[News] Gaza - Unlawful Attacks on High-Rise Buildings and Civilian Objects Continue
Anti-Imperialist News
news at freedomarchives.org
Tue Aug 26 12:54:23 EDT 2014
26-8-2014
*http://www.mezan.org/en/details.php?id=19477&ddname=IOF&id_dept=9&id2=9&p=center*
90/2014
IOF Unlawful Attacks on High-Rise Buildings and Civilian Objects Continue
Al Mezan: 2,153 Killed; 518 Children and 295 Women since 7 July
12PM Gaza Time
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) attacks more high-rise apartment
buildings; known locally as 'towers', in the Gaza Strip during the
reporting period, heavy, high explosive bombs. Hundreds of people live
in these buildings, including many who had been displaced and took
shelter in them with their relatives or friends. According to leaflets
dropped by the IOF on the Gaza Strip, the population are warned that
houses would be attacked and are urged, for their own safety, prevent
their property for being used to fire at Israel. This was a direct
threat to the population of the Gaza Strip ahead of the IOF resorting to
bombing high-rise buildings.
International law prohibits directing attacks to civilian objects.
Unless houses are used clearly for military operations, they are immune
from armed attacks, which must be imminently necessary and
proportionate. There is no evidence that these buildings were used for
military purposes. They are populated with families; including displaced
people who sought safety after being under IOF attack, and no attacks
emanated from them. These attacks; however, seem to put greater pressure
on the population of Gaza, with schools unable to host more displaced
people. These attacks must also be viewed along with Israel's government
direct threats of further attacks to pressure the Palestinians to agree
to a deal on Israel's terms.
The number of Palestinian civilians returning to shelters designated for
internally displaced people (IDPs); especially in UN schools, continued
to increase, with the shelters getting more and more crowded every day.
There is about 450,000 IDPs in the Gaza Strip now. The humanitarian
conditions for the general population, and especially for displaced
people, are still difficult in Gaza under the prolonged blackouts and
shortages in water supplies. Food availability is decreasing as
agricultural land and poultry and livestock farms are either targeted or
inaccessible.
The verification indicates that as of 12 pm today, Monday 25 August
2014, at least 2,153 Palestinians have been killed by the IOF since 7
July 2014. Of them 518 are children and 296 women. It should be noted
that the number of children has increased since yesterday following the
versification of the dates of birth of a group of teenagers, who were
verified as under 18s. These figures also do include seven casualties
who were buried without being identified in Rafah. According to Al
Mezan's investigations 1,657 (i.e. 77%) of the victims are civilians. At
least 995 people; including 328 children and 211 women, were killed
inside their houses; and two other disabled women were killed in an
attack on a rehabilitation NGO's office. Another 233 people were killed
in the vicinity of their houses; including in situations where they were
trying to flee from their homes as a result of IOF attacks.
Moreover, at least 10,854 people were injured during the same period
according to the Ministry of Health; including 3,295 were children and
2,106 women. At least, 10,856 houses were destroyed or damaged during
this period; of which 2,836 were destroyed completely. The IOF directly
and deliberately attacked 1,064 of the total number of damaged houses.
As of today, IOF attacks have destroyed or damaged 98 schools, 160
mosques, 8 hospitals; 6 of which are out of service, 46 NGO offices, 50
fishing boats, and 243 vehicles.
*North Gaza district:*
During the 24-hour reporting period between 12pm on Monday 25 August
2014 and 12 pm today, Tuesday 26 August 2014, the IOF fired about 34
missiles on various areas across the North Gaza district. These attacks
targeted empty fields and agricultural land, two metal workshops for the
Mohammed Odeh Company and the Sammour family; both totally destroyed,
and seven houses, which were also totally destroyed. The houses are
owned by:
*
Khalil Al Attar; a two-story house in Beit Lahiya;
*
Abdel Latif Al Dabous; a five-story house in Beit Lahiya;
*
Khalid Mustafa Al Shaf'i; a three-story house in Beit Lahiya;
*
Atta Mohammed Mattar; a two-story house in Jabalia;
*
Abdallah Faraj Al Toum; a two story house in Jabalia;
*
Majed Atta Sa'd; a two-story house in Jabalia;
*
Jehad Atta Sa'd; a two-story house in Jabalia
Three other houses were also targeted directly by the IOF and were
severely danaged and burned. These houses belong to:
*
Abdel Rahman Ahmed Msallam; a two-story house in Beit Lahiya;
*
Raed Mohammed Ziyada; a three-story house in Jabalia; and
*
Nassar Mustafa Azeez, a three-story house in Jabalia refugee camp.
The bombardment of these targets damaged about 20 other houses, two
mosques, a sewage water pump, a health center, and two schools. At least
26 people were injured, including ten children and four women.
An IOF attack that was reported by AL Mezan yesterday, which targeted
the house of Radad Ahmed Tanboura, which is located in the town of Beit
Lahiya was further investigated by Al Mezan after victims were recovered
from under the rubble. In addition to the killing of the house owner in
the attack at approximately 10:40 am on Monday 25 August 2014, it was
verified that his two children Ahmed Radad Tanboura, 15; and Amna Radad
Tanboura, 13, were killed. His wife, Elizabeth Mustafa Tanboura, 39; his
son; Shaher, 19; and his daughter, Marwa, 9, were also injured. Another
six of the family's neighbors were injured, including two children and a
woman.
At approximately 9:55 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a
missile at a small street behind the UNRWA's Jabalia Preparatory School
for Boys in Jabalia refugee camp. The UN has turned the school into an
IDPs shelter. Six displaced people were injured in this attack; five of
whom were children:
*
Mervat Ghazi Hamad, 8;
*
Mona Nadi Hamad, 7;
*
Yasmeen Mohammed Al Shnibari, 9;
*
Hani Raed Mdoukh, 7;
*
Soha Ali Abu Odeh, 11; and
*
Akram Mohammed Abu Odeh, 25.
A coffee shop and two houses were also damaged in this attack.
*Gaza City district:*
In Gaza City, IOF aircraft launched about 40 airstrikes; in which about
60 missiles and bombs were dropped on the city. Some of the attacks
targeted open areas, but they also targeted five houses, two high-rise
apartment buildings hosting 57 apartments, a charity for people with
disability, a mosque, and six schools. As a result of those attacks, one
of the schools was completely destroyed, about 100 houses, a water-well,
and four cars were destroyed or damaged. Two houses were completely
destroyed, and three others were severely damaged. Another other houses
were partially damaged. Eight Palestinians were killed from IOF attacks
during the reporting period and 61 others were injured.
At approximately 2:30 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired
two missiles at a car that was driving in the Al Daraj neighborhood in
central Gaza City. The four men who were in the car were killed; one of
whom is a Saudi national. They were identified as:
*
Ahmed Tayseer Al Dali, 29;
*
Basim Hassan Hejazi, 36;
*
Ahmed Hassan Hejazi, 23; and
*
Mosaylema Abu Zeena, 40; a Saudi national.
At approximately 5 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired a
missile at the Al Sham'a mosque in the Al Zeitoun neighborhood, east of
Gaza city. The mosque was severely damaged as a result.
At approximately 6 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, medical sources in the
Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City announced the death of Abdallah Fadel
Murtaja, 26. Murtaja was a journalist. He was injured earlier on the
same day when the IOF targeted a group of people in the Al Shejai'ya
neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.
At approximately 6:30 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired
two missiles at a water-well, which is located next to Al Zahraa'
secondary school for girls on the Al Wehda Street in central Gaza City.
Three people were injured and the school sustained partial damages.
At approximately 9:30 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired
two missiles at the house of the Al Emawi family, which is located in
the AL Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City. The five-story house, which
hosted ten families of 80 persons, was completely destroyed. No
casualties of injuries were reported.
At approximately 10 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired two
missiles at the house of Basim Ajour, 60, which is located next to the
Al Zahraa' secondary school for girls in central Gaza City. The house
was bombarded without prior warning and as its residents were inside it.
It was destroyed completely. It's owner's son, Sa'd Basim Ajour, 22, was
killed and ten of the family members were injured. The house owner's
injuries were described as critical.
At approximately 10:30 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired
two heavy missiles at the Italian Mall; a 15-story high-rise apartment
building, which is located on the Al Nasser Street in the northwest of
Gaza City. The building's first two floors host a shopping mall and the
offices of the Housing and Public Works Ministry. The other 13 floors
host four apartments each.
At approximately 11:30 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired
two heavy missiles at the house of Adnan Ahmed Shaldan, 60, which is
located in the Al Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City. The
five-story house was completely destroyed, displacing four families of
18 persons.
At approximately 12:20 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired
three missiles at the house of Mahmoud Ahmed Shatat, 52, which is
located in the AL Yarmouk neighborhood in central Gaza City. The
two-story house was completely destroyed, displacing the three families
who lived in it.
About ten minutes later, around 12:30 am on Tuesday, IOF aircraft fired
a missile in the vicinity of Isleem Company for Sponge, which is located
near the above-mentioned house of Dhatat family. The attack killed two
persons, who were identified as Mohammed Mu'een Abu Ajwa, 28; and Hassan
Omar Khawas, 23.
At approximately 2 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired
three missiles at the house of Maher Ibrahim Mdoukh, 50, which is
located in the Al Daraj neighborhood in central. The two story house,
which is vacant, was destroyed completely. A store next to the house was
also destroyed. The house owner has not been living in the Gaza Strip in
the past years.
At approximately 3 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired two
missiles at the Al Sheja'iya Basic School for Girls, which is located in
the east of Gaza City. The school building was destroyed completely as a
result.
Also at approximately 3 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired
a missile at the Al Abbas Ibn Al Mutaleb School for Girls, which is
located in the Al Sheja'iya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. The school
building was damaged as a result.
At approximately 3 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired two
missiles at the Al Sheja'iya Secondary School for Girls, which is
located in the east of Gaza City. The school building was damaged as a
result.
These attacks on the schools also caused damages to the Mu'een Bseeso
Basic School for Boys, which is located in the Al Sheja'iya
neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
At approximately 3 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired a
missile at the Ali Ibn Abi Taleb Basic School for Boys, which is located
in the Al Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City. The school
building and an adjacent building for the Gaza University were damaged
as a result.
At approximately 3 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired a
missile at the Disabled Association, which is located in the east of
Gaza City. The building of the charity was damaged as a result.
At approximately 4:30 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired
three missiles at the Al Basha high-rise apartment building, which is
located on the Al Thalathini Street in Gaza City and is made of 14
floors. The building, which hosts offices for private businesses and
hosts the Al Sha'b Radio station, was destroyed completely.
*Middle Gaza district:*
In the middle of Gaza district, IOF warplanes attacked several areas,
launching at least 14 airstrikes on fields and open areas. At least nine
people were injured including two children and two women during the
reporting period. Around 2 pm on Monday, IOF opened artillery fire on
the eastern parts of the district.
During the reporting period, the IOF bombarded seven houses in the
Middle Gaza district, as follows:
*
At approximately 12 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired
a missile at the house of Salem Abu Ajwa, 55, which is located in
the Al Bureij refugee camp. A few minutes later, IOF aircraft fired
a heavy missile at the house and destroyed it completely. The
two-story house was home to eight families, who were displaced.
*
At approximately 1:20 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone
fired a missile at the house of Fuad Mohammed AL Mbashir, 63, which
is located in the AL Maghazi refugee camp. Ten minutes later, IOF
aircraft bombarded the house and destroyed it completely. Two
families of ten persons used to live in the house.
*
At approximately 1:40 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone
fired a missile at the house of Ahmed Abdallah Abu Na'eem, 45, which
is located in the Al Nuseirat refugee camp. Ten minutes later, IOF
aircraft bombarded and completely destroyed the two-story house.
Seven people used to live in the house and were displaced as a
result of the attack.
*
At approximately 5:10 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone
fired a missile at the house of Ziyad Abdel Raheem Abu Ammona, 52,
which is located in the Al Nuseirat refugee camp. About ten minutes
later, IOF aircraft bombarded the three-story house and destroyed it
completely. Eleven people used to live in the house and were
displaced. A neighboring house was damaged and a women from the Abu
Ammona family was injured.
*
At approximately 2:50 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone
fired a missile at the house of the heirs of Ahmed Ali Fatayir,
which is located in the town of Deir Al Balah. The two-story house
was bombarded by IOF aircraft about ten minutes after this attack,
and was destroyed completely. The three-story house was home to
three families of 17 persons.
*
At approximately 5 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF aircraft
bombarded the house of the sons of Abdel Azeez Abdel Raziq Z'eeter,
which is located in Deir Al Balah town. The five-story house, which
is inhabited by 17 families of about 160 persons, was completely
destroyed.
*Khan Younis district:*
In Khan Younis district the IOF launched 22 airstrikes on various areas
during the reporting period, mostly on open fields and houses. Five of
the houses were targeted directly and destroyed completely. These
attacks injured one person. The IOF attacks caused damages to other
houses and civilian structures in the district.
At approximately 2:50 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft
bombarded the house of Wajdi Fayyad, which is located in the Al Qarara
town, east of Khan Younis district. Al Mezan's investigations indicate
that the IOF called the family by phone and informed them of the
impending bombing of the house and instructed them to evacuate it. A few
minutes after the call, the two-story house was bombarded and destroyed.
Ten people were displaced as a result.
At approximately 3:40 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a
missile at the house of Muneer Al Abadla; a two story house in the Al
Qarara town. A few minutes later, IOF aircraft bombarded the house and
destroyed it completely. Several neighboring houses were also damaged in
the attack.
At approximately 4:09 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a
missile at the house of Salma Qdeeh, which is located in Abassan Al
Kabeera town, east of Khan Younis district. A few minutes later,
aircraft bombarded the house and destroyed it. Several neighboring
houses were also damaged in the attack.
At approximately 10:45 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a
missile at the house ofFaheem Jom'a Qdeeh. The two-story house was then
bombarded a few minutes later, destroying it completely and causing
damage to neighboring houses. One person was moderately injured as a
result of the attack.
*Rafah district:*
The IOF launched 10 airstrikes on Rafah district during the reporting
period. IOF artillery intermittently fired shells in the eastern parts
of the town. These attacks targeted houses, empty areas and fields, and
the border area between Gaza and Egypt. At least two people were injured
in Rafah during the reporting period.
At approximately 4:40 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014 2014, IOF aircraft
fired two missiles at the house of Mustafa Mohammed Abu Obaid, which is
located in the Al Shabora block in Rafah refugee camp and built on an
area of 500 meters, and is home to 35 people. Few minutes prior to this
attack which destroyed the house completely, IOF drones fired two
missiles at it. One of these missiles did not explode. One man, Mohammed
Salem Al Hamaida, 32, was moderately injured in this attack.
Al Mezan condemns IOF's attacks on civilians and civilian targets in the
Gaza Strip. Attacks on protected civilians and civilian objects that
fail to comply with the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL)
represent grave breaches of IHL, which amount to war crimes. These
violations must be credibly and promptly investigated and prosecuted.
The international community has an obligation to condemn these
violations and make swift, effective interventions to bring them to a halt.
Al Mezan condemns the IOF attacks on a large apartment buildings, a
shopping center, and the Rafah Crossing, which indicate a serious
escalation of IOF attacks, carried out under false pretexts that cannot
be verified. The IOF must prove that these structures were used for
military purposes. If so, the attacks must be proportionate and
effective warning must be given to civilians; neither of which was given
appropriately.
Al Mezan deplores the failure of international community to ensure the
protection of the civilian population and the civilian infrastructure in
the Gaza Strip, which have been devastated due to thousands of IOF
unlawful military attacks that did not respect the basic principles of
IHL. International community must provide the civilian population in the
Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid and ensure free and timely passage of
materials and personnel needed to re-establish the basic needs for human
life; including power, water, sanitation and the health sector.
*END*
--
Freedom Archives 522 Valencia Street San Francisco, CA 94110 415
863.9977 www.freedomarchives.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://freedomarchives.org/pipermail/news_freedomarchives.org/attachments/20140826/32e4f2bf/attachment.htm>
More information about the News
mailing list