Razing Rafah:
Mass Home Demolitions in the Gaza Strip

Related Material Text-only PDF file (779 Kb, 120 pages) PDF file with text and photographs (13.7 Mb, 126 pages) Full PDF file with text, photographs, and all maps (58.4 Mb, 135 pages - *Please note large file size*) Summary & Recommendations in Hebrew (PDF, 23 pages) Summary & Recommendations in Arabic(PDF, 23 pages) Israel: Despite Gaza Pullout Plan, Home Demolitions Expand Press Release, October 18, 2004 Also Available in       Purchase this report online More on human rights in Israel and the Occupied Territories

I. Summary

A Pattern in the Rubble

Tunnels

Protecting the Border

Rampage in Rafah: May 2004

Doctrines of Destruction

Nowhere to Turn

Methodology

II. Recommendations

III. Background

Map 1: Gaza Overview

The Uprising in Gaza: From Closure to “Disengagement”

Map 2: Rafah Features

Rafah

Mass Demolition: Security Rationales, Demographic Subtexts

IV. The Security Situation in Rafah

The IDF and Palestinian Armed Groups

Fighting on the Border

Smuggling Tunnels in Rafah

An Overview

Tunnels vs. Shafts

Destruction Around Inoperative Tunnels

Alternatives to House Destruction

V. The Rafah Buffer Zone Since 2000

The Expanding Buffer Zone

Map 3: Buffer Zone Expansion

New Realities: Widening the Buffer Zone

Map 4 : Existing and Proposed Buffer Zones

Impact of Destruction

VI. A Violent Season: Destruction in Rafah, May 2004

Rampage in Rafah: An Overview

Map 5 : IDF Operations in Rafah May 2004

Rafah Incursions by Neighborhood, May 12-24

Block O & Qishta (evening May 12-morning May 15)

Map 6 : Tel al-Sultan 2004

Tel al-Sultan (May 18-May 24)

Map 7: Brazil Features

Brazil and Salam (evening May 19-morning May 24)

Tactics of Destruction

Home Demolitions to Enhance Mobility

Map 8: Brazil Destruction During Operation Rainbow

Infrastructure Destruction

Map 9: Razing of Agriculture

Razing Agricultural Land

VII. Role of the International Community

Paying for the Mess

VIII. Property Destruction Under International and Israeli Law

International Humanitarian Law

Responsibilities of an Occupier: Military Operations vs. Security Measures

Destruction of Property in Occupation: Military Operations and Absolute Necessity

Control of Property in Occupation: Security Measures and Rights

Human Rights Law and Occupied Territories

Forced Evictions and the Right to Adequate Housing

Right to Effective Remedies

Israeli Jurisprudence and Law

Exceptions Over the Rule: Israeli Courts and Destruction of Property

Reparations

IX. Appendix: Statements by International Community Condemning Destruction in Rafah

Acknowledgments

October 2004