July 13, 2014
In Blog
| PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human RightsPress Releases |
Ref: 82/2014
Date: 13 July 2014
Time: 07:00 GMT
Another Family Annihilated in Gaza; 17 Members of al-Batash Family Killed by Israeli Airstrike on Their Home
156 Palestinians Killed, of Whom 132 Are Civilians, Including 35 Children and 26 Women, and 934 Others Wounded, Mostly Civilians, Including 280 Children and 194 Women;
147 Houses Targeted and Destroyedand Hundreds of Others Extensively Damaged
Israeli occupation forces have continued their offensive on the Gaza Strip for the 6th 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. Israeli forces have escalated their aerial, ground and sea attacks throughout the Gaza Strip, causing more civilian casualties and damaging civilian property. In another crime, Israeli warplanes bombarded a house belonging to the al-Batash family in Gaza City without a prior warning, when worshippers were exiting a nearby mosque. As a result, 17 members of the family were killed and dozens of civilians were wounded. This morning, Israeli warplanes dropped flyers in border areas in the Gaza Strip, especially in the north, demanding the population to leave their houses and move to the centers of cities, as they intend to carry out military operations in these areas. Hundreds of Palestinian civilians were forced to go to safe shelters. Such threats and warnings may lead to more forcible displacement of Palestinian civilians. In light of the increasing numbers of casualties, PCHR points out that according to senior medical sources, many of the victims are brought to the hospital suffering from unclean and lacerate injuries that cause severe hemorrhage and shrapnel cannot be seen through the X-rays, while there have been many cases of amputation of limbs. PCHR is concerned that Israeli forces might use the Dense Inert Metal Explosives (DIME) against Palestinian civilians, as Israeli forces had used this weapon during “Operation Cast Lead” (2008-2009).
From 10:00 on Saturday, 12 July 2014 to 10:00 on Sunday, 13 July 2014, 42 Palestinians, including 38 civilians, were killed. The civilian victims include 9 children and 8 women. Additionally, 135 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were wounded – this number includes 31 children and 29 women. Israeli warplanes also targeted and destroyed 22 houses.
The latest developments since the press release issued by PCHR yesterday noon have been as follows:
The Northern Gaza Strip:
Israeli warplanes launched 55 airstrikes and Israeli tanks and gunboats fired dozens of shells targeting houses, agricultural plots and a mosque. As a result of these attacks, a child and a member of a Palestinian armed group were killed, and 27 Palestinians, including 9 children and 5 women, were wounded. Eight houses were targeted, and 5 of them were destroyed. A mosque was also destroyed. and offices of a number of institutions were also destroyed.
The most significant attacks were as follows:
– At approximately 12:55 on Saturday, 12 July 2014, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a house belonging to Wasfi al-Nuthor in Jabalya. The house was damaged.
– At approximately 13:45, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a house belonging to the al-Louqa family in Sheikh Zayed town in Beit Lahia. The house was damaged.
– At approximately 14:15, Israeli drones launched 3 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Nizar Mohammed al-Zain in Beit Lahia. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
– At approximately 16:00, Israeli drones launched 3 missiles at a house belonging to Ismail Ghanem in Jabalya. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
– At approximately 17:55, Israeli drones launched 3 missiles at a house belonging to Ibrahim Salah in Jabalya. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
– At approximately 18:10, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a number of members of Palestinian armed groups, killing one of them, Mohammed ‘Abdullah Mohammed al-Sharatha, 28, and wounding another one, in She’sha’a area in the east of Jabalya.
– At approximately 21:00, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians near the American School in the west of Beit Lahia.
– At approximately 22:45, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a house belonging to Talal Abu Gharara in the Bedouin Village. The house was damaged.
– At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 13 July 2014, armed clashes erupted between members of Palestinian armed group and an Israeli unit that attempted to infiltrate into the northern Gaza Strip from the sea. During the exchange of fire, Israeli warplanes launched at least 10 missiles and gunboats fired a number of shells at the area.
– At approximately 05:00, Israeli drones launched 3 missiles at a house belonging to Ibrahim al-Najjar in Jabalya. As a result, the owner’s child, 14-year-old Hussam, was killed.
– At approximately 09:20, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at al-Birka Mosque in al-Ghoboun area in Beit Lahia. The mosque was destroyed.
– Also at approximately 09:20, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Jum’a Hmaid in Be’r al-Na’ja area in Jabalya. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the house and destroyed it.
Gaza City:
Israeli warplanes launched 20 airstrikes and ground and sea shelling targeting houses, security sites, agricultural lands and open areas. As a result of these attacks, 30 Palestinians, including 29 civilian, were killed – this number includes 17 members of one family, including 5 women and 4 children. Additionally, 30 Palestinians, including 8 children and 4 women, were wounded. Moreover, 5 houses, 2 security sites, a factory and a bank were destroyed.
The most significant attacks were as follows:
– At approximately 13:00 on Saturday, 12 July 2014, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that 16-year-old Safaa’ Mustafa Malaka died of wounds she had sustained when Israeli warplanes bombarded her family’s house in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City on 09 July 2014. The child’s mother and her 2-year-old brother were killed in the attack.
– At approximately 13:40, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians who were sitting under an apartment building belonging to the al-Malash family in the 3rd Street in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in the north of Gaza City. As a result, 6 of them were killed:
1) Nidal Mohammed Ibrahim al-Malash, 22;
2) ‘Azmi Mahmoud Taha ‘Obaid, 51;
3) Suleiman Sa’id Younis ‘Obaid, 56;
4) Mustafa Mohamemd Taha ‘Enaya, 58;
5) Ghassaan Ahmed al-Masri, 25; and
6) Rateb Subhi Yousef al-Saifi, 22.
– At approximately 13:50, Israeli tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired a number of shells at the industrial zone in the east of Gaza City. A factory of Coca Cola was burnt.
– At approximately 16:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a number members of Palestinian armed groups at Doula intersection in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. As a result one of them, Ahmed Yousef Dalloul, 37, was killed, and 3 others were wounded.
– At approximately 17:30, an Israeli warplane bombarded an agricultural plot in al-Nazzaz Street in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result, Ghazi Mohammed Mustafa ‘Oraif, 62, and his son, Mohammed, 35, were killed while they were farming their land.
– At approximately 22:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles without a prior warning at a 2-storey house belonging to Majed Subhi al-Batash, 50, in which 2 families live, near al-Haramain Mosque in al-Tuffah neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. As a result, the following civilians were killed: Majed Subhi al-Batash, 50; his wife Amal Hassan Mohammed al-Batash, 49; his son Bahaa’, 28; his daughter-in-law Samah Alaa’ Subhi al-Batta, 20, who is pregnant in the 8th months; his grandchild Amal, 2; his son Majed, 26; his son Khaled, 20; his son Mahmoud, 22; his son Ibrahim, 18; his daughter Marwa, 25; and his child Manar, 13.
A number of nearby house belonging to Majed al-Batash’s brothers were extensively damaged, and a number of civilians were killed: Nahisdh Na’im Subhi al-Batash, 40; Qussai ‘Essam Subhi al-Batash, 12; Mohammed ‘Essam al-Batsah, 17; ‘Aziza Yousef Ahmed al-Batash, 59; Yahia Alaa’ Subhi al-Batash, 18; and Anas ‘Alaa’ Subhi al-Batash, 7. Additionally, 15 members of the al-Batash family, including 4 children and 2 women were wounded; 6 of the wounded, including Major General Tayseer al-Batash, Chief of the Palestinian Police in Gaza, are in serious conditions.
– At approximately 01:00 on Sunday, 13 July 2014, Israeli warplane bombarded a 2-storey house belonging to Khaled Mohamemd Hashem, in which 15 people live, in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in the south of Gaza City. The house was extensively damaged.
– At approximately 01:30, Israeli warplanes bombarded 2 house belonging to Akram and Subhi ‘Awadh al-Hilu in Gaza City. The two houses were destroyed and the owners’ mother, Hijaziya Hammad al-Hilu, 84, was killed.
– At approximately 03:30, Israeli warplanes launched several missiles at Ansar security compound and Arafat police city in the west of Gaza City. Buildings in the two compounds were destroyed.
– At approximately 16:10, Israeli warplanes bombarded a 3-storey house belonging to the al-Najjar family, in which 40 people live, in al-Shati refugee camp. The house was extensively damaged.
– At approximately 05:45, Israeli warplanes bombarded the Islamic National bank in al-Remal neighborhood. The building as extensively damaged.
The Central Gaza Strip:
Israeli warplanes launched 17 airstrikes targeting 4 houses, agricultural lands and open areas. As a result of these attacks, 3 Palestinian women were killed, and 4th civilian died of a previous wound. Additionally, 28 Palestinians, including 7 children and 12 women, were wounded. Four houses were also destroyed.
The most significant attacks were as follows:
– At approximately 17:30 on Saturday, 12 July 2014, an Israeli drones launched a missiles at 3-storey house belonging to Jum’a Saber Khalifa, in which 29 people live, in al-Nussairat refugee camp. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the house and destroyed it. As a result, Khawla Mohmmed Sarhan al-Hawajri, 25, was killed in a neighboring house.
– At approximately 118:00, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a 4-storey house belonging to Ramadan Hassan Abu Hassanain, in which 25 people live, in al-Boreij refugee camp. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
– At approximately 01:55 on Sunday, 13 July 2014, medical sources declared that Rami Sami Ahmed Abu Shanab, 22, died of a wound he sustained 2 days ago, when Israeli warplanes bombarded a house belonging to the al-Muzayen family in Deir al-Balah.
– Also at approximately 01:55, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Isma’il ‘Atiya al-Muqayad, in which 11 people live, in Deir al-Balah. A few minutes later, an Israeli helicopter launched a missile at the house, which was partially destroyed.
– At approximately 02:55, an Israeli drone launched a missile at al-Nour Mosque in the west of Deir al-Balah. The mosque was damaged, but no casualties were reported.
– At approximately 05:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at al-Madakhat Street in al-Zawaida village. As a result, a number of nearby house were damaged, and Rowaida Ahmed Hussein Abu Harb, 35, was killed inside her house. Additionally, another 3 civilians were wounded, including 4-year-old Yamen Riad al-Hmiadi, who sustained serious wounds.
– At approximately 08:00, an Israeli drone launched a missile at an asbestos-roofed house belonging to Ahmed Hassan al-‘Owaidat in al-Maghazi refugee camp. The house was destroyed and the owner’s sister, Leila Hassan al-‘Owidat, 35, was killed.
Khan Yunis:
Israeli warplanes launched 17 airstrikes targeting houses, agricultural plots, open areas and sites of Palestinian armed groups 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, a Palestinian child was killed, and 19 civilians, including 15 members off the child’ family, were wounded.
The most significant attacks were as follows:
– At approximately 10:50 on Saturday, 12 July 2014, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a poultry farm belonging to the Abu Daqqa family in ‘Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. The farm was destroyed.
– During the day, Israeli warplanes launched 4 airstrikes on agricultural lands in al-Fukhari area in the southeast of Khan Yunis. As a result, a clinic in the area was damaged.
– At approximately 15:00, Israeli warplanes launched 7 airstrikes on agricultural areas in ‘Abassan, al-Qarara and Bani Suhaila villages, east of Khan Yunis.
– At approximately 17:45, an Israeli drone launched 2 missiles at a 3-storey house belonging to Khalil Suleiman Abu al-‘Ola, in which 43 people live, in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. A few minutes later, n Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. Two nearby houses were damaged.
– During the day, Israeli gunboats station off Khan Yunis beach fired dozens of sells at the beach and the west of Khan Yunis, and Israeli tanks positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israeli shelled agricultural areas in the east of Khan Yunis.
– At approximately 00:30 on Sunday, 13 July 2014, a shell hit a cement pillar at door of a tin-made house belonging to Mohammed ‘Ali ‘Abu Salama, 40, in Khan Yunis refugee camp, while Israeli warplanes were hovering over the area and gunboats were firing shells. The house was partially destroyed and 19 Palestinian civilians were wounded, including the owner, 3 of his sons, his old woman, and his sister, her husband and their child, 3-year-old Mo’ayad Khaled ‘Ali al-Aa’raji. Al-Aa’raj died of his wound at 04:30.
– At approximately 08:30, an Israeli drone launched missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Mohammed Na’im Qudaih, in which 17 people live, in Khuza’za village, east of Khan Yunis. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house, destroying it and damaging a number of nearby houses. Before the attack, Israeli forces had phoned the family twice to evacuate the house.
Rafah:
Israeli warplanes launched 26 airstrikes targeting houses, a cultural center, a car, agricultural lands, security sites and tunnels at the Egyptian border in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. Israeli forces also fired dozens of shells from the ground and the sea at various areas in Rafah. As a result, 5 Palestinians, including 2 civilians, were killed, and 16 others, including 2 children and 3 women, were wounded. Four houses were also destroyed.
The most significant attacks were as follows:
– At approximately 15:30 on Saturday, 12 July 2014, an Israeli drones launched 2 missiles at a house belonging to No’man Wa’el al-Nahhal in al-Mawasi area in the west of Rafah. As a result, al-Nahhal’s wife, 36-year-old Samar Fat’hi al-Nahhal, was wounded. Five minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
– At approximately 18:00, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a house belonging to Mohammed ‘Abdul Mohsen al-Balbissi in al-Tannour neighborhood in the east of Rafah. The house was damaged.
– At approximately 19:30, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a 22-storey house belonging to Mohammed al-Bawab, a member of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas), in al-Brazil neighborhood in the south of Rafah. Ten minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.
– At approximately 17:30, an Israeli drone launched a missile at the office of Deir Yassin Cultural Association in al-Tannour neighborhood in the east of Rafah. The office was damaged.
– At approximately 17:30, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at a house belonging to Khaled Qishta near Rafah International Crossing Point. The house was destroyed.
– At approximately 22:25, an Israeli drone launched attacked 2 members of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad), in al-Zohour neighborhood in the north of Rafah, and killed one of them, Muhannad Yousef Dubahir, 21. The other one, ‘Izziddin Na’im Bulbul, 27, was seriously wounded and he died at the hospital 3 hours later.
– At approximately 23:05, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a vehicle of the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility that was traveling in Abu Bakr Street in the west of Rafah. A worker traveling in the car, Ziad Mahmoud al-Shawi, 42, was seriously wounded.
– At approximately 23:40, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a member of the al-Quds Brigades (the armed wing of Islamic Jihad), ‘Emad Bassam Zo’rob, 23, in al-Siamat Street in the north of Rafah. He was instantly killed. When a number of civilians attempted to offer him first aid, the drone launched another missile at them. As a result, Fadi Mohammed Zo’rob, 23, was killed, and another one, Haitham Ashraf Zo’rob, 20, was seriously wounded and he died 5 hours later. Another 3 civilians were also wounded
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.