The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continued to escalate their aggression against Palestinian civilians and their property in the Gaza Strip.
Incursions, destruction of homes, killing and tight restrictions on movement were reported.
The IOF destroyed 35 homes, including 12 completely, on 29 April 2004 in a midnight incursion into the refugee camp of Khan Yunis.
In another incursion into the same camp two days later, 8-year-old Hussain Abu Akar was killed by the IOF and 11 others were injured.
It was reported that IOF were creating trenches between the settlement of Navi Dekalim and the adjacent refugee camp.
In the early morning hours of 1 May 2004, IOF completely closed off the area of Al Mwasi, while As-Syafa area was closed previously on 17 April; both located on the Gaza coastline near Israeli settlement compounds.
The two areas have been isolated from the Gaza Strip for since October 2000 and residents of these areas have been imposed severe restrictions on their movement by the IOF, including special permits.
On April 27, IOF allowed residents of As-Syafa to nominate four persons who were allowed out of the area to buy supplies and return.
Numerous other residents of As-Syafa were outside the area when it was announced closed and are still not allowed back.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights is highly concerned by Israel's continued policy of house demolition and its excessive use of force against civilians.
The Center is also disturbed by the continued, and escalation of, IOF's strict restrictions on civilian and goods movement and the isolation of entire communities.
These practices constitute grave breaches of the international humanitarian law, namely the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Times of War of 1949.
As such, Al Mezan calls upon the International Community to immediately intervene and take the necessary steps to cease such violations and bring the perpetrators to justice and reminds the international community of its legal and moral responsibilities towards the Palestinian population under Israel's occupation.
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