May 15, 2021: Gershon Franko, 50, was killed in Ramat Gan by a Palestinian rocket.
His death came in the midst of a deadly night in Gaza in which Israeli bombardment killed at least 34 Palestinians in a single night of bombing. Palestinian resistance fighters retaliated in the early morning hours with the launch of rockets toward Israel, killing Gershon.
Medic Lior Marmelstein told reporters with the Israeli outlet Yedioth Ahranoth, “We went from door to door in large numbers and in one apartment we located an unconscious man in his 50s. After trying to revive him, he was pronounced dead.”
The rocket apparently hit a residential apartment building in Ramat Gan.
According to Israeli media, the rockets fired in the early morning hours of Saturday hit points in Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Rishon Lezion, Yavne, Ramat Gan, Bat Yam, Holon, Petah Tikva and Ramat HaSharon as well as in the West Bank settlement of Eli, north of Jerusalem, causing no casualties. A rocket also hit the Palestinian city of Taybeh, causing damage to property.
Despite calls by Palestinian leadership for a ceasefire, Israeli military forces have continued their escalation in Gaza, the West Bank and inside Israel, with the Palestinian resistance responding with indiscriminate rocket fire that has resulted in the deaths of six Israeli civilians.
In the same time period, over a hundred Palestinians have been killed, nearly a third of them children, and millions of dollars in damage has been done by Israeli airstrikes and bombardment of the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli civilians killed by Palestinian rocket fire have been identified as:
Soumya Santosh, 31, from Kerala, India, killed May 12th in Ashkelon when a rocket hit the apartment where she worked as a homecare worker for an 80-year old Israeli woman. The woman she worked for was injured.
Nela Gurevitch was killed by a rocket that hit her apartment building in Ashkelon. Her husband was lightly wounded by the rocket.
Leah Yom-Tov was killed by a rocket that struck her home in Rishon Lezion.
Khalil Awad and his teenage daughter Nadeen – killed by a rocket that hit their home in the unrecognized village of Dahmash near the city of Lod. They were Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, and their village, Dahmash, is ‘unrecognized’ by Israeli authorities so lacking in basic infrastructure. The town has no bomb shelters – they had requested funds from the Israeli government to build shelters, but were denied by the Central District Planning and Construction Committee.
Staff Sergeant Omer Tabib – killed when an anti-tank missile hit his military jeep while he was on duty patrolling the Israel-Gaza border
Ido Avigal, 5, was critically wounded Wednesday night when he was struck by shrapnel from a rocket that hit near a bomb shelter where he was hiding with his family. He died of his wounds several hours later
One of the rockets fired by the Palestinian resistance on Wednesday hit an Israeli oil pipeline near Ashkelon, causing a large fire.
After Israeli forces pounded the Gaza Strip with missiles for two straight days, killing at least 35 Palestinians including 12 children, and refusing to respond to Palestinian demands for a withdrawal and a ceasefire, Palestinian resistance fighters in the Gaza Strip launched a barrage of rockets across the border into Israel, killing five Israelis, including a teenage girl and her father.
One of those killed has been identified as Soumya Santosh, 31, from Kerala, India, who worked as a housemaid for an Israeli household in Ashkelon for the past seven years.
In addition, a 50-year old Israeli woman was killed in Rishon Lezion, just south of Tel Aviv.
Rocket sirens sounded throughout the night in Israel’s southern towns and cities, and the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv was briefly shut down. 26 Israelis were reportedly injured – most with minor injuries.
The rockets were fired in the early morning hours on Wednesday, as Gaza’s hospitals were besieged with hundreds of wounded Palestinians, many of them children, who suffered traumatic and severe injuries from the numerous Israeli missile strikes into crowded Palestinian neighborhoods throughout Gaza on Monday and Tuesday.
In addition to bombing Palestinian neighborhoods for two straight days, the Israeli military called up 5,000 reservists and had them stationed at the border with Gaza to threaten the Gaza Strip with a possible ground invasion.
The Palestinian resistance responded to this violent aggression with rocket fire directed toward Tel Aviv. This marks the longest-range rockets that have been fired by the Palestinian resistance to date. Other rockets fired in the past have reached as far as the coastal Israeli city of Ashkelon (formerly the Palestinian town of Azkalan), but had not had the range or capacity to reach the Israeli capital Tel Aviv (built on the former Palestinian town of Yaffa) before.
Israelis in the cities of Sderot, Holon and Ashkelon rushed to shelters and many stayed there overnight to try to avoid the impact of Palestinian resistance rocket fire.
Israeli media reported that at 8:45 A.M. on Wednesday, Israeli forces intercepted a drone crossing from Gaza into Israel.
The teen girl and her father who were killed by a Palestinian resistance rocket, Nadine and Khalil Awaad, were themselves Palestinian – with Israeli citizenship. But their town, Dhamas near Lod, being a mainly Palestinian village, was never provided bomb shelters like the Jewish Israeli towns were provided by the government. In fact, their village, Dhamas, was not recognized by Israeli authorities, and so lacks basic services and is under threat of demolition by the Israeli government. One of their relatives, Ismail Arafat, lives there as well and has been part of leading the struggle for recognition of the village.
The Israeli news agency Ha’aretz quoted Ismail Arafat as saying, “We have nowhere to go. We don’t have a bomb shelter here for everyone. For the Thai [migrant] workers they built shelters, but we were not allowed because we are not humans. Nadine and Khalil were in the middle of breakfast before fasting [for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan]. It seems that he opened the door and that’s how he was hit.”
Gershon was from Ramat Gan, in central Israel. Source: IMEMC
May 15, 2021: Yasin Hasan Yassin Hamad, 26, was shot by Israeli soldiers with a live round in the heart, instantly killing him, near the Annexation Wall, west of Zeita town, north of Tulkarem.
The Israeli attack took place when the soldiers invaded Zeita, leading to protests, and attacked the Palestinians with live fire, rubber-coated steel bullets, and gas bombs.
In related news, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that Israeli soldiers killed, on Saturday evening, a young Palestinian man, identified as Hussein Atiya at-Teety, 26, from the al-Fawwar refugee camp, after opening fire at his car and leaving him to bleed to death, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
The previous day, a Palestinian identified as Ismael Jamal Tubasi, 23, was killed in a similar attack by the Israeli colonists on the village. On the same day, Israeli soldiers killed eleven Palestinians in the West Bank and 39 men, women and children in airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.
During the escalation on May 14th, the Israeli soldiers invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus, in addition to Sbeih Mountain, and the villages of Salem and Asira al-Qibliya, east of Nablus, and Orif village, south of the city, killed four Palestinians and injured dozens during ensuing protests.
Media sources said the soldiers killed Dr. Issa, a District Attorney, and a prosecutor with the Cybercrime Division with the Palestinian Public Prosecution Department.
In addition, Israeli colonialist settlers from Yitzhar illegal colony, infiltrated into the eastern area of Nablus, leading to protests, before the soldiers invaded it and shot two young men with live rounds in the abdomen and legs; one of them suffered a severe injury.
In Orif village, the soldiers killed a young man, identified as Nidal Sayel Safadi, 30, after shooting him with a live round, after several army jeeps invaded the village, and attacked protesters.
In Ramallah, in central West Bank, the soldiers killed Mohammad Rawhi Hammad, 30, after he reportedly attempted to ram soldiers with his car. The Palestinian is from Silwad town, northeast of Ramallah.
The soldiers also killed Yousef Mahdi Nawasra, 27, from Fahma village, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, during protests near the Dothan Israeli military roadblock.
In Salfit, in central West Bank, the soldiers invaded Marda village, north of the city, and killed a young man, identified as Sharif Khaled Salman, 37, during protests that took place when the soldiers invaded the village, in addition to killing Awad Ahmad Harb, 27, in Iskaka village, east of Salfit.
Sharif had not been participating in protests but was standing outside his home when he was shot by invading Israeli forces. His mother told reporters with Ma’an News Agency, “I cannot believe that Sharif was killed. Just hours ago, he woke me up from sleep to have coffee together. He left behind a pregnant wife and three daughters.”
As tears streamed down her face, she told reporters, “I asked him to drink coffee with me, to drink it together, and to close the door for fear that his children and his sister’s children might go out to the street, because the army was out in the street, and our home is located near the main street of the village. I fell asleep while I waited for him to drink his coffee. I was awakened by the sound of gunfire and screaming. I did not know that the bullets were fired at Sharif, to end his life. The occupation deprived me of my son for no reason, just as it has deprived so many mothers.”
In Jericho, in northeastern West Bank, the soldiers killed Mohammad Adel Abu Shqeir, 20, from the al-Qasab neighborhood, during protests that took place at the entrance of the city.
Yasin was from Saida town, north of Tulkarem. Source: IMEMC
May 15, 2021: Hussein Atiya at-Teety, 26, was killed by Israeli forces who shot and killed him while he was driving his car.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) confirmed that Israeli soldiers killed Hussein after opening fire at his car and leaving him to bleed to death, near the junction of the al-Fawwar refugee camp, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
On the same day, Israeli soldiers shot nine Palestinians with live fire in Hebron city, including one who suffered a serious gunshot wound to the chest. Another Palestinian suffered a moderate wound after the army shot him near Yatta town, south of Hebron.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers prevented a Palestinian ambulance from reaching Hussein, who was seriously wounded and bleeding out. The soldiers refused to allow the medics from approaching him, while he continued to bleed.
The soldiers also fired live rounds at the ambulance, while Hussein continued to bleed, and only allowed the medics to reach him after he died from his wounds.
The Palestinian was shot by soldiers in a fortified concrete military tower, who fired many live rounds at the car without any cause of reason.
In related news, illegal Israeli colonists attacked many homes, and burnt lands in the ar-Reehiyya village, near Hebron, before the soldiers invaded the area, and started firing live rounds, gas bombs, and concussion grenades at the Palestinians and many homes.
The colonists also attacked homes in Tal Romedia, in the center of Hebron city, causing excessive property damage and at least one injury.
On Friday, a Palestinian identified as Ismael Jamal Tubasi, 23, was killed in a similar attack by the Israeli colonists on the village. On the same day, Israeli soldiers killed eleven Palestinians in the West Bank.
He was among nine Palestinians who were killed by Israeli army fire, in several parts of the occupied West Bank that day, the Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed, and added that more than five hundred Palestinians were injured. They were protesting the Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip – on the day of the protests, 39 Palestinian men, women and children were killed by Israeli missiles dropped on their homes in the Gaza Strip.
During the escalation on May 14th, the Israeli soldiers invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus, in addition to Sbeih Mountain, and the villages of Salem and Asira al-Qibliya, east of Nablus, and Orif village, south of the city, killed four Palestinians and injured dozens during ensuing protests.
Media sources said the soldiers killed Dr. Issa, a District Attorney, and a prosecutor with the Cybercrime Division with the Palestinian Public Prosecution Department.
In addition, Israeli colonialist settlers from Yitzhar illegal colony, infiltrated into the eastern area of Nablus, leading to protests, before the soldiers invaded it and shot two young men with live rounds in the abdomen and legs; one of them suffered a severe injury.
In Orif village, the soldiers killed a young man, identified as Nidal Sayel Safadi, 30, after shooting him with a live round, after several army jeeps invaded the village, and attacked protesters.
In Ramallah, in central West Bank, the soldiers killed Mohammad Rawhi Hammad, 30, after he reportedly attempted to ram soldiers with his car. The Palestinian is from Silwad town, northeast of Ramallah.
The soldiers also killed Yousef Mahdi Nawasra, 27, from Fahma village, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, during protests near the Dothan Israeli military roadblock.
In Salfit, in central West Bank, the soldiers invaded Marda village, north of the city, and killed a young man, identified as Sharif Khaled Salman, 37, during protests that took place when the soldiers invaded the village, in addition to killing Awad Ahmad Harb, 27, in Iskaka village, east of Salfit.
Sharif had not been participating in protests but was standing outside his home when he was shot by invading Israeli forces. His mother told reporters with Ma’an News Agency, “I cannot believe that Sharif was killed. Just hours ago, he woke me up from sleep to have coffee together. He left behind a pregnant wife and three daughters.”
As tears streamed down her face, she told reporters, “I asked him to drink coffee with me, to drink it together, and to close the door for fear that his children and his sister’s children might go out to the street, because the army was out in the street, and our home is located near the main street of the village. I fell asleep while I waited for him to drink his coffee. I was awakened by the sound of gunfire and screaming. I did not know that the bullets were fired at Sharif, to end his life. The occupation deprived me of my son for no reason, just as it has deprived so many mothers.”
In Jericho, in northeastern West Bank, the soldiers killed Mohammad Adel Abu Shqeir, 20, from the al-Qasab neighborhood, during protests that took place at the entrance of the city.
Hussein was from the al-Fawwar refugee camp in the West Bank. Source: IMEMC
May 15, 2021: Maha Mohammad Abd al-Aal al-Hadidi (Abu Hatab), age unknown, was killed by Israeli missiles that struck her family’s home in the al-Shati refugee camp, in Gaza.
She was killed along with her four sons Suhaib Muhammad al-Hadidi (14 years),
Yahya Mohammad Sobhi al-Hadidi (10 years),
Abd al-Rahman Mohammad al-Hadidi (8 years)
and Osama Mohammad al-Hadidi (6 years).
The only surviving child was her five-month old son, who rescue workers found in the rubble, held in the arms of his dead mother, with a leg fractured in three places.
Saturday’s strikes hit at the conclusion of Eid al-Fitr, usually a time of joy when Muslim families gather to mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
On Friday, Omar’s mother had taken him and his brothers to visit their cousins nearby in the Shati refugee camp outside Gaza City where they all lived.
The father, Mohammad al-Hadidi, told the Al-Arabiya News Agency, “The kids put on their Eid clothes, took their toys and headed off to their uncle’s house to celebrate. They called in the evening to beg to stay the night and I said OK. I slept at home alone… (and) woke up suddenly to the sound of bombing,” he said.
Soon a neighbor called to say an Israeli missile had hit his brother-in-law’s home.
“I hurried over as fast as I could, but when I got there the home was rubble, and rescue workers were pulling out bodies.” His wife and four of his five children were among the dead, along with his sister-in-law and her four children. Only his five month old baby, Omar, survived.
The Palestinian Center For Human Rights (PCHR) said that at approximately 01:30 after midnight, Israeli warplanes launched six missiles at a 3-story house belonging to ‘Alaa Abdul ‘Aal Abu Hatab in the refugee camp, without informing its residents to evacuate.
As a result, 9 people, including 2 women and 7 children, were killed and identified as: the house owner’s wife, Yasmine Mohammed Khamis Abu Hatab, 31, and her 4 children, Yousef, 11, Maryam, 8, Belal, 9, and Yamin, 6, the house owner’s sister, Maha Mohammed Abdul ‘Aal Abu Hatab “al-Hadidi”, 35, and 3 of her children, Osama, 6, ‘Abdul Rahman and Suhaib, 13, Mohammed Subhi al-Hadidi, while their 5-month old brother was moderately injured.
On the same day, Israeli missiles killed 21 Palestinians Killed, including 2 Women, 8 Children, and Girl with a disability, and injured 113 Palestinians, including 33 Women and 36 Children.
The PCHR said in its report: “On the sixth day of the Israeli offensive on Gaza, the death toll reached 143, including forty children and twenty-two women, while the number of injuries reached 655, including 194 children and 154 women.”
For the sixth consecutive day, Israeli forces escalated their offensive on the Gaza Strip, continued their indiscriminate and intense air, sea, and land strikes as part of their collective punishment and retaliation policy.
Israeli forces bombed residential buildings filled with civilians, massacring entire families, and destroyed the infrastructure in city centers and densely populated neighborhoods. They also targeted agricultural lands, governmental facilities, and military sites belonging to Palestinian armed groups, rendering the Gaza Strip an unsafe zone.
The forced displacement of thousands of residents from their houses in the eastern Gaza Strip continued due to the violent artillery shelling and the firing of smoke grenades which spread bad smells and caused nausea and eye irritation. On its 73rd anniversary, this scene reminded us of the Palestinian Nakba.
Maha was from the al-Shati refugee camp, in Gaza. Source: PCHR, PCHR, IMEMC, IMEMC
May 15, 2021: Abd al-Rahman Mohammad al-Hadidi, 8, was killed by Israeli missiles that struck his family’s home in the al-Shati refugee camp, in Gaza.
The Palestinian Center For Human Rights (PCHR) said that at approximately 01:30 after midnight, Israeli warplanes launched six missiles at a 3-story house belonging to ‘Alaa Abdul ‘Aal Abu Hatab in the refugee camp, without informing its residents to evacuate.
As a result, 9 people, including 2 women and 7 children, were killed and identified as: the house owner’s wife, Yasmine Mohammed Khamis Abu Hatab, 31, and her 4 children, Yousef, 11, Maryam, 8, Belal, 9, and Yamin, 6, the house owner’s sister, Maha Mohammed Abdul ‘Aal Abu Hatab “al-Hadidi”, 35, and 3 of her children, Osama, 6, ‘Abdul Rahman and Suhaib, 13, Mohammed Subhi al-Hadidi, while their 5-month old brother was moderately injured.
On the same day, Israeli missiles killed 21 Palestinians Killed, including 2 Women, 8 Children, and Girl with a disability, and injured 113 Palestinians, including 33 Women and 36 Children.
The PCHR said in its report: “On the sixth day of the Israeli offensive on Gaza, the death toll reached 143, including forty children and twenty-two women, while the number of injuries reached 655, including 194 children and 154 women.”
For the sixth consecutive day, Israeli forces escalated their offensive on the Gaza Strip, continued their indiscriminate and intense air, sea, and land strikes as part of their collective punishment and retaliation policy.
Israeli forces bombed residential buildings filled with civilians, massacring entire families, and destroyed the infrastructure in city centers and densely populated neighborhoods. They also targeted agricultural lands, governmental facilities, and military sites belonging to Palestinian armed groups, rendering the Gaza Strip an unsafe zone.
The forced displacement of thousands of residents from their houses in the eastern Gaza Strip continued due to the violent artillery shelling and the firing of smoke grenades which spread bad smells and caused nausea and eye irritation. On its 73rd anniversary, this scene reminded us of the Palestinian Nakba.
Abd al-Rahman was from the al-Shati refugee camp, in Gaza. Source: PCHR, PCHR, IMEMC, IMEMC
May 14, 2021: Mahmoud Mohammad Al-Madhoun, 30, was killed by Israeli missiles in Gaza.
Medical sources said Mahmoud was pronounced dead from his wounds at Al-Shifa Hospital.
Al-Madhoun sustained a shrapnel injury to his head as he stood at the entrance of his house when an Israeli airstrike hit adjacent land.
Local media in Gaza have reported that the death count from the Israeli airstrikes on al-Wehda Street in al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City before dawn on Sunday has reached twenty-six, at least five of whom are children.
The missile strikes killed 13 members of the al-Qulaq family, ranging in age from 1 to 85, as they huddled in their homes in terror while the Israeli airstrikes continued throughout the night. Local Palestinians have reported hearing as many as 150 Israeli bombs during the night.
One of the families wiped out by an Israeli missile Sunday morning was that of Riyad Hasan IshKinatna, who was pulled out of the rubble Sunday morning by rescue crews, barely alive, only to be told when he reached the hospital that his wife and five children were all killed in the Israeli attack.
May 14, 2021: Nidal Sayel Safadi, 30, was killed by Israeli soldiers in Orif village, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
Medical sources said the soldiers shot Nidal with a live round, after several army jeeps invaded the village, and attacked protesters.
He was killed after the soldiers invaded Nablus, in addition to Sbeih Mountain, and the villages of Salem and Asira al-Qibliya, east of Nablus, and Orif village, south of the city.
The Palestinian Health Ministry said the soldiers killed nine Palestinians, in several parts of the occupied West Bank, including four in Nablus, that day, and injured dozens, while paramilitary colonialist settlers also killed a young man.
It added that the soldiers injured at least five hundred Palestinians in the West Bank.
Nidal was from Orif village, south of Nablus. Source: IMEMC
May 14, 2021: Malek Misbah Hamdan, 22, was killed by Israeli soldiers near Nablus, in northern West Bank.
Medical sources said the soldiers shot the Palestinian with a live round in the chest, in Sahel Salem area, in Salem village, east of Nablus.
Medical sources said Malek Hamdan succumbed to his serious wounds in a hospital in Nablus.
Dozens of Palestinians were injured after the soldiers invaded the village and fired many live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets, gas bombs and concussion grenades at the Palestinains who protested the invasion.
Malek was among nine Palestinians who were killed by Israeli army fire, in several parts of the occupied West Bank that day, the Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed, and added that more than five hundred Palestinians have been injured.
The soldiers invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus, in addition to Sbeih Mountain, and the villages of Salem and Asira al-Qibliya, east of Nablus, and Orif village, south of the city, killed four Palestinians and injured dozens during ensuing protests.
Media sources said the soldiers killed Dr. Issa, a District Attorney, and a prosecutor with the Cybercrime Division with the Palestinian Public Prosecution Department.
In addition, Israeli colonialist settlers from Yitzhar illegal colony, infiltrated into the eastern area of Nablus, leading to protests, before the soldiers invaded it and shot two young men with live rounds in the abdomen and legs; one of them suffered a severe injury.
The soldiers also killed Husam Asayra, 20, with a live round to the chest, during protests that took place after the soldiers invaded Asira al-Qibliya village, near Nablus, and attacked protesters.
In Orif village, the soldiers killed a young man, identified as Nidal Sayel Safadi, 30, after shooting him with a live round, after several army jeeps invaded the village, and attacked protesters.
In Ramallah, in central West Bank, the soldiers killed Mohammad Rawhi Hammad, 30, after he reportedly attempted to ram soldiers with his car. The Palestinian is from Silwad town, northeast of Ramallah.
The soldiers also killed Yousef Mahdi Nawasra, 27, from Fahma village, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, during protests near the Dothan Israeli military roadblock.
In Salfit, in central West Bank, the soldiers invaded Marda village, north of the city, and killed a young man, identified as Sharif Khaled Salman, 37, during protests that took place when the soldiers invaded the village, in addition to killing Awad Ahmad Harb, 27, in Iskaka village, east of Salfit.
Sharif had not been participating in protests but was standing outside his home when he was shot by invading Israeli forces. His mother told reporters with Ma’an News Agency, “I cannot believe that Sharif was killed. Just hours ago, he woke me up from sleep to have coffee together. He left behind a pregnant wife and three daughters.”
As tears streamed down her face, she told reporters, “I asked him to drink coffee with me, to drink it together, and to close the door for fear that his children and his sister’s children might go out to the street, because the army was out in the street, and our home is located near the main street of the village. I fell asleep while I waited for him to drink his coffee. I was awakened by the sound of gunfire and screaming. I did not know that the bullets were fired at Sharif, to end his life. The occupation deprived me of my son for no reason, just as it has deprived so many mothers.”
In Jericho, in northeastern West Bank, the soldiers killed Mohammad Adel Abu Shqeir, 20, from the al-Qasab neighborhood, during protests that took place at the entrance of the city.
Malek was from Salem village, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus. Source:IMEMC
May 14, 2021: Ahmad Mohammad Al-Mansi al-Nader, 32, was killed by Israeli missiles in northern Gaza Strip.
The missiles that killed Ahmad also killed his cousin Ahmad Awad al-Nader, 36. Both men were pronounced dead on arrival at Gaza’s Indonesia Hospital,
Their bodies were recovered by rescue crews by the Palestinian Civil Defense.
Both men had been killed in an Israeli airstrike on agricultural land earlier that day.
The al-Mezan Center for Human Rights said that around 11:50 at night, Israel’s air force targeted the Abdulrazaq Glebo Mosque in Beit Lahia with fifteen missiles, destroying it.
The air force also fired another missile at a front yard next to the mosque. As a result, Ahmed Hatem Al-Mansi, 34, his brother, Yousuf Hatem Al-Mansi, 22, and his neighbor, Ahmad Mohammed Sabbah, 28, were killed. Five other people, including a woman, sustained injuries, which in the case of one person, were serious.
On the night that Ahmad was killed, a total of 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.
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 a street between al-‘Atatrah and al-Salatin neighborhoods in Beit Lahia. As a result, Lamia’ Hasan al-‘Attar (27) and her children were killed.
Three months after the missile that killed his wife and three of his four children, Mohammed al-Attar spoke to Middle East Eye. He recounted the day when he enrolled his six-year-old daughter Amira in the first grade.
“The school principal asked her to count to 10 and to say the letters in Arabic. She did and they were impressed at how clever she was. They admitted her to school and she was super happy,” the father told MEE.
Amira couldn’t wait to share the news with her mother as soon as they got home, and her older brother Islam, 8, had already begun planning their first day at school together.
“Islam told Amira that he would walk her to her school in the morning before going to his own school, and then in the afternoon, he would take her home with him.”
His daughter was most excited about shopping for school supplies, and she was adamant about the color she wanted for her school bag – it had to be pink, Attar said.
He also praised Islam for being both a good brother and student.
“He had ranked first in his class and we were so happy. We kept encouraging him and wanted to buy him a present for his success.”
But the siblings never got to go to school together. “The bombing arrived much faster,” said the father.
On 14 May, five Israeli strikes hit Attar’s neighbourhood without prior warning, completely destroying the building that housed six residential flats.
At the time of the attack, Attar’s wife and children were all sitting together at home, while he was with his brother in another room. His wife and three of his children were killed, while he sustained minor injuries.
Just two weeks after her school enrollment, Amira lost her life along with her mother Lamia, 27, and two brothers — Islam, and 5-month-old Zein.
“We had plans for the month when the kids would start school. But here I am, sitting alone with my only remaining child in my mother’s home,” Attar told MEE. “Everything happened so quickly that I felt I was dreaming, I have no one now except one child who is only five.
“I honestly still haven’t figured out what to do, and all that had happened felt like an ugly nightmare. I cannot believe that I lost all four of them in a single day.”
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.
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).
May 14, 2021: Dr. Issa Barham, 40, was killed by Israeli soldiers who fired live rounds at Palestinian protesters in Sbeih Mountain in Beita town, southeast of the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
Dr. Issa was among nine Palestinians who were killed by Israeli army fire, in several parts of the occupied West Bank that day, the Palestinian Health Ministry has confirmed, and added that more than five hundred Palestinians have been injured.
The soldiers invaded the northern West Bank city of Nablus, in addition to Sbeih Mountain, and the villages of Salem and Asira al-Qibliya, east of Nablus, and Orif village, south of the city, killed four Palestinians and injured dozens during ensuing protests.
Media sources said the soldiers killed Dr. Issa, a District Attorney, and a prosecutor with the Cybercrime Division with the Palestinian Public Prosecution Department.
In addition, medical sources said the soldiers shot, and seriously a young man, identified as Malek Hamdan, 22, with live rounds to the chest before he succumbed to his wounds in a hospital in Nablus.
Malek, from Salem village near Nablus, was injured along with dozens of Palestinians during protests that took place after the soldiers invaded the village and attacked protesters.
In addition, Israeli colonialist settlers from Yitzhar illegal colony, infiltrated into the eastern area of Nablus, leading to protests, before the soldiers invaded it and shot two young men with live rounds in the abdomen and legs; one of them suffered a severe injury.
The soldiers also killed Husam Asayra, 20, with a live round to the chest, during protests that took place after the soldiers invaded Asira al-Qibliya village, near Nablus, and attacked protesters.
In Orif village, the soldiers killed a young man, identified as Nidal Sayel Safadi, 30, after shooting him with a live round, after several army jeeps invaded the village, and attacked protesters.
In Ramallah, in central West Bank, the soldiers killed Mohammad Rawhi Hammad, 30, after he reportedly attempted to ram soldiers with his car. The Palestinian is from Silwad town, northeast of Ramallah.
The soldiers also killed Yousef Mahdi Nawasra, 27, from Fahma village, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin, during protests near the Dothan Israeli military roadblock.
In Salfit, in central West Bank, the soldiers invaded Marda village, north of the city, and killed a young man, identified as Sharif Khaled Salman, 37, during protests that took place when the soldiers invaded the village, in addition to killing Awad Ahmad Harb, 27, in Iskaka village, east of Salfit.
Sharif had not been participating in protests but was standing outside his home when he was shot by invading Israeli forces. His mother told reporters with Ma’an News Agency, “I cannot believe that Sharif was killed. Just hours ago, he woke me up from sleep to have coffee together. He left behind a pregnant wife and three daughters.”
As tears streamed down her face, she told reporters, “I asked him to drink coffee with me, to drink it together, and to close the door for fear that his children and his sister’s children might go out to the street, because the army was out in the street, and our home is located near the main street of the village. I fell asleep while I waited for him to drink his coffee. I was awakened by the sound of gunfire and screaming. I did not know that the bullets were fired at Sharif, to end his life. The occupation deprived me of my son for no reason, just as it has deprived so many mothers.”
In Jericho, in northeastern West Bank, the soldiers killed Mohammad Adel Abu Shqeir, 20, from the al-Qasab neighborhood, during protests that took place at the entrance of the city.
Dr. Issa was from Beita town, southeast of Nablus, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank. Source: IMEMC