The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have escalated their actions against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) by proceeding to an incursion of the town of Rafah and searched homes in the town of Deir Al Balah, in the Gaza Strip.
At approximately 10:10 pm on 10 September 2003, the IOF bombarded a security post in the Al Faraheen area in the village of Abassan, east of Khan Younis.
An hour later, they shelled the Batn As-Sameen area, west of Khan Younis.
Three people were wounded in these assaults.
Moreover, according to Al Mezan investigations, the IOF carried out a new incursion into the refugee camp of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, at 11.
30 pm on 10 September 2003.
Eyewitnesses reported that about six Israeli tanks and four bulldozers entered the Yebna Block in Rafah and destroyed 10 homes completely and 6 homes partially.
These homes were occupied by 36 families.
In a separate attack in the early hours of the morning, six tanks entered the Al Barazil neighborhood in Rafah and searched an additional house.
In the town of Deir Al Balah, in the middle of the Gaza Strip, Israeli tanks invaded the area near Kfar Daroum settlement and razed agricultural land.
They also searched ten homes, damaging numerous belongings and arresting seven people.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is gravely concerned by the escalation of Israeli incursion and house searches.
The Center condemns Israel’s collective punishment of the civilian population of the OPT, which violate the international law and human rights standards.
As such, the Center appeals to the international community to intervene and protect civilians in the OPT.
The international community should act and put an end to the human right violations carried out by Israel in the OPT.
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