By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Middle East

GAZA CITY, Gaza – On February 27, violence between militants in Gaza and Israel escalated.  Early in the day, an Israeli air strike killed five militants from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.  According to witnesses, two missiles, fired by the IAF, struck the militants’ vehicle near Khan Younis.  Dr Moaiya Hassanain, a Gaza health ministry official, stated that four other people were wounded in the attack.

Militants fired rockets into southern Israel in retaliation to what Hamas called “the Zionist massacre committed this morning in Khan Younis.”  Over 40 rockets were fired into Israel; one landed on an Israeli college campus in Sderot, killing a 47-year-old Israeli. It was the first fatal rocket attack since May 2007.

The Israeli military responded by carrying out air strikes later that day and continued into the next day.  The operations resulted in at least 27 Palestinian deaths in two days.  Of the 27 deaths, at least seven were civilian children.

Two children, aged 10 and 11 were killed in an air strike on February 27.  Another, a six-month old boy, was killed later that evening, when Ministry of Interior office was targeted in a missile attack.  While the office was empty, it is located in a highly residential area.  Dozens of other Palestinians were injured during the strike.  The strike against the Ministry of Interior also caused extensive damage to the nearby offices of Oxfam-funded Palestinian Medical Relief Society.

On February 28, four boys, between the ages of 10 to 15 years, were killed while playing football near the Jabalya refugee camp.  According to Ahmed Dardouna, a family member, the boys were all related; two were brothers and the others were their cousins.  Also, hospital officials said that another child, a 12-year-old neighbor, died later, as a result of injuries sustained during the strike.  Yedioth News reports that the boys were not playing football, rather they were 16 to 17 year olds engaging in militant activity.  Also, the Israeli army said that they were targeting a rocket-launching cell.

Another strike was conducted against a police roadblock in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, about 150 yards from the home of Haniyeh, Hamas’ prime minister.  It is thought that the strike was a message to Haniyeh since the area is not usually used to launch rockets.  Earlier that day, Haniyeh said that Israel’s ongoing operations would “not weaken the steadfastness and the determination of the Palestinian people.”

In another strike, the son of Hamas lawmaker Khalil al-Haya, Hamza al-Haya, was killed.  Hamas said Hamza al-Haya had commanded a rocket-launching squad in northern Gaza.  When identifying his son in the morgue, Khalil al-Haya stated that he was proud that his son had lost his life for the Hamas cause and that he was “the 10th member of my family to receive the honor of martyrdom.

Despite, and in response to, Israel’s operations, militants fired at least 10 rockets into Israel on February 28.  Israeli officials state that at least five foreign made Katyusha rockets reached Ashkelon, a city of 120,000, nearly 20km north of Gaza.

For more information, please see:
The Guardian – Intensified Israeli Attacks on Gaza Kill Child Footballers – 29 February 2008

The Independent – Killed While They Played Football, the Child Victims of Israel’s Revenge on Gaza – 29 February 2008

AFP – Israel Pounds Gaza Militants after Rocket Death – 28 February 2008

Al Jazeera – Children Killed in New Israeli Raid – 28 February 2008

Associated Press – Israel Kills 18 Palestinians in Gaza – 28 February 2008

BBC – Four Children Die in Gaza Strike – 28 February 2008

Financial Times – Mideast Fear as Rocket Kills Israeli – 28 February 2008

Ha’aretz – IDF Kills 20 Palestinians in Gaza, W. Bank, Including 5 Children – 28 February 2008

Yedioth News – Report: 4 Teens Killed in IDF Strike – 28 February 2008

Al Jazeera – Israel Bombs Gaza Interior Ministry – 27 February 2008

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BEIT HANOUN, Gaza – Israel intensified it raids against Hamas after the organization confirmed that it was responsible for the suicide attack in Dimona on February 4.  At first there was confusion over which group carried out the attack; initially the the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine groups claimed responsibility.  However, Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, released a video of the two suicide bombers, Mohammed al-Hibrawi and Shadee Z’Ghayer, preparing for the attack.  Both men were from the West Bank city of Hebron.  However, there are reports that al-Hibrawi and Z’Ghayer do not fit the description of the men killed in Dimona.

This is the first suicide attack that Hamas has carried out since it abandoned the practice in 2004.  This marks a possibly deadly change in its policy towards Israel.  In the video of the bombers, they stated that the realities in Gaza pushed them to carry out the attack.

Following the attack in Israel on February 4, Israel has carried out several military operations in Gaza, killing at least eight Palestinians on February 5 and at least six on February 6.  On February 5, two Israeli Defense Force (IDF) operations were conducted.  One operation left two members of Hamas dead near the border.  A second operation killed six members of Hamas in police station in Khan Yunis.

On February 6, at least four members of Hamas and a member of the Islamic Jihad were killed in an operation in Beit Hanoun; three were killed by missiles and the others were killed in an exchange of gunfire with Israeli ground forces.  In the strike on February 6, a school teacher was killed as a school was hit.  Three teenaged students were also injured.  Israeli army states that the missile was aimed at a rocket-firing crew nearby.  Israel said that there will be an investigation into the teacher’s death.

As IDF operations increased, there has been an increase in the number of missiles being launched from Gaza into Israel. On February 5, Hamas fired several rockets into the town of Sderot.  One Qassam rocket struck a house causing extensive damage.  A second rocket struck a factory warehouse.  On February 6, a rocket landed in Kibbutz Beeri, a village located about four miles from the border, and injured two sisters, aged 12 and 2, who were playing outside.  IDF operations in Gaza discovered several underground caches of rockets.

In addition to increasing military operations, Israel also began to cut the power it supplies to Gaza.  Shlomo Dror, a spokesperson for Ehud Barak, stated the reduction will be less than 1% of the 124 megawatts of power Israel supplies Gaza.  Matan Vilnai, Israel’s deputy defense minister, stated that Israel is “trying to reduce the Gaza Strip’s dependence on Israel in many fields.”

Also, there has been discussion of alternative or additional methods that Israel could employ to stop the barrage of rockets from Gaza.  One suggestion is a military operation to re-occupy Gaza.  A second suggestion is targeting top political leaders of Hamas.  This was done in 2004 by Ariel Sharon, when Israel assassinated Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin and its top Gaza politician, Abdel Aziz Rantissi.  Since then, Israel has limited its strikes to target armed militants.

This policy is supported by Tzahi Hanegbi, a senior member of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s Kadima party and the chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.  Hanegbi argues since the field commanders and militants carrying out the attacks are acting on the political leaders’ orders that the political leaders of Hamas are legal military targets.  He told Israeli Radio that “there’s no difference between those who wear a suicide suit and a diplomat’s suit.”

For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Israel Reduces Gaza Power Supply – 8 February 2008

International Herald Tribune – Rockets Hit Israel After Power Cut – 8 February 2008

Jerusalem Post – Israel May Target Hamas Heads – 8 February 2008

Al Jazeera – Gaza Teach Killed in Israel Raid – 7 February 2008

Associated Press – Gaza Rocket Wounds 2 Israeli Girls – 7 February 2008

BBC – Israel Launches Deadly Gaza Raids – 7 February 2008

Jerusalem Post – Barak: IDF Ops to Grow Even Stronger – 7 February 2008

Washington Post – Israel to Intensify Strikes if Rocket Fire Continues – 7 February 2008

Al Jazeera – Hamas Claims Dimona Raid – 6 February 2008

The Daily Star – Hamas Vows Retaliation After Israeli Attack Kill Nine in Gaza – 6 February 2008

Independent – Hamas Admits Suicide Attacks as Israel Retaliates – 6 February 2008

YouTube – Dimona Bombers’ Families Speak to Al Jazeera – 6 February 2008

Jewish Telegraphic Agency – Hanegbi Wants Hamas Politicos Hit – 5 February 2008

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – On February 4, Yara, an American businesswoman, was detained by members of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, also known as Mutaween or Saudi Arabia’s religious police.  Yara moved to Yeddah, Saudi Arabia, eight years ago, with her husband, a prominent businessman.  She traveled to Riyadh on a routine business trip when the building’s electricity went out.  Yara and a male colleague, a Syrian financial analyst, went to a nearby Starbucks to continue the meeting.

Yara and her colleague were sitting in the “family” area of the café, the only area where men and women could sit together, when they were approached by members of the Mutaween.  Yara recalled that the men told her “You need to come with us. This man is not a relative.”  She was then taken to a GMC Suburban, where she had her phone confiscated and was questioned by the Mutaween.

Yara stated that after being forced to sign and fingerprint what she believed to be a confession, she was driven to the Malaz Prison, near Riyadh.  There, she said that she signed and fingerprinted another pre-written confession.  Afterwards, she was stripped searched and put into a cell with other women.  The confessions that Yara signed stated that she was in a state of khulwa, or seclusion with an unrelated man, which is illegal in Saudi Arabia.

When Yara’s husband, Hatim, learned of her detention, he immediately traveled to Riyadh.  There, he spoke with the authorities and Yara was released.  Yara’s colleague was also detained by the Mutaween and was released on February 5.

For more information, please see:
The Times (London) – Religious Police in Saudi Arabia Arrest Mother for Sitting with Man – 7 February 2008

Arab News – Brewing Support for “Coffee” Victim – 6 February 2008

AFP – Saudi Woman’s Café Plight Highlights Rights Problems – 5 February 2008

Arab News – Coffee with Colleague Lands Woman in Trouble – 5 February 2008

By Laura Zuber
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

BAGHDAD, Iraq – On February 1, two pet markets were attacked in Baghdad.  It is suspected that the Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia is responsible for the attacks.  The first explosion occurred in the Ghazil market shortly after 10 am.  The Ghazil market has been attacked five times in the past two years.  The market is only open on Fridays and has seen a recent revival since the Friday driving ban has been lifted.

Minutes later, a second explosion occurred in at the New Baghdad bird market four miles away.  Reports of the elapse between explosions vary from five to twenty minutes.  Iraqi officials estimate that nearly 100 people were killed and over 200 injured, making it the deadliest attack since the US “surge” in Baghdad.  US military officials estimate that the number of causalities is fewer.

US and Iraqi military authorities stated that is likely the two female bombers, who attacked two pet markets on February 1, had Down’s syndrome.   Major General Jeffery Hammond, commander of US forces in Baghdad, claimed that the women “were used by Al-Qaeda because they were less likely to know what was happening.”  In addition to having Down’s syndrome, Iraq’s chief military spokesman in Baghdad claimed that the bombs were detonated remotely; US officials state that they were unsure of how the bombs were detonated.

There has been a recent trend of insurgent groups using female bombers.  There have been four such attacks since November.  This is attributed to the increase in security check points have aggravated insurgents’ attempts to use car bombs or male bombers.  Hammond added that the women were less likely to be searched because of cultural taboos, which disapprove of men searching women, and the lack of female security officers.  US Major General Mark Hertling, a commander in northern Iraq stated last month, that there is an increase in recruiting widows of former insurgents as suicide vest wearers.

US and Iraqi government officials condemned the attack and its method as inhumane and immoral.  Lt. Col. Steve Stover, US military spokesman for the Baghdad area, said “it sounds like (al-Qaida in Iraq) has stooped to a new low where they’re using people who may not even know what they’re doing and strapped something to them and told them go into a market.”  US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice stated that the move showed the “absolute bankruptcy and brutality of the enemy of the people of Iraq.”

The attacks occurred during a recent decline of violence against civilians.  Iraq Body Count reports that 767 deaths occurred during the month of January, as compared to 904 in December and 1,100 in November, and more than 2,500 for the months of July and August.  This brings concern to officials in the US and Iraq over the disengagement of US troops from the country.

For more information, please see:

Associated Press – US, Iraqis Vow to Avenge Bombings – 3 February 2008

AFP – US Slams “Twisted” Qaeda as Baghdad Bombs Toll Rises to98 – 2 February 2008

BBC – Iraq Market Bombs Toll Nears 100 – 2 February 2008

Financial Times – Insurgents Use Disabled Women in Iraq Bombing – 2 February 2008

New York Times – Two Bombings Wreak Carnage in Iraqi Capital – 2 February 2008

Times (London) – Down’s Syndrome Bombers Kill 91 – 2 February 2008

DIMONA, Israel – On February 4, a Palestinian carried out a suicide bombing in Dimona’s shopping center, killing at least one Israeli and injuring at least 10 others.  A second suicide bomber was killed by Israeli police before he could detonate his explosives belt.  Responsibility for the attack was claimed by al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the militant wing of Fatah, along with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).  This is the first suicide bombing in Israel since January 2007.

This comes a week after the breach of the Gaza-Egypt border and follows Israeli concerns of militants and weapons entering Gaza.  There are conflicting reports of where the bomber came from.  The Telegraph states that al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades claims that the bomber came from Gaza.  While, the Associated Press writes that the group stated that the bomber came from Ramallah in the West Bank.

In addition to reports that the suicide bomber entered through the breached Rafah border, James Hider, Middle East Correspondent of The Times, states that there are reports that two busloads of Palestinian militants, who were in Syria and Iran, arrived at the Rafah border and crossed into Gaza.  The bombing and fear, resulting from the border breach and continued rocket attacks, could lead to Israel toughening its stance against militants in the occupied territories.

Arye Mekel, the Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman, said that Israel will fight terrorism by “all necessary means.”

For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Israel Hit by Suicide Attack – 4 February 2008

Associated Press – 1 Killed by Israel Suicide Bomber – 4 February 2008

Jerusalem Post – Woman Killed, 10 Hurt, 1 Critically in Dimona Suicide Attack – 4 February 2008

Telegraph – Suicide Bomber Kills Israeli Woman – 4 February 2008

Times (London) – Suicide Bomber Strike in Israeli Nuclear Town – 4 February 2008