According to field investigations conducted by Al Mezan Center for Human Rights (Al Mezan), on Wednesday morning, 5 October 2016, Israeli occupation forces (IOF) launched concentrated attacks throughout the Gaza Strip, which lasted until the evening hours. The IOF attacked security sites and agricultural fields. Some homes in the eastern parts of the Gaza Strip were evacuated, as the residents feared wider attacks. Al Mezan condemns all the attacks that target civilian areas and calls on the international community to prevent further escalation and to ensure the protection of civilians in the Gaza Strip.

At approximately 11:00 am on Wednesday, 5 October 2016, IOF fired at least one artillery shell at the vicinity of a military training site, which belongs to a resistance fighter, in the Shurrab border area in east Al Amal, northeast Biet Hanoun, in the North Gaza district. The site was partially damaged as a result of the attack. No fatalities or injuries were reported.

In the Khan Younis district, at 2:58 pm, Israeli aircraft fired one missile targeting Al Qadesiya military training site west of Khan Younis refugee camp. The site sustained some physical damage as a result of the attack. No fatalities or injuries were reported. 

At approximately 3:30 pm, Israeli aircraft fired two missiles targeting the vicinity of a military training site in Biet Lahiya, in the North Gaza district. The site was severely damaged as a result of the attack. No fatalities or injuries were reported.

In the evening hours of the same day, Israeli aircraft fired 26 missiles into the Gaza City district. The attacks targeted various military training sites and agricultural fields in the following areas near the border in eastern Gaza City: Jabal Al Rayyes and Jabal Al Sourani, eastern Al Tuffah neighborhood, the Tunis training site that belongs to the Al Qassam Brigades, and an agricultural field that is located east of Malaka crossroads in the Al Zaitoun neighborhood. Farmers were forced to abandon their fields afraid of the attacks. Over a period of two hours, the IOF attacked the aforementioned sites multiple times. The sites were partially damaged as a result. No fatalities or injuries were reported.  

Al Mezan condemns attacks by the IOF that target civilian areas and fail to comply with basic principles of international humanitarian law (IHL). Al Mezan warns against a renewed escalation of hostilities by Israel on the Gaza Strip. The impunity of Israeli forces, authorities, and government leaders that prevails, encouraged from the silence of the international community, enables Israel to perpetrate continued violations of IHL and human rights law. Al Mezan insists that the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, intervene in order to prevent another Israeli escalation and to uphold their legal and moral obligations to ensure the protection of civilians and respect of international law.