On the 9th Day of the Offensive on the Gaza Strip

On the 9th Day of the Offensive on the Gaza Strip, Israeli Warplanes Escalate Attacks on Houses, Especially Those of Political Leaders

Since the Beginning of the Offensive: 195 Palestinians Killed, 158 of Whom Are Civilians, Including 36 Children and 29 Women, and 1,339 Others Wounded, Mostly Civilians, Including 401 Children and 273 Women; Hundreds of Houses Targeted and Destroyed

16 July 2014

Israeli occupation forces have continued their brutal and immoral offensive on the Gaza Strip for the 8th consecutive day, and have continued the policy of collective punishment in disregard for the international law and humanitarian law, which ensure protection for civilians in times of war, and in violation of the principles of necessity, proportionality and distinction. Israeli forces have continued their aerial, ground and sea attacks throughout the Gaza Strip, causing more civilian casualties and damaging civilian facilities. After Israeli forces had suspended their offensive for a few hours on Tuesday, 15 July 2014, in what it called “a unilateral truce,” Israeli warplane escalated their attacks on houses, especially those belonging to political and field leaders. Israeli forces also ordered Palestinian civilians living in border areas, especially al-Zaytoun and al-Shuja’iya neighborhoods in the east of Gaza City, to leave these areas and move to the center of the city. From 10:00 on Tuesday, 15 July 2014 to 10:00 on Wednesday, 16 July 2014, 13 Palestinians, including 10 civilians, were killed. Additionally, 117 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were wounded – this number includes 33 children and 20 women.Israeli warplanes also targeted and destroyed 40 houses.
The latest developments since the press release issued by PCHR yesterday noon have been as follows:

The Northern Gaza Strip:
Israeli warplanes launched 47 airstrikes targeting houses, agricultural plots and open areas. As a result of these attacks, 71 Palestinians, including 16 children and 16 women, were wounded. Israeli warplanes also attacked 13 houses, destroying 8 of them.
The most significant attacks were as follows:
At approximately 19:30 on Tuesday, 15 July 2014, an Israeli drones fired a missile at the garden of a 3-storey house belonging to ‘Omar Khalil ‘Omar in al-Shaimaa’ area in Beit Lahia. Twenty minutes later, an Israeli warplane lunched a missile at the garden, heavily damaging it.
-At approximately 20:35, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed a 3-storey house belonging to Salah ‘Awadh Rajab in Beit Lahia.
-At approximately 21:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to ‘Emad Dawas in al-Shaimaa’ Street in Beit Lahia. Ten minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
-At approximately 00:20 on Wednesday, 16 July 2014, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed a 4-storey house belonging to Ismail al-Ashqar, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, in Jabalya.
-At approximately 00:35, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed a 4-storey house belonging to Mousa al-Hajj ‘Ali in Jabalya.
-At approximately 00:45, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed a 2-storey house belonging to Zaher Rajab Abu Nasser in Jabalya.
A nearby meeting hall belonging to the Rawagh family was also destroyed.
-At approximately 01:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Dawod Hammouda in Beit Lahia. As a result, the house was destroyed.
-At approximately 01:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 5-storey house belonging to Fathi Hammad, former Interior Minister, in Beit Lahia.
-At approximately 02:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to the Matar family in Jabalya.
-At approximately 03:45, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed a house belonging to Jameela al-Shanti, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, in Jabalya.
-At approximately 04:20, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed a 5-storey house belonging to sons of Ibrahim ‘Abdul Fattah Kutkut in Jabalya.
-At approximately 09:30, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed a house belonging to Khaled ‘Ataya al-Kilani in al-Shaimaa’ area in Beit Lahia.

Gaza City:
Israeli warplanes launched 23 airstrikes targeting houses of political and field leaders, governmental buildings, a mosque and a hospital. As a result of these attacks, a Palestinian civilian was killed and 12 others, including 4 children and 2 women, were wounded. Additionally, Israeli warplanes bombarded 18 houses, destroying 14 of them.
The most significant attacks were as follows:
-At approximately 15:30 on Tuesday, 15 July 2014, Israeli drones fired 2 missiles at a 3-storey house belonging to Suleiman Mohammed al-Dahdouh, in which 30 people live, in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. Soon after, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house destroying it.
- At approximately 16:10, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a house belonging to Ahmed Ahmed al-Ghoul, 28, in al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. The house was destroyed. Before the attack, Israeli forces phoned the family to evacuate the house.
-At approximately 18:15, Israeli drones fired 2 missiles at 4-storey house belonging to the heirs of Ghanem Hajjaj, in which 40 people live, in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.
-At approximately 18:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 4-storey house belonging to Musbah Swailem Abu Ghanima in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result, the third floor of the house was damaged.
-At approximately 18:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at Ismail Fattouh Ismail Fatouh, 24, while he was irrigating crops in his land in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City. He was seriously wounded. He died of his wound a few minutes following his evacuation to the hospital.
-Also at approximately 18:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at 4-storey house belonging to Jamal Deeb Bakroun, in which 50 people live, in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The fourth floor of the house was damaged.
-At approximately 20:00, Israeli drones fired 2 missiles at 4-storey house belonging to ‘Atiya Ibrahim Abu Shari’a, in which 45 people live, in al-Sabra neighborhood in the south of Gaza City.
-At approximately 21:10, Israeli drones fired 2 missiles at a 5-storey house belonging to Yousef ‘Abed al-Banna in al-Sabra neighborhood in the south of Gaza City. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house destroying it.
-At approximately 21:30, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at a 4-storey house belonging to Hani Ya’qob Halasa, in which 35 people live, in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The house was destroyed.
Between 22:00 on Tuesday until 08:15 on Wednesday, 16 July 2014, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed 7 houses in Gaza City: a house belonging to Sami Hashem in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood; a house belonging to the heirs of Nabeel Shabet in al-Tuffah neighborhood; a house belonging to Mahmoud ‘Atallah in al-Ghefari area; a house belonging to Mahmoud al-Zahhr, a leader of Hamas, in al-Sabra neighborhood; a house belonging to Na’im al-Harazinin al-Zaytoun neighborhood; a house belonging to Tayseer al-‘Ashi in al-Remal neighborhood; and a house belonging to ‘Adnan Killab in al-Shati refugee camp. Israeli warplanes bombarded also 2 flats in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, a minaret of a mosque in al-Shati refugee camp, a building of the Ministry of Interior and al-Wafaa’ Hospital, which Israeli forces ordered its evacuation.

On Friday evening and Saturday morning, Israeli gunboats and tanks fired dozens of shells at various areas in Gaza City, especially at the fishing harbor. A number of fishing boats were extensively damaged, one of which was totally burnt.

The Central Gaza Strip:
Israeli warplanes launched 10 airstrikes targeting houses, agricultural lands and open area. As a result of these attacks, a member of a Palestinian armed group was killed, and 17 Palestinians, including 4 children and a woman, were wounded. Five houses were also destroyed.
The most significant attacks were as follows:
- At approximately 22:10 on Tuesday, 15 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at Khalil Ibrahim al-Sha’afi, 41, a member of a Palestinian armed group, when he was going to a mosque in Juhor al-Dik village.
-At approximately 02:00 on Wednesday, 16 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile a 2-storey house belonging to Mohammed Deeeb Abu Nasser, in which 4 families live, in al-Zawaida village. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
-At approximately 02:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ahmed ‘Abdullah Mishmesh in al-Zawaida village. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
-At approximately 04:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile a house belonging to ‘Ali ‘Obaid Abu Gharqoud, in which 15 people live, in al-Zawaida village. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
-At approximately 06:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile a 2-storey house belonging to Jamal Ahmed al-Asmar, in which 6 people live, in al-Nussairat refugee camp. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
-At approximately 07:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile a 2-storey house belonging to Fathi Ibrahim ‘Aabed, in which 18 people live, in Deir al-Balah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.

Khan Yunis:
Israeli warplanes launched 19 airstrikes targeting houses, agricultural plots, open areas and security and police sites in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. Israeli tanks and gunboats also fired dozens of shells at agricultural and open areas. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians were killed, and 9 others including 4 children, were wounded. Additionally, Israeli warplanes targeted 3 houses. A mosque was also damaged by an Israeli attack.
The most significant attacks were as follows:
-At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 15 July 2014, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a shed on an agricultural plot in the northwest of Khan Yunis. The shed was destroyed and Subhi ‘Abdul Hamid Hussein Mousa, 78, was killed.
-Also at approximately 15:00, Israeli warplanes launched 5 airstrikes on agricultural plots and open areas in al-Qarara village and al-Satar al-Gharbi area in the northwest of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.
-At approximately 20:00, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a uninhabited house belonging to Mohammed Nidal Abu Shab in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. Half an hour later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house. At approximately 22:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A nearby mosque and 2 houses were damaged and 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded.
-At approximately 01:00 on Wednesday, 16 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the vicinity of ‘Asqalan School in al-Fakhari area in the southeast of Khan Yunis. As a result, Fareed Mahmoud Abu Daqqa, 33, was killed when he was near his house in the area. His body was found at approximately 07:00.
-At approximately 03:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at Mohammed Tayseer Yousef Shurrab, 23, when he was on his way back home in Gizan Abu Rashwan area in the southeast of Khan Yunis. He was instantly killed.
-At approximately 03:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Mohammed ‘Abdullah Salam al-‘Arjani, in which 20 people live, in Gizan Abu Rashwan area in the southwest of Khan Yunis, without a prior warning.
As a result, al-‘Arjani’s son, 19-year-old ‘Abdullah, was killed, and his father, his 4 children and his grandchild were wounded.
-At approximately 06:40, Israeli drones fired 2 missiles at a house belonging to Muneer Abu Hatab in Khan Yunis refugee camp. The house was damaged.

Rafah
Israeli warplanes launched 26 airstrikes targeting houses, agricultural lands, open areas and members of Palestinian armed groups. As a result, 7 Palestinians, including 5 civilians, were killed, and 8 others, including 5 children, were wounded. Two houses were also destroyed.
The most significant attacks were as follows:
- At approximately 22:50 on Tuesday, 15 July 2014, an Israeli drones fired a missile at a taxi in which 6 Palestinians were traveling near Martyr Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in al-Junaina neighborhood in Rafah. As a result, two of thes Palestinians were instantly killed: Mousa Sa’id Dahliz, 30; and Yasser ‘Ali al-Mahmoum, 18. The other 4 ones were wounded, one of whom, Ahmed ‘Aadel al-Nawajha, 23, the taxi driver, died of his wound 4 hours later.
- At approximately 02:20 on Wednesday, 16 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at members of a Palestinian armed group in the Swedish Village in the southwest of Rafah. Two members were instantly killed: Mohammed ‘Abdullah al-Zahouq, 25; and Mohammed Ismail Abu Ouda, 28. A third one was also wounded.
- At approximately 02:35, an Israeli drone fired a missile at Mohammed Sabri al-Dibari, 21, when he was near his house in al-Shouka village, southeast of Rafah. He was instantly killed.
- At approximately 06:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at Ashraf Fares Abu Shanab, 26, when he was working on an agricultural plot in the east of Rafah. He was instantly killed.
-At approximately 07:10, Israeli drones fired 3 missiles at a house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud al-Qadhi, in which 12 people live, in al-Siamat area in the north of Rafah. Soon after, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
-At approximately 08:05, Israeli drones fired 3 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Subhi Dawod Abu Sha’ar, in which 30 people live, in al-Shaboura refugee camp in Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles at the house and destroyed it.

PCHR reiterates condemnation, expresses utmost concern for these crimes, and:
1.Warns of deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip in light of this continuous Israeli military escalation, threats to expand military operations, and the continued tightened closure of the Gaza Strip;
2.Calls upon the international community to act immediately to stop these crimes, and renews the call to the High Contracting Parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligation under Article 1 of the Convention to ensure that it is respected at all times, and their responsibilities under Article 146 to pursue perpetrators of serious violations of the Convention, which are determined in Article 147, which lists violations of the Convention amounting to war crimes; and
3.Calls for establishing a UN fact-finding mission to investigate suspected war crimes committed by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, and take necessary steps to prosecute responsible for them.

ENDS

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