Ref: 134/2014
Date: 26 August 2014
Time: 07:00 GMT

On the 51st Day of Israeli Offensive on Gaza:
13 Palestinians, 7 of Whom Are Civilians, Including Man and His 2 Children, Killed and 99 Others, Including 30 Children and 15 Women, Wounded;
26 Houses, 2 Multi-Storey Apartment Buildings, 4 Schools and Disabled Persons Society Attacked

Since the Beginning of the Israeli Offensive, 2,153 Palestinians, 1,643 of Whom Are Civilians, Including 513 Children and 294 Women, Killed and 10,741 Others, Mostly Civilians, Including 3,262 Children and 2,087 Women, Wounded;

Civilian Dies of Previous Wound;
948 Houses Targeted and Destroyed by Israeli Warplanes;
166 Families Attacked in Their Homes and 991 Members of Them Killed;
Thousands of Houses Destroyed Completely or Partially by Israeli Shelling;

Thousands of Palestinian Families Resort to Humanitarian Shelters

Israeli occupation forces have continued their brutal and immoral offensive on the Gaza Strip for the 51st consecutive day in violation of the international law. They have employed their full-fledged arsenal to attack the Gaza Strip from the air, sea and land, killing and wounding thousands of Palestinians, mostly civilians, including children and women. Many Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes that attacked their homes without prior warnings. Israeli forces have attacked homes and civilian facilities and property.

Over the past few days, Israeli forces have systematically destroyed multi-storey apartment buildings where dozens of families live, and have destroyed complete residential quarters by direct airstrikes. These attacks constitute a form of collective punishment and a war crime committed by Israeli forces for purely political purposes that have no relevance to security or military necessities. Therefore, the international community is required to act to stop these heinous crimes, especially as they followed threats by Israeli officials to expand the scope of targeting civilians. Last midnight, Israeli warplanes violently bombarded multi-storey buildings in densely-populated areas, rendering hundreds of families homeless and forcing many other families to leave their homes. Palestinian civilians have been extremely terrified and many apartment buildings in Gaza City have becomes vacant as many families received phone calls from Israeli forces ordering them to evacuate their homes, particularly at midnight, which made them confused as it was not possible to move at such late hours. As a result of the Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours, 13 Palestinians, 7 of whom are civilians, including a man and his 2 children, have been killed, and 99 others, including 30 children and 15 women, have been wounded. Additionally, 26 houses, 2 multi-storey apartment buildings, 4 schools and a society of disabled persons have been destroyed. A civilian also died of a previous wound.

Humanitarian shelters throughout the Gaza Strip are over-crowded as thousands of Palestinian civilians have resorted to them. According to UNRWA’s statistics, the number of displaced civilians has amounted to at least 240,000. Most areas in the Gaza Strip lack water and electricity services due to the ongoing offensive.

The latest developments from 10:00 (07:00 GMT) on Monday, 25 August 2014, to 10:00 on Tuesday, 26 August 2014, have been as follows:

The Northern Gaza Strip:

Israeli warplanes have launched a number of airstrikes targeting houses, blacksmith workshops, agricultural plots and open areas. As a result of these attacks, 5 Palestinians, 3 of whom are civilians, including 2 children, have been killed, and 26 others, including 10 children and 4 women, have been wounded. Additionally, 9 houses have been destroyed, and a number of others have been damaged.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

• At approximately 10:40 on Monday, 25 August 2014, Israeli warplanes bombarded a 2-storey house belonging to Raddad Ahmed Saleem Tanboura, 36, in BeitLahia without a prior warning. The house was destroyed over the family, and Tanboura and his 2 children Ahmed, 15, and Amena, 13, were killed, and 9 others, including 2 children and 2 women, were wounded.
• At approximately 10:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Ra’fat Salman in Beit Lahia. A few minutes later, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed the house. A number of nearby houses were damaged.
• At approximately 11:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Khalil al-Áttar in al-Atatra area in Beit Lahia. A few minutes later, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed the house. A number of nearby houses were damaged.
• At approximately 11:45, an Israeli drone attacked members of a Palestinian armed group in the east of Jabalya refugee camp. One of them was instantly killed, while another one was seriously wounded and he died of his wound a few hours later.
• At approximately 13:30, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Ábdul Moti Mohammed Alloush in Old Gaza Street in Jabalya. A few minutes later, Israeli warplanes bombarded the garden of the house. As a result, the house was extensively damaged.
• At approximately 14:45, an Israeli drone fired attacked a number of Palestinian civilians who were near al-Andalus building in the west of Jabalya. As a result, 2 civilians were wounded.
• At approximately 14:30, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at Ábdul Ouda and Sammour workshops in al-Sikka Street in Jabalya. Both workshops were destroyed. It is worth noting that Abu Ouda’s workshop was partially destroyed by Israeli warplanes on Sunday, 24 August 2014.
• At approximately 16:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 5-storey house belonging to Abdul Latif al-Dabous in al-Salatin area in Beit Lahia. A few minutes later, Israeli warplanes bombarded the garden of the house. As a result, the house was extensively damaged.
• At approximately 21:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Khaled al-Shafei in al-Shaima area in Beit Lahia. A few minutes later, Israeli warplanes bombarded the garden of the house. As a result, the house was extensively damaged.
• At approximately 21:50, Israeli warplanes bombarded an agricultural plot adjacent to Jabalya UNRWA Preparatory School “A”, which has been used by UNRWA as a shelter for forcibly displaced civilians in the northern Gaza Strip. The school was damaged and 4 children and a woman were wounded.
• At approximately 01:00 on Tuesday, 26 August 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to ‘Abdullah Faraj al-Toum in al-Twam area in the west of Jabalya. A few minutes later, Israeli warplanes bombarded the garden of the house. As a result, the house was extensively damaged.
• At approximately 03:00, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to ‘Abdul Rahman Ahmed Musallam in Beit Lahia. The house was extensively damaged.
• At approximately 05:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Áta Matar in Aamer housing project in the west of Jabalya. A few minutes later, Israeli warplanes bombarded the garden of the house. As a result, the house was extensively damaged.
• At approximately 06:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Raed Mohammed Ziada in Tal al-Zatar area in Jabalya. A few minutes later, Israeli warplanes bombarded the second floor of the house and destroyed it.
• At approximately 07:40, an Israeli drone attacked a 3-storey house belonging to Nassar Mustafa Aziz, 38, in Block 8 in Jabalya refugee camp. The house was damaged and Aziz was wounded by shrapnel throughout the body.
• At approximately 08:30, an Israeli done attacked a 2-storey house belonging to Jihad Ata Sa’ad in Jabalya. A few minutes later, Israeli warplanes bombarded the garden of the house. As a result, the house was extensively damaged.
• Also at approximately 08:30, an Israeli drone attacked a house belonging to Majed Ata Sa’ad in the same area. A few minutes later, Israeli warplanes bombarded the garden of the house. As a result, the house was extensively damaged. As a result of the two attacks, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman and a child, were wounded.

Gaza City:

Israeli warplanes have launched 40 airstrikes targeting 2 multi-storey apartment buildings, houses, educational institutions and a society for disabled persons. As a result of these attacks, 8 Palestinians, including 4 civilians, have been killed, and 61 others, including 18 children and 10 women, have been wounded. Five houses, 2 multi-storey apartment buildings, 4 schools and a society for disabled persons have been destroyed. Two Palestinian civilians have also died of previous wounds.

The most significant attacks have been as follows:

• At approximately 12:20 on Monday, medical sources declared that Hani Mohammed Yassin, 40, died of a wound he had sustained on 20 August 2014, when Israeli warplanes attacked a number of Palestinian civilians near Hassan al-Banna Mosque in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.
• At approximately 14:20, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a civilian car near al-Sahaba Mosque in the center of Gaza City. As a result, 4 members of a Palestinian armed group who were traveling in the car were instantly killed.
• At approximately 17:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at al-Sham’a Mosque in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The mosque was damaged.
• At approximately 18:00, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Abdullah Fadel Murataja, 26, a journalist, died of a wound he had sustained 3 hours earlier when he was in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.
• At approximately 18:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at al-Basha building near al-Zahraa Secondary School in al-Wihda Street in the east of Gaza City. The building was extensively damaged.
• At approximately 21:15, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at a 5-storey house belonging to the heirs of Mousa Saeed Ahmed, in which 10 families comprised of 80 individuals, including 40 children, live in al-Sabra neighborhood in the south of Gaza City. The house was destroyed and a number of neighboring ones were damaged.
• At approximately 22:00, an Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Bassem Ouda Ajjour, in which 10 people live, in al-Daraj neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result, the owner’s son, Sa’ad, 22, was killed, and the house was destroyed.
• At approximately 22:30, Israeli warplanes launched 7 missiles at the Italian Compound in al-Nasser neighborhood in the north of Gaza City. The building is comprised of 15 floors, including 13 residential ones that contain 52 flats, and 2 commercial ones, in addition to the offices of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing. As a result of the attack, the building was completely destroyed and the surrounding area was extensively damaged. This was the third multi-storey apartment building to be destroyed by Israeli warplanes during the current offensive.
• At approximately 23:30, an Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles at a 5-storey house belonging to Adnan Ahmed Shaldan, in which 19 people, including 10 children, live in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. The house was destroyed and a number of nearby houses were extensively damaged.
• At approximately 00:20 on Tuesday, 26 August 2014, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians who were near their houses in al-Nafaq Street. As a result, 2 civilians were killed: Mohammed Mo’in Abu ‘Ajwa, 28; and Hassan Omar Khawas, 24.
• Also at approximately 00:20, an Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Mahmoud Ahmed Shatat, in which 3 families live, in al-Yarmouk Street. The house was destroyed and the surrounding area was extensively damaged.
• At approximately 02:00, an Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles at a 2-storey house and an 8dajacent 00-square-meter barrack belonging to Maher Ibrahim Mdoukh in al-Sahaba neighborhood in Gaza City. The house and the barrack were destroyed and the surrounding area was extensively damaged.
• At approximately 03:00, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Ali Bin Abi Taleb School in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. The school was extensively damaged. The adjacent campus of Gaza University was also damaged.
• At approximately 03:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at al-Shujaiya Elementary School for Gils in al-Shujaiya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The school was destroyed and 3 nearby schools were damaged.
• Also at approximately 03:30, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at the building of the Physically Disabled Society in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. The building was partially destroyed.
• At approximately 04:15, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at the 13-storey al-Basha building near the Palestine Airways intersection in the center of Gaza City. The building included a number of offices, including the office of al-Sha’b Radio. The building was completely destroyed. This was the 4 multi-storey building to be destroyed by Israeli warplanes during the current offensive.

The Central Gaza Strip:

Israeli warplanes have launched 14 airstrikes targeting houses and agricultural plots. As a result of these attacks, 9 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a woman, have been wounded, and 6 houses have been destroyed.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

• At approximately 12:00 on Monday, 25 August 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Salem Mohammed Abu Ajwa, in which 8 people live, in al-Boreij refugee camp. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of nearby houses were damaged.
• At approximately 13:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Fuad Mohammed al-Mubasher, in which 10 people live, in al-Maghazi refugee camp. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of nearby houses were damaged.
• At approximately 13:15, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Ahmed Abdullah Abu Naeem, in which 7 people live, in al-Maghazi refugee camp. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of nearby houses were damaged.
• At approximately 15:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to the heirs of Ahmed Ali Fatayer, in which 17 people live, in Deir al-Balah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of nearby houses were damaged.
• At approximately 17:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 5-storey house belonging to the heirs of Abdul Aziz Abu Zuaiter, in which 17 families comprised of 162 individuals live, in Deir al-Balah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of nearby houses were damaged.
• At approximately 17:20, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a 3-storey house belonging to Ziad Absul Rahim Abu Ammouna, in which 11 people live, in al-Nussairat refugee camp. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of nearby houses were damaged and a woman was wounded.

Khan Yunis:

Israeli warplanes have launched 22 airstrikes at agricultural plots and houses. As a result, a Palestinian civilian has been wounded, and 5 houses have been destroyed. A number of houses and civilian facilities have been also damaged.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

• At approximately 10:00 on Monday, 25 August 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Sabah Mohammed al-Astal, in which 6 people live, in al-Qarara village. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. Three neighboring houses were damaged.
• At approximately 14:10, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural plot in al-Satar al-Gharbi area.
• At approximately 14:15, Israeli tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israeli fired a number of shells at al-Qarara village and al-Zanna area, east of Khan Yunis.
• At approximately 14:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Wajdi Fayad Fayad, in which 10 people live, in al-Qarara village. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
• At approximately 15:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Moneer al-Abadla in al-Qarara village. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it
• At approximately 16:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Salman Suleiman Qudaih in Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. It is worth noting that Qudaih’s son was killed by Israeli forces during the current offensive.
• At approximately 16:10, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural plot in al-Satar al-Gharbi area.
• At approximately 18:10, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural plot adjacent to a house belonging to Ahmed Qassem al-Abadla. The plot and the house were damaged. It is worth noting that al-Abadla and his son were killed by an Israeli attacks on 22 August 2014.
• At approximately 18:35, Israeli warplanes launched 4 airstrikes on agricultural lands in Hittin area in the northwest of Khan Yunis.
• At approximately 22:35, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural plot in the east of Khan Yunis.
• At approximately 22:45, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Fahim Jumaa Qudaih, in which 12 people live. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
• At approximately 00:45 on Tuesday, 26 August 2014, Israeli warplanes launched 2 airstrikes on agricultural plots in al-Qarara village, north of Khan Yunis.
• At approximately 08:35, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an alley in Khan Yunis refugee camp. No casualties were reported.
• At approximately 09:40, Israeli forces positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, opened fired at houses and agricultural lands in Khuza’a village.

Rafah:

Israeli warplanes have launched 10 airstrikes on various areas in Rafah targeting houses, agricultural plots, open areas and tunnels at the Egyptian border. As a result, 2 Palestinian civilians have been wounded and a house has been destroyed.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

• At approximately 11:15 on Monday, 25 August 2014, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an open area near Rafah International Crossing Point, southeast of Rafah.
• At approximately 15:55, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural plot in Tabbet Zare’ neighborhood in the northeast of Rafah.
• At approximately 16:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a tunnel in al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah.
• At approximately 22:45, an Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles at an open area in al-Shaboura refugee camp in Rafah. As a result, a Palestinian civilian was wounded.
• At approximately 04:40 on Tuesday, 26 August 2014, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a house belonging to Mustafa Mohammed Abu Obaid, in which 35 people live, in al-Shaboura refugee camp. Half an hour later, an Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles at the house, one of which did not explode while the other one destroyed the house. A Palestinian civilian was also wounded.

PCHR reiterates condemnation, expresses utmost concern for these crimes, and:

1) Calls upon the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to promptly visit the Gaza Strip, to fulfill her responsibilities to stop this barbaric offensive and to closely watch the systematic destruction caused and deliberate targeting of Palestinian civilians and property protected under the international law;
2) Calls upon the UN Human Rights Council to accelerate the formation of the fact-finding mission as decided by the Council in the resolution taken in its special session that was held on 23 July 2014 to investigate violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territory without any delay related to bureaucratic restrictions and procedures;
3) Calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their contractual obligations not only to respect the Convention, but also ensure respect for the Convention, and to immediately intervene to stop war crimes committed by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians, and calls upon the Swiss Government, the depository of the Geneva Conventions, to call for a new conference of the High Contracting Parties as soon as possible;
4) Stresses that holding war criminals accountable is an essential condition for any future settlement, and the international community should confirm that no impunity for war criminals, and the achievement of peace is conditioned by respect for human rights and the international law, and prosecution of war criminals;
5) Calls upon the Palestinian leadership to immediately accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which will provide opportunities to prosecute Israeli war criminals before the Court;
6) Stresses that the Gaza Strip is a disaster area and there is an urgent need to treat the disastrous humanitarian situation resulting from deliberate Israeli attacks on the civilian infrastructure, including electricity, water, hospitals, shelters and houses, forcible displacement of more than 500,000 civilians ad systematic and mass destruction of civilian communities;
7) Calls upon the international community to intervene to stop the policies of collective punishment and left the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip for more than seven years, allowing the freedom of movement and goods, away from artificial improvements which have contributed to institutionalizing and prolonging the closure.