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26/05/2004
2,000 homeless after IDF's Rafah raids, UN claims
Israel's weeklong military raid into the Gaza Strip town of Rafah has left more than 2,000 Palestinians homeless, bringing to nearly 3,500 the total of those whose residences were demolished or rendered uninhabitable since the beginning of the month, according to a UN assessment released today.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said it had now completed its evaluation of the raid from May 18 to May 24, in which 167 buildings housing 379 families, or 2,066 people, were destroyed or damaged beyond repair in the Tel Sultan, Brazil and Salam quarters of Rafah.
The latest destruction comes on top of what had already been one of the worst months in the Palestinian uprising. Since May 1, 277 buildings housing 641 families, or 3,451 people, have been demolished in Rafah, the Agency said. Since the uprising started in September 2000, 1,476 buildings have been demolished in Rafah, affecting 14,666 people.
Last week, the Security Council adopted a resolution voicing "grave concern" over the humanitarian situation of Palestinians made homeless and calling for the provision of emergency assistance. It reminded Israel that it must respect international humanitarian law, including its obligation not to destroy homes.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have said that the operation in the Rafah area was necessary as terrorist organizations may be trying to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip.
According to the IDF, approximately 56 buildings sustained damages during the operation. These buildings have been used by terrorists to house rocket launch pads and terrorist snipers.
Brigadier General Shmuel Zakai said: "No building was damaged without cause; those damaged were the result of pure operational requirements. The operation is ongoing, and forces are still inside Rafah, involved in a specific tunnel search activity at the southern Shar Kishata neighborhood. Rafah still harbors many tunnels; the IDF is forced to operate at the Philadelphy Line all year round."
The IDF have claimed to have killed 40 armed terrorists, detained individuals in connection with hostile terrorist attacks, and uncovered three tunnels.
About 12 civilians were wounded during the operation, the IDF said.
(gmcg)
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said it had now completed its evaluation of the raid from May 18 to May 24, in which 167 buildings housing 379 families, or 2,066 people, were destroyed or damaged beyond repair in the Tel Sultan, Brazil and Salam quarters of Rafah.
The latest destruction comes on top of what had already been one of the worst months in the Palestinian uprising. Since May 1, 277 buildings housing 641 families, or 3,451 people, have been demolished in Rafah, the Agency said. Since the uprising started in September 2000, 1,476 buildings have been demolished in Rafah, affecting 14,666 people.
Last week, the Security Council adopted a resolution voicing "grave concern" over the humanitarian situation of Palestinians made homeless and calling for the provision of emergency assistance. It reminded Israel that it must respect international humanitarian law, including its obligation not to destroy homes.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have said that the operation in the Rafah area was necessary as terrorist organizations may be trying to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip.
According to the IDF, approximately 56 buildings sustained damages during the operation. These buildings have been used by terrorists to house rocket launch pads and terrorist snipers.
Brigadier General Shmuel Zakai said: "No building was damaged without cause; those damaged were the result of pure operational requirements. The operation is ongoing, and forces are still inside Rafah, involved in a specific tunnel search activity at the southern Shar Kishata neighborhood. Rafah still harbors many tunnels; the IDF is forced to operate at the Philadelphy Line all year round."
The IDF have claimed to have killed 40 armed terrorists, detained individuals in connection with hostile terrorist attacks, and uncovered three tunnels.
About 12 civilians were wounded during the operation, the IDF said.
(gmcg)
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18 May 2004
Israeli military steps up operations in Gaza Strip
At least 13 Palestinians have been killed during an anti-terror operation by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) which saw military incursions into the Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza Strip last night. According to reports emerging from the area, Israeli tanks and bulldozers moved into the camp in an attempt to remove "terrorist infrastructure".
Israeli military steps up operations in Gaza Strip
At least 13 Palestinians have been killed during an anti-terror operation by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) which saw military incursions into the Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza Strip last night. According to reports emerging from the area, Israeli tanks and bulldozers moved into the camp in an attempt to remove "terrorist infrastructure".
18 November 2004
Israel apologises after IDF kills three Egyptian policemen
The Israeli government has apologised after its troops killed three Egyptian policemen near the border at Rafah. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have apologised for the incident, claiming the Egyptians were wrongly identified as a terrorist cell attempting to slip into the Gaza Strip.
Israel apologises after IDF kills three Egyptian policemen
The Israeli government has apologised after its troops killed three Egyptian policemen near the border at Rafah. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have apologised for the incident, claiming the Egyptians were wrongly identified as a terrorist cell attempting to slip into the Gaza Strip.
14 October 2003
Israeli incursion leaves hundreds of Palestinians homeless: UN
The Israeli demolition of refugee shelters in Rafah camp on the southern Gaza Strip last week has left 1,240 people homeless, UN relief workers have said.
Israeli incursion leaves hundreds of Palestinians homeless: UN
The Israeli demolition of refugee shelters in Rafah camp on the southern Gaza Strip last week has left 1,240 people homeless, UN relief workers have said.
20 May 2004
Israel condemned over Gaza operations
The UN secretary general and the British Foreign Secretary joined the chorus of international condemnation at the conduct of Israeli Defence Force (IDF) operations within the Gaza Strip.
Israel condemned over Gaza operations
The UN secretary general and the British Foreign Secretary joined the chorus of international condemnation at the conduct of Israeli Defence Force (IDF) operations within the Gaza Strip.
12 October 2010
Children Safeguarded In Major Operation
Twenty eight children have been safeguarded as part of a major operation carried out by the Metropolitan Police in east London this morning. The operation involved potential victims of a Romanian-based Roma gang of child traffickers.
Children Safeguarded In Major Operation
Twenty eight children have been safeguarded as part of a major operation carried out by the Metropolitan Police in east London this morning. The operation involved potential victims of a Romanian-based Roma gang of child traffickers.
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