses reported that about 60 Israeli army vehicles, supported by helicopters, rolled into the neighborhood imposing a curfew and terrifying local residents.
They destroyed whole sections of the neighborhood streets, and cut electricity and phone lines.
Three days after the sudden siege began, civilians complained of shortages in food and medical supplies.
In his affidavit Abdul Kareem Abu Taha said that five families—a total of 45 people—took refuge in his home.
They were nevertheless forced to find other shelter once food and medical supplies ran out.
According to the Palestinian liaison officer from the Ministry of Health in Rafah, Israeli forces prohibited all ambulance traffic in the area.
On the evening of Friday 17 October, UNRWA officials attempted to supply drinking water to those under siege.
Although they had coordinated their efforts with the IOF, Israeli soldiers fired on the truck carrying the water.
At approximately 3:30 am on Saturday 18 October, the IOF shot and wounded Husam Umar Al Mghaiar.
When his neighbor Jamal Al Ajrami tried to get him into his car to take him to hospital, soldiers fired on Al Ajrami as well.
IOF soldiers also shot at Al Ajrami’s wife, Widad, and his two brothers as they rushed to assist the two men.
Live bullets fired at different parts of their bodies wounded all of them.
The IOF prevented any access to the wounded persons forcing them to crawl to a safe place where they could finally be taken to hospital.
Two of the victims, Husam Al Mughiar and Widad Al Ajrami, later died of their wounds.
That same night, Occupation soldiers killed Tariq Abu Al Haseen and wounded ten others.
In a separate incident, they opened fire on an ambulance that had received permission to enter the area and transport the wounded.
The ambulance crew escaped but was unable to offer any assistance to those in need.
The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns Israel’s crimes against Palestinian civilians and calls upon the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the 4th Geneva Convention, to intervene to end these appalling crimes.
END