PCHR weekly report 24/3 - 30/3/2011: 2 incursions, 1 artillery attack

extracts from PCHR weekly report  24/3 - 30/3/2011:

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted two limited incursion into Palestinian areas, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.

Thursday, 24 March 2011 


Also at approximately 20:25, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east and north of the northern Gaza Strip fired a number of artillery shells at Palestinian areas. IOF fired at least 5 shells. No casualties were reported, but Palestinian civilians were extremely terrified. 


Tuesday, 29 March 2011 


At approximately 08:30, IOF move nearly 200 meters into al-Musaddar village in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of Palestinian land near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Wednesday, 30 March 2011 


At approximately 10:30, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into Bourat Abu Samra area in the north of the northern Gaza Strip of Beit Lahia. They opened fire and leveled areas of land, which they had already razed. Palestinian farmers were forced to leave the area. At approximately 15:30, IOF moved back to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

Tell me, who is the terrorist?!

24 March 2011 | International Solidarity Movement, Gaza

Funeral for the latest victims

Two days ago, on March 22nd 2011, the Israeli army attacked a populated area in the Al-Shejaija neighborhood, east of Gaza City. Four days after the murder of two children in Johr Al-Dik, the Israeli army once again killed civilians, amongst them two more children. The latest victims of Israel’s war crimes are Yasser A’ahid Al-Helo (15), Mohamed Jalal Al-Helo (10), Mohammed Shaber Harara (18) and Yasser Hamid Al-Helo (55). At approximately 3 pm, Israeli tanks, positioned along the border, hit Al-Nazzaz street, 2 km from the border with four consecutive artillery shells. The first one hit Samer Walid Mushtaha’s house, destroying the upper floor. His wife, who was preparing dinner, had just gone downstairs and missed the attack by chance. The second shell hit vacant land nearby belonging to the Al-Helo family. The third one hit a group of children and older boys who were playing football near their houses, as they do every single day. 10 year old Mohamed Jalal Al-Helo and 19 year old Mohamed Saber Harara were immediately killed and their bodies brutally dismembered. Ten more children and an adult were also injured by shrapnel. Three year old Yasser A’amer Al-Helo and six year old Ahmad Talal Al-Helo are currently in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital with severe injuries.Yasser Hamed Al-Helo and his 15 year old grandson Yaser Ahed Al-Helo were opening the garage door to take out the car and rescue the wounded when they were hit by the fourth shell. They were killed on the spot.
This was the third attack on Al-Shejaija that day. At 10 am artillery fire injured one person and later in the morning another was reported to have been critically wounded by a drone strike.
Yesterday morning, Israeli military sources were quoted on Israeli radio as stating that one of the shells veered off and caused casualties. However, these four shells targeted a civilian area therefore civilian casualties were to be expected. According to witnesses, not one, but two different shells caused the deaths of these four civilians.
On Tuesday afternoon, the bodies of the four killed were brought to Shifa hospital in Gaza City in horrific conditions from the attacks. Ten year old Mohammed had been struck in the head by shrapnel, causing his skull to crack. Yesterday morning, an outraged and grief stricken crowd of people gathered at the morgue to carry the bodies to the mosque.

House damaged in attacks

Today, the families set up mourning tents to allow friends and relatives to give their condolences. The outside of the houses are tattered with holes from the attack, while emotions boil over on the inside.
“Tell me, who’s the terrorist!? Who is killing innocent children? Who!? My little nephew’s head exploded! And many others are injured! Are you telling the world who the real terrorist is, are you?!” Um Tarreq yells at me, infuriated by grief, anger, fear and sadness. Her cries blow me away and I answer her rage with tears that are rolling down her cheeks also. She was the first one to lay eyes on the horrible scene of dead and injured children and is the mother of one of the nine children that has been injured. Her son is still hospitalized awaiting surgery on his arm. “They play football there every single afternoon, from 3 to 5, after school! What are they who kill children!?”
Next to her sits another family member, she yells and then cries when she starts talking about what is happening. “I have all young girls at home and they are so afraid. They already killed children, in broad daylight! Yesterday during the day and at night drones and Apaches were out. And now there is this big drone hoovering over the neighborhood, you saw it? How can I protect my daughters?”
Since the 2nd Intifada, seven people of the Al-Helo family have been killed by Israeli attacks. During Operation Cast Lead, tanks shelled a house, killing Foa’ad (55), his son Mohammed (25) and Mohammed’s two year old daughter Farrah. The bodies could only be evacuated after three days.
“I just wish you would tell the world we’re not terrorists. We’re just unlucky that we don’t have oil, otherwise the US would support the Palestinian cause for sure”, says Ra’aid Al-Helo, one of the family members.

Updated on March 25, 2011

PCHR weekly report 17/3 - 23/3/2011: 6 civilians killed including 4 children, 24 civilians injured in border areas including 11 children, houses destroyed or damaged, airstrikes

extracts from PCHR weekly report 17/3 - 23/3/2011:

During the reporting period, IOF killed 6 Palestinian civilians, including 4 children, and 4 Palestinian resistance activists in the Gaza Strip. They also wounded 28 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 11 children. 

In the Gaza Strip, on Saturday evening, 19 March 2011, IOF killed two Palestinian children who were nearly 300 meters away from the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. It is worth noting that on 17 March, Israeli aircrafts dropped fliers on border areas warning Palestinians from getting as close as to 300 meters from the border. 

On 22 March 2011, IOF killed 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, and wounded 11 others, including 8 children, with artillery shells in the east of Gaza City. IOF claimed that a shell went astray and killed and wounded these civilians. PCHR's investigations refute this claim as the area was targeted by 4 successive artillery shells.

During the reporting period, IOF launched a series of air strikes on a number of Palestinian civilian facilities and a police station. The targeted facilities were destroyed and a number of houses and other property were damaged. Additionally, 15 Palestinian civilians, including 3 children, were lightly injured.  

On 19 March 2011, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israeli fired a number of artillery shells at Palestinian areas. As a result, 6 Palestinian civilians, including a child, were wounded, and a mosque was damaged. 

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted two limited incursion into Palestinian areas, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land.


Saturday, 19 March 2011


At approximately 08:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Khan Yunis, fired a number of artillery shells at Palestinian agricultural and residential areas in the east of the villages of al-Qarara, 'Abassan, Khuza'a and al-Fukhari. The artillery shelling continued sporadically until 11:00. As a result of the shelling, the minaret of 'Amar Bin Yasser Mosque in 'Abassan village was damaged, but no casualties were reported. 

At approximately 09:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, east of Gaza City, fired 3 artillery shells at a site of the Palestinian National Security Forces near al-Mansoura Square in the east of al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, nearly 2,000 meters away from the border. As a result, 6 Palestinians were wounded:

1. Sa'eb Maher Abu Safiya, 20, a security man, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head and the left foot;

2. 'Emad Saleh Sa'id, 35, a security man, wounded by shrapnel to the body, and sustained a facture to the right foot;

3. Midhat Saleem al-Dayah, 20, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

4. Nasser 'Omar Abu Shanab, 22, wounded by shrapnel to the back;

5. Qussai Fadi Abu Shanab, 22, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and

6. 'Abdul Mon'em Mahmoud Sa'ad, 2, wounded by shrapnel to the face.

At approximately 11:00, IOF warplanes fired two missiles at an agricultural area in the east of al-Qarara village, northeast of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. The missiles targeted Palestinian resistance activists, but no casualties were reported.  

Also at approximately 11:00, IOF warplanes fired two missile at an agricultural area in Abu Tu'aima area in 'Abassan village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported. 

At approximately 21:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the east of Juhor al-Dik village in the central Gaza Strip fired a number of artillery shells at two Palestinian children who were nearly 300 meters away from the border. The two children were instantly killed. IOF continued to fire at the area over the night. On the following day morning, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into the area. At approximately 11:30, an ambulance of Palestine Red Crescent Society was able to enter the area following coordination between the ICRC and IOF. The medical crews found the bodies of the two children nearly 300 meters away from the border, and evacuated them to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. The two children were identified as:

1. 'Emad Mohammed 'Eissa Farajallah, 16; and
2. Qassem Salah Abu 'Otaiwi, 16, both from al-Nussairat refugee camp.   

It is worth noting that on Thursday morning, 17 March 2011, IOF aircrafts dropped fliers over border area in the Gaza Strip, warning Palestinians of getting as close as to 300 meters from the border.

Monday, 21 March 2011 

At approximately 23:00, IOF warplanes fired two missiles at 'Abdul 'Aziz al-Rantissi site of the Palestinian police near al-Twam intersection in the west of Beit Lahia town in the northern Gaza Strip. Police buildings and two vehicles were destroyed. A police officer, Mohammed Hussein Abu 'Amira, 43, from Jabalya town, sustained bruises. Additionally, 6 Palestinian civilians, including two children and two women, were lightly injured by fragments of glass. Dozens of nearby houses , 7 shops and two vehicles were damaged. The building of Bytona Association for Social Development, which is located nearly 100 meters away from the targeted site, was heavily damaged. 

Also at approximately 23:00, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a 1,200-square-meter barrack of recycling nylon waste belonging to Mamdouh Yousef Zaidan in al-Sha'af neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The barrack was completely destroyed, and the building of a company of construction materials belonging to Riad Yousef Hassanain was damaged. 

At approximately 23:30, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a 500-square-meter smith workshop belonging to 'Abdul Salam 'Abdullah Dalloul in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The workshop was destroyed. 

At approximately 23:55, an IOF warplane fired two missiles at the building of stores and machines of Khuza'a Municipality, east of Khan Yunis. The 150-square-meter building and a subordinate yard were completely destroyed. Additionally, a 120-square-meter animal farm belonging to Shawqi Saleem al-Najjar was destroyed, and a nearby room and the fence of a nearby house were damaged. 

Tuesday, 22 March 2011

At approximately 23:55 on Monday, 21 March 2011, Mahmoud Hussein al-Najjar, 61, received a phone call from an Israeli number and the caller, who introduced himself as an Israeli military officer order him to evacuate his house in Khuza'a village. At approximately 00:14 on Tuesday, an IOF drone fired a missile at a 130-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to al-Najjar's son, Hussein. The missile penetrated the ceiling and fell into the lounge, where Hussein was, but he survived the attack. The family left the house immediately. Later, IOF phoned Mahmoud al-Najjar again and ordered him to evacuate his house in five minutes. Al-Najjar and his two sons, who live in houses next to his, evacuated the three houses. Nevertheless, none of these house has been bombarded.

At approximately 00:20, IOF warplanes fired a missile at a space area in the east of Khuza'a village, east of Khan Yunis. No casualties were reported.

At approximately 08:15, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the northeast of Gaza City. They leveled areas of Palestinian land, which they had already razed under cover of shooting. They left the area at approximately 11:30 and no casualties were reported. 

In the evening, IOF killed 4 Palestinian civilians, including two children, and wounded 11 others, including 8 children, with artillery shells in al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. The Israeli radio quoted Israeli military sources claiming that an artillery shell went astray and caused the civilian casualties. Investigations conducted by PCHR refute this claim, as a residential area was targeted with 4 artillery shells, and whether one of them went astray or not, they all targeted a residential area. 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 15:10, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired 4 artillery shells successively at al-Nazzaz Street in al-Shuja'iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, nearly 2,000 meters away from the border. The first shell hit a 150-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Samer Waleed Mushtaha. The second floor of the house was completely destroyed and the first one was heavily damaged. The second shell fell onto a nearby tract of land belonging to the al-Hilu family. The third shell landed near a number of boys who were playing football near their houses. As a result, two children were killed and their bodies were dismembered: Mohammed Saber Harara, 19; and Mohammed Jalal al-Hilu. The fourth shell fell near Yasser Hamed al-Hilu, 51, and his grandchild, 15-year-old Yasser 'Aahed al-Hilu, while they were trying to open the garage of their house to get their car out in order to evacuate the wounded to hospital. The man and his grandchild were instantly killed. Additionally, 11 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children, were wounded:

1. Ahmed Talal al-Hilu, 10, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen;

2. Tariq Ziad al-Hilu, 14, his hand was cut;

3. Mo'ammar 'Aamer al-Mubayidh, 15, wounded by shrapnel to the hand and the foot;

4. Yasser 'Aamer al-Hilu, 3, seriously wounded by shrapnel to the head;

5. Mo'ammar 'Aadel al-Mubayidh, 15, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

6. Mohammed 'Alaa' al-Hilu, 10, seriously wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

7. Alaa' Rami Abu Sakran, 9, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

8. Tamer 'Aahed al-Hilu, 13, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

9. Jamal Mahmoud al-Hilu, 53, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body;

10. 'Abdullah Ziad al-Hilu, 53, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body; and

11. 'Abdul Karim Nabeel Abu Sirriya, 19, wounded by shrapnel throughout the body. 

 


    
  

The names of the innocents who are killed

Posted on: March 24, 2011

5 March 2011 | International Solidarity Movement, Gaza

Omar Maruf was killed by a soldier who was heavily armed, and well equipped with everything the latest Western military industry has to offer. Omar was wearing old, dirty clothes, and collecting stones with his donkey. Omar was not even “collateral damage” unfortunately hit by a misguided bullet or bomb during a military attack: no, a young soldier, heavily armed and well equipped, targeted Omar, who was standing there, with shabby clothes and stones in his hands, and decided to shoot him. A young soldier on a sunny winter morning felt the need to kill a man his same age who he probably considered less important. He knew that this act would never have any consequences and that he wouldn’t have to justify that deed to anyone. Because it was a Palestinian with no rights, whose life didn’t count.
This article is about Omar Maruf, because his life does count. Because his death deserves outrage and a demand for justice. Because I’ve looked into the silent faces of Omar’s grieving brothers, because I have listened to his cousins, who spoke all the more, out of anger and helplessness. How can you just murder a young man, they asked me. How it is possible that the Israeli soldier will not be sued, that there is no justice, that no one cares? Why you can just kill people like us, why can you just shoot Palestinians? Why does no one do anything? Why is no government in the world is helping us, when the Israeli government believes that international law does not apply for them?
So here it is, the story of the death of Omar Maruf. He was twenty years old, and the father of a two years old son. “Don’t go too close to the border, it’s too dangerous,” his cousin Talal has previously warned him. He had no choice, Omar had responded. He had a son who needs food. So he went to the border to collect stones. It was 9:30 in the morning of the 28th February 2011, Talal was about 700 meters away from the border, on his own land. Omar was at 400 meters, when the Israeli soldiers opened fire. He was outside the so-called buffer zone, the 300-meter-wide strip of land along the border with Israel, which the Israeli military has banned from entering under threat of death. It is debatable whether it is lawful to declare publicly to shoot any civilian of the neighbour state who is on his own farmland close to the border. But that is not important, Omar was over hundred yards away from this area.
Talal couldn’t see Omar from where he was standing, he didn’t know what had happened to him, whether the shots had hit him. The soldiers fired several volleys, and with the last volley, they shot the donkey, Talal could see how he died. Why the donkey, one wonders, such a pointless additional cruelty. But Talal didn’t know yet what had happened to Omar. Shortly after, two bulldozers and a tank broke into the land, it was impossible for Talal to come closer. Even the ambulance from the Red Cross which he had called received no permission to approach the donkey cart, even after several attempts to coordinate with the Israeli side. The bulldozers began to dig a ditch around the cart with the dead donkey, almost half a kilometer away from the territory of their own state. Why, one wonders. Why did they dig a ditch around the donkey cart? Shortly after, Talal watched from a safe distance how Omar’s lifeless body was brought into the tank. Why, one wonders. Why did they take Omar with them? Maybe they wanted to treat him, said his cousin. Treat? For two hours, the paramedics of the Red Cross were trying to find out what happened to Omar, where he was, whether he was still alive. In vain. Finally, the paramedics received a call from the hospital of Gaza City: A body had been brought in from the Israeli Erez crossing, Omar was dead.
“What on earth was this soldier thinking when he shot him?” his cousin asks me. “Did he think he would pose any danger? He doesn’t even have money to buy milk for his child. Did he think he had money for a weapon? Did he think he would have a tank?” As if I would have the answer. So I follow the question of why the soldiers have taken Omar with them. They wanted to help him, the family is convinced. I ask one of his brothers, whether traces of medical treatment were visible on his body. He shakes his head. “No,” he says, “I have seen his body. There were no puncture marks of an infusion, no bandages. The bullet had entered at the left side of his body, and had come out again on the other side.” A dumdum bullet, which causes maximum damage. Bullets, which explode on impact inside the body are prohibited according to Geneva Convention 1889, Declaration 3. I don’t mention that that hardly matches the version that soldiers wanted to help. Perhaps the idea is just too reassuring that one of them has actually seen Omar as a human being who needs help.
But something had changed in him. As Omar’s dead body reached the hospital, a notice was fixed to his chest. “Terrorist” it said.
Omar Maruf is the eighth civilian being shot dead in the buffer zone in the last two months. Since the beginning of last year, far more than a hundred workers and farmers have been shot by Israeli snipers in the buffer zone: 18 of them died.

Updated on March 24, 2011

Israel’s attack on civilians: two children killed

23 March 2011 | International Solidarity Movement



Until now I am doubting whether to upload the horrific pictures of the latest fatalities of Israel’s attacks on Gaza. They show what remains of 15-year-old Qasem Salah Abu Uteiwi and his 16-year-old friend Imad Mohammed Issa Faraj Allah. Both teenagers are from Nuseirat refugee camp, in central Gaza Strip. They were killed on Saturday evening, March 19th, while they were playing in the neighbouring village Johr Al-Dik, at approximately 300 meters from the border.
Warning — extremely graphic images were uploaded here:
http://guerrillaradio.iobloggo.com/2064/il-vero-volto-dell-occupazione-israeliana-attenzione-immagini-cruente
At approximately 21:30 an Israeli tank, stationed along the border, fired more than 20 artillery shells. As a result the two children were immediately killed. Witnesses state that the IOF continued firing until late in the evening.
Yesterday, me and my friends from ISM went down to Nuseirat refugee camp to give our condolences to the families of the victims.
“We were all worried when they did not return home in the evening, and our worry increased after after we heard the bombing. The next morning, we heard on the news that the bodies of two civilians were brought to Shifa hospital. I immediately hurried down there and recognized Qasem in the remains of one of the bodies in the morgue. He was missing an arm, was covered in burns, his face was tattered with shrapnel, and he did not have a single tooth in his mouth”, says Khaled, one of Qasem’s uncles.
The Uteiwi family is a poor family, which was pushed deeper into poverty during Israel’s massacre in 2008-2009. Khaled’s house was destroyed during Cast Lead, just like 3 dunums of his land, while his daughter, Ayat was shot in the chest by a sniper in early January 2009.
Friends and family of Imad Mohammed Issa Faraj Allah gathered in a different mourning tent, a couple of blocks further on. Imad’s father, Mohammed, suddenly turned to me and said: “They have no conscience, no laws, they can do what they want to us. The UN, which promptly adopted a resolution to attack Lybia, has vetoed the condemnation of Israel for its illegal colonies in Palestine. It has turned our souls bitter. They call it ‘the war on terrorism’, but they should call it the war on Arab terrorism, because Israeli terrorism is untouchable.” The man takes a breath and continues.
“I worked 12 years in Israel, and this must be my bonus. Imad’s brothers have seen the photos of his massacred corpse and they demand revenge. These killings are the reason for the conflict. “

Updated on March 23, 2011

In a New Crime, IOF Kills Two Children in Central Gaza

PCHR

Sunday, 20 March 2011 12:30

Ref: 21/2011 

On Saturday evening, 19 March 2011, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) used excessive and lethal force which resulted in the death of two Palestinian children who were nearly 300 meters from the border east of Juhr Addik village in the central Gaza Strip. It should be noted that on Thursday morning, 17 March 2011, IOF warplanes dropped leaflets on border areas in the different parts of the Gaza Strip warning Palestinians to avoid coming within 300 meters of the border fence with Israel.

According to an investigation conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and statements made by eyewitnesses, at approximately 21:30 on 19 March 2011, IOF stationed along the border line east of Juhr Addik village in central the Gaza Strip fired several artillery shells at two Palestinian children who were nearly 300 meters from the border. As a result the two children were immediately killed. IOF continued firing until late in the evening. Today morning, 20 March 2011, IOF moved approximately 400 meters into the area and conducted surveillance in the area. After coordination was made with IOF through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), at approximately 11:30 this morning, an ambulance from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society managed to access the two bodies which were approximately 300 meters from the border. The two bodies were then transferred to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza city. The two children were identified as:

1. Imad Mohammed Issa Faraj Allah, 16, from Nuseirat refugee camp; and

2. Qasem Salah Abu Uteiwi, 16, from Nuseirat refugee camp.

PCHR condemns this crime and is gravely concerned. PCHR also:

1. Asserts that these crimes are part of a series of war crimes committed by IOF in the oPt, which reflect total disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians.

2. Warns of the escalation of war crimes against Palestinian civilians in view of the statements and threats expressed by Israeli political and military officials who have vowed more casualties in the Gaza Strip.

3. Calls upon the international community to take immediate action in order to put an end to such crimes. PCHR further renews its demand for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligation under Article 1 which stipulates "the High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances," as well as their obligations under Article 146 which requires that the Contracting Parties prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention. These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and under Protocol I Additional to Geneva Conventions.

DCI-Palestine UPDATE Children of the Gravel

  March 05, 2011
UPDATED URGENT APPEAL - Children of the Gravel




Between 26 March 2010 and 17 February 2011, DCI-Palestine has documented 27 cases of children shot whilst collecting building material or working near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Please appeal to stop the targeting of unarmed children working near the border in Gaza.
UPDATED URGENT APPEAL - Children of the Gravel

5 Palestinians hurt as Israel strikes Gaza

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Five Palestinians sustained injuries Saturday as Israeli forces struck targets in the Gaza Strip and Hamas claimed responsibility for firing 49 mortar shells that struck the western Negev.

Locals said the Israeli strikes targeted a security facility of Hamas' military wing in Gaza City's Shuja'iyya neighborhood.

The ministry of interior in Gaza said three Hamas security officers were injured in the Israeli shelling attack, including one seriously, raising the injury count to five.

Medical official Adham Abu Salmiya said earlier that a 3-year-old boy was lightly injured by shrapnel to the head. He added that a 26-year-old man sustained moderate wounds in his foot and his hand. Both were evacuated to Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

Hamas' military wing claimed responsibility for the mortar attacks.

The Al-Qassam Brigades said in a statement that the shelling came in retaliation to Israeli "crimes and the ongoing air and ground strikes on the Gaza Strip the latest of which targeted and killed two Hamas' fighters."

"We claim responsibility for these Jihad missions affirming that we are ready to respond to the Israeli aggression and to counter any folly by occupation with all means we have," the statement added.

For his part, Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan said the shelling was a natural response to the ongoing Israeli strikes against the Gaza Strip. "The occupation should avoid testing Hamas' response," he said.

Israeli tanks targeted a mosque in the south, the Gaza International Airport near Rafah, and the Shokat As-Sufi village, eyewitnesses said.

The shelling came hours after huge explosions were heard in the southern Gaza City, apparently from Palestinian launch pads as resistance fighters launched mortar shells at Israeli areas bordering the Gaza Strip.

Resistance factions announced earlier that several mortar shells were launched toward the Kerem Shalom and Sofa military bases.

Israeli news outlets quoted police saying that 49 mortar shells fired from Gaza landed in Sdot Negev and Eshkol regional council. The Israeli news site Ynet reported that two Israelis were lightly injured and a building sustained serious damage.

----

Child injured in Israeli shelling on Gaza

20-03-2011,10:29

 

Al Qassam website- Israeli occupation artillery shelled on Saturday evening number of locations in the Central area of Gaza Strip.

Eyewitnesses said that Israeli occupation artillery targeted on Saturday evening Palestinian homes near the Gaza border, what caused of massive destruction in properties  and infrastructure, while  number of injuries were reported among civilians as a result.

Palestinian medical sources confirmed that the Israeli shelling left five injuries among the Palestinian civilians, child was reported among the injuries.

For his role, Adham Abu Salmiyya, spokesperson of the Higher Committee of the Medical Emergency Services, stated that a three-year-old was wounded in his head, and that a 26-year-old resident was wounded in his arm and leg. Both were moved to the Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza city.

PCHR weekly report 10/3 - 16/3/2011: 1 incursion

extracts from weekly report 10/3 - 16/3/2011:

In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted a limited incursion into al-Boreij refugee camp, during which they leaved areas of Palestinian land.

 Tuesday, 15 March 2011


 At approximately 08:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. They leveled areas of Palestinian land near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They moved back to the border at approximately 16:00 on the same day.

F16s drop leaflets on northern Gaza

 

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Israel's airforce dropped thousands of leaflets on northern Gaza Thursday morning, warning residents to stay away from the border area.

An Israeli military spokesman initially declined to comment on the issue, but a spokeswoman later confirmed that leaflets were dropped.

The Israeli military maintains that the border area off limits, describing it as a zone used by militants to launch attacks on Israel.

The no-go zone takes up some 20 percent of Gaza's agricultural lands, and eats into the coastal enclave as far as one kilometer, according to UN reports.

On Thursday morning, Jabaliya and Deir Al-Balah residents said leaflets advised those in the northern Strip to stay away of the border fence.

The last time leaflets were reported to have been dropped on Gaza civilians was in early January 2010, when residents of the southern segment of the enclave were also warned to stay away from the border area.

In January 2009, leaflets called on Gaza residents to call Israel and provide information on the whereabouts of resistance fighters.

PCHR weekly report 24/2 - 2/3/2011: 1 worker killed, 1 worker and 1 farmer injured, airstrikes, destruction of buildings, 3 incursions

extracts from PCHR weekly report 24/2 - 2/3/2011:

· A Palestinian worker and a resistance activist were killed by IOF in the Gaza Strip.

· IOF launched a series of air strikes against civilian targets in the Gaza Strip.

- 4 houses were destroyed and 14 others were damaged.

- 11 civilian establishments were destroyed or heavily damaged, a security building was destroyed and a mosque was damaged.

· IOF continued to target Palestinian workers, farmers and fishermen in border areas in the Gaza Strip.

- A Palestinian worker and a farmer were wounded.

On 01 March 2011, a Palestinian farmer was wounded when IOF fired an artillery shell at a number of activists of the Palestinian resistance in the central Gaza Strip.

 In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted 3 limited incursions into the southern and central Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land. 

Thursday, 24 February 2011

At approximately 04:10, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a yard in al-Shouka village, east of Rafah. As a result, a house belonging to Hassam Mahmoud Hamad was destroyed, and another house belonging to Ashraf Hassan Abu Rezeq was heavily damaged. Hamad's son stated to PCHR that he had received a phone call from a person who introduced himself as an officer of the Israeli intelligence. The officer order him to evacuate the house, because it would be bombarded, and the family did.

Saturday, 26 February 2011

At approximately 03:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile a 100-square-meter resort belonging to 'Emad al-Din Mohammed 'Aaqel, 38, in al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The resort was completely destroyed. Additionally, 8 houses and a bird farm were damaged:

1. A 120-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Nasser 'Abdul Karim 'Ammar, whose 17-year-old child, Hanin, was also injured;
2. A 200-square-meter, 3-storey house belonging to Miriam Hamad Abu Marahil;
3. A 330-square-meter, 3-storey house belonging to 'Omar Hammad Abu Marahil;
4. A 100-square-meter belonging to Khaled Sha'ban al-Mabhouh;
5. A 120-square-meter house belonging to Yousef 'Abdullah Abu Shu'aib;
6. A 70-square-meter house belonging to 'Adnan 'Abdul Karim 'Eissa;
7. A 165-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Ussama Mahmoud al-Krunz;
8. A 120-square-meter, two-storey house belonging to Mohammed 'Abdul Rahman Noufal; and
9. A 150-square-meter bird farm and a room belonging to Jabri Khaled al-'Aalem. 

 At approximately 11:30, Israeli soldiers stationed on observation towers on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Lahia town fired at a number of Palestinian workers who were collecting scraps of construction materials from destroyed buildings. As a result, Khaled Mohammed al-Hossoumi, 37, from Beit Lahia, was wounded by a bullet to the right leg, when he was nearly 300 meters away from the border. 

At approximately 15:30, an Israeli warplane fired two missiles at two house belonging to Ahmed and Hatem 'Eid Abu Shareb in the east of al-Boreij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. The two houses and a barrack of animals were destroyed and a neighboring house was damaged. According to Ahmed Abu Shareb, he received a phone call at approximately 15:00 from a person who introduced himself as an Israeli military officer. He ordered Abu Shareb to evacuate his house because it would be bombarded, so he evacuated his house and his brother's house and informed the neighbors. Ten minutes later, the officer phoned again to make sure that the house was evacuated.  The damages to nearby civilian property were:

1. A 200-square-meter house belonging to Mohammed 'Eid Abu Shareb was damaged; and
2. A barrack of animals belonging to Hassan 'Abdul Karim al-Nabahin ws heavily damaged.

 Monday, 28 February 2011

At approximately 09:00, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired 3 artillery shells at Gaza International Airport in the southeast of Rafah. Two shells hit destroyed buildings in the airport. As a result, a member of the 'Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas) was wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen and the thighs. The third shell hit a 100-square-meter house belonging to Hanan 'Abdul Qader Abu Jarad, in which 5 people live, who was not at home then. The house was completely destroyed.

At approximately 10:00, Israeli soldiers positioned on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel to the north of Beit Lahia town fired at a Palestinian worker, 20-year-old 'Omar 'Arafa Ma'rouf, who was collecting scraps of construction materials from a site where the evacuated Israeli settlement of "Elli Sinai" used to stand. Ma'rouf was nearly 300 meters away from the border. He was wounded by a bullet to the left side. At approximately 11:00, IOF moved into the area. At approximately 12:00, IOF informed the Palestinian side that they would deliver the body of a dead Palestinian at Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. At approximately 13:35, the body was delivered to a Palestinian ambulance. 

At approximately 14:40, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired an artillery shell at an open area in the east of Jabalya town. The shell landed nearly 700 meters away from the border. Palestinian farmer working on their agricultural lands in the area were forced to leave their lands. No casualties were reported.

Tuesday, 01 March 2011

At approximately 09:00, IOF moved nearly 400 meters into the east of Khuza'a village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian land. This incursion continued until 17:00. No casualties were reported.  

At approximately 13:00, IOF moved nearly 300 meters into Khuza'a village, east of the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis. They leveled areas of Palestinian land. This incursion continued until 16:00. No casualties were reported. 

At approximately 15:30, IOF positioned at border between the Gaza Strip and Israel fired at a number of Palestinian resistance activists in the east of Deir al-Balah town in the central Gaza Strip. As a result, Rami Saleh Abu Mussa'ed, 22, was wounded by shrapnel to the right side. 

 Wednesday, 02 March 2011

 At approximately 15:30, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers in the east of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. No casualties were reported. 

At approximately 17:20, IOF positioned at the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel opened fire at Palestinian farmers in the northeast of Beit Hanoun town. No casualties were reported. 

A second IOF Limited Incursion East of Khan Younis

1-3-2011

Al Mezan

At approximately 1pm on Tuesday, 1 March 2011, Israeli tanks accompanied by armored bulldozers moved under sporadic fire around 300 meters to the east of Khuza'a town, in the east of Khan Younis district. Bulldozers leveled agricultural land that had been razed previously. At app. 5:30pm on the same day, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) withdrew from that area. No casualties or injuries were reported.

IOF Injures one with an Artillery Shell at Wadi Salqa Village

1-3-2011

Al Mezan

At approximately 3:30pm on Tuesday, 1 March 2011, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired an artillery shell at a group of Palestinian people who were east of Wadi As-Salqa village, in Middle Gaza district. As a result, Rami Salah Mohammed Abu Msa'ed, 22, who lives in the village, sustained an injury  to the right thigh. He was admitted to Al Aqsa Hospital for medical treatment. In his affidavit to Al Mezan, Abu Msa'ed said he was injured while planting okra in his field  in that area.

IOF Kills Palestinian Civilian Collecting Scrap in North Gaza District. Al Mezan Condemns the Attack, Demands Criminal Investigation and Calls for International Protection for Civilians

1-3-2011

Al Mezan

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continue to enforce a no-go 'security buffer zone' inside the Gaza Strip in part by opening fire on an almost daily basis on Palestinians near the Gaza Strip's eastern and northern borders with Israel. As a result of these attacks, civilians are regularly killed or injured. Al Mezan Center for Human Rights strongly condemns the IOF attacks and the excessive use of force against Palestinian civilians. Al Mezan demands full criminal investigations into such attacks and calls for the full protection of Palestinian civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).      

According to Al Mezan's field investigations, at approximately 10am on Monday 28 February 2011, the IOF opened fire at a group of Palestinian civilians as they were collecting scrap material and rubble from destroyed structures near the border fence between Gaza and Israel. The group was about 300 meters from the border fence west of Buret Abu Samra area north of Beit Lahiya, in the North Gaza district when the IOF fired at them. As a result, Omar Arafa Abdel Lateef Ma'rouf, 20, was severely injured.

At approximately 11am on the same day, three Israeli tanks moved under sporadic fire from IOF towards the same area and took Ma'rouf to Israel. Later that day, at around  2pm, the IOF gave Ma'rouf's dead body to the Palestinian Liaison Office (CLO), located at the Palestinians side of Erez crossing in the north of the Gaza Strip. The dead body was then admitted to Shifa Hospital in Gaza city.

Al Mezan strongly condemns the continued and systematic attacks by the IOF against Palestinian civilians, particularly farmers who work in their fields near the borders. These attacks and the IOF's conduct in the area are in violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War (of 1949).

Al Mezan demands the Israeli authorities to initiate criminal investigations into the unlawful killings of Palestinian civilians. It calls on the international community to promptly intervene to provide protection for Palestinian civilians in the oPt. Al Mezan calls on the international community to intervene to stop the IOF enforcing the security buffer zone inside the Gaza Strip in this violent manner. The means and methods employed by Israel to enforce it are lethal and a grave violation of international law. IOF soldiers and commanders who carry out, or order, such attacks must be held accountable for their conduct.

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Palestinian worker shot and killed in northern Gaza

A 2005 photo of Israeli construction crews building the Gaza border wall
before the military began enforcing a 300 meter to 1.5 kilometer "no-go
zone beside the wall. [MaanImages/Wesam Saleh]

Maan

GAZA CITY (AFP) -- Israeli troops shot and killed a Palestinian worker in Gaza on Monday, along the northern border of the coastal enclave, Palestinian medical sources told AFP.

Medics told Ma'an that the man's body was evacuated shortly after noon.


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Man Killed By Israeli Army in Gaza

Tuesday March 01, 2011 12:47 by David Steele - IMEMC & Agencies

The Israeli army killed a man who entered the 300m 'buffer zone' in Gaza on Monday.

FIle - AFP Photo

The army claim that troops opened fire aiming for the lower torso of the man. He later died from his injuries. It is unclear whether a warning was given.

Israel enforces a 300m 'buffer zone' along the Gaza border, which is surrounded by a large wall. Palestinians who enter the 'buffer zone' risk being shot. Many Palestinians claim that they are shot at when over 500 meters away from the border. The zone exists on Palestinian land – much of it confiscated from locals.