ARIJ Monthly Report on the Israeli Colonization Activities in the West Bank

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Volume 57, April 2003 Issue

Colonization Activities in the West Bank

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Jerusalem	Jenin	Tulkarm	Nablus	Qalqiliya
Hebron	Bethlehem	Gaza	Ramallah	Salfit

Gaza:

• The Municipality of Beit Lahiya estimates that 6000-7000 dunums of agricultural lands were confiscated at a favor of the Separation Wall in the city, whereas the total area of Beit Lahiya lands is 29000 dunums of which, 15 thousand dunums are under the municipality  Jurisdiction. Quds (April 2, 2003)
• Eight new caravans were added to Gosh Katif colony Northwest of Khan Yunis, thus increasing the Jewish population in the area and expanding its borders. Wafa (April 2, 2003)
•  Three Israeli bulldozers bombed a house in Al-Brazil neighborhood in Rafah city to the South of Gaza strip. Almost ten people were displaced by this bombing process. Wafa (April 2, 2003)
• Israeli bulldozers completely demolished five houses in Al- Brazil neighborhood; three houses were partially damaged as a result of this demolishing process. Wafa (April 3, 2003)
• A Report issued by the Ministry of Agriculture illustrated the total losses of Palestinian properties during the last month:

  • 127 Poultry
  •  213 Water wells
  • 307 farmer houses
  •  996 houses were partially damaged
  • 405 different Work- Shops. Quds (April 3, 2003)

• The Israeli troops closed the main road of Salah Ad Dein, which connects northern part of Gaza Strip with its southern one. Quds (April 3, 2003)
• More than 40 Israeli machines and bulldozers thrust into Rafah city under heavy barrage of gunfire causing serious damages to Palestinian properties and razing wide areas of lands in the city. Quds (April 3, 2003)
• The Israeli Occupation Forces thrust into Al-Brazil and Al-Salaam neighborhood on the borders between Egypt and Gaza, and completely demolished 5 houses and partially damaged another three. More than 20 houses were seriously damaged as a result of this massive operation. Quds (April 4, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers Staged into Tel Zo'roub district near the Egyptian-Palestinian borders in Gaza Strip, under heavy barrage of gunfire and demolished the house of Yahya Zo'roub turning it into a heap of rubble. Quds (April 7, 2003)
• The Israeli Bulldozers razed five dunums of agricultural lands cultivated with cucumber and Melon Southwest Rafah governorate and belong to Brikiah family. Quds (April 14, 2003)
• In a report issued by Gaza Middle governorate illustrated the total losses in properties since the beginning of Al Aqsa Intifada till this date caused by the Israeli violations in the governorate :

  • Agricultural sector losses: 19 Million Dollar
  • Total area of land razed: 550 dunums
  • Total area of land confiscated: 400 dunums
  •  Number of uprooted trees: 94545 tree
  • Number of houses demolished: 134 house
  •  Number of partially damaged houses: 920 house….Quds (April 16, 2003)

• The Israeli bulldozers razed wide areas of agricultural lands northwest ‘Absan city in Khan Yunis and cultivated with wheat. The lands belong to Abu Latifeh and Shahin families. Quds (April 17, 2003)
• Wide areas of agricultural lands cultivated with fruits were razed by the Israeli bulldozers and located to the east of Beit Hanun. Wafa (April 18, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers destroyed water well in Al-'Atatra district to the east of Rafah governorate, which belongs to Abu Salah family. Quds (April 18, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers staged into Al-Haker district in Deir Al-Balah under heavy barrage of gunfire causing sever damages to some houses in the district. Quds (April 18, 2003)
• Two families were evacuated from their houses by the Israeli Troops in Rafah preparing to demolish their houses. The houses belong to Raed Al- 'Atar and Muhammad Abu Shamaleh. Wafa (April 20, 2003)
• More than 50 Israeli bulldozers staged into Rafah under heavy barrage of gunfire and completely demolished six houses and causing sever damages to other ten houses in the same area. Quds (April 21, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers razed wide range of agricultural lands cultivated with Olive, Almond and Wheat crops located to the east of ‘Absan district in addition, the Israeli bulldozers razed other two dunums of lands cultivated with Onion and Wheat in the same area as well as 170 Olive tree were also uprooted. More than 30 dunums of lands are also threatened to be damaged when the Israelis destroyed the main Water Pipe-line that supplies the area with Water. The lands belong to Abu Daka, abu Labda and Al-Shami families. Wafa (April 22, 2003)
• The Israeli occupation Forces staged 500m into Al-Birkah district in Deir Al-Balah and demolished the house of Ahmad El-Qudwa. Wafa (April 23, 2003)
• Five houses were demolished by the Israeli bulldozers in Al-Mugraqa district South of Gaza city. The houses belong to Meqdada, Hasnat, Abu 'Amra, Al-'Aklok and Al-Nazli families. Wafa (April 23, 2003)
• The Israeli Occupation Forces backed with bulldozers staged into the East of Rafah city and razed a wide range of agricultural lands cultivated with Olive trees; Moreover, the Israeli bulldozers also destroyed a caravan near Sufa passage East of Rafah. Wafa (April 23, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers staged into East of Beit Hanun city under the cover of Israeli helicopters and completely demolished the house of Majed Wahdan. Wafa (April 23, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers staged 600m near Sufa passage in Rafah and razed the agricultural lands in the area, and also demolished the Custom residency. Quds (April 24, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers staged into Al-Mughraqa district South of Gaza city under heavy barrage of gunfire and razed five houses which belong to: Meqdad, Hasnat, Abu 'Amra, Al-'Aklouk and Al-Nazli families. On the other hand, the Israeli bulldozers stages 500m into Al-Birka district Southwest Deir Al-Balah city, and demolished the house of Ahmad Al-Qudweh. Quds (April 24, 2003)
• The Israeli Occupation Forces staged into Khaza'a district east of Khan Yunis governorate and razed 10 dunums of agricultural lands cultivated with wheat and barley which belong to Kdah family. Moreover the Israeli bulldozers razed more than 100 dunums of agricultural lands and uprooted more than 300 Olive tree. Quds (April 27, 2003)
• The Israeli Bulldozers destroyed more than 400 dunums of agricultural land cultivated with Almond; Olive and fruit trees located to the east of Beit Hanun and belong to Hammad, Al-Basuni, Al-Za'anin and Sa'dat families. On the other hand, the Israeli bulldozers razed a number of dunums cultivated with Wheat and Almond trees in Al-Sumairi district in Al-Qarara town. Quds (April 27, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers staged into Rafah city South of Gaza Strip and razed 4 dunums of agricultural land cultivated with Olive trees. Quds (April 29, 2003)

  Hebron: 

• The Israeli Forces bombed a 180m² house belongs to Omar Hamdan Abu Sneinah in Wadi Al- Haria South of the city after planting it with heavy explosives and turning it into a heap of rubble, displacing 8 people, and causing damages to the nearby houses. Quds (April 2, 2003)
• Settlers of Karmei Zur colony hindered the landlords and farmers from reaching their lands, preparing to confiscate them. The lands belong to Abu Yousef and are estimated by 50 dunums cultivated with Olive, vine and Almond trees. Quds (April 2, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers razed more than 20 dunums of lands located in Wad Al- Ghrus to the east of Kiryat Arba' colony built on Palestinian lands. The lands belong to Al- Qimeri, Al-Ja'bari and Jaber families. On the other hand, the IOF also fenced wide area of agricultural land in the region as a first step to confiscate the land. Quds (April 2, 2003). See Photo 1 & Photo 2

• The Israeli troops took over the 5-storey house of 'Abed Al-Karim Ibrahim Al-Razim to the east of Hebron District near Kiryat Arba' colony, and transferred it into military base after forcing its inhabitants to evacuate the house under the threat of weapons. On the other hand, the IOF razed thousands of dunums of agricultural lands near the mentioned colony and belong to: Da'na, Jaber and Al-Razim families preparing to join them  to the colony borders.  Quds (April 7, 2003)
• A total of 50 houses were demolished by the Israeli Forces in Hebron district during the last three months under the pretext of not having building permits and for security reasons. In addition to 1300 dunums of lands were razed by the IOF hundreds of Olive trees were uprooted. Quds (April 12, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers demolished a sheep farm for 'Aish 'Abed Allah Al- Razim in Hebron near Kiryat Arba' colony to build the Security Fence in the area. Quds (April 12, 2003)
• The Israeli Occupation Forces took over five dunums of agricultural land which were razed last week at favor of expanding the boundries of the illegal  Kiryat Arba' colony built on Palestinian lands, which belong to Da'na and Al-Razim families. Quds (April 14, 2003)
• The IOF bombed a two-storey house of Jamal Mahmmoud Musalam Al-Rjoub, a Palestinian prisoner from Kariseh neighborhood, West of Hebron, causing damages to the nearby houses. Quds (April 15, 2003)
• The Israeli Forces demolished a Five-storey house in 'Ein Sarah Street in Hebron, which belongs to 'Ala' Judeh Rebhi Al-Natsheh and caused damages to the nearby houses. Wafa (April 15, 2003)
• The Israeli Forces handed two families in Hebron military orders to demolish their houses and razed seven dunums of agricultural land near Kiryat Arba' colony which belong to Da'na and Al-Razim families. Alhayat (April 17, 2003)
• The Israeli forces handed Nu'man, Shaker and Fawzi Da'na military orders to demolish their houses for security reasons. The houses are located near Kiryta Arba' colony. Moreover the Israeli Troops confiscated 6 dunums of agricultural land near Kiryat Arba' colony, which also belong to Da'na Family    Wafa (April 19, 2003)
• Some Israeli settlers worked on 16 new housing units in Tel Al-Rumida area in Hebron, In addition, the Israeli bulldozers razed wide areas of agricultural land and demolished a number of houses to erect a new road that will link the four Israeli outposts in the area of  Kiryat Arba' colony. Quds (April 22, 2003)
• The IOF staged into the old city of Hebron and took over some houses transferring them into a military barracks. Quds (April 23, 2003). See Photo 3

 

• Since the beginning of Al Aqsa Intifada, a total of 1500 dunums were razed in Hebron specifically in the areas surrounding Kiryat Arba' colony. Quds (April 27, 2003)
• More than 70 Outposts were illegally built in the West Bank of which 34 were built during Sharon reign. Quds (April 28, 2003)
• In a report issued by Hebron Municipality, 175 demolished houses were demolished after one year from the Israeli invasion to the governorate, causing severe damages to Sewage and Water networks. Quds (April 29, 2003)

Bethlehem:

• The Israeli troops built a 2 meters length and 17m width Fence at the southern entrance of Al-Khadr village and forbade farmers from reaching their lands isolating the Palestinians lands for the sake of the Separation Wall. Wafa (April 1, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers demolished a 150m² house which belong to Rezik Suleiman Salah from Al- Khadr village near Bethlehem under the pretext of not having building permits and its closeness to the bypass road in the area. Wafa (April 3, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers razed nine dunums of agricultural land cultivated with Almond and Vine trees in Wadi Rahhal village Southwest Bethlehem city at favor of expanding Efrat colony in the District. Quds (April 10, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers razed four dunums of agricultural lands in Batin Al-Ma'si district South Al-Khadr village, which belong to Issa Mahmmoud Salah. Quds (April 15, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers razed 2.5 km road of Wad El Luban village to the East of Bethlehem city. Quds (April 16, 2003)
• The Israeli Occupation Forces took over a two-storey house in Nahhalin village South of Bethlehem city, and transferred it into military barrack, after forcing the inhabitants to evacuate it under the threat of weapons. The house belongs to Yousif Yasin Ghayadah. Moreover the Israeli bulldozers uprooted tens of Olive trees in Habla district located near the Betar Illit colony. Wafa (April 19, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers razed 98 dunums of agricultural lands in Al-Jab'a village west of Bethlehem and cultivated with Olive, Vine, Almond trees, Barley and Wheat. About 1220 trees were uprooted. The Israeli forces also handed a number of landlords military orders to confiscate their lands at favor of expanding Kfar 'Atzeon colony, the lands belong to: "Izat Abed Allah, Musa Muhammad Masha'leh, Nabil Ibrahim Masha'leh, Muhammad Hassan Al-Tusi, Ibrahim Ahmad Abu Sabha, Naji Masha'leh, Ahmad 'Ali Hamdan and Ibrahim Abed Al- Hamed Al-Tusi. Wafa (April 20, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers demolished a two-storey house of Martyr Mahmmoud Salah in Al-Khadr village South of Bethlehem turning it into a heap of ruble. Quds (April 30, 2003)

Ramallah:  

• The Israeli forces demolished a 3-story house, which belongs to Naser Abu Ihmad in Ramallah, causing 30 people to become homeless. Quds (April 1, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers confiscated one dunum of land in Qalandiya, to the north of Jerusalem city and started constructing a new military base with cement blocks under the pretext of protecting the Airport that was built in the area. Quds (April 9, 2003)
• The house of 'Abdullah Al-Barghuthi was bombed by the Israeli Forces after planting it with heavy explosives. Wafa (April 10, 2003)
• Matatyaho Mezrah, an Israeli Construction Company is planning to build a Commercial center, a graveyard and 10000 housing units on 300 dunums of land which belong to Palestinians and located near Mode'in Illit colony to the West of Ramallah city. Quds (April 21, 2003)
• The Israeli Forces bombed a number of caves around Qarawat Bani Zeid located Northwest Ramallah district, causing a state of panic and fear to the residents. Quds (April 30, 2003)

Tulkarm:

• The Israeli Bulldozers bombed a 3-story house in Tulkarm city which belongs to Mahmmud Abu Marmash. 12 people became homeless as a result of this violent bombing. Wafa (April 3, 2003)
• The Israeli Forces demolished five houses in Tulkarm city. Quds (April 5, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers started erecting a new trench of 3m width and 2m depth on Dahyat Shuikeh Al-Gharbiya lands, North of Tulkarm district and hindered the farmers from reaching their lands. Wafa (April 19, 2003)
• The Israeli Forces demolished four houses in Saida village, to the north of Tulkarm district, and forced the residents to evacuate the houses under the threat of weapons. The houses belong to: Jaser Rasmi Odeh, Raed Ahmad 'Agag, Riad Ahmad Abed Al-Rahman Abed Al-Ghani and Muhammad Mahmmoud Hamdan. Wafa (April 20, 2003)
• The Israeli Defense Minister Shaoul Mufaz decided to continue building the Separation Wall in the Northern areas of the West Bank so that it reaches Arial colony in Nablus and Alfei Menashe colony east of Qalqiliya. Quds (April 26, 2003)

  Jerusalem:

• The Israeli Forces demolished the houses of Nur adin Ad-dumairi and Sa'di Ghazaleh without pre-notification and under the pretext of not having building permits. The houses lie in Tel Al- Ful neighborhood in Beit Hanina and opposite to Pisgat Zeev colony in Jerusalem. Quds (April 3, 2003)
• The Israeli Occupation Forces demolished 17 houses in Az Za'ayyem, 'Anata, Sur Bahir, Qatanna and Dahiat Al- Salam villages in Jerusalem, under the pretext of not having building permits. The houses belong to: Ramadan Sa'id Dabash, Basim Da'ud Al- Shouiki, Muhammad Musa 'Amira, Ibrahim 'Amira, Rami Bekirat, Ahmad Muhammad Saleh, Ahmad Isma'il 'Atun, Ahmad 'Awad 'Atun, Ahmad Suleiman 'Atun, Muhammad Issa Abu Jum'ah and Salim Shawamreh. Furthermore, the Israeli Forces handed demolition orders to other residents in Sur Baher village to demolish their houses. Among the residents, the following were known: Ahmad Muhammad 'Atun, 'Aziz 'Atun, Na'im 'Afaneh and Radwan Muhammad Suleiman 'Atun. More than 200 houses are also threatened to be demolished in Deir Al-'Amud neighborhood, to the East of Sur Bahir. Quds (April 4, 2003)
• The Israeli Bulldozers demolished a two-storey house of Nidal 'Ali 'Atun in Sur Bahir village, under the pretext of not having building permits. Quds (April 6, 2003)
• In Al 'Isawiya town, Northeast Jerusalem city, the Israeli bulldozers demolished four houses without any pre-notification and under the pretext of not having building permits. The houses belong to: Ibrahim Musa Darwish, Muhammad Isma'il Mhassin and Ahmad Mussa. On the other hand the IOF demolished a number of buildings which belong to Ra'fat, Khalid, Ibrahim and 'Abed Al-Halem Dari for the same reason. Wafa (April 7, 2003)
• The Israeli Occupation forces demolished the house of Sa'id Radi Abu Sanad in Ras Al-Bustan area in Silwan village under the pretext of not having building permits. Wafa (April 9, 2003)
•  The Israeli Occupation Forces demolished more than 35 houses in Jerusalem governorate since the beginning of this year under the pretext of not having building permits. Quds (April 12, 2003)
• The Israeli Bulldozers razed 1000 dunums of agricultural land cultivated with Olive trees in 'Anata village to the North of Jerusalem to erect a new bypass road in the area. Quds (April 13, 2003)
• The Israeli Forces demolished the house of Zahir Al-Haj in Al-Shaghour village in Al- Galil without pre-notification. Quds (April 20, 2003)    
• The Israeli bulldozers razed lands between At Tur and Al-'Azba towns in Jerusalem for the sake of the Separation Wall which will connect Maale Adummim colony in the East with Tel Beiut in the South. Quds (April 22, 2003)
• A wide area of agricultural lands were razed by the Israeli bulldozers in Dahiyat Al-Aqbat to the North of Jerusalem city to continue building the Separation Wall . Quds (April 23, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers a wide area of agricultural land without pre notification to erect a new road in the area between Maale Adummim colony and Al-Za'im checkpoint. The lands belong to the residents of Al-'Azariya and Arab Al-Jahalin towns in Jerusalem.Quds (April 23, 2003)
• The Israeli bulldozers are razing more lands near Al-Nabi Ya'qub colony in Wadi 'Ayad, in the area between Dahiyat Al-Barid and Dahiyat Al-Aqbat in Ar-Ram town in order to connect the following Northern villages together: Qalandiya, Rafat, Jaba', Hizma and 'Anabta, at the same time, razing more lands from Al-Za'im, Jabal Al-Zitoun and Al-'Azarriya near Ma'ale Adummim colony to erect a new road that will connect the eastern part of the colony with the housing units in Tel Biyout to the South. Quds (April 24, 2003)
• The Israeli Supreme court issued an order to stop constructions in the Separation Wall in Al-'Azarriya east of Jerusalem since hundreds of dunums of agricultural lands are threatened to be confiscated in the region along with a number of houses. Quds (April 25, 2003)
• An Israeli company led by the Jewish neighborhood in East Jerusalem is planning to build a new parking, Commercial building, Hotels and Housing Units near the Walling Wall in Jerusalem. Almost 600 families are currently living in the neighborhood. Quds (April 26, 2003)
• Some Israeli colonists practiced violence against Palestinian houses in the UN housing units in Sheikh Jarah neighborhood in Jerusalem causing sever damages to the houses. The damages houses belong to Hanun and Al-Ghawi families. Quds (April 28, 2003)

Jenin: 

• The Israeli Occupation Forces notified 12 house owners and 64 Commercial stores to evacuate them immediately in Barta'a village to the northwest of Jenin, preparing them to be demolished. Quds (April 4, 2003)
• The Israeli soldiers staged into Al-shifa and Martyr Khalil Suliman hospitals in Jenin and caused a state of panic and fear to the patients. Quds (April 24, 2003)
• The Israeli Forces confiscated more than 1800 dunums of agricultural lands at favor of the Separation Wall in Jenin district in addition to 4500 Olive tree were uprooted during the razing process. Moreover, the Separation Wall will isolate 20,000 Olive trees and 12,000 dunums of agricultural lands inside it. Quds (April 26, 2003)
•  The Israeli Occupation Forces isolated Barta'a Al-Sharqiya town in Jenin district from the surrounding villages and forbade the residents from reaching their work places and he patients from reaching hospitals. Quds (April 26, 2003)
• The Israeli Troops staged into Jaba' village in Jenin district under heavy barrage of gunfire and caused severe damages to Palestinian houses and properties. Quds (April 30, 2003)

 Nablus:

• The Israeli troops staged into Salim village to the East of Nablus district and burned two houses for 'Abed Al-Karem Karaki and Nasim Helmi Karaki. Wafa (April 7, 2003)
• The Israeli Bulldozers demolished a two-storey house of Martyr 'abed Al-Salam Sadiq Mir'i in Beit Imrin village in Nablus District, causing severe damages to the nearby houses. Quds (April 9, 2003)
• The IOF bombed 3 houses in Beit Furik city in Nablus district, after forcing the inhabitants to evacuate the houses under the threat of weapons. The houses belong to Martyrs Zaid Isma'il Henhi (two-storey house) and Mustafa Mazen Mustafa Henhi. Wafa (April 22, 2003)

   Qalqiliya:

• The IO bulldozers demolished the house of Martyr Rafiq Samih Hamad in Qalqiliya city turning it to a heap of ruble and causing severe damages to the nearby houses. Quds (April 29, 2003)

Salfit: 

• The Israeli authorities started building a new neighborhood in Shelo colony Southeast Salfit city. Quds (April 23, 2003)
• Israel is planning to link Arial, Qana, Rafafa and Yaqir colonies built on the Palestinian lands to the green line borders under the pretext of the Separation Wall process, and this will isolate number of villages of Salfit such as Mesha, Al-Zawiya, Deir Istiya and Bidya. Quds (April 29, 2003)

Governorate	Land Confiscated	Land Threatened	Trees Uprooted	Houses Demolished	Houses Threatned to be demolished
Gaza	521	30	11550	31	2
Hebron	38	50	0	8	4
Bethlehem	111	0	1602.5	3	0
Ramallah	1	300	0	4	0
Tulkarem	0	0	0	12	0
Jerusalem	1000	0	20000	30	204
Jenin	1800	0	4500	0	12
Nablus	0	0	0	5	0
Qalqilyia	0	0	0	1	0
Total	3471	380	37652.5	94	222

The Monthly overview report gives a list of the Israeli Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory which are based on reports provided by field workers and\or by one or more of the following news sources: Al-Ayyam daily newspaper, Al-Quds daily newspaper, Palestinian National Information Center, Haaretz Daily Newspaper, The Jerusalem Post - English-language daily newspaper, International Press Center, Palestine News Agency-Wafa, Ma'an News Agency, and Yediot Achronot. 

The text is not quoted directly from the sources but is edited for size and clarity.

 

The Monthly report does not necessarily reflects ARIJ's opinion