July 28, 2004

The IDF continues bulldozing operations in Bayt Hanun, also firing on residential areas, partially demolishing a Palestinian home. During the day, the IDF also raids the Shaykh Ajlin neighborhood of Gaza City, occupying 1 Palestinian home as an observation post, demolishing a 4-story commercial building, bulldozing 100 dunams of land; bulldozes a Palestinian home, a bird farm, 12 dunams of land in Rafah; demolishes a Palestinian home in Bayt Laqia; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding a staff member inside a local hospital with several live bullets; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Arub r.c., Bayt Laqia, Jenin, Tubas. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops, military vehicles, helicopters into Rafah, shelling residential areas, blowing up 3 Palestinian homes; occupies a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah. Palestinians report that the IDF is currently issuing permits for up to 2,800 Palestinians/day to enter Israel through Erez, but that only around 1,500 qualified Palestinians/day are able to reach the crossing because of other IDF restrictions on Palestinian travel. Palestinians hold rallies across Gaza in solidarity with Bayt Hanun residents, denounce PA inaction to halt the IDF siege that began on 6/28; protesters, armed AMB mbrs. block the Erez Crossing to prevent PA Social Affairs M Intisar al-Wazir, Education M Na‘im Abu al-Hummus fr. entering Gaza fr. the West Bank to take part in the rallies. Arafat accepts the resignation of PA coastal police chief Juma‘ Ghali, who earlier resigned to protest Musa Arafat’s appointment. (PCHR 7/29; PR 8/4; PCHR 8/5; MEI 7/23)