On the 16th Day of the Israeli Offensive

On the 16th Day of the Israeli Offensive:

• Dozens of Palestinian Civilians Killed or Wounded by Israeli Attacks;
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• More Palestinians Forcibly Displaced in Border Areas

Since the Beginning of the Israeli Offensive on Gaza:

• 663 Palestinians Killed, of Whom 541 Are Civilians, Including 161 Children and 91 Women, and 3,457 Others Wounded, Mostly Civilians, Including 991 Children and 703 Women;
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• 491 Houses Targeted and Destroyed and Hundreds of Others Extensively Damaged;
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• Thousands of Palestinian Civilians Forcibly Displaced
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Israeli occupation forces have continued their brutal and immoral offensive on the Gaza Strip for the 16th 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. Israeli forces escalated their attacks throughout the Gaza Strip. They attacked civilians, houses and other civilian facilities. Israeli warplanes bombarded a number of houses without prior warnings. Israeli forces continued their incursions in several areas in the Gaza Strip, and more Palestinian civilians were forced to leave their homes in border areas. PCHR field workers have not been able to collect information about Israeli attacks in border areas in the Gaza Strip as these areas have been subjected to intensive shelling. So, the information included herein is what the field workers have been able to collect and verify.

From 10:00 on Tuesday, 22 July 2014 to 10:00 on Wednesday, 23 July 2014, according to the information PCHR has been able to obtain, 67 Palestinians, 55 of whom are civilians, including 10 children and 6 women, were killed. Additionally, 278 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were wounded – this number includes 65 children and 62 women. Israeli warplanes also targeted and destroyed 22 houses.

In the meantime, dozens of corpses of Palestinian civilians are still under the debris of homes in al-Shuja’ia neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, as medical crews have not been allowed into the area. PCHR is concerned that complete families could be buried under the debris of their homes. On Tuesday, 22 July 2014, Israeli forces admitted that they attacked al-Shuja’iya neighborhood with 150 bombs, each of which weighing 1,000 kilograms.

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

The Northern Gaza Strip:

Israeli warplanes launched 20 airstrikes and Israeli tanks and gunboats fired dozens of shells targeting houses, a hospital, a medical crew, an UNRWA shelter, a police station, agricultural plots and open areas. As a result of these attacks, 13 Palestinians, including 7 civilians, were killed – the civilian victims include 3 children and a woman. Additionally, 61 Palestinians, including 11 children and 13 women, were wounded. Israeli warplanes bombarded 4 houses and destroyed one of them.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 11:50 on Tuesday, 22 July 2014, Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells at Izbet Beit Hanoun area. A shell hit a house belonging to Rami ‘Aadel Ekhrawat. As a result, Ekhrawat’s wife, Suha Na’im Ekhrawat, 23, and his child, Mona, 1, were killed, and his other child, Fadi, 5, was wounded.

- At approximately 14:35, Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at the garden of Beit Hanoun Hospital. The building was damaged and patients and staff were terrified.

- At approximately 14:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at Mahmoud Sleem Mustafa Durj, 23, a member of a Palestinian armed group, in Beit Hanoun, killing him.

- At approximately 15:00, Israeli tanks fired a number of shells in the vicinity of a shelter established at an UNRWA school for displaced civilians.

- At approximately 15:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a civilian car in ‘Izbet Beit Hanoun area. As a result, the driver, Rafiq Mohammed ‘Abdul Qader Kalloub, 45, was killed, and his son, Mohammed, 24, was wounded.

- At approximately 15:35, Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells at Beit Lahia. One of the shells hit a house belonging Subhi Yousef Ahmed al-Fairi. As a result, al-Fairi’s son, Ibrahim, 25, was killed, and 3 other members of the family – 2 women and a child – were wounded.

- At approximately 16:20, Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells at Beit Lahia. One of the shells hit a house belonging to Mo’in ‘Ali Qishta. Qishta’s child, Shahad, 9, was killed.

- At approximately 16:25, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed Sheikh Zayed police station in Beit Lahia.

- At approximately 16:40, Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells at Beit Lahia. One of the shells hit a house belonging to Ahmed As’ad Rashad al-Badri. As a result, al-Badri and his child, 3-month-old Mohammed, were killed, and 3 members of the family – 2 children and a woman – were wounded.

- At approximately 17:00, Israeli tanks that had moved into the west of Beit Hanoun fired a shell that landed near 2 ambulances of the Palestinian Ministry of Health that were heading to Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to receive bodies of Palestinians who had been wounded during the offensive and were transferred to hospitals in the West Bank, but they died there. The ambulances obtained prior coordination to enter the area. When they arrived at the area, a paramedic, Sa’ed Ihsan Qaddoura Hammouda, 30, stepped out of the car to evacuate 2 wounded Palestinians in the area. Immediately, Israeli forces fired a shell around the hospitals. As a result, Hammouda was seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.

- At approximately 17:30, medical crews were able to recover the body of Mustafa Mohammed Mahmoud Fayad, 23, a member of a Palestinian armed group, in ‘Izbet Beit Hanoun area. He had been killed 3 days ago.

- At approximately 01:30 on Wednesday, 23 July 2014, Israeli warplanes bombarded the vicinity of al-Birk Mosque in Beit Lahia. As a result, 2 members of a Palestinian armed group were killed: Ussama Bahjat Mohammed Rajab, 22; and Mohammed Dawod ‘abdul Latif Hammouda, 23. A third one was also wounded.

- At approximately 09:00, bodies of two unidentified Palestinians were brought to Kamal ‘Edwan Hospital in Beit Lahia. The two victims were killed by Israeli selling in al-Manshiya area in Beit Lahia.

- Israeli warplanes also bombarded 4 houses, destroying one of them completely and the other 3 ones partially.

Gaza City:

Israeli warplanes launched several airstrikes and Israeli gunboats and tanks fired shells targeting houses, agricultural lands and open areas. As a result of these attacks, 15 Palestinians, including 12 civilians were killed – the civilian victims include a child and a woman. Additionally, 29 Palestinians, including 9 children and 3 women, were wounded. Two houses, 2 flats and a number of stores were also destroyed.

The most significant attacks in Gaza City were as follows:

- At approximately 13:00 on Tuesday, 22 July 2014, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at al-Mahatta Park in al-Tuffah neighborhood. As a result, Ahmed Salah Mohammed Abu Sidu, 20, was killed.

- At approximately 14:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to Nizar ‘Awadallah, a leader of Hamas, in al-Nasser neighborhood, and destroyed it. ‘Abdul Nasser Sa’di ‘Abdul Khaliq Musleh, who was on the roof of his house, was killed as he fell down by the force of the explosion.

- At approximately 15:00, medical crews recovered the bodies of Mohammed Khalil ‘Aaref Ahel, 65, and his grandson, Khaled Mohammed Ahel, 19, from al-Sha’af neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The two civilians were wounded at 03:00 when Israeli tanks fired 2 shells at their house. They bled to death.

- At approximately 15:10, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. As a result, Mo’tassem Saleem Salama al-Hajj Salama, 24, and ‘Abdullah Mohammed Hamed al-Sa’di, 27, were killed.

- At approximately 16:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at Hamada Rafiq ‘Owaida, 25, a member of a Palestinian armed group, in al-Zaytoun neighborhood southeast of Gaza City, killing him.

- At approximately 17:00, medical crews recovered the bodies of 4 members of the Hajjaj family, whose house was attacked by Israeli warplanes in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City on 21 July 2014. The victims were identified as: Tariq Fayeq Jum’a Hajjaj, 21; Shihata Mohammed Shihata Hajjaj, 30; Yousef Mohammed Shihata Hajjaj, 26; and Ahmed Ziad Jum’a Hajjaj.

- At approximately 17:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at Mos’ab Nafez Mohammed al-‘Ejla, 21, a member of a Palestinian armed group, in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood. He was instantly killed.

- At approximately 19:15, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at 2 flats in the Intelligence Apartment Building 3. The two flats were destroyed.

- At approximately 21:00, medical sources declared that Asmaa’ Jihad Mahmoud al-Hilu, 24, died of wounds she had sustained during the Israeli intensive shelling of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood on 20 July 2014.

- At approximately 00:00 on Wednesday, 23 July 2014, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at Ghazi Sa’ad Habib, 23, a member of a Palestinian armed group, in al-Mughraqa village, south of Gaza City. He was instantly killed.

- At approximately 06:00, medical sources declared that Mujahed Marwan Sa’id Eskafi, 21, died of wounds he had sustained during the Israeli intensive shelling of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood on 20 July 2014.

- In the morning, Israeli warplanes bombarded stores under al-Yazji building opposite to al-‘Abbas Mosque in the west of Gaza City. The stores were destroyed.

The Central Gaza Strip:

Israeli warplanes launched 20 airstrikes and tanks fired dozens of shells targeting houses, a hospital, a mosque, agricultural lands and open areas. As a result of these attacks, 14 Palestinians, including 11 civilians, were killed – the civilian victims include 2 children. Additionally, 41 Palestinians, including 7 women and 6 children, were wounded. Five houses were destroyed.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 15:00 on Tuesday, 22 July 2014, Hassan Sha’ban al-Khamis, 28, was killed by Israeli tank shelling in al-Maghazi refugee camp.

- At approximately 16:15, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at members of a Palestinian armed group in the east of al-Boreij refugee camp. Three members were killed: Mahmoud Mohammed Ghanem, 21; Hamad Nassim Saleh, 21; and Ra’ed Zuhair Salah, 21.

- At approximately 17:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in al-Boreij refugee camp, killing 2 of them: Ahmed ‘Essam, Wishah, 25; and Ahmed Zuhdi Ramadan, 32.

- At approximately 17:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a motorbike in Wadi al-Salqa village. As a result, Ahmed Kamal Abu Mughassib, 23, was killed, and his brother, ‘Omar, 17, was wounded.

- At approximately 19:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a motorbike in al-Nussairat refugee camp. As a result, ‘Atiya Mohammed al-Da’lis, 33, who was riding it, was killed.

- Also at approximately 19:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the year of a house belonging to the Abu Hwaishel family in the north of al-Nussairat refugee camp. As a result, Nour al-Islam Ahmed Abu Hwaishel, 6, was killed, and a woman was wounded.

- At approximately 22:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a plot near al-Da’wa Mosque in the north of al-Nussairat refugee camp. As a result, ‘Aadel Mohammed Abu Hwaishel, 38, was killed. When Palestinian civilian gathered to evacuate his body, the Israeli drone fired another missile at them. As a result, ‘Obaid Fadel Abu Hwaisehl, 9, and Yousef Fawzi Abu Mustafa, 20, were killed. A third civilian was also wounded.

- At approximately 06:00 on Wednesday, 23 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to ‘Abdul Karim Hammad Abu Hujayer, 35, killing him.

Khan Yunis:

Israeli warplanes launched 50 airstrikes targeting houses, civilians, agricultural plots, and open areas in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. Israeli tanks also fired dozens of shells at agricultural and open areas. As a result, 20 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children and a woman, were killed. Another civilian died of previous wounds. Additionally, 120 Palestinians, including 30 women and 35 children, were wounded. Israeli forced moved hundreds of meters into Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis, amidst indiscriminate shelling.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 11:40 on Tuesday, 22 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Yasser ‘Awadh in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. The house was damaged.

- At approximately 12:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an open area in the northwest of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

- At approximately 13:30, Israeli warplanes launched 10 airstrikes on Palestinians lands and houses in Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis.

- At approximately 14:40, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to Mahmoud ‘Awadh Abu Salah in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. As a result, Ahmed ‘Abdullah Abu Salah, 25, was killed.

- At approximately 18:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile and Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at a number of Palestinian civilians in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. As a result, Mohammed Jalal al-Jurof, 24, was killed, and Hamza Ziad Abu ‘Anza, 21, was wounded.

- In the evening, Israeli tanks positioned to the east of Khan Yunis fired dozens of shells at al-Qarara, al-Zanna, ‘Abassan, Khuza’a and al-Fukhari areas, cauding casualties and damage.

- At approximately 20:10, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at al-Satar al-Gharbi area. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians, including a woman, were wounded.

- At approximately 21:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in al-Zaini Street in the center of Khan Yunis. Two civilians were wounded.

- At approximately 21:35, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians at Saladin Street in the east of Khan Yunis. Two civilians were killed: Hani ‘Awadh ‘Ouda Smmour, 75; and Marwan Ibrahim Sammour, 38.

- At approximately 22:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a motorbike in the center of Khan Yunis refugee camp, on which 2 Palestinian civilians were traveling. One of these civilians, Ahmed Ibrahim Subhi Shubair, 24, was killed, and the other one was wounded. Additionally, a passing child, Wissam ‘Alaa’ al-Najjar, 17, was seriously wounded, and he died of his wound a few hours later.

- At approximately 23:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to Mohammed Marwan Abu Raida, 22, in Bani Suhaila village east of Khan Yunis, without a prior warning, while its residents were inside. The house was destroyed, and Abu Raida and his wife, Shama ‘Emad Abu Raida, 20, were killed. Their children were recovered alive form the debris.

- At approximately 02:20 on Wednesday, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Hani Abu Sabt in al-Saqia area in Bani Suhaila. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.

- Also at approximately 02:20, medical sources declared that Saddam Ibrahim Abu ‘Aassi, 23, died of wounds he sustained a few days ago by an Israeli airstrike in Bani Suhaila village.

- In the early morning, Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells and Israeli warplanes launched at least 15 airstrikes, while Israeli heavy military vehicles moved nearly 3 kilometers into the southeast of Khuza’a village. As a result of the Israeli shelling, a number of Palestinian civilians were killed, including Mohammed Mansour al-Bashiti, 7; Salem ‘Abdullah Abu Tu’aima, 23; and Mohammed Na’im Saleh Abu Tu’aima, 25. At least 20 civilians were also wounded. There are reports that a number of Palestinian civilians were killed or wounded in the area, but medical crews have not been able to attend them.

- At approximately 04:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to Ziad Tawfiq Abu Zarifa in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. As a result, Ismail Mahmoud Mohammed Abu Zarifa, 54, and Zainab Safwat Abu Tair, 3, were killed. There are reports that a number of other members of the Abu Tair family living near the targeted house were killed or wounded.

- In the morning, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to Anwar Musbah ‘Abdul Ghafour in al-Qarara village. As a result, his wife and child were wounded.

- At approximately 08:30, Israeli warplanes launched a number of missiles at al-Zanna and ‘Abassan areas, east of Kahn Yunis. As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians were killed: Yahia Saber Ramadan Sallout, 22; Shihda Ahmed Ibrahim Abu Jame’, 35; Khalil Hamad ‘Abdul Rahman Abu Jame’, 75; Ahmed ‘Abdul Karim ‘Asfour, 30; and Hussam Ahmed al-Qarra, 23. A number of civilians were also wounded.

- At approximately 21:10, the body of Mohammed Subhi ‘Aabdin, 22, was brought to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. He was killed by Israeli shelling in the east of Khan Yunis.

- At approximately 21:15, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles and tanks fired a number of shells at al-Satar al-Gharbi area. As a result, Tawfiq Jbara al-Agha, 56, was killed and another 10 civilians were wounded.

- As a result of Israeli attacks on the villages in the east of Khan Yunis, about 10,000 Palestinian civilians left these villages and moved to the center of Khan Yunis. So, the number of civilians who have shelter at UNRWA school has amounted to about 25,000.

Rafah:

Israeli warplanes launched 23 airstrikes and Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells targeting houses and agricultural lands in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 women and a child, were killed, and 27 others, including 4 children and 9 women, were wounded. Three houses, the Islamic National Bank, Rafah Post Office and a kindergarten were destroyed. Israeli forces also continued their incursion into al-Shouka village, east of Rafah, and Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells at houses and agricultural areas. As a consequence, the number of Palestinian civilians forcibly displaced from the area amount to about 14,000.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 22 July 2104, Israeli tanks fired 2 shells at a number of Palestinian civilians who attempted to return to their homes in Mo’ammar area in al-Shouka village, southeast of Rafah, when they learnt from media reports that there was a humanitarian truce. As a result of the attack, Khadra Saleh Abu Tailakh, 53, was killed and her son, Jamal, 22, her relative Naji, 29, and her neighbor Yasmeen So’ud Abu Mour, 28, were wounded.

- Also at approximately 11:00, Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at a number of Palestinian civilians who attempted to return to their homes in al-Shouka village. As a result, Hakema and Najah Nafe’ Abu ‘Edwan, 66 and 47 respectively, were wounded. Israeli forces did not allow ambulances to reach them, so both women bled to death. When Khalagf and ‘Atiya Abu Snaima, 16 and 21 respectively, who were on an animal cart, attempted to reach the two women, an Israeli drone fired a missile at them. Both civilians were wounded and they bled to death. The bodies of the victims were evacuated to the hospital several hours later.

- At approximately 14:45, Israeli drones fired 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to ‘Abdul Qader Mustafa al-‘Arja, in which 20 people live, in al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A nearby house belonging to al-‘Arja’s brother, Darwish, was also destroyed, and a number of nearby houses were damaged. Before the attack, Israeli forces phoned al-‘Arja’s nephew ordering evacuation of the house.

- At approximately 17:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an agricultural plot in al-Shaboura refugee camp. No casualties were reported.

- From 20:00 to 23:00, Israeli warplanes launched a number of airstrikes and Israeli tanks fired shells at agricultural lands in al-Shouka and al-Nasser villages. No casualties were reported.

- At approximately 00:30 on Wednesday, 23 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a building that includes the Islamic National Bank, Rafah Post Office and private offices in the center of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the building, causing extensive damage to it.

- At approximately 01:00, Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells at houses in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah.

- At approximately 01:25, Israeli gunboats fired a number of shells at a site of the Palestinian Internal Security Service at Rafah beach. The site was extensively damaged.

- At approximately 06:20, Israeli drones fired 2 missiles at a house belonging to Khaled Mahmoud Abu Nada, a leader of Hamas, in which 10 people live in al-Junaina neighborhood in Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. Before the attack, Israeli forces phoned a neighbor ordering evacuation of the house.

- At approximately 06:50, Israeli drones fired 2 missiles without a prior warning at a house belonging to Ziad ‘Abdullah Jarghoun, a leader of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, in which 35 people live in Tabbat Zare’ neighborhood in the east of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile 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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