Ref: 63/2021
Date: 16 May 2021
Time: 17:00 GMT
38 Palestinians, Including 9 Women and 12 Children, Killed and 128 Others, Including 22 Women and 39 Children, Wounded
Death Toll Rises to 181, Including 52 Children and 31 Women, and Total Number of Injures Mounts to 783, Including 233 Children and 176 Women
For the 7th consecutive day, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) intensified the explosive power used in their attacks as dozens of Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of violent and intense airstrikes, in addition to artillery and gunboat shelling, which continued for hours. As a result, entire residential neighborhoods were erased, and dozens of roads were destroyed, leaving behind earthquake-like destruction. During last hours, Israeli warplanes launched dozens of violent airstrikes at residential houses and buildings without a prior warning, destroying them over their residents’ heads. Also, dozens of casualties were retrieved, especially on al-Wehda Street in Gaza City, while there are still casualties under the rubble; some of them are alive amid persistent attempts by the civil defense crews to rescue them within their modest available means. IOF’s systematic destruction of roads and streets obstructed movement of vehicles and ambulances, especially on the roads leading to al-Shifa Hospital. According to PCHR’s follow-up of most of the civilian targets that were attacked, the Israeli offensive violates the principles of distinction and proportionality in hostilities and the indiscriminate attacks lack the principle of military necessity. IOF continued to carry out indiscriminate attacks on densely populated areas and indiscriminately use weapons to target residential houses and buildings, destroying them completely and deliberately in disregard for civilian victims and without any military necessity and hereby in flagrant violation of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL) principles.
The forced displacement of thousands of residents from their houses in eastern Gaza Strip continued due to the violent artillery shelling and the firing of smoke grenades as shelters were opened to receive them without so far providing the adequate circumstances. This recalls the scene of Palestinian Nakba on its 73rd anniversary.
Further to PCHR’s press release published yesterday, Israeli warplanes carried out hundreds of airstrikes while the Israeli gunboats and artillery shelled various and indiscriminate targets in the Gaza Strip.
As a result, 38 Palestinians were killed, including 9 women and 12 children. Among those killed, there were:
It should be noted that there are still members of the two families under the rubble, and the civil defense crew are still trying to retrieve them.
Moreover, 128 Palestinians, including 22 women and 39 children, were wounded. Additionally, IOF targeted 33 residential houses; mostly buildings, and 3 towers; one was completely destroyed and 2 partially destroyed. The airstrikes also targeted governmental headquarters and infrastructure on a wide scale.
Thus, the death toll since the beginning of the Israeli offensive has risen to 181, including 52 children and 31 women, and the number of those wounded has risen to 783, including 233 children and 176 women.
According to the daily update by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the total number of injuries has risen to 1250, including 50 serious injuries. These large numbers of injuries have increased the burden on medical crews and the already exhausted healthcare system due to the Israeli-imposed closure and the outbreak of coronavirus in addition to the negative impact of power outage on the operation of laboratories, blood banks and surgeries, especially in light of the growing number of injuries.
The following are the most significant developments:
Northern Gaza:
Israeli warplanes carried out many airstrikes and Israeli artillery stationed along the border fence and gunboats stationed off shore fired many shells at the eastern and western areas of the governorate. As a result, a young man was killed while 27 civilians, including 10 children and 5 women, were wounded. Also, the airstrikes targeted many houses; some of them were completely destroyed while others were partially destroyed. Additionally, public roads and infrastructure sustained severe destruction.
At approximately 14:25 on Sunday, 15 May 2021, the Israeli artillery fired a shell at a residential apartment on the second floor in Tower No. (8) in al-Nada Towers, west of Beit Hanoun. As a result, the apartment sustained material damage; but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 16:00 on the same day, the Israeli artillery fired 2 shells at Hamed al-Shembari’s 4-story house in Borat Jamil al-Shawa, northeast of Beit Hanoun, but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 17:15, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at Shehada family’s 2-story house in Bloc No. (2) in Jabalia. As a result, the house and al-Kurdi shops for construction materials, which was on the ground floor, were completely destroyed. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 17:50, the Israeli artillery fired dozens of shells at the northern and western areas of Beit Lahia. As a result, fire broke out in Khudair Brothers Company and al-Modawer Medicine Company. The targeted companies included stores that contained large quantities of plastic and agricultural materials. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 18:15, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a gathering of citizens on the Old Gaza Street in Jabalia. As a result, 5 citizens were injured and taken to the Indonesian Hospital for treatment.
At approximately 18:35, the Israeli artillery fired 4 shells at Hitham Zakaria Nusair’s 3-story house on al-Qerman Street, east of Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house sustained severe damage, but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 19:15 on the same day, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Raied Sa’d’s house in ‘Anan area, west of Jabalia. As a result, the house was completely destroyed and nearby houses sustained material damage. No casualties were reported.
At approximately 19:30, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at al-Sifa Cemetery, northwest of Beit Lahia, but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 19:35 on the same day, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Jabalia Cemetery near al-‘Omari Mosque, in the center of Jabalia, but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 00:15 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a gathering of citizens near al-Qerem intersection in Jabalia. As a result, Tareq Ziyad Mostafa Abu Hmeidan (19) was killed while 2 others were injured and taken to the Indonesian Hospital. The injury of one of them was serious as his leg was amputated, while the other’s injury was moderate.
At approximately 01:50, Israeli warplanes violently fired at least 10 missiles at an empty land in Qlaibo Hill, east of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip, but no casualties were reported.
Around the same time, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at al-Sekka intersection on Beit Lahia’s public street. As a result, the northern side of the street and the infrastructure sustained severe damage, but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 08:10, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at Ahmed al-Batsh’s 2-story house on the Old Gaza Street in Jabalia. As a result, the house was completely destroyed and nearby houses sustained material damage, but no casualties were reported.
Gaza City:
Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of airstrikes against various targets in the city. As a result, 33, including 9 women and 12 children, were killed; 30 of them died with their families under the rubble of their houses which were destroyed over their heads without a prior warning. Also, 77, including 10 women and 25 children, were wounded. Moreover, al-Jala’ tower, 10 residential multi-story buildings and the PalestineNational Bank was completely destroyed while two other towers; al-Andalos and al-Qahira, sustained partial damage. In addition, governmental institutions, public facilities, private offices, stores, civil vehicles, and several main roads and vital streets, mostly leading to al-Shifa Hospital, sustained severe damage, obstructing ambulances’ movement to the hospital.
At approximately 13:35 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a group of citizens near the Friday Market in al-Shejaiya neighborhood. As a result, two, including a child, were killed, and were identified as Saif al-Dein Hani Mohammed Abu al-‘Atta (19), and Mohammed Ahmed Attiya Bahar (17).
At approximately 15:15, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at al-Jalaa’ tower near al-Watan tower on al-Jala’ street in Gaza City. As a result, the 12-storey tower, which housed residential apartments, offices and organizations, particularly media offices, including the head offices of al-Jazeera Channel and Associated Press (AP), was completely destroyed. It should be noted that Israeli Intelligence Services called the owner of the tower and informed him to evacuate it as it would be destroyed.
At approximately 17:00, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a 3-storey house belonging to the Hamas Movement leader, Khalil al-Hayya, in al-Sha’af neighborhood, east of Gaza City. As a result, it was completely destroyed.
Around the same time, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at Khaled al-Mana’ma’s house on al-Quds Open University Street in al-Naser neighborhood. As a result, the 2-storey house was completely destroyed.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles and directly targeted the 8th and 9th floors in the northwestern and southwestern sides of al-Qahira (Cairo) tower on the Arab League Street near the Ministry of Finance. As a result, the 14-storey tower, which includes 48 apartments, sustained severe damage. It should be noted that the tower’s guard received a phone call from the Israeli Intelligence Services asking him to tell the residents of the tower to evacuate.
At approximately 19:00, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a civilian car travelling on al-Oyoun street in al-Naser neighborhood, north of Gaza City. As a result, the driver, Sa’eed Khaled Sa’eed Abu Ghalyoun (27), was killed.
At approximately 22:15, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at the Palestinian National Bank located at the ground and first floor of Kazem Abu Sha’ban’s building, on Omar al-Mukhtar Street, west of Gaza City. As a result, the bank was completely destroyed.
At approximately 22:30, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at a house belonging to Owda Salman Ahmed Abu Suhaiban (70) house near ‘Abdel ‘Aal intersection on al-Jalaa’ street, north of Gaza City. As a result, the 4-storey house, sheltering 8 families, was completely destroyed causing severe damage in the area.
At approximately 23:35, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors of al-Andalos tower, comprised of 12 floors, near Gaza Seaport, next to Hanadi tower, which was completely destroyed on the first day of the Israeli offensive on Gaza. As a result, the 3 floors were completely destroyed and the other apartments sustained severe damage. It should be noted that the tower’s guard received a phone call from the Israeli Intelligence Services ordering him to evacuate it.
At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, Israeli warplanes carried out intense huge airstrikes on several places in Gaza City and continued until 02:10. The airstrikes targeted Abu al-Ouf 4-storey building, which included residential apartments and shops on al-Wehda Street, and destroyed it over the heads of its residents without a prior warning. Furthermore, Israeli warplanes targeted 2 other 4-storey residential buildings belonging to Ameen Mohammed al-Qolaq and Mo’een Mohammed al-Qolaq, near Abu al-Ouf building, and destroyed it over the heads of its residents. In addition, al-Ahlam building was targeted as well in the same area. As a result, 30 persons died, including 11 children and 9 women.
The airstrikes on al-Rimal neighborhood and on al-Wehda Street destroyed the main roads and infrastructure starting from al-Rimal Clinic’s intersection to Palmira intersection and the Middle East Council of Churches Street in addition to the Thai Restaurant intersection and al-Thawrah Street. Additionally, the Labor Ministry’s headquarter was completely destroyed while the Ministry of Social Development, Doctors Without Borders organization, ‘Ajour and al- Omara 4-storey buildings, and a 2-story house, which is inhabited, belonging to Mattar family sustained severe damage.
Deaths at Abu al-Ouf building: Ayman Tawfiq Abu al-Ouf (50), an internist of al-Shifa Hospital, his two children, Tawfiq (17) and Tala (13); Abeer Nimir Ali Shkontana (30), 3 of her children, Yehya Ruyad Hasan Shkontana (5), Dana (9), and Zain (2); Dima Rami Riyad al-Ifranji (16), Reem Khalil Ahmed Abu al-Ouf (41), Hazem Adel Na’eem al-Qamea’ (48), and Rawan Alaa Subhi Abu al-Ouf (19).
Deaths at al-Qolaq family: Fawwaz Ameen Mohammed al-Qolaq (63) along with 4 of his sons and daughters; Abdul Hameed (23), Reham (33), Bahaa (49) and Sameh (28); and the latter’s wife, Ayat Ibrahim Khalil al-Qolaq (19), and their 6-month old son, Qusay; Amal Jameel Salama al-Qolaq (42) and 3 of her children, Taher Ameen al-Qolaq (24), Ahmed (16), and Hanaa (15);
Mohammed Mo’een Mohammed al-Qolaq (42), his brother, Izzat (44), and his 2 children, Zaid (8) and Adam (3). Doaa’ Omar Abdullah al-Qolaq (39), and Sa’diya Yousef Daher al-Qolaq (84).
The airstrike on Al-Ahlam building resulted in the killing of a Neurologist in al-Shifa Hospital, Mo’een Ahmed Hasan al-‘Aloul (67), and Lo’ay Mohammed Ahmed Owda (55). It should be noted that Civil Defense crews are still searching for the missing casualties under the rubble.
At approximately 10:30, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at 3 residential buildings namely “Anas Ben Malek”, each was of 7 floors, on an area of a dunum and a half on al-Yarmouk Street in Gaza City. As a result, the 3 buildings were completely destroyed, and nearby buildings, institutions and facilities sustained severe damage. It should be noted that IOF called a number of residents and informed them to evacuate.
Central Gaza Strip
Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of airstrikes across the central Gaza Strip. The airstrikes targeted houses, agricultural and open lands and sites. As a result, 4 houses were completely destroyed and dozens of nearby houses sustained partial damage. Moreover, 4 Palestinians were killed, and 18 others were wounded, including 4 children and 7 women.
At approximately 00:10 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an agricultural land in eastern al-Bureij. As a result, Mohammed Salem Yousif Abu ‘Ayesh (34), from al-Maghazi refugee camp, and were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.
At approximately 13:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a motorbike in eastern al-Maghazi refugee camp. As a result, the motorbike’s driver, Zaher ‘Atiah Mohammed ‘Anbar (38), from al-Nussairat. Was killed and taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.
At approximately 13:20, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at an open land near the municipal warehouses in eastern al-Bureij. As a result, a person was wounded and taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where medical sources said that his condition is moderate.
At approximately 16:10, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles; one of them by a drone, at a house belonging to Ghazi Abu Tamma’ah in Deir al-Balah. As a result, the 1-story house (140 sqms) was completely destroyed while the nearby houses sustained partial damage.
At approximately 21:00, Medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City announced the death of Ahmed Eyad Ahmed Fattouh (22) after succumbing to wounds he sustained in a previous Israeli airstrike on a carwash at approximately 22:40 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, at the entrance to al-Zawaydah. At the time, his condition was reported serious and referred to al-Shifa Hospital until his death was announced.
At approximately 02:10 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, Israeli warplanes carried out intense airstrikes on al-Maghazi refugee camp, targeting its infrastructure and causing partial damage to the houses and to the main street to al-Maghazi entrance.
At approximately 02:10 Israeli warplanes fired a missile at an agricultural land belonging to al-Musadar family in central al-Maghazi refugee camp. As a result, 6 were wounded, including 2 women, and taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir al-Balah to receive treatment. Moreover, nearby houses sustained partial damage.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli artillery heavily fired the eastern side of the central Gaza Strip, where one of the shells fell on a house belonging to Khaled Hasan al-Masalhah (50) in northern Nussairat. As a result, the house’s owner was killed while his wife and wife of his son, Ayman, were wounded. The house is comprised of 2 floors; the first is built of concrete while the second is built of tinplate, on an area of 150 sqms, sheltering 15 members; mostly children and women.
At approximately 04:30, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a tinplate-roofed house belonging to Hussam Mohammed ‘Aqel, from al-Nussairat refugee camp. As a result, 9 members of the house’s family were wounded, including 5 children and 3 women, and were all taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah for treatment. Medical sources said that the injuries ranged between moderate and minor. Moreover, nearby houses sustained partial damage. It should be noted that the 1-storey house was built on an area of 250 sqms and sheltered a family of 9, including 4 children and 3 women.
At approximately 06:40, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles; one by a drone, at a house belonging to the heirs of Fathi Qatamesh in al-Maghazi refugee camp. As a result, the 2-storey house (150 sqms), which sheltered 2 families of 7, including 2 women and 2 children, was totally destroyed and. Moreover, 3 nearby houses sustained severe damage while other houses sustained partial damage.
Khan Younis:
IOF carried out several airstrikes on different parts of the City. During the airstrikes, 3 houses, many lands and military sites belonging to the Palestinian armed groups were targeted, destroying the houses and causing damage to nearby houses. As a result, a Palestinian sustained serious wounds. Moreover, Israeli tanks and gunboats fired dozens of artillery shells at the eastern and western sides of the City. Khan Younis Municipality said that the Israeli airstrikes almost completely destroyed 13 streets and the roads in al-Mahatah neighborhood, including ‘Omer al-Mukhtar known as No. (5) Street and the Education Street, in addition to other streets in different neighborhoods during the airstrikes.
At approximately 10:15 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ramzi Abu Daqqah in ‘Abasan al-Kabirah. Few minutes later, the Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at the house and completely destroyed it. The 4-storey house is home to 2 families of 11 members, including 4 children.
At approximately 14:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Qararah Municipality in northern Khan Younis. As a result, a person sustained serious wounds and was taken to Naser Hospital.
At approximately 17:30, Israeli tanks stationed along the border fence fired tens of shells at eastern Khan Younis. Two shells fell on the roof of the Khuza’a Municipal cultural center in eastern Khan Younis and caused damage to it.
At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, Israeli warplanes carried out intense airstrikes within only one minute, launching tens of missiles at different targets. As a result, 2 houses belonging to Yehia al-Senwar, Head of Hamas Politburo in Gaza, and his brother, Mohammed al-Senwar, were destroyed. Each house was comprised of 2 floors and located in separate areas on Street 5 in al-Satar al-Gharbi neighborhood. Moreover, the nearby houses sustained damage. The airstrikes also targeted agricultural lands, streets and intersections in Khan Youns, particularly on the mentioned street and other places.
Around the same time, Israeli warplanes fired a missile near the fence of a 2-storey villa belonging to Jihad ‘Ali al-Fara in al-Satar al-Sharqi area. As a result, the villa fence was destroyed while a car, house windows and nearby houses sustained damage as well as the street.
IOF’s tanks and artillery stationed along the border fence and the gunboats stationed off shore continued on Saturday and Sunday to target with dozens shells the eastern and western outskirts of Khan Younis.
Rafah:
Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes on different parts of Rafah; during which many missiles were launched. Moreover, IOF fired many artillery shells. As a result, 5 Palestinians were wounded while 10 houses, a tailoring workshop and 2 sites; one for the National Security and the other for the Palestinian armed groups, were targeted.
At approximately 15:25 on Saturday, 15 May 2021, IOF fired artillery shells at a house belonging to al-Shawi Family and a tailoring workshop belonging to Khafajah family in al-Shokah village. As a result, both places sustained material damage, but no casualties were reported.
At approximately 00:20 on Sunday, 16 May 2021, IOF fired shells and flare bombs in Rafah City; some fell on 6 houses in al-Shabourah refugee camp. As a result, 2 persons were wounded; one of them a journalist, when they were in front of their houses. Those wounded were identified as Ra’ed Mohammed ‘Abdel Wahab Sabbah (46) and sustained serious shrapnel wounds in the abdomen and ‘Alam al-Deen ‘Abdel Rahman Mohammed Sabbah (23), a freelance journalist, sustained moderate shrapnel wounds in the upper extremities. Moreover, a number of houses sustained damage.
At approximately 02:45, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a site belonging to the Palestinian National Security near Salah al-Deen Gate. Fifty minutes later, 2 other missiles were launched at the site, completely destroying it.
At approximately 03:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ahmed Mahmoud Zayed ‘Abdel al-‘Aal in the Tannour neighborhood. Five minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired one missile at the house and completely destroyed it. Moreover, a house adjacent to the targeted house was completely destroyed as well while nearby houses sustained partial damage. However, no casualties were reported. Before the airstrike, IOF called one of the neighbors, asking him to evacuate the house and the nearby houses. It should be noted that the targeted one-story house (250 sqms) sheltered a family of 12 members.
At approximately 12:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ibrahim Taysir Ibrahim Abu Shammalah in Yebna refugee camp in Rafah. Five minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the house and completely destroyed it. Moreover, nearby houses sustained damage, and 3 persons were moderately wounded due to the shattered rubble. Before the airstrike, IOF called one of the neighbors and asked him to evacuate the house and nearby houses. It should be noted that the one-story house (200 sqms) sheltered a family of 5 member.
PCHR strongly condemns IOF’s use of mass explosive power against civilians and their property and emphasizes that its use on houses and densely populated areas without any warning proves Israel’s intention to inflect harm on Palestinian civilians in disregard for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) principles of distinction and proportionality through killing and massacring entire families.
PCHR’s investigations indicate that IOF has effectively classified civilians as legitimate military targets, in violation of IHL principles. PCHR renews its warning that civilians are paying the heaviest price during the escalation and emphasizes that IOF’s ongoing strikes on residential populated areas and the use of weapons based on collective retaliation constitute grave breaches of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 that amount to war crimes.
PCHR warns of further deterioration in the Palestinian civilians’ humanitarian conditions; either those displaced or those whose houses were demolished, as they have become homeless and sought refuge in schools in degrading and inhuman conditions. Thus, PCHR calls upon th international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, to act urgently in order to end all IOF’s military hostilities and to provide protection for the civilians in light of the grave violations of the international humanitarian law, including murders and large-scale destruction of civilian objects and property. PCHR also calls upon the international community and all UN bodies and agencies to take all measures necessary to stop the mass forced displacement of Gaza Strip’s civilians that is conducted by IOF through applying the scorched-earth policy across the Gaza Strip, particularly in the northern part. PCHR calls upon the International humanitarian organizations to provide the humanitarian needs of the displaced civilians, including food, clothes, water and potable water, and hygiene services.
