May

Thousands of residents, from the Bedouin village, northern Gaza Strip’s eastern neighborhoods and eastern Gaza City, were forced to leave their houses due to the violent bombing and threats by Israeli forces to launch a ground operation.

Israel announced that on May 14th, 160 Israeli warplanes, artillery and gunboats attacked 150 targets using 450 missiles and shells within 40 minutes. Israel’s airstrikes and hostitlies caused massive and complete destruction of civilian facilities, including dozens of houses and vital facilities such as main streets, electricity networks and water supply pipelines. All combined constitute crimes that amount to systematic war crimes. Further to PCHR’s press release issued yesterday, Israeli warplanes carried out hundreds of airstrikes while the Israeli gunboats and artillery shelled different targets in the Gaza Strip.

As a result, 39 Palestinians were killed, including 13 women and 14 children; 2 of them were infants. Among those killed were: a man, his wife and their 4 children; a man and his 3 daughters, one of them was pregnant; a woman and her 3 children; and a woman and her daughter. Also, 224 Palestinians, including 60 women and 63 children, were wounded. Additionally, 13 houses, 6 civilian facilities, several governmental headquarters and military sites belonging to Palestinian armed groups were targeted.

The following are the most significant developments:

Northern Gaza:

Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of intense airstrikes, and dozens of missiles were launched.  During the airstrikes, 3 houses, lands, roads, a governmental headquarter, and a civilian facility were targeted. As a result, 23, including 10 children and 9 women, were killed and 132 others, including 37 children, 29 women and 2 journalists, were injured. Among those killed were’ a man, his wife and their 4 children, a man and 3 of his daughters; one of them was pregnant, and a woman and her 3 children. Also, many houses sustained material damage due to the indiscriminate artillery shelling.

At approximately 01:45 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a gathering of citizens near Tower No. (19) in al-Nada Housing Project in ‘Izbet Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, Khaled ‘Emad Khaled al-Qanou’ (17), from Beit Hanoun, was killed and 8 others were wounded; one of them sustained serious wounds and was referred to al-Shifa Hospital, while the others were referred to the Indonesian Hospital.

At approximately 17:30, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at Mousa Reda Hamad’s 3-story house on Qa’ al-Bir Street in Beit Hanoun. As a result, 3 civilians were wounded and taken to Beit Hanoun Hospital for treatment.

Around the same time, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a café off al-Sudaniyah Shore, west of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip; no casualties were reported.

Around the same time, the Israeli artillery fired 2 shells at a farmers in their land near the American Hospital near Beit Hanoun Crossing, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, one of the farmers namely Suhaib ‘Abed al-Raheem ‘Awad Ghanem (25) was killed while another namely Yehia Mansour Ghaben (24) was seriously injured and taken to Beit Hanoun Governmental Hospital. Both of them were from al-Shaymaa’ neighborhood in Beit Lahia.

At approximately 18:30, Israeli artillery violently fired many shells at the areas adjacent to border fence in northern Beit Hanoun, northern Um al-Naser Bedouin village, and north and northwest of Beit Lahia. The Israeli shelling continued until 20:30 on the same day. As a result, 6 civilians, from Um al-Naser Bedouin village, were killed, including an infant, a girl and 3 women, after their houses were targeted without a prior warning. Those killed were identified as: Nisreen Naser Mohammed Abu Qleeq (25), Ni’ma Saleh Salama ‘Ayyash (47), Hashim Mohammed ‘Ayed al-Zugheibi (20), Sabreen Naser Mohammed Abu Dayyah (27); Mohammed Salamah Mohammed Abu Dayah (10 months), and Fawziyia Naser Mohammed Abu Fares (17).

Also, 25 civilians, including 7 children and 2 women, were wounded and taken to the Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia. Additionally, dozens of houses sustained severe damage. Moreover, at least 7000 civilians, from Um al-Naser village, left their houses and headed to two UNRWA schools in Jabalia and in Beit Lahia Housing Project due to the violent shelling and fearing of forthcoming ground operation.

At approximately 19:30, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at the Ministry of Transport and Communications’ licensing headquarter in al-Sheikh Zayid area in Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, the northern part of the headquarter was destroyed. During the airstrike, a Skoda Octavia car belonging to Careem Taxi Company was traveling in the area and carrying 2 journalists from Anadolu News Agency and the driver. As a result, the car sustained damage while the journalist Mohammed Jamal al-‘Aloul (34) sustained shrapnel wounds in his legs,  and journalist Mostafa Mohammed al-Badri Hassona (44) sustained bruises The driver Mahmoud al-Khudari (32) was wounded as well.

In the evening, medical and civil defense crews managed to retrieve a man, his wife and their 4 children from under the rubble after losing track of them as Israeli warplanes bombarded at dawn a residential compound near al-Sheikh Zayid intersection on the public road of Beit Lahia, north of the Gaza Strip. Those killed were identified as Ra’fat “Mohammed Ismail” ‘Attah al-Tanani (39), his wife Rawiyia Fathi Hasan al-Tanani (36), and their children Ismai’l (7), Adham (4), Ameer (6) and Mohammed (3). It should be noted that al-Tanani rented a residential apartment in Rabah al-Madhoun’s building, which was completely destroyed due to the bombing.

At approximately 23:50, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at a 4-story house belonging to Jehad Mohammed Sha’ban al-‘Aloul (51), in Beit Lahia Housing Project in Beit Lahia. As a result, four were killed, a father and his 3 daughters, one of them was pregnant, were identified as identified as Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed ‘Amen (51) and his daughters, Hadeel (18), Warda (22) and Walaa’ (24), who was 6-month pregnant. Furthermore, 27 civilians were wounded, including 6 women and 10 children, while 3 houses sheltering 91 civilians, including 24 women and 41 children, were completely destroyed, and nearby houses sustained partial damage.

At approximately 00:00 on Friday, 14 May 2021, Israeli warplanes violently targeted many agricultural and empty lands, and houses in various areas in Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia and Um al-Nasser village. The airstrikes continued for 2 hours; during which at least 150 missiles were launched.  As a result, five were killed, including 2 women and 3 children, while 68 others were injured, including 21 women and 20 children.

According to PCHR’s investigations, Israeli warplanes targeted an agricultural land near a 3-storey house belonging to Mahmoud Hashem al-‘Attar’s sons in Beit Lahia on the Street beyween al-‘Atatrah and al-Salatin neighborhoods in Beit Lahia. As a result, Lamyaa’ Hasan al-‘Attar (27) and her 3 children namely Islam (8), Amira (7), and Mohammed “Zain al-Dein” (8 months) were killed, and their house was completely destroyed. Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at an agricultural land in al-Amal neighborhood in Beit Lahia near a 2-storey house belonging to Ibrahim Mousa Ahmed Salama (49). As a result, his wife, Faiza Ahmed Mohammed Salama (45) was killed, and the house owner and his son were injured. Additionally, the violent airstrikes destroyed many houses, especially on al-Ba’li Street in central Beit Hanoun and terrified civilians in the northern Gaza Strip, particularly children and women.

At approximately 10:15, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Abdul Karim Shihada in Nazla area in Jabalia. As a result, the house was completely destroyed, but no casualties were reported.

Gaza City:

Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of airstrikes on various targets in the city. As a result, four persons were killed while 60 others were wounded, including 25 women and 16 children. Also, a child succumbed to wounds he sustained in a previous airstrike. The airstrikes also destroyed vacant areas of streets in al-Shuja’iya and targeted a house, 2 civilian facilities “a company and a garage”, and a college belonging to the Ministry of Interior. In addition, the Israeli artillery shelling forced many residents of eastern al-Shuja’iya neighborhood to leave their houses.

At approximately 12:10 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at al-Ribat College belonging to the Ministry of Interior in al-Sheikh Ijlin neighborhood and completely destroyed it.

At approximately 15:15, Israeli warplanes launched two missiles at Sameh Faheem al-Mamlouk’s house on al-Nazzaz Street in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood. As a result, the 3-storey house and nearby houses sustained partial damage. It should be noted that al-Mamlouk was killed when an airstrike targeted his apartment in al-Jondi al-Majhoul Tower in al-Rimal neighborhood on the first day of the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

At approximately 19:00 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a group of citizens on al-Dahdouh Street, in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, south of Gaza City. As a result, ‘Abdul Rahman Istabitah Khalaf Azzam (34) and Mustafa Hasan Ahmed al-‘Abed (35) were killed.

At approximately 21:00, Israeli military vehicles and tanks stationed along the border fence, east of Gaza, launched many shells at al-Shuja’iya and al-Zaytun neighborhoods, and continued until 05:00, causing fear among civilians in the eastern neighborhoods.  As a result, many families were forced to leave their houses for fear of the indiscriminate and sought refuge in the UNRWA schools in central and western Gaza City. Moreover, the Israeli artillery shelling forced dozens of families in Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia to seek refuge in an UNRWA school on al-Naser Street, north of Gaza City.

Around the same time, Israeli gunboats stationed in the Sea indiscriminately launched random shells and fired live bullets at the Gaza City shore.

At approximately 00:00 on Friday, 14 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched a series of violent and successive airstrikes, which lasted until 00:30, on the main roads and vital areas in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, including Baghdad, al-Nazzaz, Muntar and al-Biltaji Streets, causing severe damage.  Moreover, al-Shuja’iya Cemetery was targeted with several missiles.

At approximately 02:00, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at Mahmoud Abu Halima Company for Metal Trading near al-Shawwa petrol station on the intersection of al-Mansourah and Salah al-Deen Streets in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, east of Gaza.  The 1.5-dunum company belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Abu Halima (46) and its equipment and goods were completely destroyed.  Moreover, the nearby buildings and facilities sustained severe damage. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Services called two neighbors and ordered them to evacuate the area because the company would be targeted.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at Yafa workshop belonging to Shareef Mohammed Sa’eed al-Lulu (47) in front of al-Zaytun police station on Salah al-Dein Street in al-Zaytun neighborhood. As a result, the nearby houses and shops sustained severe damage.

At approximately 05:00, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a group of citizens, east of al-Shuja’iya neighborhood. As a result, two were killed, identified as Saqer Abdul Majid Isma’el al-Hayya (27), and Hussam Baker Mohammed al-Hayya (33).

At approximately 07:00, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital announced that Mahmoud Hamed Hasan Tolba (13), from al-Zaytun neighborhood, succumbed to his wounds on 12 May 2021. Tolba sustained serious shrapnel wounds in different parts of his body in an Israeli airstrike on Salah al-Deen Street.

Central Gaza Strip:

Israeli warplanes carried out several airstrikes on different parts of the central Gaza Strip.  They targeted houses, agricultural and vacant lands, and military sites.  As a result, 2 houses were completely destroyed and dozens of houses near the targeted places sustained partial damage.  Moreover, 5 were killed, including a woman and her daughter and a child, while 10 others were wounded; one sustained serious wounds.

At approximately 15:20 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at a house belonging to ‘Eyadah Family in al-Bureij Refugee camp.  As a result, the house was completely destroyed and the nearby houses sustained partial damage.  Moreover, two were killed, including a child, and 2 others were wounded.  Those killed were identified as Ahmed Rami Mahmoud al-Hawajri (15) and Mo’ayad Taysir ‘Abdel Rahman al-Khatib (20), from al-Bureij refugee camp.  All casualties were taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.

At approximately 16:30, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a house belonging to Mohammed Mahmoud Mohammed ‘Issa (42) from al-Bureij refugee camp.  As a result, his wife and daughter were killed namely: Manar Kahder Ahmed ‘Issa (Salamah) (39) and Lina Mohammed Mahmoud ‘Issa (13) while 3 others were injured.  Moreover, the nearby houses sustained damage.

At approximately 19:00, an Israeli drone fired at least one missile at an agricultural land behind a house belonging to Mohammed Khaled ‘Omer al-Tawashi on al-Mazra’ah Street, south of Deir al-Balah.  As a result, Mohammed Khaled ‘Omer al-Tawashi (21) was killed, and his body was found the next day at approximately 08:00.

At approximately 22:40, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a carwash near al-Zawaydah entrance on Salah al-Deen Street.  As a result, the carwash and an uninhabited house were completely destroyed while a number of houses, 3 shops and 3 nearby auto repair shops sustained partial damage.  Moreover, five were wounded, including a child, and taken to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah; two of those wounded sustained serious wounds and referred to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

On Thursday afternoon, Israeli artillery fired shells on vacant lands, east of the central Gaza Strip. The shelling continued sporadically many times on the same area until Friday morning, 14 May 2021.  No casualties were reported.

Khan Younis:

Israeli warplanes carried out several airstrikes on different parts of the City.  The airstrikes targeted 2 houses; one was destroyed and the other sustained damage, and the Palestine Production Bank and completely destroyed it in addition to lands and military sites.  Moreover, nearby houses sustained severe destruction.

At approximately 13:05 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at the Palestine Production Bank in the ground floor of a 2-storey building while the first floor is home to Isma’il Mustafa al-Saqqa.  As a result, the bank was completely destroyed while the residential floor sustained severe damage.  Moreover, a nearby 3-storey building, which includes 5 residential apartments, sustained severe damage while other nearby houses sustained damage.  No casualties were reported. It should be noted that half an hour before the airstrike, Israeli forces called the building’s owner asking him to evacuate and tell the residents of the area to evacuate as well.  Around 15 minutes later, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the building before being targeted by the warplanes.

At approximately 19:40, Israeli warplanes fired a missile near a house belonging to ‘Omer Khaled Saleh al-Shorabji in al-Mawasi area, west of Khan Younis, causing a big hole in the street, destroying a room and causing severe damage and cracks in the 2-storey house (220 sqms.)  The house shelters 2 families of 7 persons, including 3 women and a girl.  It should be noted that 20 minutes before the airstrike, Khaled al-Shorabji received a call from the Israeli forces, asking him to tell his uncle ‘Omer to evacuate his house as it would be targeted.

On Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. The Israeli tanks fired many times artillery shells at the eastern outskirts of Khan Younis. Some of the shells spread Asphyxiant gas.

Rafah City:

Israeli warplanes carried out several targets in Rafah City, launching 12 missiles.  The artillery also fired shells at agricultural lands.  As a result, six were killed, including a pregnant woman and her daughter, a woman, her grandson, her son and his wife.  Moreover, 22 others were wounded, including 10 children and 6 women.  The airstrikes targeted 4 residential houses and an internal security site.

At approximately 17:00 on Thursday, 13 May 2021, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Mohammed Shabanah, west of Rafah City.  Ten minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and completely destroyed it.  As a result, nearby houses sustained partial damage, but no casualties were reported.

At approximately 18:00, Israeli warplanes launched 3 missiles at the Interior Ministry’s Internal Security site, southwest of Rafah City.  Fifteen minutes later, another 4 missiles were launched at the site and completely destroyed it.  No casualties were reported.

At approximately 19:40, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Jamal Isma’il Soliman al-Zamli in al-Tannour neighborhood.  As a result, his granddaughter Hoor Mo’men Jamal al-Zamli (3) and her mother Kholoud Fo’ad Farhan al-Zamli (27), who was 6-month pregnant.  Moreover, 7 others were variously wounded, including 3 children and 3 women.  All of them were taken to Abu Yousif Al-Najjar Hospital to receive treatment.

At approximately 20:20, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Yousif Ibrahim al-Rantisi (‘Azarah) and his brothers in al-Juneinah neighborhood.  As a result, the mother, her grandson, her son and his wife were killed.  Those killed were identified as Siham Yousif Mohammed al-Rantisi (66); her 2-year-old grandson Ibrahim Mohammed Ibrahim al-Rantisi; her son Ra’ed Ibrahim Khamis al-Rantisi (29) and his wife Shaimaa’ Diab Mohammed al-Rantisi (21.) Moreover, 15 others were wounded variously, including 7 children and 3 women.  All of them were taken to Abu Yousif al-Najjar Hospital to receive treatment.

At approximately 21:55, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to ‘Adel ‘Ali ‘Atiyah ‘Arafat and his brother in al-Salam neighborhood.  Ten minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house, causing massive destruction to it and partial damage to the nearby houses.  No casualties were reported.  It should be noted that the house’s owner received a call from the Israeli forces asking him to evacuate the house and nearby houses.  The 3-storey house was 350 square meters and sheltered 7 families of 54 members.

At approximately 21:30, and over 5 hours, Israeli forces stationed along the border fence fired many artillery shells sporadically at empty lands.  No casualties were reported.

PCHR renews its warning that civilians are paying the heaviest price during the escalation and emphasizes that Israel’s ongoing strikes on residential populated areas and the use of weapons on the basis of collective retaliation constitute grave breaches of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 that amount to war crimes.

During the 11-day Israeli assault on Gaza between May 10th and 21st, 2021, 247 Palestinians were killed, including 66 children and 39 women; 1417 wounded, including 277 women and 412 children. 9 Israelis, including 2 children, were killed during the same time period. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, which documented these attacks, has called upon the international Criminal Court to open an investigation into the occupation’s crimes during this military aggression, and reiterates its call upon the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfil their obligations under Article 1; i.e., to respect and ensure respect for the Convention in all circumstances and their obligations under Article 146 to 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 Protocol (I) Additional to the Geneva Conventions regarding the guarantee of Palestinian civilians’ right to protection in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights).

Mohammad was from Beit Lahia, in the Gaza Strip. Source: PCHR, Middle East Eye