Worst and Bloodiest Day Since the Beginning of the Offensive

Worst and Bloodiest Day Since the Beginning of the Offensive

On the 13th Day of the Israeli Offensive:

Israeli Forces Continue Ground Operations in the Gaza Strip Covered by Violent Shelling;

• Mass Killings in al-Shuja'iya Neighborhood in Gaza and Dozens of Dismembered Bodies Are in the Streets;

• Reports of 50 Palestinian Deaths, but PCHR Has Documented 29 Deaths;

• More Palestinian Civilians Forcibly Displaced from Border Areas

• Since the Beginning of the Israeli Offensive on Gaza:

• 368 Palestinians Killed, of Whom 299 Are Civilians, Including 84 Children and 43 Women, and 2,340 Others Wounded, Mostly Civilians, Including 679 Children and 478 Women;

• 389 Houses Targeted and Destroyed and Hundreds of Others Extensively Damaged

• Thousands of Palestinian Civilians Forcibly Displaced

Israeli occupation forces have continued their brutal and immoral offensive on the Gaza Strip for the 13th 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, including houses. Since last night, Israeli forces have launched unprecedented attacks on al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The neighborhood has been subjected to intensive aerial and ground shelling. Dozens of Palestinian civilians have been killed or wounded, and medical crews and the ICRC have not been able to attend them. Women were seen taking their children out to flee from the area, and some of them were killed. People who were not able to leave the area have been trapped under the Israeli selling and their destinies are unknown. This morning, Israeli forces ordered Palestinians living in Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis, to leave their homes and move to the center of the town. The number of forcibly displaced Palestinian civilians in border areas has amount to approximately 130,000. This number is expected to rise in light of the indiscriminate Israeli shelling of populated area, and threats to the populations to leave their homes. The majority of displaced people have sheltered in UNRWA schools and centers, which cannot provide them with minimum services. So, their living conditions are expected to deteriorate.

Due to the indiscriminate and intense Israeli shelling, several public and service institutions, including municipalities, have suspended their activities, as 3 municipalities workers were killed in Rafah al-Boreij. This decision will lead to a real crisis in regards to providing drinking water, cleaning and sanitation. Additionally, more than one third of the Gaza Strip's population lack electricity supplies as Israeli forces damaged major electricity lines and obstructed their repair.

From 10:00 on Saturday, 19 July 2014 to 10:00 on Sunday, 20 July 2014, according to what PCHR has been able document, 65 Palestinians, 50 of whom are civilians, including 13 children and 8 women, were killed. Additionally, 282 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were wounded – this number includes 64 children and 72 women. Israeli warplanes also targeted and destroyed 30 houses.

The latest developments since the press release issued by PCHR yesterday noon have been as follows:

Israeli warplanes launched 15 airstrikes and Israeli tanks and gunboats fired dozens of shells targeting houses, agricultural plots and open areas. As a result of these attacks, 14 Palestinians, including 13 civilians, were killed – the civilian victims include 5 children and 2 women. Additionally, , and 111 others, including 26 children and 32 women, were wounded. Israeli warplanes also destroyed 4 houses.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 19 July 2014, Israeli tanks positioned at the northern border of the Gaza Strip fired a number of shells at Beit Hanoun. A shell hit a house belonging to Mohammed 'Ouda Sa'adat. As a result, Mohammed 'Atallah 'Ouda Sa'adat, 26, was killed, and 8 others, including 2 children and 3 women, were wounded.

- At approximately 10:30, medical sources declared that Fadel Ahmed Mojammed al-Banna, 24, died of wounds he had sustained by an Israeli airstrike on Jabalya on 10 July 2014.

- At approximately 11:00, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at an agricultural plot in Beit Lahia. As a result, 2 Palestinian children were killed: Mohammed Ziad Saleh al-Rahel, 5; and Mohammed Rafiq Ahmed al-Rahel, 17. Fifteen others were wounded, including 5 children and 5 women.

- Also at approximately 11:00, Mohammed 'Abdul Rahman Mahmoud Abu Hamas, 24, was killed by Israeli artillery shelling in Beit Lahia, when he was in a friend's house. Four members of the family, including 2 women and a child, were also wounded.

- At approximately 11:10, Israeli drones fired a number of missile at civilian gatherings at Beit Lahia Square. As a result, 2 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were killed: Mohammed Rezeq Mohammed Hammouda, 18; and 'Omar Jameel Subhi Hammouda, 10. Additionally, 18 civilians, including 10 children and a woman, were wounded.

- At approximately 11:30, an Israeli artillery shell hit a house belonging to Khaled Jameel al-Zwaidi in the northeast of Beit Hanoun. As a result, 4 members of the family, including 2 children and a woman, were killed: Dalia 'Abdul Hamid Hussein al-Zwaidi, 37, the owner's wife; Mahmoud 'Abdul Hamid al-Zwaidi, 26, the owner's brother-in-law; and Mahmoud's children" Ro'ya, 6; and Nagham, 2. The owner's two sons, including a physically disabled one, were wounded, and one of them, Mohammed, 19, died of his wound later.

- At approximately 17:20, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Zaid 'Obaid al-Kafarna in Beit Hanoun. The house was destroyed.

- At approximately 18:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Mahmoud 'Abdul Salam al-Mutawaq in Jabalya. The house was destroyed and al-Mutawaq's one, Akram, 39, was killed. Four members of the family, including a child, were also wounded.

- At approximately 20:45, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to Jalal Sarsour in Beit Lahia. The house was destroyed.

- At approximately 23:45, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a house belonging to the Junaid family in Jabalya. The house was destroyed.

- Israeli tanks that had moved into the northern Gaza Strip fired dozens of shells causing extensive damage to houses.

Gaza City:

Israeli forces committed mass killings in al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. PCHR could document 29 Palestinian civilian deaths, including 5 women, 7 children, a paramedic and a journalist. There are reports that more than 50 people were killed and hundreds were wounded, but PCHR has not been able to verify this number because of the extremely dangerous situation in the area.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 12:00 on Saturday, 19 July 2014, a shell hit a flat in building no. 2 of the Intelligence Buildings. As a result, Ahmed Mohammed Abu Za'nouna, 32, was killed, and his wife and child were wounded.

- At approximately 16:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to al-Za'bout family in al-Zaytoun neighborhood. As a result, 2 members of the family were killed: Mohammed and Haten Ziad al-Za'bout, 24 and 22 respectively.

- On Sunday morning, 20 July 2014, Israeli warplanes launched a number of airstrikes and Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at al-Shuja'ya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result, a number of Palestinian civilians were killed as follows:

o Tawfiq al-Barrawi Salem Marzouq, 53, was killed when an Israeli artillery shell hit his house.
o An Israeli drone fired missile at a house belonging to Mohammed Mohammed Ali Muhareb, 38, killing him.
o An Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to 'Aahed Sa'ad Mousa al-Sarsak, 30, killing him.
o An Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to the al-Sersawi family destroying it. As a result, 2 members of the family (a woman and child) were killed: Maisaa' 'Abdul Rahman al-Sersawi, 35; and Marwa Suleiman Ahmed al-Sersawi, 12.
o An Israeli warplane launched a missile at al-Mansoura Street, killing 4 Palestinian civilians, including a 2 women and a child: Ahmed Sami Diab 'Ayad, 28; Hala Subhi 'Ayad, 27; Ussama Rebhi 'Ayad, 14; and Mona 'Abdul Rahman 'Ayad, 26.
o An artillery shell hit a house belonging to the Saleem family in al-Manoura Street. As a result, 'Aadel 'Abdullah Saleem, 35, and his child, 3-year-old Deema, were killed.
o An Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Khalil Ismail al-Haya in al-Nazzaz Street. The house was destroyed and 5 members of the family were killed: Ussama Khalil Ismail al-Haya, 30; his wide Hala Saqer Abu Hain, 26; and their three children: Khalil, 5; Hamza, 4; and Mama, 8.
o An Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians while they were attempting to flee from al-Sha'af neighborhood. As a result, 4 civilians were killed: Ahmed Is'haq Yousef al-Ramlawi, 33; Ibrahim 'Aaref al-Ghalayini, 30; Esleem Abu al-Khair; and Hiba Ahmed al-Sheikh Khali.

- At approximately 04:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at Youseg Ahmed Younis Mustafa, 61, while he was on his way to the mosque for the Dawn Prayer. He was instantly killed.

- At approximately 09:25, Israeli warplanes bombarded the first floor of a house belonging to Rushid 'Omar Hamada near Haidar 'Abdul Shafi Square in the west of Gaza City. As a result, Hamada's wife, Iman Mohammed Hamada, 40, and his child, Dina, 16, were killed.

- At approximately 10:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a press vehicle. As a result, Khaled Riad Mohammed Hamad, 25, a photojournalist in Continue News Agency, who was traveling in the car in an attempt to enter al-Shuja'iya neighborhood to cover the incidents there, was killed.

- Also at approximately 10:00, Israeli forces shelled an ambulance that attempted to enter al-Shuja'iya neighborhood to evacuate the wounded. As a result, a paramedic, Fu'ad Zuhair Jaber, 27, was killed.

The Central Gaza Strip:

Israeli warplanes launched 20 airstrikes and tanks fired dozens of shells targeting houses, agricultural lands and open areas. As a result of these attacks, a Palestinian woman and 9 members of Palestinian armed groups were killed. Additionally, 86 Palestinians including 20 women and 11 children, were wounded. Israeli warplanes also bombarded 6 houses and destroyed 3 of them.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 10:00 on Saturday, 19 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile and tanks fired a number of shells at members of a Palestinian armed group in Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, killing 4 of them: Tariq Sameer al-Hatu, 26; 'Abdullah Sameer Abu Zu'aiter, 31; Mo'men Tayseer Abu Dan, 24; and 'Abdul Rahman Mohammed al-Barrak, 23.

- At approximately 12:00, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at al-Zawaida village. One of the missiles hit a house belonging to Khaled 'Omar Abu Zayed. As a result, Abu Zayed's daughter-in-law, Ma'ali 'Abdul Rahman Suleiman Abu Zayed, 23, was killed. The other missile landed near a civilian car, in which 4 members of a charity were traveling to distribute foodstuffs. Two of them were wounded, and the wound of one of them was described as serious.

- At approximately 12:40, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 4-storey house belonging to 'Abed Rabbu 'Aayesh Abu Mandil, in which 22 people live, in al-Maghazi refugee camp. The house was completely destroyed.

- At approximately 12:50, Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at a 7-storey house belonging to Hussein Suleiman al-Humaidi in al-Maghazi refugee camp. The upper floor was destroyed.

- At approximately 13:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to 'Aabed 'Ouda Abu Dlaima in Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah. The house was destroyed. There are concerns that a number of victims may be under the debris of the house.

- At approximately 02:10, the body of Mahmoud 'Ali al-Shareef, 24, a member of a Palestinian armed group, was brought to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Al-Shareef had been missing since a house belonging to the al-Batrawi family in al-Nussairat refugee camp was bombarded on Friday, 18 July 2014.

- At approximately 15:50, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Ahmed Saleh al-Jamala, in which 12 people live, in al-Zawaida village. The house was partially destroyed.

- In the evening, medical sources declared that Bilal Mohammed Nassar, 24, a member of Palestinian armed group, died of wounds he had sustained when a house belonging to the al-Batrawi family in al-Nussairat refugee camp was bombarded on Friday, 18 July 2014

- At approximately 19:30, Israeli warplanes attacked members of a Palestinian armed group in Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah, killing 3 of them: Ayman Nasri al-Na'ouq, 25; 'Abdullah Ghazi al-Masri, 30; and Ahmed Maher Thuraya, 25.

- At approximately 02:30 on 02:30 on Sunday, 20 July 2014, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Arafat Sa'di Abu Dalal, in which 17 people live, in al-Nussairat refugee camp. The house was partially destroyed.

- Also at approximately 02:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Yousef Mohammed Jad al-Haq, in which 11 people live, in Deir al-Balah. The house was partially destroyed.

Khan Yunis:

Israeli warplanes launched 18 airstrikes targeting houses, agricultural plots and open areas. Israeli tanks and gunboats also fired dozens of shells at agricultural and open areas and at houses. As a result of these attacks, 4 Palestinians, including 2 civilians, were killed, and 30 others, including 13 children and 5 women, were wounded. Israeli warplanes also targeted and destroyed 5 house.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 10:20 on Saturday, 19 July 2014, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at agricultural lands in al-Zanna area in the east of Khan Yunis.

- Israeli forces continued their incursion in the east of al-Qarara village and al-Zanna area. They raided many houses and maltreated the civilian population. Israeli bulldozers razed areas of land, while tanks fired dozens of shells at houses and agricultural areas. These areas witnessed armed clashes between Israeli forces and members of Palestinian armed groups. These areas lack electricity and water supplies.

- At approximately 11:00, as a result of the Israeli tanks shelling during the incursion into al-Qarara village, 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded when they were near a house in Abu Lehya area.

- At approximately 13:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Zanna area in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis.

- At approximately 14:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a civilian car in Street 2 in al-Qarara village. As a result, Mohammed Ahmed Mohammed al-Sa'idi, 19, was killed, as he was on his way to evacuate relatives from the area.

- At approximately 14:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ussama Fathi al-Ghalban in Ma'an area in the south of Khan Yunis. The house was destroyed, and Mohammed Fathi Ibrahim al-Ghalban, 24, a member of a Palestinian armed group, was killed and another Palestinian was wounded.

- At approximately 20:05, 5 Palestinian civilians were wounded by Israeli tank shelling in Bani Suhaailaa village, east of Khan Yunis.

- At approximately 20:40, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a house belonging to Salem 'Ali Abu Sa'ada, 73, in Bani Suhaila village. As a result, Abu Sa'ada was killed and 3 others, including 2 of his sons, were wounded.

- At approximately 21:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Rami 'Aadel Mohammed Abu Khater, in which 18 people live, in Ma'an area. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. Two of Abu Khader's children were wounded.

- At approximately 23:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Shaihda area in 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yuni. As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded.

- At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 20 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile in the vicinity of a house belonging to the Shaheen family in 'Abassan village. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded.

- In the early morning, Israeli warplanes launched 4 airstrikes on al-Zanna area and 'Abassan and al-Qarara villages.

- At approximately 05:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Suleiman Khalil Abu Draz in 'Abassan village after Israeli forces had phoned the family to evacuate the house. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the house and destroyed it.

- At approximately 06:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Sameer Abu Raida in Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the house and destroyed it.

- At approximately 09:20, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a number of Palestinians in 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. As a result, Mahmoud Mousa Abu 'Anza, 26, a member of an armed group, was killed.

Rafah:

Israeli warplanes launched 27 airstrikes and Israeli tanks and gunboats fired dozens of shells targeting houses, agricultural lands and open areas in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. As a result, 8 Palestinians, including 5 civilians, 2 of whom are children, were killed, and 55 others, including 14 children and 15 women, were wounded. Seven houses and 2 flats were destroyed.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 15:00 on Saturday, 19 July 2014, Israeli tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Rafah, fired a number of shells at an agricultural plot in al-Tannour neighborhood in the east of Rafah. As a result, Mahmoud Anwar Abu Shabab, 16, was killed and another 11 children were wounded.

- At approximately 15:15, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to 'Omar Ahmed Sheikh al-'Eid in Musabbeh neighborhood in the north of Rafah. The house was destroyed. It should be noted that on 14 July 2014, an Israeli drone bombarded the house killing Sheikh al-'Eiad, his daughter Sarah, 4, and his brother Jihad, 36.

- At approximately 16:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Sabri Marzouq Abu Shallouf, in which 20 people live, in al-Mawasi area in the west of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the house and destroyed it. Before the attack, Israeli forces had phoned Shallouf's wife ordering evacuation of the house.

- At approximately 18:35, Israeli tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Rafah, fired 4 shells at 2 flats on the 5th and 7th floors in al-Masri building near Saladin Gate in the south of Rafah, approximately 5,000 meters from the border. The two flats were partially destroyed and 2 passing civilians were wounded.

- At approximately 21:00, 3 Israeli artillery shells landed on an agricultural plot in al-Siamat neighborhood in the north of Rafah, nearly 5,000 meters away from the border between the Gaza strip and Israel. No casualties were reported.

- At approximately 22:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to 'Alaa' Hassan al-Satari in al-Zohour neighborhood in the north off Rafah. A few minutes later, a number of artillery shells hit the house, which is located 5,000 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Rafah. the house was destroyed and a neighbor was wounded.

- At approximately 00:50 on Sunday, 20 July 2014, Israeli drones fired 3 missile at a house belonging to Nasser Bulbul in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a 4th missile at the house and destroyed it. A nearby house belonging to the family was also destroyed and a neighbor, Husni Mahmoud al-'Absi, 55, died from a heart attack. Another 3 civilians were wounded.

- At approximately 01:10, an Israeli tank shell hits a house belonging to Mohammed Ahmed Abu al-So'ud in al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah. As a result, Abu al-So'ud's 2 daughters were wounded: Rula, 18; and 'Ola, 21. The house was also damaged.

- At approximately 02:30, an Israeli dorn fired a missile at a house belonging to Mahmoud Hussein Mo'ammar, in which 45 people live, in al-Junaina neighborhood. As a result, 3 of Mo'ammar's sons were killed: Anas, 17; Hamza, 23; and Mohammed, 31.

- At approximately 03:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Hassan Hmoud al-Hams in Yebna refugee camp in the south of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house, which did not explode. The house was partially destroyed.

- At approximately 05:00, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at members of a Palestinian armed groups near the Saudi neighborhood in the southwest of Rafah, killing 3 of them: Ahmed Taqfiq Zannoun, 26; Suhaib 'Ali Abu Qoura, 21; and Hmaid Saubeh Abu Fouju. 22. Another 2 members were seriously wounded.

- At approximately 08:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an uninhabited house belonging to Mousa Radwan Abu Gharara in the south of Rafah. The house was partially destroyed.

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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