We For Gaza

On Saturday morning, 13 May 2023, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have killed 2 Palestinian civilians and wounded 3 others, including a woman and a child, during their incursion into Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus deep into the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), north of the West Bank. This crime is part of a pattern of unjustified killings committed due to the excessive use of force, lenient shooting standards upon Israel’s top political and military echelons and granting impunity to Israeli soldiers who have committed crimes.

According to investigations conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), at approximately 08:30 on Saturday, 13 May 2023, Israeli Special Forces sneaked via a white Mercedes Carvel bus with a Palestinian registration plate into al-Yasameen neighborhood in central Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, where they cordoned off Hatem Jehad Abu Reziq’s 2-storey house. Few moments later, IOF sent large reinforcements to the camp accompanied with a drone in the sky to back up the special forces and some soldiers topped the roofs of high buildings in the camp and tightened the cordon on Abu Reziq’s house. Meanwhile, IOF immediately launched several rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and heavily fired live bullets at the cordoned house, destroying the 2^nd floor.  During the operation, clashes and an exchange of fire erupted between IOF and members of Palestinian armed groups near the cordoned house. At around 09:15, while Saed Jehad Shaker Mashah (32), a clothes merchant, was on his way to his workplace trying to move from an alley to another on al-Madares Street to reach al-Quds Street, an Israeli sniper fired a live bullet at his head that penetrated his right eye and blew off his head, killing him on al-Madares Street at the camp’s southern outskirts. Promptly after targeting Mashah, Waseem ‘Adnan Yousef al-A’raj (18) approached to pull him, but an Israeli sniper fired a live bullet at his head and killed him falling on Mashah. Also, 3 other Palestinians, including a woman and a child, were wounded by IOF fire during the incursion, and IOF denied Palestinian ambulances’ access into the camp to evacuate those killed and injured. After committing their crime, IOF completely withdrew from the camp and those killed and injured were evacuated to Rafidia Governmental Hospital in Nablus. Later, Israeli media stated that IOF failed to arrest wanted Palestinians.

PCHR reiterates its condemnation of IOF’s killings and call on the international community to take an immediate action to stop Israeli crimes and double standards when applying the international law. PCHR calls upon the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to fulfill his duty of investigating this crime along with other crimes committed by IOF against Palestinian civilians and holding the Israeli officials accountable for these crimes that they continue to commit in light of absence of accountability. PCHR demands the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention fulfil their obligations as per Common Article 1 of the Convention, “undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances,” and their obligations under Article 146 of the same Conventions, i.e., to hold accountable persons accused of committing grave breaches of the Convention.

(Daily Update: 13 May 2023)

2 Palestinians Killed, and 10 Houses and 1 Apartment Bombed in Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza Strip

Death Toll Rises to 33, including 4 Women and 6 Children

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continue their widescale aggression on the Gaza Strip, which began at dawn on Tuesday, 09 May 2023. After the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) issued a previous press release, IOF warplanes conducted more airstrikes on residential houses, agricultural lands, sites of the Palestinian armed groups, and others. As a result, 2 members of the Palestinian armed groups were killed, and other Palestinians were wounded. Thus, the death toll since the Israeli aggression started has risen to 33, including 15 civilians, amongst them 6 children and 4 women. According to the Ministry of Health (MOH), the number of injuries has risen to 147, including 48 children, 26 women and 10 elderlies. Also, 10 residential houses and a residential apartment were destroyed in Israeli airstrikes, bringing the number of targeted houses and apartments to 24, including 22 completely destroyed. Moreover, a hospital and a healthcare center sustained damage due to nearby airstrikes.

This comes at a time the humanitarian crisis and disruption of public life exacerbate, as schools have been closed and fishing at Gaza Sear has been suspended for the fourth consecutive day, leaving 3500 fishermen without a source of income. Also, due to closure of crossings, movement of Gaza imports and exports has stopped, including the entry of fuel needed for the operation of Gaza Power Plant that is about to run out, forcing the Plant’s administration to turn off one of the three turbines to prolong its working hours and implying that the plant will totally shut down within 72 hours.

The following are the most significant developments:12 May 2023 

At 14:15: IOF warplanes bombed and completely destroyed Sameer Taha’s 2-storey house of 3 apartments in Jablia.

Around the same time, IOF warplanes launched 2 missiles at Ahmed al-Hashash’s asbestos house in northern Rafah. As a result, al-Hashash’s house was completely destroyed in addition to 3 other asbestos houses while a person was injured.

At 15:55: IOF warplanes bombed and completely destroyed Kamal Abu Tair’s 3-storey house of 5 apartments in ‘Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Yunis.

At 16:20: Eyad al-‘Abed al-Hasani (51), a commander of Al-Quds Brigades, and his Deputy, Mohammed Waleed ‘Abed al-‘Aal (33) were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a residential apartment on the 5^th floor of a building in al-Nasser neighborhood in western Gaza City. As a result, the apartment was destroyed and 5 Palestinians, including 2 children, were injured. IOF announced that IOF and Shin Bet (Shabak) killed in a joint targeted operation Eyad al-Hasani, head of the Palestinian Islamic ‘s (PIJ) operations unit at, along with another operative.

Around the same time, IOF warplanes launched 2 missiles at Hussain Ma’rouf’s 3-storey house of 4 apartments in Beit Lahia, destroying it completely.

At 20:30: IOF warplanes bombed and completely destroyed a 5-storey house belonging to Mohammad Yassin in Al-Zaytoun neighborhood.

At 20:35: IOF warplanes launched two missiles at a house belonging to Yehya Abo ‘Obeid behind the southern side of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir Al-Balah.  As a result, the house was completely destroyed while the Hospital sustained partial damage as well as the Ministry of Health (MOH)’s Ambulance and Emergency building, that is 100 meters away from it. Also, 10 Palestinians, including 2 children and 4 women, were injured; among them three were injured inside the hospital, including an ill child.

Moreover, as a result of recurrent airstrikes on nearby lands, MOH’s Muscat Primary HealthCare Center sustained partial damage.  The Center is comprised of 2 floors and a basement on an area of 1500 sqm and houses other departments including South Central Ambulance Department serving the Rafah and Khan Yunis areas and is located in Gizan Al-Najjar area. MOH has also announced the evacuation of the ambulance station and referring all its services to Nasser Medical Complex, following the damage inflicted to the Center and breakdown of the communications network.

13 May 2022:

At 01:30: IOF warplanes bombed a 3-storey house belonging to Salim Hasan Abu Al-‘Ata in eastern Shuja’iyya neighborhood, east of Gaza, extensively destroying two floors, and injuring one person.

At 03:00: IOF warplanes bombed and completely destroyed a 5-storey house belonging to Hazem Muhanna on Yarmouk Street, north of Gaza City.

At 10:05: IOF warplanes launched 2 missiles at a 3-storey house belonging to Faraj Banat housing 3 apartments near Beit Lahiya roundabout. As a result, 2 women were injured, and the house was completely destroyed.

At 11:45: IOF warplanes launched two missiles at a 3-storey house belonging to Al-Za’anin family and housing 6 apartments in Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house was completely destroyed.

PCHR strongly condemns the ongoing Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip and warns of any further losses of civilian life and damage to civilian property, urging the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take serious action into the situation of Palestine.

PCHR reiterates its call upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfil their obligations as per Common Article 1 of the Convention, “undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances,” and their obligations under Article 146 of the same Conventions, i.e., to hold accountable persons accused of committing grave breaches of the Convention

6 Palestinians Killed, 5 Houses Bombed in Israeli Airstrikes on Gaza Strip
Death Toll Rises to 31, including 4 Women and 6 Children

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continue their widescale aggression on the Gaza Strip, which began at dawn on Tuesday, 09 May 2023. After the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) issued its press release, IOF warplanes conducted more airstrikes on residential houses, agricultural lands, sites of the Palestinian armed groups, and others. As a result, 6 Palestinians, who were all members of the Palestinian armed groups, were killed, and others were wounded. Thus, the death toll since the Israeli aggression started has risen to 31, including 15 civilians: 6 children and 4 women. According to the Ministry of Health (MOH)’s data, the number of injuries has risen to 106, including 32 children and 17 women.

The Israeli airstrikes reflect the Israeli occupation’s intention to inflict harm to Palestinians by unjustifiably and unnecessarily bombing and destroying houses, side by side with the continued assassinations as the Israeli Chief of General Staff stated they aim to kill as many top-tier Islamic Jihad commanders as possible.  All of this occurs under full cover of Israel’s top political echelons and the international community’s silence and complicity.

This comes at a time the humanitarian impact of IOF closure of Gaza Strip’s crossings exacerbates, including banning the travel of patients and preventing entry of fuel needed for the operation of the power plant amid warnings that the fuel has run out; forcing the plant to shut down and decreasing the power supply hours.  All of this would lead to catastrophic repercussions on many sectors.

The following are the most significant developments: 

On 11 May 2023

At 16:00, Ahmad Mahmoud Abu Daqqa (43), a commander in Al-Quds Brigades, was killed, and 4 others, including a woman and a child, were wounded in an airstrike that destroyed a house in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis. IOF published a footage of their jets tracking Abu Daqqa until he entered the house before bombing and destroying it. This proves that the occupation intends to inflict harm and destruction, and not to only assassinate the targets, as it claims. The Israeli forces announced that in a joint targeted operation between the Israeli Forces and Shin Bet, the deputy commander of the rocket force in the Al-Quds Brigades was targeted.

At 16:00, an Israeli drone targeted for the 3^rd time within 5 hours Zakaria ‘Abed Rabbu’s house in Beit Hanoun.  As a result, the 2-storey house of 2 apartments housing 2 families of 9, including 3 women and 4 children, sustained partial damage.

At 17:00, Husain Yousef Dallol (23) and Mohammed Suliman Dared (32) were killed, and 2 members of Palestinian armed groups were injured in an Israeli airstrike that targeted them in eastern Shuja’iyya neighborhood in Gaza City.

At 18:40, IOF warplanes launched 6 missiles at Bashir family house in Dir al-Balah. As a result, the 2-storey house of 4 residential apartments was completely destroyed, displacing 4 families of 13, including 4 children and 6 women.

At 19:30, IOF warplanes launched a missile at Zuhair Abu Khater’s house in Beit Lahia, completely destroying the 2-storey house and rendering 2 families of 10, including 3 women and 2 children, homeless. It should be noted that Israeli drones fired 4 missiles at Abu Khater’s house 20 minutes before being targeted by IOF warplanes.

At 21:20, Abdul Haleem Jawdat al-Najjar (21) was killed, and another was injured in an Israeli airstrike targeting them in Jabalia refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip. Both of them were members of Palestinian armed groups. The next day at dawn, the injured succumbed to his injury and was identified as ‘Elian ‘Atah ‘Elian Abu Wadi (36).  

At 23:00, ‘Odai Riyad al-Louh (25), a Palestinian armed group member, was killed in an Israeli airstrike that targeted him in northern Nuseirat refugee camp.

On 12 May 2023:

At around 00:40, a Palestinian sustained injuries when IOF warplanes launched a missile at his family house of 4 floors in Tel al-Hawa neighborhood in southern Gaza City. The house also sustained partial damage.

It is worth noting that IOF announced that since the beginning of the military operation until 05:00 today, they have hit 215 targets in the Gaza Strip.

PCHR strongly condemns the ongoing Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip and warns of any further losses of civilian life and damage to civilian property, urging the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take serious action into the situation of Palestine.

PCHR reiterates its call upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfil their obligations as per Common Article 1 of the Convention, “undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances,” and their obligations under Article 146 of the same Conventions, i.e., to hold accountable persons accused of committing grave breaches of the Convention. 

Gaza, 10 Maggio 2023

Non gli bastavano gli attacchi di una settimana fa’ dopo l’uccisione del prigioniero Khader Adnan, morto in seguito allo sciopero della fame, per protestare contro la lunga detenzione amministrativa; il governo della destra israeliano, volevo che scorresse il sangue nella striscia e cosi, cosa meglio fare se non un attacco a sorpresa, nella notte, nella Striscia di Gaza, con la scusa di una operazione mirata sull’ormai target preferito del Jhiad islamico. Un attacco a sorpresa nel pieno della notte, dove a parte i prescelti, hanno dovuto pagare il prezzo anche familiari, donne bambini e altri civili che non avrebbero voluto finire cosi la loro esistenza. 15 persone in tutto che poi sono aumentate con l’espandersi dell’operazione militare chiamata “SCUDO E FRECCIA”. Hanno continuato a provocare la reazione, che in questo caso non si chiama difesa ma terrorismo; hanno cercato di tirare giu’ il possibile e poi perché’ no anche qualche contadino che sui campi era troppo sospetto. Cosi il numero delle vittime e’ aumentato. Due giorni di terrore, soprattutto tra i piccoli che, anche solo al suono irritante del drone che di continuo gira sulla testa, cominciano a strillare a piangere a innervosirsi inconsapevoli del male che stanno ingiustamente subendo.
E infine, la reazione da Gaza e’ arrivata, missili sugli insediamenti, già’ consapevolmente abbandonati ed evacuati. Ma appunto, questa reazione non è ammessa, non è difesa, va solo punita ancora di più. E quindi per tutta la giornata fino a notte , ci sono stati attacchi, bombardamenti, distruzioni.
Per la popolazione di Gaza, chiaramente non sono contemplate evacuazioni o rifugi di protezione, si può solo rimanere e pregare che non finisci sotto il fuoco incrociato. Nemmeno alle missioni umanitarie e’ stato dato l’ok di uscita, giustamente, chi e’ dentro e’ dentro, li rimane, succeda quel che succeda.
E cosi una nuova ennesima operazione, che per Israele ha il gusto di essersi difeso, una diatriba/operazione politica interna al governo della destra israeliana, un orgoglio per aver cominciato bene il proprio mandato, con il sangue del massacro di Gaza, tanto per ricordare il 75° anniversario dell NAKBA – la catastrofe continua.

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