NOVANEWS
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights photo of Gaza destruction
The Palestine Centre for Human Rights in Gaza has issued this report on the latest Israeli attacks on Gaza and a call for international bodies to investigate Israeli authorities for likely war crimes. The report begins with these statements:
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
Here is the full report:
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.
