On September 28, 2003, the Al Aqsa Intifada, which commenced after the visit of Ariel Sharon (then leader of the Israeli opposition) to the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, enters its fourth year.
Clashes initially started due to feelings of disappointment after the collapse of the Camp David peace negotiations, due to the Israeli refusal to grant the Palestinian people their legitimate rights of self-determination and to establish their own sovereign state, as recognized by the international community.
During three years, the international community endeavored to develop solutions which lacked the minimum protection of Palestinians human rights.
Meanwhile, Israel continued its policy of collective punishment and its use of excessive force in the OPT, in a grave breach to the Fourth Geneva Convention and the international human rights law.
This period was defined by a significant increase of extra-judicial assassinations and the targeting of homes of political figures by Israeli air jets.
Additionally, Israeli threats to banish President Yasser Arafat reached a peak as the Israeli Government took an official cabinet decision to expel, or even kill, him.
This report is a product of the Al Mezan's monitoring and documentation process of Israel's violations to human rights in the Gaza Strip.
The information included herein is based on direct collection of data and affidavits in the field that are available at the center's fieldwork unit.
The documentation includes information on the excessive use of force during incursions, extra-judicial assassinations, the restrictions on movement, the treatment of prisoners and the targeting civil objects by the occupation forces.