http://www.williambowles.info/isrl-pal/gaza_massacre.html 26/10/04 Israel Continues the Massacre in Gaza At Least Seventeen Killed by Israeli Army in Khan Younis The Palestine Monitor A PNGO Information Clearinghouse UPDATE www.palestinemonitor.org/new_web/October_update_archive.htm#younis Israeli Occupation Forces Attack Al-Nasser Hospital Tuesday, October 26, 2004 The death toll due to the Israeli incursion into Khan Younis now stands at 17, including an 11-year-old child. At least 80 have been injured, and many remain in serious condition. During the incursion, which has lasted two days so far, Israeli forces have shelled civilian neighborhoods and occupied southern areas of the Nasser Hospital grounds and several houses nearby. Israeli forces shelled and fired on the hospital, damaging the building and destroying supplies and equipment. Israeli occupation soldiers also shot and injured a hospital janitor named Mohammad Sufiyan Ahmad as he worked. Israeli forces destroyed 23 homes and several dunums of agricultural land before they redeployed near a Khan Younis cemetery. An Israeli helicopter fired on and killed one Palestinian and injured four others during the redeployment. Israeli occupation soldiers ordered families from two apartment buildings, containing 16 apartments each, to evacuate their buildings. This intensified Palestinians' fears that Israeli forces plan to renew their offensive soon and demolish the buildings. Israeli tanks occupying the Khan Younis cemetery have destroyed several graves, including approximately 60 belonging to the Al-Sha'er family. Witnesses say Israeli forces have established a road through the cemetery so that tanks can come from the settlement area through the cemetery to Khan Younis. Of the seventeen dead Palestinians, the families have managed to bury only three in places other than the Israeli-occupied cemetery. Fourteen bodies remain in the hospital, which does not have sufficient capacity to receive them. Palestinians are attempting to negotiate with Israelis to allow them to bury their dead today. Because the tanks remain so close to Khan Younis, Palestinians are frightened for their children who are trying to return to school. They also fear Israeli forces are only regrouping for another deadly assault. For more information contact the Palestine Monitor +972 (0)2 298 5372 or +972 (0) 59254218 www.palestinemonitor.org
