2. Objective  

This report aims to provide an overview of the economic and social situation in Rafah in the wake of the massive house demolitions carried out by the Israeli army in January 2002.

2/1 This study on the demolition of houses in Rafah is not full or comprehensive, because the Israeli occupation is still continuing, causing more destruction.  More than 30% of the area of Gaza Strip is still occupied by Israel, either as military sites, or Jewish settlements.

2/2 We will also focus on some issues related to the demolition of houses, such as the effects of demolitions on the lives of the Palestinian population.  The human rights organizations have to play an influential role on this track, by disposing the Israeli practices and applying pressure to stop them.  They could also do their own research and provide recommendations based on international humanitarian law to be implemented.  Another fact to be taken in consideration is the existence of the Palestinian Authority as a local government.  The PA must work to lay down the foundations for a Palestinian civil society, in which the dignity of the citizen and his life and property are preserved.

2/3 This study aims at acknowledging the rights of the Palestinian population to lead a decent and dignified life, in proper houses.  The loosing of such suitable houses has considerable effects on the lives of the civilians: legally, socially, economically, psychologically - in all aspects of life.

2/4 The study aims at giving attention to the demolition of houses in relation with the international humanitarian law, and the signed international agreements to maintain human rights all over the world.

2/5 Other basic human rights depend on the right of proper housing.  For example, the right to life depends basically on living in a suitably protected house.

2/6 This report will provide a clear picture of the current situation in Rafah District, in light of the house demolitions that occurred, that would reflect the Israeli brutal aggression on the Palestinian population.

We decided to conduct this study on the District of Rafah because:

a) It is the district that witnessed the largest number of house demotion operations by the Israeli army.  A total of 295 houses were completely destroyed and 414 houses were partly destroyed since the beginning of the Intifada on 29/9/2000 until 10/1/2002. (according to al-Quds newspaper on 18/1/2002)

b) The southern part of the District is located on the border with Egypt; this border is controlled by Israel.  The Israeli patrols on the border represent a target for the Palestinians.

c) Rafah District is one of the poorest areas in the Palestinian territories.  The demolition of the houses made the situation measurably worse.