3 Palestinian Civilians Killed by IOF in the West Bank

In the past three days, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have killed 3 Palestinians in the West Bank. Two of the victims were extra-judicially executed by IOF in Bethlehem, whereas the third one was killed when IOF opened fire at a civilian car that was attempting to bypass Hawara checkpoint, south of Nablus.

According to investigation conducted by PCHR, at approximately 04:10 on Friday, 18 August 2006, IOF, supported by a helicopter, moved into al-'Obaidiya village, east of Bethlehem, and imposed a curfew. They besieged a field on al-Hadadiya Mount, southeast of the village. They fired live bullets and flash bombs. IOF then opened fire and the helicopter fired a missile at two Palestinian civilians who were on the field. The two Palestinians were instantly killed:

1. Khaled Mohammed 'Ata Shanita, 25; and
2. 'Oqla Suleiman Mohammed Shanaita, 33.

The latter's brother, 42-year-old Ahmed Suleiman Shanaita, told PCHR that the two victims were killed when they were nearly 600 meters away from their houses. They were hit by dozens of live bullets, and fire broke out in the field. IOF claimed that the two victims were wanted for being members of the al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad. The two victims were released from Israeli jails 5 months ago.

...

PCHR is deeply concerned over such escalation by IOF, and:

1. Condemns these and other war crimes committed by IOF in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), in disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians.
2. Reiterates condemnation for extra-judicial executions committed by IOF against Palestinians, and asserts that such policy serves to increase tension in the region and threatens the lives of Palestinian civilians.
3. Calls upon the international community to immediately intervene to stop such crimes, and reiterates its call for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to immediately intervene to fulfill their obligations to ensure protection for Palestinian civilians in the OPT).

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