NEW YORK, May 20, 2004, (WAFA)- The US Human Rights Watch (HRW) expressed Thursday its "outrage" and "deep concern" over Israel's killing of Palestinian civilians and over the demolishing of houses in Rafah.... “It is outrageous that Israeli forces used battlefield weaponry to block peaceful marchers,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of Human Rights Watch’s Middle East and North Africa division.... “By using heavy weapons against non-violent demonstrators, Israel has violated not only international law, but also its own open-fire regulations,” Whitson added.... HRW also expressed its "deep concern" over Israel’s policy of demolishing Palestinian houses. It said that the demolitions of the houses is a part of the Israeli of collective punishment, which international humanitarian law strictly forbids.... “Demolishing houses as collective punishment or razing entire residential areas is unlawful,” Whitson said. “Under the laws of war, private property can be destroyed only if rendered absolutely necessary by military operations. If unlawful destruction is widespread and wanton, it constitutes a war crime....” HRW urged the Israeli government to allow independent monitors to conduct an impartial investigation into its recent operations in Rafah.... Human Rights Watch called on Israel to abide by the UN Basic Principles on the Use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials, which apply to the armed forces when policing demonstrations.... Finally, the international community should demand that Israel fulfill its international obligations as an occupying power to protect civilians and their property....