Al Mezan is deeply concerned about another extrajudicial assassination committed by the IOF where three Palestinians were killed, including a child.
The targeting of residential buildings by the IOF has continued and the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip since June 2006 remains in place.
According to Al Mezan field investigations, on 10 August at approximately 2:25am, IOF war planes fired two rockets at the 4-storey house of Mohammed Abd Al Fattah Abu Amsha, in Beith Hanoun.
The building houses five families, a total of 20 individuals.
The house was entirely destroyed and three adjacent houses were badly damaged as a result.
It is of high concern also that the IOF informed the residents to evacuate their house just two hours before the shelling.
In addition, at approximately 1:27am IOF war planes fired a rocket at the house of Sobhi Hussein Mohammed Al Kafarna, lived in by 18 individuals, totally destroying it.
In the context of these Israeli extrajudicial assassinations of Palestinians, on 9 August at approximately 7:05pm an IOF helicopter fired three missiles that killed Ahmed Hasan Al Mishal, 17, and Ramadan Al Majdalawi, 25, in Gaza City.
Three-year old Rajaa Abu Sha'ban died as she fell out of her cradle as a result of the attack which inflicted panic upon her.
Three other civilians were reported injured.
On Friday 10 August, the IOF opened Rafah Terminal which has been closed since June 2006, although only passengers leaving the Gaza Strip were allowed to pass.
However, Al Mezan field information asserts that the IOF will only keep the terminal open for two days.
This action will consequently leave hundreds of Palestinians, who are in dire need to leave the Gaza Strip, stranded and unable to travel.
Al Mezan condemns the continuing IOF offensive against Palestinian civilians and their property in the OPT, and Israel's policy of collective punishment.
The Center confirms that the extrajudicial assassinations of Palestinians and the systematic targeting of residential buildings constitute war crimes according to international humanitarian law.
Through the shelling of targeted houses, the IOF aim to inflict as much material damage and loss as possible.
In cases where residents of 'targeted' houses receive notification of the shelling just few minutes prior to the attack, it is clearly insufficient time for them to collect their belongings.
These measures furthermore cause panic among residents, particularly children.
Al Mezan emphasizes that the closure of Rafah Crossing constitutes a grave breach of international humanitarian law.
Al Mezan also reaffirms that the silence of the international community in the light of ongoing Israeli violations of Palestinians' human rights encourage Israel to commit further crimes.
Al Mezan reiterates its demands to the international community to immediately intervene to halt Israeli war crimes and provide protection to Palestinian civilians in the OPT, and lift the closure on the Gaza Strip.
End