12PM Gaza Time
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) attacks more high-rise apartment buildings; known locally as 'towers', in the Gaza Strip during the reporting period, heavy, high explosive bombs. Hundreds of people live in these buildings, including many who had been displaced and took shelter in them with their relatives or friends. According to leaflets dropped by the IOF on the Gaza Strip, the population are warned that houses would be attacked and are urged, for their own safety, prevent their property for being used to fire at Israel. This was a direct threat to the population of the Gaza Strip ahead of the IOF resorting to bombing high-rise buildings.
International law prohibits directing attacks to civilian objects. Unless houses are used clearly for military operations, they are immune from armed attacks, which must be imminently necessary and proportionate. There is no evidence that these buildings were used for military purposes. They are populated with families; including displaced people who sought safety after being under IOF attack, and no attacks emanated from them. These attacks; however, seem to put greater pressure on the population of Gaza, with schools unable to host more displaced people. These attacks must also be viewed along with Israel's government direct threats of further attacks to pressure the Palestinians to agree to a deal on Israel's terms.
The number of Palestinian civilians returning to shelters designated for internally displaced people (IDPs); especially in UN schools, continued to increase, with the shelters getting more and more crowded every day. There is about 450,000 IDPs in the Gaza Strip now. The humanitarian conditions for the general population, and especially for displaced people, are still difficult in Gaza under the prolonged blackouts and shortages in water supplies. Food availability is decreasing as agricultural land and poultry and livestock farms are either targeted or inaccessible.
The verification indicates that as of 12 pm today, Monday 25 August 2014, at least 2,153 Palestinians have been killed by the IOF since 7 July 2014. Of them 518 are children and 296 women. It should be noted that the number of children has increased since yesterday following the versification of the dates of birth of a group of teenagers, who were verified as under 18s. These figures also do include seven casualties who were buried without being identified in Rafah. According to Al Mezan's investigations 1,657 (i.e. 77%) of the victims are civilians. At least 995 people; including 328 children and 211 women, were killed inside their houses; and two other disabled women were killed in an attack on a rehabilitation NGO's office. Another 233 people were killed in the vicinity of their houses; including in situations where they were trying to flee from their homes as a result of IOF attacks.
Moreover, at least 10,854 people were injured during the same period according to the Ministry of Health; including 3,295 were children and 2,106 women. At least, 10,856 houses were destroyed or damaged during this period; of which 2,836 were destroyed completely. The IOF directly and deliberately attacked 1,064 of the total number of damaged houses. As of today, IOF attacks have destroyed or damaged 98 schools, 160 mosques, 8 hospitals; 6 of which are out of service, 46 NGO offices, 50 fishing boats, and 243 vehicles.
North Gaza district:
During the 24-hour reporting period between 12pm on Monday 25 August 2014 and 12 pm today, Tuesday 26 August 2014, the IOF fired about 34 missiles on various areas across the North Gaza district. These attacks targeted empty fields and agricultural land, two metal workshops for the Mohammed Odeh Company and the Sammour family; both totally destroyed, and seven houses, which were also totally destroyed. The houses are owned by:
Khalil Al Attar; a two-story house in Beit Lahiya;
Abdel Latif Al Dabous; a five-story house in Beit Lahiya;
Khalid Mustafa Al Shaf'i; a three-story house in Beit Lahiya;
Atta Mohammed Mattar; a two-story house in Jabalia;
Abdallah Faraj Al Toum; a two story house in Jabalia;
Majed Atta Sa'd; a two-story house in Jabalia;
Jehad Atta Sa'd; a two-story house in Jabalia
Three other houses were also targeted directly by the IOF and were severely danaged and burned. These houses belong to:
Abdel Rahman Ahmed Msallam; a two-story house in Beit Lahiya;
Raed Mohammed Ziyada; a three-story house in Jabalia; and
Nassar Mustafa Azeez, a three-story house in Jabalia refugee camp.
The bombardment of these targets damaged about 20 other houses, two mosques, a sewage water pump, a health center, and two schools. At least 26 people were injured, including ten children and four women.
An IOF attack that was reported by AL Mezan yesterday, which targeted the house of Radad Ahmed Tanboura, which is located in the town of Beit Lahiya was further investigated by Al Mezan after victims were recovered from under the rubble. In addition to the killing of the house owner in the attack at approximately 10:40 am on Monday 25 August 2014, it was verified that his two children Ahmed Radad Tanboura, 15; and Amna Radad Tanboura, 13, were killed. His wife, Elizabeth Mustafa Tanboura, 39; his son; Shaher, 19; and his daughter, Marwa, 9, were also injured. Another six of the family's neighbors were injured, including two children and a woman.
At approximately 9:55 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a missile at a small street behind the UNRWA's Jabalia Preparatory School for Boys in Jabalia refugee camp. The UN has turned the school into an IDPs shelter. Six displaced people were injured in this attack; five of whom were children:
Mervat Ghazi Hamad, 8;
Mona Nadi Hamad, 7;
Yasmeen Mohammed Al Shnibari, 9;
Hani Raed Mdoukh, 7;
Soha Ali Abu Odeh, 11; and
Akram Mohammed Abu Odeh, 25.
A coffee shop and two houses were also damaged in this attack.
Gaza City district:
In Gaza City, IOF aircraft launched about 40 airstrikes; in which about 60 missiles and bombs were dropped on the city. Some of the attacks targeted open areas, but they also targeted five houses, two high-rise apartment buildings hosting 57 apartments, a charity for people with disability, a mosque, and six schools. As a result of those attacks, one of the schools was completely destroyed, about 100 houses, a water-well, and four cars were destroyed or damaged. Two houses were completely destroyed, and three others were severely damaged. Another other houses were partially damaged. Eight Palestinians were killed from IOF attacks during the reporting period and 61 others were injured.
At approximately 2:30 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired two missiles at a car that was driving in the Al Daraj neighborhood in central Gaza City. The four men who were in the car were killed; one of whom is a Saudi national. They were identified as:
Ahmed Tayseer Al Dali, 29;
Basim Hassan Hejazi, 36;
Ahmed Hassan Hejazi, 23; and
Mosaylema Abu Zeena, 40; a Saudi national.
At approximately 5 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired a missile at the Al Sham'a mosque in the Al Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza city. The mosque was severely damaged as a result.
At approximately 6 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, medical sources in the Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City announced the death of Abdallah Fadel Murtaja, 26. Murtaja was a journalist. He was injured earlier on the same day when the IOF targeted a group of people in the Al Shejai'ya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.
At approximately 6:30 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired two missiles at a water-well, which is located next to Al Zahraa' secondary school for girls on the Al Wehda Street in central Gaza City. Three people were injured and the school sustained partial damages.
At approximately 9:30 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired two missiles at the house of the Al Emawi family, which is located in the AL Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City. The five-story house, which hosted ten families of 80 persons, was completely destroyed. No casualties of injuries were reported.
At approximately 10 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired two missiles at the house of Basim Ajour, 60, which is located next to the Al Zahraa' secondary school for girls in central Gaza City. The house was bombarded without prior warning and as its residents were inside it. It was destroyed completely. It's owner's son, Sa'd Basim Ajour, 22, was killed and ten of the family members were injured. The house owner's injuries were described as critical.
At approximately 10:30 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired two heavy missiles at the Italian Mall; a 15-story high-rise apartment building, which is located on the Al Nasser Street in the northwest of Gaza City. The building's first two floors host a shopping mall and the offices of the Housing and Public Works Ministry. The other 13 floors host four apartments each.
At approximately 11:30 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired two heavy missiles at the house of Adnan Ahmed Shaldan, 60, which is located in the Al Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City. The five-story house was completely destroyed, displacing four families of 18 persons.
At approximately 12:20 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired three missiles at the house of Mahmoud Ahmed Shatat, 52, which is located in the AL Yarmouk neighborhood in central Gaza City. The two-story house was completely destroyed, displacing the three families who lived in it.
About ten minutes later, around 12:30 am on Tuesday, IOF aircraft fired a missile in the vicinity of Isleem Company for Sponge, which is located near the above-mentioned house of Dhatat family. The attack killed two persons, who were identified as Mohammed Mu'een Abu Ajwa, 28; and Hassan Omar Khawas, 23.
At approximately 2 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired three missiles at the house of Maher Ibrahim Mdoukh, 50, which is located in the Al Daraj neighborhood in central. The two story house, which is vacant, was destroyed completely. A store next to the house was also destroyed. The house owner has not been living in the Gaza Strip in the past years.
At approximately 3 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired two missiles at the Al Sheja'iya Basic School for Girls, which is located in the east of Gaza City. The school building was destroyed completely as a result.
Also at approximately 3 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired a missile at the Al Abbas Ibn Al Mutaleb School for Girls, which is located in the Al Sheja'iya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. The school building was damaged as a result.
At approximately 3 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired two missiles at the Al Sheja'iya Secondary School for Girls, which is located in the east of Gaza City. The school building was damaged as a result.
These attacks on the schools also caused damages to the Mu'een Bseeso Basic School for Boys, which is located in the Al Sheja'iya neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
At approximately 3 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired a missile at the Ali Ibn Abi Taleb Basic School for Boys, which is located in the Al Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City. The school building and an adjacent building for the Gaza University were damaged as a result.
At approximately 3 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired a missile at the Disabled Association, which is located in the east of Gaza City. The building of the charity was damaged as a result.
At approximately 4:30 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014, IOF aircraft fired three missiles at the Al Basha high-rise apartment building, which is located on the Al Thalathini Street in Gaza City and is made of 14 floors. The building, which hosts offices for private businesses and hosts the Al Sha'b Radio station, was destroyed completely.
Middle Gaza district:
In the middle of Gaza district, IOF warplanes attacked several areas, launching at least 14 airstrikes on fields and open areas. At least nine people were injured including two children and two women during the reporting period. Around 2 pm on Monday, IOF opened artillery fire on the eastern parts of the district.
During the reporting period, the IOF bombarded seven houses in the Middle Gaza district, as follows:
At approximately 12 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a missile at the house of Salem Abu Ajwa, 55, which is located in the Al Bureij refugee camp. A few minutes later, IOF aircraft fired a heavy missile at the house and destroyed it completely. The two-story house was home to eight families, who were displaced.
At approximately 1:20 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a missile at the house of Fuad Mohammed AL Mbashir, 63, which is located in the AL Maghazi refugee camp. Ten minutes later, IOF aircraft bombarded the house and destroyed it completely. Two families of ten persons used to live in the house.
At approximately 1:40 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a missile at the house of Ahmed Abdallah Abu Na'eem, 45, which is located in the Al Nuseirat refugee camp. Ten minutes later, IOF aircraft bombarded and completely destroyed the two-story house. Seven people used to live in the house and were displaced as a result of the attack.
At approximately 5:10 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a missile at the house of Ziyad Abdel Raheem Abu Ammona, 52, which is located in the Al Nuseirat refugee camp. About ten minutes later, IOF aircraft bombarded the three-story house and destroyed it completely. Eleven people used to live in the house and were displaced. A neighboring house was damaged and a women from the Abu Ammona family was injured.
At approximately 2:50 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a missile at the house of the heirs of Ahmed Ali Fatayir, which is located in the town of Deir Al Balah. The two-story house was bombarded by IOF aircraft about ten minutes after this attack, and was destroyed completely. The three-story house was home to three families of 17 persons.
At approximately 5 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF aircraft bombarded the house of the sons of Abdel Azeez Abdel Raziq Z'eeter, which is located in Deir Al Balah town. The five-story house, which is inhabited by 17 families of about 160 persons, was completely destroyed. Khan Younis district:
In Khan Younis district the IOF launched 22 airstrikes on various areas during the reporting period, mostly on open fields and houses. Five of the houses were targeted directly and destroyed completely. These attacks injured one person. The IOF attacks caused damages to other houses and civilian structures in the district.
At approximately 2:50 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, IOF aircraft bombarded the house of Wajdi Fayyad, which is located in the Al Qarara town, east of Khan Younis district. Al Mezan's investigations indicate that the IOF called the family by phone and informed them of the impending bombing of the house and instructed them to evacuate it. A few minutes after the call, the two-story house was bombarded and destroyed. Ten people were displaced as a result.
At approximately 3:40 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a missile at the house of Muneer Al Abadla; a two story house in the Al Qarara town. A few minutes later, IOF aircraft bombarded the house and destroyed it completely. Several neighboring houses were also damaged in the attack.
At approximately 4:09 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a missile at the house of Salma Qdeeh, which is located in Abassan Al Kabeera town, east of Khan Younis district. A few minutes later, aircraft bombarded the house and destroyed it. Several neighboring houses were also damaged in the attack.
At approximately 10:45 pm on Monday 25 August 2014, an IOF drone fired a missile at the house ofFaheem Jom'a Qdeeh. The two-story house was then bombarded a few minutes later, destroying it completely and causing damage to neighboring houses. One person was moderately injured as a result of the attack.
Rafah district:
The IOF launched 10 airstrikes on Rafah district during the reporting period. IOF artillery intermittently fired shells in the eastern parts of the town. These attacks targeted houses, empty areas and fields, and the border area between Gaza and Egypt. At least two people were injured in Rafah during the reporting period.
At approximately 4:40 am on Tuesday 26 August 2014 2014, IOF aircraft fired two missiles at the house of Mustafa Mohammed Abu Obaid, which is located in the Al Shabora block in Rafah refugee camp and built on an area of 500 meters, and is home to 35 people. Few minutes prior to this attack which destroyed the house completely, IOF drones fired two missiles at it. One of these missiles did not explode. One man, Mohammed Salem Al Hamaida, 32, was moderately injured in this attack.
Al Mezan condemns IOF's attacks on civilians and civilian targets in the Gaza Strip. Attacks on protected civilians and civilian objects that fail to comply with the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL) represent grave breaches of IHL, which amount to war crimes. These violations must be credibly and promptly investigated and prosecuted. The international community has an obligation to condemn these violations and make swift, effective interventions to bring them to a halt.
Al Mezan condemns the IOF attacks on a large apartment buildings, a shopping center, and the Rafah Crossing, which indicate a serious escalation of IOF attacks, carried out under false pretexts that cannot be verified. The IOF must prove that these structures were used for military purposes. If so, the attacks must be proportionate and effective warning must be given to civilians; neither of which was given appropriately.
Al Mezan deplores the failure of international community to ensure the protection of the civilian population and the civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, which have been devastated due to thousands of IOF unlawful military attacks that did not respect the basic principles of IHL. International community must provide the civilian population in the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid and ensure free and timely passage of materials and personnel needed to re-establish the basic needs for human life; including power, water, sanitation and the health sector.