Reports: Live Rounds Fired at Unarmed Civilians at Deir Qaddis Housing Demolition

Thursday April 01, 2004 00:00 by IMEMC & Agencies

bullets at Palestinians and Israeli and international activists

IMEMC Jerusalem Correspondent, April 1, 2004 Israeli soldiers reportedly shot live rounds and rubber-coated bullets at Palestinians and Israeli and international activists trying to prevent a housing demolition in Kharbatha near Ramallah, Thursday. The army demolished the home of a village leader and member of Fatah, Aziz Hassan Wahid, early Thursday and were trying to destroy the home of Mr Wahid’s brother, Muhammed, when five Israeli activists occupied the roof. Residents said the army gave no official warning to the family, who could only take a minimal amount of their possessions before one bulldozer and two backhoes destroyed the house. Muhammad Wahid is reportedly a member of the militant group Hamas and has been held in an Israel prison for the past two-and-a-half years. Aziz Wahid’s family wept outside their home while it was was demolished. Mr Wahid’s brother, Muhammad Erman Wahid’s home was also scheduled for demolition, but international and Israeli activists took position on top of the house, preventing the military from demolishing it. A spokesperson from the Israeli Civil Administration said both houses “had been built without the proper permits� and was considered an “illegal construction�. A warrant was reportedly issued, the spokesperson said, and Mr Wahid “had the right to appeal after the process had gone through�. The army pulled out of the village early afternoon, but returned in greater numbers on hour later, firing live rounds, rubber-coated bullets, tear gas and stun grenades into the crowd. An IDF spokesperson said the demolition concerned the Civil Administration and was not an issue of security. At least twenty Israeli soldiers blocked off access to the home, preventing media from photographing the demolition. Kharbatha has been the site of major clashes between anti-barrier protestors and Israeli forces. The Supreme Court ruled the military could resume construction on the barrier in certain areas around Kharbatha from 2pm Sunday, until the courts reconvene after the Passover holiday.

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