*****************
HEAR PALESTINE
*****************

Monday, 11 March 2002

Summary of Events, March 11, 2002:

Israeli closures, attacks and siege of Palestinian areas continued today as
Sharon declared his willingness to negotiate under fire. A total of five
Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks throughout the occupied
territorries. Qalqilya and Dheishe and Al Azza refugee camps came under
attack this morning by Israeli tank and air units. Two Palestinians were
killed in Qalqilya and at least 600 residents of Dheishe and Al Azza were
arrested by Israeli soldiers. Attacks continued in Hebron, where Israeli
forces fired on civilians attempting to access by-pass roads, killing one
and injuring several others. Israeli forces invaded Toubas this morning,
March 11. A bomb was found near a Bethlehem school, while total closure
continued in Tulkarem, Nablus and Salfeet.

Wide scale attacks continued in Gaza areas with demolition and destruction
of both residential and security installations; a shepherd and another
civilian were killed by Israeli soldiers. al-Maghazi, al-Breij and Deir
Balah refugee camps were invaded this morning, several buildings were
targetted and destroyed.

For more details on these events see below:

******************
Israeli State Terrorism
******************

5 Palestinians Killed
Atif al-Bayari (45 years old), Qalqilya
Youssif al-Aqra' al-Barouq (25 years old), Qalqilya
Nabil al-Masar'I (25 years old), Gaza Strip
Yahya Abu Sa'id (22 years old), Gaza Strip
Ayman Mhanna (18 years old), Hebron

Military Attacks
*Five Palestinians Killed and Others Wounded in Ongoing Israeli Military
Attacks
*Israeli Occupation Forces Wage Attack on Toubas
*Bomb Discovered Near Bethlehem School

Demolition Activities
*Israeli Occupation Bulldozers Demolish Large Areas of Land in al-Khader

Acts of Collective Punishment
*Military Reinforcements and Tight Military Closures

*******
Features
*******

*Worried Parents Fear for their Children's Lives
*Balata Refugee Camp Residents Endure Another "Nakba"

************************************************************************
******************
Israeli State Terrorism
******************

Military Attacks
-------------------

*Five Palestinians Killed and Others Wounded in Ongoing Israeli Military
Attacks*

Five Palestinians were killed and at least 10 others were wounded, some
critically, in ongoing Israeli military attacks on Palestinian towns and
refugee camps in Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Gaza and Hebron.

Occupation forces have also conducted collective arrests in Qalqilya and
Bethlehem since dawn hours today.

The Palestinian Detainee Center reported today that 2000 Palestinians have
been arrested in the past three days from various areas in Palestine.

Qalqiya
---------

Dozens of Israeli tanks and helicopters at invaded the city of Qalqilya
after midnight this morning, March 11, from all sides. Palestinian security
officers and civilians attempted to block the way of the invading forces.
Two Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded as a result:

Atif al-Bayari Abdel Al, 45 years old (security officer)
Youssif al-Aqra' al-Barouq, 25 years old

At least four others were wounded, including al-Barouq's brother, who is
reportedly in critical condition.

Occupation forces also cut off the electricity and water supply to the city.
Several buildings were occupied and a curfew was imposed on the inhabitants
of the city.

Tanks demolished homes, while helicopters shelled the Force 17 headquarters
in the city, destroying it completely. Three Palestinian security personnel
were wounded in the attack.

Occupation forces also raided the UNRWA hospital and closed all roads
leading to it to prevent the wounded from reaching the hospital.

Occupation forces also destroyed the PFLP office and the Preventive Security
headquarters with tank shells. Israeli forces occupied the Ministry of
Interior and converted it into a sniper's nest.

At 12:30am, March 11, Israeli occupation forces began a wide-scale campaign
of house-to-house raids and arrests, in which over 300 civilians were
arrested and placed in al-Sharqa School courtyard, west of the city.

The residents reported that ambulances and medical teams are unable to
rescue the wounded due to the intensity of military attacks that continued
throughout the early morning.

Dheishe and al-Azza Refugee Camps
---------------------------------------------

Israeli occupation forces tightened their siege of the Dheishe, Ayda and
al-Azza refugee camps beginning at 3:00 am this morning, March 11.
Electricity and water continue to be blocked from the refugee camps for the
fourth day running.

Bulldozers, under the protection of tanks, demolished buildings and areas
close to entrances to the refugee camps to make way for Israeli tanks.

Israeli occupation tank units shelled and destroyed several homes, including
the home of Zakariya Faraj, who was killed by occupation forces and Yahya Da
'amsa in Dheishe refugee camp.

Around 3:00 am, this morning, March 11, Israeli occupation military forces
imposed a curfew on Dheishe refugee camp and began a campaign of collective
arrests of people aged 14 to 60. Over 600 people have been arrested since
this morning, many of them children. The arrested were placed in the
courtyards of the UNRWA schools and were forced to take their clothes off
while being severely beaten and humiliated.

Witnesses reported that Israeli troops are conducting large-scale acts of
terrorism with little regard for the safety of camp residents, including
children and the elderly. Food and medicine continue to be scarce after the
fourth day of Israeli blockades.

The residents called on the international community and human rights
organization to intervene immediately to put an end to Israeli brutality.

Medical sources reported that occupation forces prevented ambulances from
reaching the wounded as well as prevented the residents access to medical
centers and hospitals.

Dheishe refugee camp was shelled last night from air and land.

Gaza Strip
------------

Nabil al-Masar'i, 25 years old, was shot repeatedly and killed by Israeli
forces near 'Netsarim', an illegal Israeli settlement established on land
confiscated from Palestinians south of Gaza City.

Yahya Abu Sa'id, 22 years old, a shepherd was shot dead by occupation forces
while herding his flock east of al-Maghazi refugee camp.

Twelve Israeli tanks invaded al-Maghazi and al-Breij refugee camps early
this morning, March 11,  under intense cover fire.

At 7:30 am, Israeli occupation tanks invaded the security headquarters east
of al-Maghazi refugee camp, while bulldozers demolished large areas of olive
groves near al-Breij refugee camp. Police and security centers were
demolished in the area as well as several homes.

At the same time, the Israeli occupation army continues wide-scale attacks
on Beit Hanoun, Khan Younis, al-Soudaniya, Jabalya and Rafah.

A police station in al-Soudaniya area was struck with two air-launched
missiles which destroyed it completely.

Over eight tanks and armoured vehicles supported by helicopters advanced
through Tel al-Sultan roadblock to al-Nasser reaching Jabalya refugee camp
by noon this morning, March 11. Destruction and search activities have been
carried. A curfew was imposed on the residents and a number of homes were
occupied.

Military jets also shelled electrical generators, a police station and
Preventive Security headquarters in Jabalya refugee camp, destroying the
buildings completely.

Occupation armored units advanced to the north east of al-Shaja'iya under
shelling.
Occupation tanks also advanced towards Beit Hanoun, north Gaza, Khaza'a and
Abasan towards west Khan Younis under continuous shelling and attack.

Deir al-Balah was also invaded from its southwestern side. A three-story
home was occupied and converted into a military base. A number of homes were
bulldozed in the area.

Hebron
---------

Ayman Mhanna, 18 years old, was killed and three others were wounded when an
occupation tank attacked civilian cars shelled and fired on civilian cars
attempting to by pass the militart closure at Karma Village junction, south
of Hebron.

Israeli forces delayed ambulances attempting to rescue the wounded. One of
the wounded, Khaled al-Jabarin, 44 years old, from al-Thahiriya is
reportedly in critical condition.

Many witnesses said that they felt lucky to be alive as the Israeli
occupation forces shot to kill with no regard for casualties. If not for
quick action on the part of drivers, a massacre would have resulted from
today's attack.

The tight military closure continued to be imposed on Hebron area.

Occupation forces fired at the residential areas of Ras al-Jora, Beir
al-Hajar and al-Karama suburb. The military attacks that caused severe
material damage went on throughout the night. No causalities were reported.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------

*Occupation Forces Wage Attack on Toubas*

Israeli tank units attacked Toubas this morning, firing at homes, while
preventing ambulances from entering the area to rescue the wounded.

Tayaseer Village in Toubas, Jenin, was raided by six tanks and armoured
vehicles under intense and random fire. Two children, 12 years of age, were
wounded in the attack.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------

*Bomb Discovered Near Bethlehem School*

A bomb was discovered by teachers this morning in front of the gate of al-Ta
'amira School in Za'tara town, southeast Bethlehem. Had it not been for the
alertness of teachers and students, a catastrophe would have taken place at
a time when students were heading to their school in the morning.

The village is under Israeli security control (Area 'B').

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------

Demolition Activities
--------------------------

*Occupation Bulldozers Demolish Vast Areas of Land in al-Khader*

Israeli occupation bulldozers began carrying out the second phase of
demolition activities in al-Khader Village, Bethlehem, this morning, March
11.

Large areas of agricultural lands were demolished.

Israeli occupation soldiers took position on rooftops overlooking
residential areas.

Occupation bulldozers opened a "military access road"on Wadi Rahal road,
leading to the Israeli military base established in the area. Israeli forces
expropriated 20 dunums (1dunum=1000m2) of Palestinian land to build the
road.

Residents report that the forces are enlarging a current road used by
villagers, demolishing agricultural land to increase its width to a half
kilometer for military use.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------

Acts of Collective Punishment
-------------------------------------

*Military Reinforcements and Tight Military Closures*

Nablus

Israeli occupation forces closed all roads leading to the northern and
central parts of the Jordan Valley this morning.

Tanks continue to be based at the entrance of Tayaseer Village, which was
raided this morning, on Touba-Tayaseer road.

Witnesses reported that movement in the area is practically impossible.

A demonstration by medical organizations was held in Nablus today in protest
against Israeli military attacks on ambulance and emergency medical crews.

Tulkarem

Israeli occupation forces continue to besiege Shweikeh Suburb, north of
Tulkarem, with tanks for the second consecutive day. In addition, occupation
forces attacked civilians at various junctions in the city to prevent
movement.

Homes around Shweikeh were raided and several residents were arrested.

Salfeet

Occupation forces arrested civilians attempting to move on roads today,
March 11. A tight military closure continues to be imposed on Salfeet,
preventing even humanitarian assistance from being provided to the village
residents.

Ramallah

Ten tanks were seen heading towards the southern entrance of Ramallah this
evening, March 11, as military reinforcements at the entrances of al-Bireh
and Ramallah.

************************************************************************
*******
Features
*******

*Worried Parents Fear for their Children's Lives*

al-Barid residens, like most parents are worried about their children. But
unlike other parents in other parts of the world, who may worry when their
children come home late from school, the parents of al-Barid must worry
about their children never returning from school.  Two incidents have
recently sewn panic in the hearts of the community. Yesterday, Israeli
forces shot dead an 11 year old boy they claimed was carrying a bag of
explosives. The Israelis did not allow ambulances near the area. In a
separate incident in the same area, Israeli occupation forces recently shot
and killed another Palestinian youth at close range, after stripping and
handcuffing him. Israeli soldiers claimed that the youth was wearing a belt
of explosives, though photographs taken by a French photojournalist on the
scene show no such belt.

The road to school is paved with risk--military roadblocks make it necessary
for children to walk by armed Israeli soldiers on their way to school.
Community parents, whose children attend schools in East Jerusalem, Beit
Hanina and Shu'fat, held a meeting today to discuss ways of ensuring their
children's safety, following yesterday's shooting.

One area resident, Imad Idris, said that the danger has forced him to walk
his son to school everyday, nearly an hour's journey on foot,  in order to
make sure he arrives safely. The extra precaution is making him late for
work, but he insisted that there was no other option-- the life of his child
is the most important consideration.

Khawla Maheisin, a mother of two, said that her two children are scared of
walking to school now. They are afraid that soldiers at the roadblocks will
shoot them for carrying bookbags. The journey to school is already long and
arduous--in order to maintain permanent residency status in Jerusalem,
Maheisin, like many other Palestinians, must send her children to school
within the Israeli municipality borders. The Israeli government demands
constant proof of residency from Palestinian Jerusalemites or they will lose
their right not just to live in Jerusalem, but to ever enter the city limits
again.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------

*Balata Refugee Camp Residents Refugees Again

Um Hassan Mustapha from Balata refugee camp sat under a tent recalling
similar scenes of Israeli devasation from over 50 years ago. Time has passed
since this elderly woman was a young girl fleeing Israeli soldiers with her
family, but the vulnerability caused by her continuing refugee status has
remained. Holding her grandchildren, she told of how Israeli occupation
soldiers destroyed her home in Balata refugee camp this week.

Balata, one of the largest UNRWA camps in the West Bank, had become Um
Hassan's home when, at seven, her family was forced from their village near
al-Sheikh Mounis, Jaffa. She was barefoot, she remembers. Her family was
unable to pack much in the way of clothes; they left their homes with what
they wore on their backs 53 years ago  and have never been able to return.
When Israeli soldiers invaded Balata refugee camp this week, Um  Hassan
became a refugee for the second time in her life.

On the first day of the invasion their home in Balata refugee camp was
shelled by tank units and destroyed. Israeli occupation soldiers ransacked
what was left of her belongings.

Her family has set up a tent next to those of several other families from
the camp who were also dispossessed by Israeli soldiers. Um Hassan told the
story of residents in Balata refugee camp leaving their homes with their
hands over their heads, barefoot, with Israeli guns trained on their backs.
Protecting her children and grandchildren became her main focus.

"We have lost everything," she said weeping and holding her 6 month old
grandchild tightly to her chest, "for the second time".

Close by, in another tent, 70-year old Jum'a Hassan sat on a mattress that
he borrowed from one of the neighbours after his home was demolished. "We
have nothing left except this tent, which it seems we are destined to live
in again as refugees, this time from a refugee camp."

************************************************************************
*******************
Solidarity and Appeals
*******************


*Real Danger Threaten Lives of Deir Ibzigh Villages Due to Imposed Closure*

The residents of Deir Ibzigh, west of Ramallah, sent our an urgent appeal
for help today from behind a strangling closure and an undeclared curfew
amidst Israeli military attacks for the 24th day running.

The residents stressed that they are in urgent need for milk, nutrition and
medicine and that their life is in danger due to scarcity of basic
necessities and occupation measures.

Over 1700 people live in the village, where life has become a nightmare.
Occupation forces cut off the water from the village and prevent even those
in need for medical attention from reaching hospitals.


*Representatives of the International Popular Campaign for the protection of
the Palestinian people submitted an appeal to the International Red Cross in
Jerusalem expressing grave concern at the massacres in which innocent
Palestinian civilians in refugee camps and throughout the Palestinian
occupied territories are being subjected to.

*A Popular meeting (including a number of Cypriot parties) expressing
solidarity with the Palestinian people in Nicosia, Cyprus, condemned Israeli
massacres against the Palestinian people.

Indonesia strongly condemns the continuous massacre committed by Israel
against the Palestinian people.