The ICJ is profoundly concerned about the measures taken by the Israeli military authorities in the village of Bieta, apparently as reprisals for the killing of a 15 years old girl from Elon Moreh settlement.
The latest Israeli army reports indicate that the girl was shot by an Israeli settler and not by a Palestinian from Bieta.
On any count the measures taken against the villagers were excessive. In particular the destruction of 16 houses as reprisals or as a punishment are illegal under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, as is the decision to deport 20 Palestinians of whom 6 come from Bieta.
According to Israeli officials hundreds of youths have been arrested in Bieta and the entire male population, which would number about 2,000, was detained in a school courtyard, allegedly for questioning.
