Based on information collected by Al Mezan fieldworkers, the Israeli forces have destroyed two homes in the West Bank refugee camp of Askar and the village of Til, both in Nablus District yesterday, Friday 19 July 2002.
Palestinian sources said that these forces used explosives to destroy a three story-house, occupied by 26 people in Askar and a second home in Til.
Fourteen other homes were damaged by the explosions.
Al Mezan knew that the two houses are owned by Muhammad Ahmad Ajuri and Nasr ad-Din Asida, respectively.
  Israeli forces arrested numerous Palestinians, all relatives (who are themselves innocent of any charges), of persons who are wanted for military activity against Israeli settlers and army, or for suspicion of making explosives and whose homes were destroyed.
In Askar refugee camp, three persons were arrested: Muhammad Ahmad Ajuri, age 70, Kifah Ajuri, age 28, and Ahmad Ajuri, age 30.
Moreover, seven persons were arrested in the village of Til: Mustafa Asida, age 62, Abdul Nasir Asida, age 34, Nasrallah Asida, age31, Kadhim Asida, age 23, Asim Asida, age 21, Samih Asida, age 54, and Hazim Asida.
The Center knew that these persons are relatives of Nasr ad-Din Asida and Asim Asida, both known to be wanted by the Israeli forces.
In addition, seven others were arrested in the town of Nablus, they are: Muhammad Zeidan, age 60, Yaqub Zeidan, age 35, Jihad Zeidan, age 34, Usama Zeidan, age 24, Abdul Muti Zeidan, age 19, Zeidan Zeidan, age 16, and Dr.
Abdul Rahim al-Hanbali.
Israeli sources announced that these persons would be forcibly expelled to Gaza.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is gravely concerned at these collective punishments on innocent civilians, who did not take any part in illegal actions and are not charged with any crime.
Home demolitions, detention and deportations are punishments against innocents and violate Article (33) 4th Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Person in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, which prohibits the punishment of civilians for acts they did not carry out and all forms of collective punishment.
Moreover, the Center condemns the Israeli forces’ intention to internally exile detainees.
This Forced population movement constitutes a clear war crime according to Article (49) of the4th Geneva Convention.
Al Mezan calls upon the international community to intervene and stop the crime of forcible internal exile of Palestinian civilians, as a first step towards providing international protection for the civilian population of the OPTs.
The Center demands that the international community fulfils its obligations and bring to justice the Israelis who order and commit such crime.
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