28 Palestinians killed and 292 injured in continued IOF attacks on Gaza, Al Mezan calls for convening the Human Rights Council urgently

22:00 Gaza time (+2 GMT) Attacks by the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Gaza have continued through the third day of the escalation.
The IOF launched air strikes on government buildings and other targets in residential areas; therefore causing destruction to civilian property and further loss of life.
As the IOF attacks continue and get more violent, Al Mezan calls for international intervention; including convening a special, urgent session of the Human Rights Council, to bring these attacks to an end, and ensure compliance with the rules of international law.
The number of Palestinian casualties since the start of IOF escalation on 14 November 2012, which have been verified by Al Mezan, reached 28 by the time this press release was issued.
Of those 6 were children, two women and one elderly man.
Another two persons were reportedly killed; however, verifying their case is still underway.
Another 292 people have been injured; including 98 children and 55 women.
At least, 233 homes have sustained significant damages; 9 of which completely destroyed and 8 seriously damaged by the IOF during the same period.
Hundreds of other homes sustained light damages.
IOF attacks have also caused damage to 16 buildings of educational institutions; 10 of which host 20 schools.
Another 6 mosques, two NGO offices, and dozens of vehicles were damaged or destroyed.
The people who were killed in IOF attacks Friday afternoon and evening are: -          Tahrir Al-Bahri (Salman), 22; -          Mohammed Salman, 27; -          Younis Tafish, 55; -          Ahmed Abu Jalal, 43; -          Amjad Abu Jalal, 33; -          Ziad Abu Jalal, 23; -          Hassan Al-Hmeela’, 27; -          Khalid Ash-Shaer, 25; and -          Ismail Qandeel, 24.
  The people who had been killed since the start of the of escalation on 14 November are: -          Faris Al-Basyouni, 8; -          Oday Nasser, 15; -          Kmal Maqatt; 23 (died from a heart attack following loud explosions near his residence.
-          Waleed Al-Abadla, 2.
5; -          Rani Hammad, 29; -          Khalid Abu An-Nasser, 27; -          Marwan Abu Al-Qumsan, 52; -          Mahmoud Abu Swaween, 61; -          Wael Al-Ghalban, 26; -          Hisham Al-Ghalban, 26; and -          Habis Al-Mismih, 29; -          Ahmed Al-Jaa’bari, 52, leader of the Al Qassan Brigades; -          Mohammed Al-Hams, 38; Jaa’bari’s companion; -          Mohammed Kaseeh, 18; -          Issam Abu Al-Mi’za, 19; -          Mrs.
Heba Al-Mashharwi –Turk, 19; -          Rinan Arafat, 3; -          11-month-year-old Omar Al-Mashharawi;   Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights strongly condemns the IOF aggression on the Gaza Strip.
Attacks; especially those targeting and/or harming civilians and their property must stop immediately.
Al Mezan calls on the international community to promptly intervene to halt the Israeli violations of international human rights and humanitarian law; especially the intentional attacks on civilian targets; including attacks in civilian areas and extra-judicial assassinations.
Al Mezan also calls on convening an urgent session of the Human Rights Council to consider the increasing grave breaches and gross violations of human rights committed by the IOF, especially the continuing disregard to the basic principles of IHL and obligations under IHRL.
Al Mezan calls the international community; including international humanitarian organizations, to ensure that the IOF, who had announced a full closure of Gaza’s sole crossing through which trade and humanitarian aid can be supplied, abides by the obligation to allow and facilitate the effective entry of basic needs into the Gaza Strip; including food, fuel, and other materials needed for the water and sanitation systems.
Humanitarian assistance is essential as the numbers of people who are injured and displaced continue to rise.
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