Press Releases
10 May 2023 |Reference 35/2023
On the third day of the assault on the Gaza Strip that began on 9 May 2023, Israel escalates its military attacks on densely populated areas, targeting houses and terrorizing civilians. Al Mezan’s documentation shows that since 9 May, 25 Palestinians were killed, including six children and four women, and 76 others were injured, including 24 children and 14 women. In addition, eight homes were entirely destroyed, and tens of others were damaged.[1]
Below are the main Israeli attacks against the Gaza Strip that took place on 10 May and up to 1 p.m. on 11 May, based on Al Mezan's initial documentation:
We also note with grave concern that, in parallel to its assault, Israel further tightened its unlawful closure measures by completely closing Gaza crossings, thereby preventing the entry of basic necessities and humanitarian supplies into the Strip and denying medical patients access to hospitals outside Gaza. The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that by closing the Erez crossing, Israeli authorities prevented 292 patients (mostly cancer patients) and their companions, in addition to 15 life-saving cases, from leaving Gaza to receive treatment in hospitals in Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Israel between 9-10 May.
Moreover, the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company warned of the impact of Israel’s closure of the Karem Shalom crossing and the ban on the entry of fuel on the work of the Gaza Power Plant, which could cease its operation completely. It also warned of the serious impact of power shortage on vital facilities such as hospitals, wastewater pumps, treatment plants, drinkable water wells, water desalination plants, and other service facilities.
Al Mezan reiterates its condemnation of Israel’s ongoing military offensive against the Gaza Strip and the targeting of civilians and civilian objects, conducted in clear violation of the principles of distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law. Al Mezan asserts that the willful and systematic killing of civilians and the destruction of their property constitute war crimes whose perpetrators must be investigated and held accountable.
As more than two million Palestinian civilians in Gaza are enduring the third day of Israel’s aggression, Al Mezan calls on the international community to put pressure on Israel to immediately stop its military attack on the Strip, re-open the crossings, lift the illegal closure and blockade, and provide protection for Palestinian civilians. As long as the international community continues to fail to condemn Israel's ongoing violations of international law and to hold perpetrators of international crimes accountable, Israeli officials will continue to perpetrate war crimes and crimes against humanity at the expense of the Palestinian people unabated.
[1] Figures as of 1 p.m. (Gaza time) on 11 May 2023.
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