The Israeli occupation forces have continued their systematic demolition of Palestinians’ homes and cultivated land.
At approximately 9:30 am Tuesday 21 May 2002, Israeli tanks and military bulldozers penetrated the area of al-Mughraqa, south of Gaza City.
They bombarded the area with heavy machineguns and tank fire before they bulldozed Fayiz Salim al-Kharti’s house.
Al-Kharti told Al Mezan that he was surprised when the Israeli forces surrounded his house and started the demolition without warning the family.
He said that he could hardly take his family outside, let alone save his posessions.
The demolition of homes and cultivated land continued throughout the day in the area.
At around 6 pm two houses were bulldozed.
The Center learned that the two homes were owned by Salim Hamdal Mutawi’ and Awwad al-Whidi.
The next day, Wednesday 22 May 2002, at dawn Israeli tanks and bulldozers invaded the area of Juhr al-Dik, southeast of Gaza City, and razed agricultural land.
The bulldozed land was owned by Mahir al-Rayis.
At approximately 9:30 am, the Israeli forces announced that the main road in the Gaza Strip would be closed indefinitely.
This is a significant development as that this road connects all Gaza Districts and is used by hundreds of thousands Palestinians daily.
A permanent checkpoint in the middle of the Gaza Strip already controls Palestinians’ movement, opening at various times every day and restricting Palestinians’ movement.
In addition, these forces have closed the Karni Passage, the only trade passage in Gaza, Wednesday 22 May 2002.
The Strip usually suffers from a lack of food supplies each time this passage closes.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is gravely concerned with the continued Israeli aggression against Palestinian civilians and their property, especially the demolition of homes and cultivated land.
The Center views such procedures as illegal collective punishment utilized against civilians in an occupied territory.
Hence, the Center calls upon the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the 4th Geneva Convention, to intervene and put an end to the Israeli violations of the Convention.
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