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<div align="left"><font color="#999999" size="2">26-8-2014<br>
<small><small><b><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.mezan.org/en/details.php?id=19477&ddname=IOF&id_dept=9&id2=9&p=center">http://www.mezan.org/en/details.php?id=19477&ddname=IOF&id_dept=9&id2=9&p=center</a></b></small></small><br>
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<p align="right">90/2014</p>
<p class="ah" align="center"> IOF Unlawful Attacks on High-Rise
Buildings and Civilian Objects Continue<br>
Al Mezan: 2,153 Killed; 518 Children and 295 Women since 7 July</p>
<p align="left">12PM Gaza Time</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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. </p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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. </p>
<p align="left"><b>North Gaza district:</b></p>
<p align="left">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:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left">Khalil Al Attar; a two-story house in Beit
Lahiya;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Abdel Latif Al Dabous; a five-story house in
Beit Lahiya;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Khalid Mustafa Al Shaf'i; a three-story house
in Beit Lahiya;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Atta Mohammed Mattar; a two-story house in
Jabalia;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Abdallah Faraj Al Toum; a two story house in
Jabalia;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Majed Atta Sa'd; a two-story house in Jabalia;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Jehad Atta Sa'd; a two-story house in Jabalia</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p align="left">Three other houses were also targeted directly by
the IOF and were severely danaged and burned. These houses belong
to:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left">Abdel Rahman Ahmed Msallam; a two-story house
in Beit Lahiya;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Raed Mohammed Ziyada; a three-story house in
Jabalia; and</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Nassar Mustafa Azeez, a three-story house in
Jabalia refugee camp.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p align="left">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. </p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left">Mervat Ghazi Hamad, 8;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Mona Nadi Hamad, 7;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Yasmeen Mohammed Al Shnibari, 9;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Hani Raed Mdoukh, 7;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Soha Ali Abu Odeh, 11; and </div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Akram Mohammed Abu Odeh, 25.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p align="left">A coffee shop and two houses were also damaged in
this attack.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Gaza City district:</b></p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left">Ahmed Tayseer Al Dali, 29;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Basim Hassan Hejazi, 36;</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Ahmed Hassan Hejazi, 23; and</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">Mosaylema Abu Zeena, 40; a Saudi national.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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. </p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Middle Gaza district:</b></p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">During the reporting period, the IOF bombarded seven
houses in the Middle Gaza district, as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<div align="left">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.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">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.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">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.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">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.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">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.</div>
</li>
<li>
<div align="left">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.</div>
</li>
</ul>
<p align="left"><b>Khan Younis district:</b></p>
<p align="left">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. </p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left"><b>Rafah district:</b></p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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.</p>
<p align="left">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. </p>
<p align="left">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. </p>
<p align="left"><b>END</b></p>
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