Ref: 24/2011

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) has continued to commit war
crimes in the Gaza Strip and intensified its artillery and aerial bombardment
in populated areas. These bombing missions are clearly targeting Palestinian
civilians. Yesterday, 22 March 2011, IOF killed four Palestinian civilians. Two
children were killed. A man, his grandchild, his cousin and neighbor were also
killed. Another eleven civilians, including eight children, were wounded, three
seriously. These civilians were targeted while playing football near their
houses in al-Shejaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza city.

This morning, the Israeli radio quoted Israeli military sources as
claiming that one of the shells veered off course and caused casualties. PCHR
investigations refutes this IOF allegation. A populated area was targeted with
four shells. Whether any of the shells veers off course or not, this targeting
could reasonably be expected to cause civilian casualties.

According to an investigation conducted by PCHR, at approximately
15:10 on 22 March 2011, IOF positioned along the border line in the east of
Gaza City fired four consecutive artillery shells at al-Nazzaz street in
al-Shejaeya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Al-Nazzaz street is
approximately 2,000
meters from the border line. The first shell landed on a
2-storey house located on 150m2 belonging to Samer Walid Mushtaha. The second
floor of the house was totally destroyed while the first floor was partially
damaged. The second shell landed on vacant land located nearby vacant land
which belongs to al-Helo family.

The third shell landed near a group of children and older boys who
were playing football in a square near their houses in al-Nazzaz street.
Mohammed Saber Harara, 19, and Mohammed Jalal al-Helo were immediately killed
and their bodies were dismembered. Just few seconds later, the fourth shell
landed near Yaser Hamed al-Helo, 51, and his grandchild Yaser Ahed al-Helo, 15,
while they were trying to open the door of their garage and drive their car to
rescue the wounded. They were immediately killed. Another 11 civilians,
including eight children, sustained shrapnel wounds. The wounds of three
civilians were described to be serious.

Note: PCHR maintains the names of the wounded.

In another crime, at approximately 19:50 on 22 March 2011, an IOF
warplane fired two missiles at members of the al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing
of the Islamic Jihad movement, near Abdul Aziz al-Rantisi Mosque in the east of
al-Zaytoon Neighborhood, eastern Gaza city. They were approximately 1,500 meters from the
border with Israel. Four of them were immediately killed:

1. Sadi Mahmoud
Helles, 22, from al-Shejaeya neighborhood.

2. Adham Fayez
al-Harazin, 28, from al-Shejaeya neighborhood.

3. Mohammed Ateya
al-Harazin, 27, from al-Shejaeya neighborhood.

4. Mohammed Akram
Abed, 32, from al-Shati refugee camp.

PCHR condemns these crimes and is gravely concerned. PCHR also:

1. Asserts that
these crimes are part of a series of war crimes committed by IOF in the oPt,
which reflect total disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians.

2. Warns of the
escalation of war crimes against Palestinian civilians in view of the
statements and threats expressed by Israeli political and military officials
who have vowed more casualties in the Gaza Strip.

3. Calls upon the
international community to take immediate action in order to put an end to such
crimes. PCHR further renews its demand for the High Contracting Parties to the
Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligation under Article 1 which
stipulates “the High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to
ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances,” as well
as their obligations under Article 146 which requires that the Contracting
Parties prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva
Convention. These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the
same Convention and under Protocol I Additional to Geneva Conventions.