The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) carried out new incursions into Gaza City and Jabalia murdering 11 Palestinians.
Many homes and establishments were also damaged.
At around 9:50 pm, Tuesday 18 February 2002, about 60 Israeli tanks and armored vehicles entered At-Tufah and Ash-Shejaaya neighborhoods, south of Gaza City, and the town of Jabalia, north of Gaza under helicopter cover.
Eleven Palestinians were killed by the IOF in the incursions; they are: Munthir as-Safadi, aged 27.
Ala’ al-Hilu, aged 22.
Saeed al-Hilu, aged 28.
Abdul Rahma al-Qasas, aged 27.
Tamir al-Qataa’, aged 27.
Muhammad al-Sahlub, aged 22.
Ali Abu al-Khair, aged 30.
Iyad Abid, aged 27.
Abdul Karim Bakrun, aged 24.
Amir ad-Dayeh, aged 19.
Abdul Rahim Abu an-Naja, aged 30.
In addition, IOF destroyed three metal shops, a dry cleaning facility, and a small plastics factory owned by Palestinians.
Tens of homes and private cars were also damaged by Israeli fire.
It should be noted that one of the metal shops, owned by Muhiy ad-Din al-Qataa’, is located under an apartment building and that three of the building’s residents were killed as the IOF destroyed it with explosives.
Moreover, the Israeli forces fired a helicopter missile on six Palestinian police members and killed three of them.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns Israel’s crimes, which constitute war crimes under the international humanitarian law.
Such crimes, which target civilian lives and property, cause more grief to Palestinian civilians who suffer difficult living conditions and show disregard for human life.
As such, the Center calls upon the international community to watch Israel’s acts in the OPTs.
Al Mezan fears that Israel could escalate its aggression under the current international silence and the developments on the Iraqi issue.
The Center appeals for urgent international intervention to put an end to the continued Israeli violations of Palestinian human rights and protect civilians' life and property in the OPTs.
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