INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY MOVEMENT
Wednesday, May 19, 2004 For Immediate Release
ARMY FIRED MISSILES AT A CIVILIAN DEMONSTRATION IN RAFAH
13 people, mostly youths are reported killed, more than 60 injured
[Rafah, Gaza Strip] Israeli army helicopter gunships and tanks opened fire on a nonviolent civilian demonstration in
Rafah early this afternoon. 13 Palestinian are repored killed, including 2 children, and 60 injured.
Approximately 3.000 Palestinian civilians from Rafah, mostly youths, were peacefully demonstrating to protest the recent
military operation in the southern part of the Gaza Strip. Eyewitnesses reported that 4 missiles were fired from
helicopter gunships and tanks fired shells at the crowd of unarmed civilians.
Hospitals are overflowed and cannot handle the situation, chief hospital spokesperson said.
This recent attack raised the previous death toll to 37 people in one of the bloodiest military operation since the
beginning of the second Intifada.
For more information, please contact: Mohammed Ali (English and Arabic): 972-59 841672 Adwan (English and Arabic):
972-59 304628 Dr. Ali Musa (Director of Rafah's Hospital): +972-8-2132-616 Sa'id Zoroub (Mayor of Rafah):
+972-59-408-391 or +972-8-21-37-951 (Office) Ali Barhoum (Rafah Municipality): +972-59-815-100 or +972-8-21-37- 951
(Office) Dr. Youssef Musa (Director UNRWA Clinic in Gaza): +972-59-410-490
ISM Media Office: +972-2.277.4602