2,000 homeless after IDF's Rafah raids, UN claims

Israel's weeklong military raid into the Gaza Strip town of Rafah has left more than 2,000 Palestinians homeless, bringing to nearly 3,500 the total of those whose residences were demolished or rendered uninhabitable since the beginning of the month, according to a UN assessment released today.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said it had now completed its evaluation of the raid from May 18 to May 24, in which 167 buildings housing 379 families, or 2,066 people, were destroyed or damaged beyond repair in the Tel Sultan, Brazil and Salam quarters of Rafah.

The latest destruction comes on top of what had already been one of the worst months in the Palestinian uprising. Since May 1, 277 buildings housing 641 families, or 3,451 people, have been demolished in Rafah, the Agency said. Since the uprising started in September 2000, 1,476 buildings have been demolished in Rafah, affecting 14,666 people.

Last week, the Security Council adopted a resolution voicing "grave concern" over the humanitarian situation of Palestinians made homeless and calling for the provision of emergency assistance. It reminded Israel that it must respect international humanitarian law, including its obligation not to destroy homes.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have said that the operation in the Rafah area was necessary as terrorist organizations may be trying to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip.

According to the IDF, approximately 56 buildings sustained damages during the operation. These buildings have been used by terrorists to house rocket launch pads and terrorist snipers.

Brigadier General Shmuel Zakai said: "No building was damaged without cause; those damaged were the result of pure operational requirements. The operation is ongoing, and forces are still inside Rafah, involved in a specific tunnel search activity at the southern Shar Kishata neighborhood. Rafah still harbors many tunnels; the IDF is forced to operate at the Philadelphy Line all year round."

The IDF have claimed to have killed 40 armed terrorists, detained individuals in connection with hostile terrorist attacks, and uncovered three tunnels.

About 12 civilians were wounded during the operation, the IDF said.

(gmcg)