IOF Continue Attacks on Houses other Civilian Structures, Al Mezan: 174 killed, including 34 children and 28 women, over 1,051 injured and 1,302 houses destroyed or damaged by day 8

1PM (+3 GMT)   The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) escalated its military attacks on houses and other civilian structure in the Gaza Strip on the eighth day of its 'Operation Protective Edge'.
Dozens of civilians have been killed in airstrikes on their houses; including from warning missiles, called 'rook-knocking' attacks that are supposed to serve as warning.
On many occasions, and despite the illegality of such warning methods, the IOF did not leave sufficient time for civilians to evacuate.
Heavy missiles and bombs were fired at many houses, destroying them and causing severe damages to nearby houses.
The IOF have also bombarded police stations and other civilian facilities; including health and public health facilities.
As of 1pm today, Monday 14 July 2014, the number of Palestinian casualties resulted from IOF attacks, and verified by the Al Mezan, has risen to 174; including 34 children and 28 women.
According to Al Mezan's initial investigations 132 (i.
e.
75.
9%) of the victims are civilians.
The rest are known to be affiliated with Palestinian factions, but in most of the cases there is no information that suggests they were taking active part in any hostilities.
Most of them were killed in attacks on civilian targets.
Moreover, at least 1,051 other people were injured during the same period; of whom at least 258 were children and 183 women.
At least, 1,302 houses were destroyed or damaged during this period; of which 259 were destroyed completely as the IOF directly and deliberately attacked 276 of the total number of damaged houses.
IOF attacks also damaged or destroyed 23 schools, 34 mosques, an ambulance centre, 13 NGO offices, 38 fishing boats and 5 hospitals.
Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights strongly condemns the IOF's attacks on civilians and civilian objects and calls on international community to act swiftly to stop them.
At approximately, 6:30 pm, on Sunday 13 July 2014, Israeli warplanes bombarded the house of Mahmoud Abu Selmiyeh, 51, which is located in Al Bassa neighborhood in Deir Al Balah town in the Middle Gaza district.
The house was completely destroyed, as a result.
IOF had targeted the house at around 5:55 am on Friday, 11 July 2014, by firing at the upper part of the building.
The attack resulted in critically injuring one child, Sahar Mansour, 14.
The 3-story house is 170 square meters and is inhabited by two families of 12 members.
At approximately 8:00 pm, on Sunday, 13 July 2014, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a house belonging to Dr Naser At Tatar, Director General of the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
The house is located in Al Nasser neighborhood, west of Gaza City.
The two-story house was completely destroyed.
It was 300 square meters, and two families of 12 members including 7 children lived in it.
IOF had called the nephew of the house owner to inform him to evacuate the house before it was bombarded.
Shortly after the call, IOF drones fired two missiles on an adjacent house belonging to Majid Al Zaeem.
Five minutes afterwards, an IOF war jet fired one heavy missile at At Tatar’s house therefore completely destroying it.
The attack caused severe damage to three adjacent houses and minor damages to tens of neighboring houses.
At approximately 9:20 pm, on Sunday, 13 July 2014, an Israeli unmanned drones fired one missile targeting Maher Abu Moor, 25, as he was on the roof of his brother’s house.
The house is located in Al Nasser village, north of Rafah town in the south of the Gaza Strip.
Abu Moor was instantly killed and his sister, Iman, 20, was injured.
Iman’s injury was described as ‘moderate’.
The airstrike caused damage to neighboring houses.
At approximately, 9:35 pm, on Sunday, 13 July 2014, Israeli drones fired one missile targeting the backyard of the Abu Muammar’s house, which is located in the Al Nasser village, north of Rafah town.
The attack resulted in the death of three of its residents: Mousa Abu Muammar, 56, his son Saddam Abu Muammar, 24, and Hanadi Abu Muammar, 26.
Four others were injured: Hazem Abu Muammar, 10 months; Mohammed Abu Muammar, 30; Ikhlas Abu Muammar, 21; and Iman Kawari', 13.
Medical sources at the Gaza European Hospital described their injuries as “moderate”.
At approximately 1:48 pm, on Sunday, 13 July 2014, Israeli warplanes bombarded the house of Atiyya Abu Banat in Beit Lahiya town, north of the Gaza Strip.
An IOF drone first fired a missile at the house, which was followed by a heavy war jet missile.
The 3-story house was completely destroyed, and 4 neighboring houses were damaged.
At approximately 2:55 pm, on Sunday, 13 July 2014, Israeli warplanes bombarded the house of Talal Al Shenbary in Beit Hanoun town, north of the Gaza Strip.
IOF drones first fired a missile at the house, which was followed by a heavy missile from a war jet at around 3:15 pm.
The two-story house was completely destroyed, and 5 adjacent houses were partially damaged.
At approximately 3:25 pm, on Sunday, 13 July 2014, Israeli war jets shelled a house belonging to Atta Al Mana’ma in the Al Karama neighborhood, north to Gaza City.
IOF drones fired two missiles at the house therefore severely damaging it.
Two neighboring houses were damaged, too.
The house residents were warned via a phone call to evacuate the house prior to the attack.
At approximately 9:25 pm, on Sunday, 13 July 2014, Israeli warplanes bombarded the house of Abdel Latif family, in Jabaliya refugee camp, north of the Gaza Strip.
Israeli unmanned drones first fired a missile at the house which was followed by two other drone missiles.
At 9:40 pm, Israeli war jets fired a heavy missile at the four-story house, completely destroying it.
A neighboring house belonging to their uncle was also severely damaged in addition to 10 others which were partially damaged.
Three people were lightly injured in the attack.
Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights reiterates its strong condemnation the IOF's serious violations of international law, particularly the frequent disproportionate attacks that fail to distinguish between civilian and military targets.
All deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian object are serious violations of international law that amount to war crimes.
The use of missiles as means of warning and not giving time for civilians to leave do not exempt the IOF of the responsibility for the high number of civilian casualties and damages to civilian structures; including police stations.
Al Mezan highlights that it has been civilians bearing the brunt of IOF's unlawful attacks.
Therefore, Al Mezan calls on international community to act to stop such attacks without any further delay.
International community must intervene to ensure that the attacks on houses, mosques, hospitals, police stations and NGO, are investigated and prosecuted as per the standards provided by international law.
Al Mezan also urges international community; especially the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to act swiftly and resolutely to provide effective protection for the civilian population under Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip.
END