PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
PRESS RELEASE

Ref: 19/2006
Date: 09 February 2006
Time: 10:45 GMT

Theft of Green Houses and Agricultural Equipment in the Evacuated
Settlements

In the past few days, a number of Palestinian civilians, escorted by
Palestinian armed groups, have robbed greenhouses, agricultural equipment
and other property of the Agricultural Land Development Project in the
evacuated settlements in the southern Gaza Strip.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, a number of Palestinian
civilians have continued to rob greenhouses and agricultural equipment in
the evacuated Israeli settlements in the southern Gaza Strip. These actions
peaked on Sunday and Monday, 5 and 6 February 2006, when dozens of
civilians, escorted by a number of gunmen, dismantled greenhouses and water
pipelines in the evacuated "Gan Aur" settlement. When members of the
Palestinian National Security Force intervened to stop the theft, the gunmen
clashed with them. In a later development, an exchange of fire erupted
between the two sides. Two persons were injured.
A member of the Palestinian National Security Force was also seriously
injured in the head when he was attacked by a sharp tool. In addition, a
number of gunmen fired at Yassin Sheikh al-'Eid, a guard at the evacuated
"Bedoulah" settlement in the southern Gaza Strip, when he attempted to stop
a theft.

Thefts have escalated in the past few days, as the Public Support Committees
in charge of guarding the evacuated settlement declared that their contract
with the Palestinian Economic Development Company ended due to financial
problems. PCHR's field workers reported that other evacuated settlements,
such as "Netser Hazani", "Morag" and "Neve Dekalim" were also robbed, but to
a lesser degree. These actions raise doubts regarding the ability of the
Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and its security services to protect
this national project, which belongs to the Palestinian people.

PCHR strongly condemns these actions:
1. PCHR calls upon the PNA and its security services to stop such
attacks and provide protection to greenhouses and agricultural equipment.
2. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian Attorney General to investigate
these crimes and bring their perpetrators to justice.

-End-

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Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
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