Ref: 89/2014
Date: 18 July 2014
Time: 07:00 GMT

Since the Beginning of the Israeli Offensive on Gaza:

250 Palestinians Killed, of Whom 206 Are Civilians, Including 54 Children and 34 Women, and 1,726 Others Wounded, Mostly Civilians, Including 526Children and 349 Women;
333 Houses Targeted and Destroyedand Hundreds of Others Extensively Damaged
Thousands of Palestinian Civilians Forcibly Displaced

Israeli occupation forces have continued their brutal and immoral offensive on the Gaza Strip for the8thconsecutive 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, including houses and mosques.Last night, the Israeli government declared launching a ground operation in the Gaza Strip. In effect, Israeli forces moved hundreds of meters into Palestinian areas located along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, amidst unprecedented shelling. Israeli warplanes supported these incursions. Israeli forces threatened Palestinian civilians of destroying their homes over their head if they stay in these areas. Hundreds of Palestinian civilians were forcibly displaced from these areas, reminding of the tragedy of 1948. Those who were not able to leave these areas have trapped under the Israeli tank shelling, and the International Committee of the Red Cross has not been able to attend them. Overnight, dozens of artillery and smoke shells were fired at these areas, unleashing bad smells that caused suffocation and fainting for many civilians and medical crews.

Due to the indiscriminate and intense Israeli shelling, several public and service institutions, including municipalities, have suspended their activities, as 3 municipalities workers were killed in Rafah al-Boreij. This decision will lead to a real crisis in regards to providing drinking water, cleaning and sanitation. Additionally, more than one third of the Gaza Strip’s population lack electricity supplies as Israeli forces damaged major electricity lines and obstructed their repair.

From 10:00 on Thursday, 17 July 2014 to 10:00 on Friday, 18 July 2014, 29 Palestinians, 27 of whom are civilians, including 9 children and 2 women, were killed. Additionally, 268 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were wounded – this number includes 94 children and51 women. Israeli warplanes also targeted and destroyed 21 houses.

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

The Northern Gaza Strip:

Israeli warplanes launched 28airstrikes and Israeli tanks and gunboats fired dozens of shells targeting houses, agricultural plots,open areas and a mosque. As a result of these attacks, 3 Palestinian civilians, including a woman, were killed, and 119 others, including 45 children and 23 women, were wounded. Additionally, Israeli warplanes targeted 5 houses and destroyed 3 of them.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

• At approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 17 July 2014, an Israeli artillery shell hit Hayel Abdul Hamid School in Beit Hanoun. Fire broke out in the third floor and the building was damaged.
• At approximately 21:00, an Israeli artillery shell hit a house belonging to ‘Abdul Nasser Dabbour in the north of Beit Hanoun. As a result, Dabbour’s wife, AmalKhader Ibrahim Dabbour, 41, was killed, and the house was damaged.
• At approximately 21:50, an Israeli artillery shell landed near a house belonging to Ra’fat al-Za’anin in Beit Hanoud. As a result, 7 members of the family suffered severe suffocation.
• At approximately 22:40, an Israeli artillery shell hit a house belonging to HamdiKhaderObaid in the north of Beit Hanoun. As a result, 21 members of the family were wounded, including 7 ones who sustained serious wounds. The house was also damaged.
• At approximately 01:00 on Friday, 18 July 2014, an Israeli artillery shell hit a house belonging to Mahmoud Hussein Nussair in the north of Beit Hanoun. As a result, 2 of Nussair’s sons were killed: Nassim, 32; and Karam, 31. A third son, Mohammed, 26, was also wounded, and the house was damaged.
• At approximately 02:20, an Israeli warplane launched a missile belonging to the Shubair family in the east of Jabalya. The house was totally destroyed.
• At approximately 02:30, Israeli forces moved into Um al-Nasser village, north of Beit Lahia. According to local sources, Israeli forces arrested at least 8 Palestinians.
• At approximately 09:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to the al-Salawi family in al-Saftawi neighborhood. The house was damaged.
• On Thursday morning, 17 July 2014, Israeli warplanes bombarded a 2-storey house belonging to Dr. MajdiJameelShaqqura, the French Consul in Gaza, near al-Nawras Resort in the southwest of Beit Lahia. The house was completely destroyed. Shaqqura and his family were not in the house when it was bombarded.

Gaza City:

Israeli warplanes launched 15 airstrikes and Israeli gunboats and tanks fired shells targeting houses, civilians, agricultural lands, open areas and al-Wafaa’ Hospital. As a result of these attacks, 7 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children, were killed, and 20 others, including 9 children,3 women and a journalist, were wounded. Additionally, 2 houses were destroyed and 2 flats were damaged.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

• At approximately 16:00 on Thursday, 17 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Khaled Mohammed Muhaisen in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
• At approximately 17:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the roof of a house belonging to the sons of Marzouq Mohammed Shuhaiber, where 5 children from the family were feeding birds. As a result of the attack, 3 children were instantly killed: Jihad and Wissam ‘EssamMarzouqShuhaiber, 10 and 8 respectively; and AfnanWissamMarzouqShuhaiber, 8. The other two children were seriously wounded.
• At approximately 20:40, Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells at al-Sha’af neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. One of the shells hit a house belonging to ‘Abed ‘Ali ‘Abdul ‘AalEntaiz. As a result, 3 members of the family, including 2 children, were killed: ‘Abed ‘Ali ‘Abdul ‘AalEntaiz, 24; Mohammed Ibrahim Entaiz, 13; and Mohammed Salem Ibrahim Entaiz, 2. Another 4 members of the family, including a child and 2 women, were wounded.
• At approximately 01:00 on Friday, 18 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Hamada Jaber Habib in al-Mughrabi Street. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
• At approximately 03:30, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at the 1st and 15th floors and a store of the Customs Authority in Dawod building in al-Remal neighborhood. The building was damaged.
• At approximately 04:00, an Israeli artillery shell hit a house belonging to Saqer Mansour Abu Tawila in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result, Abu Tawila’s son, Rami, 47, was killed. Three members of the family, including a child, were also wounded.
• At approximately 07:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an engineering office belonging to the Abu Ras family in al-Jawhara building. The office was extensively damaged. As a result, Mohammed Ahmed Shabat, 45, a journalist, was lightly wounded. It should be noted that there are 13 media institutions based in the building.

The Central Gaza Strip:

Israeli warplanes launched 10 airstrikes and tanks fired dozens of shells targeting houses, agricultural lands and open areas. As a result of these attacks, a Palestinian civilian was killed, and 25 others, including 4 women and 7 children, were wounded. A housewas destroyed and another one was damaged.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

• At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 17 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Nidal Mohammed Noufal, in which 25 people live, in al-Nussairat refugee camp. As a result, Palestinian civilians, including 2 children, were wounded.
• At approximately 19:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Musallam ‘Abdul Karim ‘Eissa, in which 20 people live, in Juhor al-Dik village. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. As a result, ‘Eissa’s son, Hussam, 28, was killed, and his brother was seriously wounded.
• At approximately 20:00, Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells at the east of the central Gaza Strip. A number of Palestinian civilians were wounded and ssome houses were damaged.
• At approximately 22:00, an Israeli artillery shell hit a house belonging to Yousef Ahmed Mughassib in Wadi al-Salqa village, east of Deir al-Balah. As a result, 4 members of the family (2 children and 2 women) were wounded.

Khan Yunis:

Israeli warplanes launched 51airstrikes targeting houses, agricultural plots, open areas, security sites and a mosque in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. Israeli tanks and gunboats also fired dozens of shells at agricultural and open areas. As a result, 12 Palestinians, including a child and a member of an armed group, were killed, and 45 others, including 12 children and 8 women, were wounded. These figures include 9 Palestinian who were killed and 29 others were wounded during an Israeli incursion into al-Qarara village and al-Zanna area. Israeli warplanes also targeted 4 houses and destroyed 3 of them. They also bombarded a poultry farm. Overnight, dozens of artillery and smoke shells were fired at these areas, unleashing bad smells that caused suffocation and fainting for many civilians and medical crews.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

• At approximately 16:55 on Thursday, 17 July 2014, Israeli warplanes launched 3 airstrikes on a poultry farm belonging to the ‘Abdul Ghafour family in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis. The farm was destroyed, but no casualties were reported.
• At approximately 18:00, Israeli warplanes dropped thousands of flyers over the eastern areas of Khan Yunis ordering the inhabitants of Khuza’a, ‘Abassan and BaniSuhaila to leave their homes and move towards the center of the town.
• At approximately 18:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ibrahim Abu ‘Eid in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. The house was damaged and members of the family were forced to evacuate it.
• At approximately 18:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to al-‘Abadla family in al-Qarara village. As a result, Hamza Hassan ‘Ali al-‘Abadla, 29, a member of a Palestinian armed group, was killed.
• At approximately 18:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at 2 Palestinian children who were playing in the yard of their family’s house in al-Manara neighborhood in the south of Khan Yunis. As a result, Rahaf Khalil Hamada al-Jbour, 4, was killed, and her brother, 6-year-old Hamada, was wounded.
• Also at approximately 18:20, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the office of the Customs Authority in Khan Yunis. A Palestinian civilian was wounded.
• At approximately 19:50, Israeli warplanes launched 10 airstrikes on agricultural lands in al-Qarara, al-Zanna and ‘Abassan areas, damaging them.
• At approximately 20:00, Israeli tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, fired dozens of shells at Palestinian areas near the border. As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians were wounded. The tank shelling was intensified at 22:00, when the Israeli government declared launching a ground operation in the Gaza Strip.
• At approximately 22:20, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to Khaled al-Sinwar in al-Qarara village, northwest of Khan Yunis. The house was extensively damaged.
• At approximately 22:35, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the campus of the University College of Applied Sciences in the west of Khan Yunis. As a result, Salah Saleh Ramadan al-Shaf’ei, 24, was killed, and another one was wounded. Both of them are service works in the college.
• Shortly before midnight, Israeli tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired dozens of artillery and smoke shells at all villages to the east of Khan Yunis. In the meantime, Israeli forces were moving into the east of al-Qarara village. The shells fired by Israeli forces unleashed bad smells that caused suffocation and fainting for many civilians and medical crews. Hundreds of Palestinian civilians were also forced to leave their homes in the affected areas. They resorted to mosques, schools and relatives.
• At approximately 00:10 on Friday, 18 July 2014, Israeli warplanes launched 5 airstrikes at Asdaa’ City and Khan Yunis Central Prison in the west of Khan Yunis.
• At approximately 02:10, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Mawasi area in the west of Khan Yunis. As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded.
• In the meantime, Israeli forces moved hundreds of meters into al-Zanna area. They took positions atop a number of houses. Armed clashes erupted between them and members of Palestinian armed groups.
• At approximately 03:00, Israeli warplanes launched several missiles at Abu Radwan quarter in al-Zanna area in BanilSuhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. As a result, 4 members of the Radwan family were seriously wounded. Medical crews were not able to attend him because of the intensive shelling, so the 4 civilians bled to death. They were identified as: Ahmed and Mahmoud FawziRadwan, 23 and 24; Bilal Mahmoud Radwan, 23; and Munther Nabil Radwan, 22.
• For 4 hours starting from 03:30, Israeli warplanes launched at least 15 airstrikes at al-Zanna area in BaniSuhaila and al-Qarara villages, east of Khan Yunis, while tanks intensively shelled the area. As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians were killed: Hammad ‘Abdul Karim Hammad Abu Lihya, 23; Mohammed ‘Abdul Fattah Rashad Fayad, 26; Mahmoud Mohammed Fayad, 25; Hani As’ad ‘Abdul Karim al-Shami, 35; and Mohammed Hamdan ‘Abdul Karim al-Shami, 35. Another 29 civilians, including 8 women, were wounded. According to local sources, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed 2 houses in ‘Abdul Ghafour area in al-Qarara village.

Rafah:

Israeli warplanes launched 46 airstrikes and Israeli tanks and gunboats fired dozens of shells targeting houses, agricultural lands andopen areasin the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. As a result, 6 Palestinians, including 5 civilians, were killed, and79 others, including 21 children and 13 women, were wounded. Seven houseswere destroyed.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

• At approximately 13:00 on Thursday, 17 July 2014, Israeli tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, southeast of Rafah, fired dozens of shells at the debris of Gaza International Airport and houses in al-Nahda neighborhood and al-Shouka village. Dozens of families were forced to leave their homes.
• At approximately 18:10, Israeli warplanes dropped flyers on Rafah ordering residents of al-Shaboura refugee camp, Tal al-Sultan neighborhood and al-Dehniya village to leave their homes and move towards the south of Rafah, allegedly for their safety.
• At approximately 18:55, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ussama Abu Taha in al-Brazil neighborhood in the south of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. As a result, MukhlesJaber al-Loulahi, 4, was wounded.
• At approximately 19:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Salem Shihda Siam, in which 10 people live, in al-Shaboura refugee camp in Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of nearby houses were damaged. Before the attack, Israeli forces phoned Siam’s son to evacuate the house.
• From 20:20 to 00:00, Israeli tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, southeast of Rafah, fired dozens of shells at the debris of Gaza International Airport and houses in al-Nahda neighborhood and al-Shouka village. Palestinian civilians called ambulances and civil defense crews to evacuate them from these areas.
• At approximately 20:25, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to NazmiSelmiShallouf, in which 7 people live, in al-Shouka village, southeast of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
• At approximately 21:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ismail Mahmoud ‘Abdul ‘Aal, in which 15 people live, in TabbatZare’ neighborhood in the east of Rafah. A few minutes later, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at the house and destroyed it. As a result, the owner’s child, 4-month-old Malak, was wounded. A number of nearby houses were also damaged.
• At approximately 22:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Mohammed Sameer al-Jazzar in al-Brazil 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 the family was also destroyed. A number of houses in the area were also damaged.
• At approximately 23:55, medical crews were able to evacuated bodies of 3 Palestinian civilians who were killed and 20 other civilians who were wounded by the intensive Israeli tank shelling of houses near the Gaza International Airport, and in al-Shouka and al-Nasser villages, east and north of Rafah respectively. The victims were identified as:Majdi Suleiman Jebara, 22; Fares Jum’a al-Tarabin, 3 months; and ‘Omar ‘Eid al-Mahmoum, 17. Two hours later, ambulances evacuated the body of Selmiya Suleiman Abu Ghayad, 70, who was hit by shrapnel when Israeli tanks shelled Gaza International Airport.
• At approximately 03:40 on Friday, 18 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ahmed ‘AsfourDwai’er in the center of Rafah. As a result, Hanan Ahmed Dwai’er, 41, was wounded.
• At approximately 04:05, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a house belonging to Mohammed Ibrahim Zo’rob, 45, in al-Nasser village, north of Rafah, without a prior warning. Zo’rob’s child, 11-year-old Siham, was killed, and 11 members of the family were wounded.
• At approximately 06:10, medical crews found the body of Yasser Mohammed Madhi, 22, a member of a Palestinian armed group, in Kherbat al-‘Adas neighborhood in the north of Rafah. According to medical sources, he was hit by shrapnel of an artillery shell.

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.