Palestinians admit: "Mortar bombs are being fired from densely populated
areas".

IDF Spokesperson 12 November 2002

The official Palestinian Authority daily Al-Hayat Al Jadida published
(November 7, 2002) that Palestinians in the Gaza strip are asking for the
Nationalist and Islamic forces to stop firing mortar bombs from within
densely populated areas.

This is not the first time that these kinds of complaints have been voiced.
However, despite previous calls on the forces to halt their policy of using
highly populated areas as cover, the firing from these areas has not ceased.

"Palestinian residents of Al Barka and areas close to the community of Kfar
Darom have called on the Nationalist and Islamic forces to stop firing, and
especially from firing mortar bombs, from areas close to inhabited houses.
Firing from densely populated areas just brings damage and destruction to
the residents and their property."

"The residents presented their case during a meeting which took place in the
offices of the Nationalist forces in Dir El Balach to which a number of
Islamic armed faction members participated. The residents stated that most
of the mortar bombs fired actually fell short of their targets, landing
instead on Palestinian buildings and land. This, they said, poses a danger
to the lives and security of the residents…"

"The residents call upon you to take into account the well being of the
population and to ensure their security before carrying out any kind of
militant action"

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