Gaza: On the 28th Day of the Israeli Offensive

On the 28th Day of the Israeli Offensive:

• Israeli Forces Redeploy in Invaded Areas in the Gaza Strip;

• Complete Neighborhoods Destroyed;

• 11 Palestinian Civilians, Including 5 Children, Killed by Israeli Bombardment of UNRWA Shelter in Rafah;

• More Bodies of Victims Recovered from Debris of Homes;

• Electricity off for 6th Consecutive Day in Gaza City;

• Warnings of Diseases Due to Lack of Electricity and Water Supplies and Spread of Garbage in Streets

Since the Beginning of the Israeli Offensive on Gaza:

• 1,888 Palestinians Killed, of Whom 1,586 Are Civilians, Including 477 Children and 235 Women, and 7,815 Others Wounded, Mostly Civilians, Including 2,079 Children and 1,398 Women;

• 791 Houses Targeted and Destroyed and Thousands of Others Extensively Damaged;

• Thousands of Palestinians Forcibly Displaced

Israeli occupation forces have continued their brutal and immoral offensive on the Gaza Strip for the 28th 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, and in violation of the principles of necessity, proportionality and distinction. Israeli forces have continued their aerial, ground and sea attacks throughout the Gaza Strip, causing more civilian casualties and damaging civilian facilities. Israeli forces escalated their attacks throughout the Gaza Strip. Israeli forces continued to attack the Gaza Strip from the air, the ground and the sea. More Palestinian civilians were killed or wounded as Israeli warplanes bombarded houses while their residents were inside. In Rafah, an Israeli drone fired a missile that land a few meters away from an UNRWA shelter, which hosts at least 300 civilians. The attack killed 11 civilians, including 5 children. A PCHR field worker who visited Khuza'a village, east of Kahn Yunis, reported that he saw bomb whose length is 210 cm and its diameter is 70 cm, which was dropped by Israeli warplanes in the past days destroying 15 houses at once in Abu Rujaila quarter in the village.

Electricity supplies have been off in the Gaza Strip for the 7th consecutive day. Municipalities face extreme difficulties in their work due to the lack of fuel supplies and because if Israeli attacks. These developments raise concerns regarding public health in Gaza Strip, which is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. The crisis has further aggravated as at least 520,000 civilians were forcibly displaced from their homes, and were forced to resort to shelters in the centers of towns and refugee camps.

Although Israeli forces redeployed in some areas, PCHR field workers have been unable to collect information from border areas in the Gaza Strip, because the situation is extremely dangerous in these areas. The following details are based on the information which the field workers have been able to collect.

From 10:00 Sunday, 03 August 2014, to 10:00 on Monday, 04 August 2014, according to what PCHR has been able to document, 53 Palestinians, 23 of whom are civilians, including 15 children and a woman, were killed, and 282 others, including 70 children and 49 women, were wounded. Medical crews were able to recover the bodies of 11 Palestinians, including a child and woman. Seven Palestinians, 6 of whom are civilians, including 2 women and a child, died of previous wounds. Additionally, Israeli warplanes destroyed 16 houses, an apartment building and 3 mosques.

The latest developments since the press release issued by PCHR yesterday noon have been as follows:

The Northern Gaza Strip:

Israeli forces launched 26 airstrikes while Israeli tanks and gunboats fired dozens of artillery shells targeting houses, agricultural plots, open areas and a mosque. As a result of these attacks, 21 Palestinians, 15 of whom are civilians, including 5 children and a woman, were killed, and 114 others, including 32 children and 24 women, were wounded. Israeli forces also targeted and destroyed 5 houses, and damaged some others.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 10:05 on Sunday, 03 August 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ahmed Mohammed Nussair in Beit Lahia housing project. Five minutes later, the Israeli drone fired another missile at the house. As a result, the owners' son, Khalil, 27, was seriously wounded, when he was attempting to get out of the house. When Palestinian civilians and ambulances rushed to the house to save the family, Israeli warplanes bombarded and destroyed the house. As a result, 'Aahed Sa'id Basr, 20, was killed, and 23 others, including 12 children and 2 women, were wounded. An ambulance of the Ministry of Health and 8 houses were extensively damaged. At approximately 13:00, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Fares Ahmed Dawod, 21, died of the wounds he sustained when he was attempting to save the family.

- At approximately 12:30, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Nour Bahjat Wahdan, 2, died of wounds she had stained when Israeli warplanes bombarded a house belonging to Jameel Abu al-Qumsan in Jabalya in the early morning.

- At approximately 14:30, an Israeli drone attacked a members of a Palestinian armed group in Mas'oud Street in Jabalya, killing one of them and wounding another one, who died of his wounds at approximately 23:30.

- At approximately 15:35, Israeli warplanes bombarded a house belonging to Mahmoud 'Abdul Hadi al-Majdalawi in Be'r al-Na'ja area in Jabalya. As a result, 5 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were killed: Mahmoud 'Abdul Hadi al-Majdalawi, 24; 'Abdul Raziq 'Abdul Hadi al-Majdalawi, 19; 'Abdullah 'Abdul Hadi al-Majdalawi, 13; Rawan Ahmed al-Majdalawi, 9; and Mahmoud Ahmed al-Majdalawi, 8. Seven civilians, including 2 children and a woman, were also wounded.

- At approximately 16:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Tawba Mosque in Jabalya refugee camp, damaging it.

- At approximately 17:30, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that 'Ezzat Khamis Junaid, 18, died of wounded he sustained by Israeli artillery shelling in Jabalya on 29 July 2014.

- At approximately 19:40, an Israeli drone attacked members of a Palestinian armed group near al-Khuzondar gas station in the west of Jabalya, killing 2 of them.

- At approximately 20:50, Israeli warplanes bombarded a house belonging to Mohammed 'Abdul Karim Abu Nejem, 55, near al-Tawba Mosque in Jabalya refugee camp, without a prior warning. The house was destroyed and Abu Nejem; his sons: Bilal, 27; Ahmed, 117; and Mohammed, 21; Suha Hamed al-Masri, 30; Raghad Mohammed al-Masri, 3; Shaima' Wa'el Qassem, 14; Qassem Mohammed Qassem, 30; and 2 members of a Palestinian armed group were killed. Additionally, 22 civilians, including 10 children and 3 women, were also wounded.

- At approximately 03:45 on Monday, 04 August 2014, an Israeli drone attacked a member of a Palestinian armed group who was riding a motorbike near Haifa Mosque in Jabalya refugee camp. When a number of Palestinian civilians attempted to offer him first aid, the Israeli drone fired a missile at them, wounding 2.

- At approximately 08:00, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared that Wadi'a Mohammed al-Zain, 29, died of wounds she had sustained by Israeli artillery shelling in Jabalya on 29 July 2014.

- Israeli warplanes targeted and destroyed 5 Palestinian houses.

Gaza City:

Israeli warplanes launched a number of airstrikes that targeted houses, agricultural plots, open areas, civilian facilities and a mosque, while Israeli tanks and gunboats fired dozens of shells at the city. As a result of these attacks, 9 Palestinians, including a civilian, were killed, and 15 others, including 3 children, were wounded. Israeli forces also destroyed 2 houses, and auto repair workshop and a mosque, and damaged an apartment building.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 10:15 on Sunday, 03 August 2014, Israeli tanks fired 10 shells at al-Zafer Building 9 near al-Saraya area, targeting the upper 5 floors. The shelling caused extensive damage.

- At approximately 11:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to 'Aadel 'Eissa Abu 'Abdullah, in which 2 families live, in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, following a warning phone call. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of neighboring houses were damaged.

- At approximately 17:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to Ahmed Marzouq al-Ghefari, which is used as a store, in al-Nafaq Street. The house was destroyed.

- Also at approximately 17:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a member of a Palestinian armed group in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, killing him.

- At approximately 00:05 on Monday, 04 August 2014, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at Sabri Mustafa 'Atallah, 22, when he was at the door of his house in al-Sahaba Street in al-Daraj neighborhood. He was instantly killed.

- At approximately 00:45, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at members of a Palestinian armed group near al-Tawhid Mosque in al-Zarqa area, killing 4 of them.

- At approximately 01:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at al-Rebat Mosque in al-Zaytoun neighborhood, destroying it.

- Also at approximately 01:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at members of a Palestinian armed group in Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, killing 2 of them.

- At approximately 03:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a member of a Palestinian armed group in al-Nasser neighborhood, killing him.

- At approximately 02:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 700-square-meter auto repair workshop belonging to Ra'ed Mousa al-Ghefari. The workshop was destroyed.

- At approximately 04:00, Israeli gunboats fired a number of shells at Gaza fishing harbor, causing damage.

The Central Gaza Strip:

Israeli warplanes launched 7 airstrikes and tanks fired dozens of shells at houses, agricultural plots, open areas and a mosque. As a result of these attacks, 2 Palestinian militants were killed, and 6 Palestinians, including 3 children and woman, were wounded. Medical crews also recovered bodies of 2 sisters from the debris of their destroyed house. Additionally, Israeli warplanes targeted 4 houses, destroying 2 of them, and damaged 2 mosques.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 12:00 on Sunday, 03 August 2014, medical crews recovered the bodies of Safa' 'Atwa Khattab 23, and her sister Dalia, 15, from the debris of their house that was destroyed by Israeli warplanes in Deir al-Balah.

- At approximately 11:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Maqboul Salama Abu Mashi, in which 9 people live, in Deir al-Balah. The house was partially destroyed and 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 children and a woman, were wounded.

- At approximately 15:20, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Jum'a Khalil Khattab, in which 8 people live, in al-Nussairat refugee camp. The house was partially destroyed.

- At approximately 17:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at 2 members of a Palestinian armed group in al-Nussairat refugee camp, killing them. A child in the area was wounded.

- At approximately 01:30 on Monday, 04 August 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile a 5-storey house belonging to 'Abdul Bari Mahmoud Zamzam, in which 50 people live. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched 2 missiles at the house and destroyed it.

- At approximately 02:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Ihsan Mosque in al-Nussairat refugee camp, damaging it.

- At approximately 09:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Qassam Mosque in al-Nussairat refugee camp, damaging it.

Khan Yunis:

Israeli warplanes launched a number of airstrikes and tanks and gunboats fired shells at agricultural plots, houses and cars in Khan Yunis. As a result of these attacks, 4 Palestinians, including a civilian, were killed. Medical crews also recovered the bodies of 10 Palestinians, including a woman, from Khuza'a and 'Abassan villages. Additionally, 90 Palestinians, including 18 children and 21 women, all of them from Rafah, were evacuated to Nasser Hospital in Kahn Yunis, as they were wounded by Israeli attacks. Israeli warplanes also targeted and destroyed 3 houses.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 11:40 on Sunday, 03 August 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Fathi Hassan al-Ghalban, in which 22 people live. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. As a result, Tayseer Yousef al-Jerjawi, 22, was wounded, and he died of his wound a few hours later.

- At approximately 13:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at 2 members of a Palestinian armed group in the west of Khan Yunis, killing one of them and wounding the other one.

- At approximately 14:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to 'Emad Mohammed al-'Adini, in which 18 people live, in al-Mahatta area in the center of Khan Yunis. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.

- At approximately 16:50, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Sameer 'Ali Abu Khater, in which 30 people live, in Bani Suhaila village, east of Khan Yunis, after a warning phone call. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.

- At approximately 18:45, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at an agricultural plot in Abu Haddaf quarter in al-Qarara village. At the same time, an Israeli warplane launched a missile as an olive field in al-Satar al-Gharbi.

- At approximately 02:00 on Monday, 04 August 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Nimsawi neighborhood in the west of Kahn Yunis. As a result, 4 Palestinian civilians were wounded, and a number of houses were damaged.

- In the morning, medical crews recovered the bodies of a woman and 9 members of Palestinian armed groups from the debris of destroyed homes in Khuza'a and 'Abassan villages. The woman was identified as Ghalia al-'Abed Abu Raida.

- In the morning, medical sources declared that Zainab Ahmed Abu Tair, 77, died of wounds she sustained a few days ago.

- At approximately 06:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at an office of al-Multazem Insurance Company on the first floor of al-Batta building in Jalal Street in the center of Khan Yunis. The office was damaged.

- At approximately 08:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at members of a Palestinian armed group in al-Qarara village, killing 2 of them.

Rafah

Since Friday morning, 01 August 2014, Israeli forces have committed unprecedented crimes in Rafah. During the reporting period, Israeli warplanes launched 50 airstrikes and tanks violently shelled the city. As a result of these attacks, 18 Palestinians, 17 are civilians, including 10 children, were killed. The body of a Palestinian child was recovered from the debris of his family's house that was destroyed by Israeli forces. Additionally, 57 Palestinians, including 14 children and 4 women, were wounded. Israeli forces also destroyed 4 houses.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 10:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at 'Omar Bin al-Khattab near al-Najma Square in al-Shaboura refugee camp in Rafah. The missile exploded about 8 meters away from the gate of Rafah UNRWA Preparatory School "A" which serves as a shelter for forcibly displaces civilians. As a result of the attack, 11 Palestinian civilians, including 7 children, were killed:

1. Aya Mohammed Abu Rejel, 3, a displaced child;

2. Munther Mohammed Abu Rejel, a displaced child;

3. Saqer Bassam al-Kashef, 7, a displaced child;

4. Tariq Ziad Abu Khatla, 15, a displaced child;

5. 'Amru Tariq Abu al-Rous, 15, a displaced child;

6. Hazem 'Abdul Basset Abu Hilal, 25, the guard of the school;

7. Mohammed 'Omar 'Awaja, 30, a volunteer in the shelter;

8. Ahmed Khaled Abu Harba, 14, a peddler;

9. Yousef Akram al-Eskafi, 16, a peddler; and

10. Ahmed Kamal al-Nahhal, 25; and

11. Ismail Sameer Shallouf, 17, both were traveling on a motorbike.

Additionally, 27 civilians, including 5 children, were wounded.

- At approximately 12:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a civilian car, in which Khalil Mohammed Abu Diba' and his child Moneer, 14, were traveling in Tabbat Zare' neighborhood in Rafah. The man and his child were killed, and their bodies were evacuated to the hospital 5 hours later.

- At approximately 13:20, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Mohammed Hassan al-Zoom, in which 11 people live, in the Saudi neighborhood in the west of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of nearby houses were also damaged.

- At approximately 17:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians near al-Jawazat Square in al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah. As a result, Nour Khalil al-'Okur, 22, was killed, and 3 others were wounded.

- At approximately 17:05, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Salah Ahmed Jarghoun, in which 7 people live, in al-Siamat neighborhood in the north of Rafah. A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it. A number of nearby houses were partially destroyed.

- At approximately 19:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a member of a Palestinian armed group who was traveling on a motorbike in al-Junaina neighborhood in Rafah, wounding him seriously.

- At approximately 23:50, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to 'Ata Swai'ed in Imam Ali neighborhood in the northwest of Rafah. The house was completely destroyed and a number of neighboring houses were heavily damaged.

- From 0:25 to 03:45 on Monday, 04 August 2014, Israeli warplanes launched 21 missiles at streets and intersections in al-Salam, al-Junaina and al-Tannour neighborhoods, which all lead to Saladin Street, east of Rafah.

- At approximately 01:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile near al-Zahra' Clinic in al-Junaina neighborhood in the east of Rafah. As a result, Tha'er Majdi Abu Jazar, 17, was killed.

- At approximately 01:15, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at al-Maslakh intersection in al-Salam neighborhood in the south of Rafah. Shrapnel from the missile hit a house belonging to Ghalia 'Abdul 'Aal. As a result, Abdul 'Aal's grandchild, Raghad 'Omar Abu Mas'oud, 3, was killed, and 6 members of the family were wounded.

- At approximately 02:45, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to 'Aisha Mousa Mo'ammar in al-Shaboura refugee camp in Rafah. The owner was moderately wounded, and the house was partially destroyed.

- At approximately 07:25, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in al-Nuzha Street in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in the west of Rafah. As a result, Ashraf Mahmoud Abu Mash'al, 28, was killed, and Bakr Hamed Ghuraiz, 25, was wounded.

- At approximately 08:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a motorbike on which Za'al Rezeq Musleh, 54, a worker in the Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, in Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. He was seriously wounded.

- At approximately 09:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a member of a Palestinian armed group in Musabbeh neighborhood in the north of Rafah, killing him.

PCHR reiterates condemnation, expresses utmost concern for these crimes, and:

1) Calls upon the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to promptly visit the Gaza Strip, to fulfill her responsibilities to stop this barbaric offensive and to closely watch the systematic destruction caused and deliberate targeting of Palestinian civilians and property protected under the international law;

2) Calls upon the UN Human Rights Council to accelerate the formation of the fact-finding mission as decided by the Council in the resolution taken in its special session that was held on 23 July 2014 to investigate violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law in the occupied Palestinian territory without any delay related to bureaucratic restrictions and procedures;

3) Calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their contractual obligations not only to respect the Convention, but also ensure respect for the Convention, and to immediately intervene to stop war crimes committed by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians, and calls upon the Swiss Government, the depository of the Geneva Conventions, to call for a new conference of the High Contracting Parties as soon as possible;

4) Stresses that holding war criminals accountable is an essential condition for any future settlement, and the international community should confirm that no impunity for war criminals, and the achievement of peace is conditioned by respect for human rights and the international law, and prosecution of war criminals;

5) Calls upon the Palestinian leadership to immediately accede to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, which will provide opportunities to prosecute Israeli war criminals before the Court;

6) Stresses that the Gaza Strip is a disaster area and there is an urgent need to treat the disastrous humanitarian situation resulting from deliberate Israeli attacks on the civilian infrastructure, including electricity, water, hospitals, shelters and houses, forcible displacement of more than 500,000 civilians ad systematic and mass destruction of civilian communities;

7) Calls upon the international community to intervene to stop the policies of collective punishment and left the closure imposed on the Gaza Strip for more than seven years, allowing the freedom of movement and goods, away from artificial improvements which have contributed to institutionalizing and prolonging the closure.

ENDS

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