In an escalation of the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, the Israeli Air Force attacked two targets in the towns of Rafah and Beit Hanoun on Wednesday 26 May, injuring  dozens of persons and damaging dozens of houses.
The IOF also continued its attack on civilians who collect the rubble of destroyed structures and fishermen in Gaza.
Al Mezan condemns the Israeli escalation and calls on the international community to take action to protect civilians in Gaza.
It also warns of the consequences of the international silence on the human rights conditions in the Gaza Strip.
  According to information collected by Al Mezan, at approximately 12:15am on Wednesday 26 May 2010, Israeli aircraft fired four missiles at the Gaza International Airport.
The attacks occurred three times in 20 minutes.
No casualties or injuries were reported.
  At approximately 12:55am on Wednesday 26 May 2010, Israeli aircraft fired two missiles at a military site for the Al Qassam Brigades; the military wing of the Hamas Movement.
The site is located near Omar Bin Abdel Aziz mosque and Beit Hanoun Youth Sports Club, south of Beit Hanoun, in North Gaza District.
As a result, 31 persons were injured, including seven children and six women.
26 adjacent houses were partially destroyed, and 60 other houses were slightly damaged.
23 shops and three cars were also partially destroyed.
  The military site was completely destroyed.
Beit Hanoun Youth Sports Club and the Jerusalem Medical and Social Center were severely damaged.
People, particularly the women and children were terrified.
This is the second time the IOF has attacked the same site.
  At approximately 5:30am on Wednesday 26 May 2010, Israeli naval vessels that patrol the Gaza sea opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats in Biet Lahyia in the North Gaza District.
No casualties or injuries were reported, but the fishermen were terrified and left the area.
  At approximately 8am on Wednesday 26 May 2010, the IOF, positioned in the vicinity of Erez Crossing at the northern border between Gaza and Israel, opened fire on Palestinian workers.
The workers were 200 meters away from the separation fence.
As a result, Rafeeq Awad Sa'adalla, 21, was shot in the left leg.
According to medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital, his injury was moderate.
These workers were collecting rubble from destroyed buildings in the former industrial zone, which was completely destroyed by the IOF.
  At approximately 11am on Wednesday 26 May 2010, the IOF, positioned at the eastern border between Gaza and Israel, opened fire on Palestinian workers who were 250 meters away from the separation fence in the vicinity of the Islamic Martyrs Cemetery, east of Jabalia town.
As a result, Saqer Ahmed Msabih, 23, who lives in the Al Shija'iya neighborhood in Gaza city, was shot in the left leg and Salama Tayseer Isleem, 16, who lives in the Al Sha'af neighborhood in Gaza city, was also shot in the left leg.
According to medical sources at Kamal Odwan Hospital, they sustained moderate injuries.
  Al Mezan condemns the Israeli escalation of the attacks on the Gaza Strip.
In addition to the continued siege, and the almost daily incursions and attacks on areas near the borders, the IOF escalated its airstrikes on inhabited areas.
This escalation comes amid continuous statements from the Israeli military and political officials threatening to invade the Gaza Strip.
Therefore, Al Mezan calls on the international community to intervene to ensure the Israeli respect for its obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and to ensure protection for civilians against Israeli violations.
Al Mezan also calls on the international community to ensure a swift end of the collective punishment as represented by the Israeli siege which approaches its third year.
  Ends