IOF Attacks Cause More Civilian Casualties in Gaza; Shells Homes and an UNRWA Shelter - Death Toll Rises to 585, Including 101 Children and 37 Women

1PM Gaza Time (+2hrs GMT) The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) has further escalated its attacks against the Gaza Strip; massacring civilians.
Air raids have continued to target dozens of houses and border areas.
Last night air raids targeted repeatedly targeted security installations that had been targeted during the past days.
At the same time, artillery shells and missiles destroyed dozens of homes, wiping out entire families and seriously raising civilian casualties.
Today, initial reports indicated that the IOF shelled an UNRWA school in Al-Fakhora neighborhood that inhabited at least 600 civilians who had to evacuate their homes in north Gaza, killing at least six people.
IOF attacks caused damage to two hospitals and destroyed the Civil Defence station in Rafah.
Between 2:30pm yesterday and 1pm today, IOF attacks killed 96 people.
Of those were, at least, 22 children and 7 women.
Attacks have particularly targeted Gaza City and the areas close to the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel in the northern suburbs of Beit Lahia and the eastern areas of Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, Gaza City and Al Bureij refugee camp.
In North Gaza District, IOF fired artillery towards a police car that was parked near the Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia.
This attack, which occurred at approximately 1:40pm yesterday, Monday 5 January 2009, destroyed the car and caused damage to the hospital's building.
A resident of the area, Ali Salman, was also injured.
At approximately 3:15pm Monday, IOF artillery hit the house of the Al-Jatali family, which is located near Erez Crossing.
The father, 35-year-old Mousa Mohammed Al-Jatali, was killed immediately in the house.
His three sons, Islam, 9; Hamza, 4; and Abdul-Rahma, 2, were injured.
At approximately 5:10pm Monday, IOF artillery hit houses in Jabalia's neighborhood of Tel Az-Za'tar, injuring three children and starting a fire in a house.
Another artillery attack destroyed and burnt 10 houses in the Al-Ajarma Street in Jabalia refugee camp's Block 6.
Five civilians were injured.
In North Gaza's town of Beit Lahia, Israeli tanks opened fire at two PRCS ambulances at approximately 5:30pm also Monday.
The two ambulances, which were on their way to collect injured and killed people in the Al-Atatra area, were damaged by the shelling, despite their coordination with the \IOF through the ICRC.
At approximately 8pm on Monday, Israeli aircrafts raided the house of Mahmoud Yousef Lubad in Block 12 in Jabalia refugee camp, destroying it completely and causing damage to 6 houses.
40-year-old Basil Abu Ghaben was killed.
His body was found under the rubble in the morning.
At approximately 11:30pm also Monday, Israeli aircrafts raided the house of Fu'ad Mansour in Block 12 in Jabalia refugee camp, destroying it completely and killing an old women, Khadija Zomlut, 70.
Two children and one woman were also injured: Hilmi Zomlut, who is aged 1, his brother Mohammed, who is aged 15, Nisreen Zomlut, who is aged 30.
Ten minutes later, the IOF fired about 30 artillery shells towards the Al-Jama neighborhood in the east of Jabalia, destroying ten homes, injuring one person and forcing about 100 of the residents to evacuate their homes.
At approximately 12:30am Tuesday, 6 January 2009, Israeli aircrafts raided the house of Abdullah Kadoura Salih in Block 6 in Jabalia refugee camp, destroying it completely and killing 4 of its residents.
They were identified as: - 12-year-old (girl) Raneen Kadoura Salih; - 55-year-old Abdullah Salih; - 45-year-old Mahzyia Salih; and - 21-year-old Samyia Salih.
Ten of the house's residents were also injured in the attack, including 3 children.
At approximately 12:40am also Tuesday, Israeli aircrafts raided the house of Hatim Wadi in Jabalia camp, destroying it and damaging four houses around it.
Two people were killed in this raid: - 33-year-old Hamdi Hammad; and - 50-year-old Ismail Abu Nasser.
20 other were also injured in the attack.
At approximately 4:37am Tuesday, Israeli aircrafts raided the house of Manar Al-Kurdi in Block 2 of Jabalia camp, destroying it and killing two of its residents; a child and an old woman: - 3-year-old Adam \Ma'moun Al-Kurdi; and - 60-year-old Hajar Ismail Insiwi.
Four other were injured; including a child.
The same house was raided again, just as ambulance crews arrived at the scene; therefore injuring 10 rescue workers.
Also on Tuesday, Israeli aircrafts raided the house of Kamal Al-Kahlout in Jabalia camp, destroying it and killing a child: 17-year-old Huzayfa Al-Kahlout.
At approximately 8am, an IOF drone bombarded a car, injuring 24-year-old Emad Mohammed Sha'lak and 21-year-old Tariq Farajallah, and the driver 24-year-old Jalal Afana, whose leg was amputated later.
In Gaza City, IOF has launched numerous attacks on houses, destroying many on their residents.
Al Mezan has not been able to verify the consequences of each attack in these areas; however, killed and injured people have continued to arrive at the Shifa Hospital.
Al Mezan has received many reports about civilians who had been killed under the rubble of their homes.
Al Mezan has verified the following attacks and casualties in Gaza City.
At approximately 12:50pm yesterday, Monday 5 January 2009, IOF artillery targeted the house of Al-Milh in the east of Az-Zeitoun neighborhood, killing two women and causing several casualties.
The two women were identified as: - 80-year-old Khadra Al-Milh; and - 25-year-old Lobna Al-Milh.
About two hours later, IOF artillery hit the house of Nafez Eliwa in Asj-Sheja'yeh neighborhood, killing a mother and four of her children.
The victims were identified as: - The mother 37-year-old Amal Zaki Eliwa; - Muntaser Eliwa; - Hazem Eliwa; - Mu'men Eliwa; The fourth child, a girl, has not yet been identified; however, Al Mezan knew that the children were under the age of 15.
At approximately 2:20pm, on 5 January 2009, the IOF fired artillery shells at the house of As-Sirsawi family in eastern Az-Zeitoun neighborhood, destroying it completely while its inhabitants inside it.
5-year-old Ayia As-Sirsawi was killed in the attack.
According to eyewitnesses, more family members are still under the rubbles of their house.
At approximately 2:15pm, on the same day, the IOF fired artillery at the house of Allaw family, which is located in At-Tuffah neighborhood eastern Gaza City, killing 12-year-old Mohammed Talal Allaw, and his 11-year-old brother Mo'men while they were playing on the roof of their house.
At approximately 1.
30pm, on the same day, the IOF shelled also the house of Al-Harazeen family Az-Zeitoun neighborhood, eastern Gaza City, with artillery, kiling 20-year-old Alaa Ibrahin Al-Harazeen, and 21-year-old Ahmed Fathi Al-Harazeen.
Eye witnesses reported to Al Mezan that there were still victim under the rubble of the house.
At approximately 5:30pm that same day, the IOF opened fire randomly at houses in Az-Zeitoun neighborhood during an incursion of a special force into the neighborhood.
The shooting killed 15-year-old Hanadi Basem Khalifa with a live bullet to her head.
At approximately 6.
10pm, IOF aircrafts hit one of As-Sa'ada towers (apartment-building compound) in Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood, south of Gaza City, killing 50-year-old Fayiz Yousif Hasan, while in his house close to the tower, and injuring two others.
Further, at approximately 11pm, the IOF launched eight air raids at the As-Saraya security compound in central Gaza City.
The compound includes Gaza Central Prison and security apparatuses.
The attacks destroyed the compound completely and caused severe damages to neighboring houses.
Several residents of the areas were injured At approximately 12am, on 6 January 2009, the IOF tanks shelled the house of 50-year-old Awni Abdul-Fattah Jaddou', which is located in Az-Zeitoun neighborhood.
The shelling killed three of Jadou's sons, and injured four others from the same family.
Those killed were: - 18-year-old Lotfi Abdul-Fattah Jadou'; - 24-year-old Ghazi Abdul-Fattah Jadou'; and - 20-year-old Hashem Abdul-Fattah Jadou'.
Furthermore, IOF aircrafts raided UNRWA's Asma School the Beach refugee camp.
This school was used by UNRWA to shelter civilians who were displaced from the areas of their living in the eastern areas of Gaza city as well as the Al-Atatra and As-Salatin areas in Beit Lahia town.
The attack killed three youths who were identified as: 27-year-old Rawhi Jamal As-Sultan, 23-year-old Hussein Mamoud As-Sultan, and 19-year-old Abed Samir As-Sultan.
At approximately 6am on the same day, Israeli aircrafts bombarded the four-story house of 60-year-old Fayiz Ad-Daya, in Az-Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City.
The attack destroyed the house completely while its residents were in inside it.
Eyewitnesses and survivors reported that 30 members of the Ad-Daya family were killed.
Four bodies have been taken out from under the rubble and sent to Shifa Hospital by the time this release was issued.
Al Mezan has also received the names of 26 other members of this family, who are believed to be under the rubble.
Those who were identified are: - 60-year-old Fayiz Mosbah Ad-Daya, - 25-year-old Sabreen Ad-Daya; - 34-year-old Iyad Fayiz Ad-Daya; - 5-year-old Falastin Fayiz Ad-Daya; and - 55-year-old Khitam Ad-Daya, who is the wife of the house's owner.
In another attack, at the same time, the IOF fired artillery shells towards housesnear the Abu Jebba gas station in Az-Zeitoun neighborhood.
The shelling killed 52-year-ols Abdul-Wahab Ahmed Hasanein, while in his house.
12 others were injured.
Between 1pm on 5 January 2009 and 12pm on 6 January 2009, 40 bodies were admitted at the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Al Mezan was able to identify some of them as: - 5-year-old Aya As-Sirsawi, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 19-year-old Mohammed Mustafa Kmeel, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 22-year-old Mohammed Al-Ghazali, - 20-year-old Ahmed Fat'hi An-Nazli, - 3-year-old We'am Jamal Al Kafarneh, from Beit Hanoun town; - Montasir Eleiwa, child from Ash-Sheja'yia neighborhood; - Hazem Elawa, a child from Ash-Sheja'yia neighborhood; - Mo'men Eleiwa, a child from Ash-Sheja'yia neighborhood; - Mohammed Al Khouli, from At-Tuffah neighborhood; - 37-year-old Amal Eleiwa; from Ash-Sheja'yia neighborhood; - 36-year-old Mahrous Shuheibar, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - Basem Morjan, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 20-year-old Ala' Ibrahim Al-Harazeen, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 21-year-old Ahmed Fat'hi Al-Harazeen, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 15-year-old Nada Mosbah Sa'd, from At-Tuffah neighborhood; - Adham Moteir, from At-Tuffah neighborhood; - 5-year-old Nada Mardi, from At-Tuffah neighborhood; - Ramadan Fefel, from At-Tuffah neighborhood; - 58-year-old Laila Ismail Sulaiman, from At-Tuffah neighborhood; - Mohammed Samir Salem; from At-Tuffah neighborhood; - 74-year-old Hassan Khalil Arafat, from At-Tuffah neighborhood; - 80-year-old Khadra Abdul-Malek, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 15-year-old Ahmed Shaher Khteir, from Beit Lahia town; - 9-year-old Jihad Samir Rheim, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 12-year-old Mohammed Mahmoud Allaw, from At-Tuffah neighborhood - 11-year-old Mo'men Mahoud Allaw, from At-Tuffah neighborhood; - 80-year-old Khadra Al-Milh, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 25-year-old Lubna Al Milh, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 52-year-old Abdul-Wahhab Ahmed Hasanein, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 50-year-old Fayiz Yousif Hassan, Tel Al Hawa; - 60-year-old Fayiz Musbah Ad-Daya, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 55-year-old Khitam Ad-Daya, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 34-year-old Iyad Ad-Daya, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood; - 5-year-old Felstin Ad-Daya, from Az-Zeitoun neighborhood.
Medical sources announced the death of 47-year-old As'ad Hamouda, who was injured on 4 January 2009.
In addition to a child from Eliaw family, and another from Sh'heibar family whose names remain unknown.
In Middle Gaza district, the IOF opened artillery fire at Block 4 in the Al-Bureij refugee camp.
At approximately 9:40pm Monday 5 January 2009, artillery shells hit the house of Jihad Ali Abu Jbara, 53, killing him, his two sons Basil, 29, and Usama, 21; and two children in the neighboring houses: Naji Al-Hamalawi, 16, and IbrahimAkel, 17.
Ten other people, including four children were also injured in this attack.
At approximately 10pm on the same day, Israeli aircrafts raided the police station in the town of Deir Al Balah.
Israeli navy vessels shelled a crowd and houses in the town's refugee camp at 2:30am Tuesday, killing 10 people.
They were identified as: - 21-year-old Hashim Afana; - 27-year-old Khalil Al-Hasanat; - 20-year-old Husam Abu Al-Sibah; - 25-year-old Zyad Nassar; - 35-year-old Ahmad Al-Hasanat; - 33-year-old Mohammed Abu Sh'ira; - 22-year-old Hasan Mismeh; - 18-year-old Ala' Ismail; - 18-year-old Mohammed Eid' and - 23-year-old Mohammed Al-Banna.
Al Mezan's field worker in Middle Gaza district reported that a 22-year-old woman, Ayyat Farajallah, was injured in her chest from Israeli fire when she was at her house's door in the Wadi Gaza village.
IOF troops, who are stationed north to the nearby Az-Zahraa, opened fire at the woman.
Continuous shooting from these troops has forced the residents of the village to evacuate it and seek safe shelters elsewhere.
This woman was about to leave the village with her family when she was shot.
At approximately 12:10am Tuesday, Israeli aircraft raided the house of Salah Al-Aydi in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp, destroying it and injuring three civilians in the area.
A 26-year-old woman, Islam Abdul-Jawwad was critically injured in this attack.
At approximately 10:30am also today, IOF fired artillery that exploded near the house of Mahmoud Abu Sha'ar, 27, in the Wadi As-Salqa village in middle Gaza.
The man was killed with his 24-year-old Fidaa Abu Sha'ar.
Their infant, Tamer, who is 6 months old, was injured.
At approximately 1:15am today, Israeli aircraft fired two missiles that struck a garden and an open field in the An-Nuseirat refugee camp in middle Gaza district.
Several houses in the area were damaged.
At approximately 85am yesterday, Monday 5 January 2009, Israeli aircrafts also fired a missle that landed near An-Nour Mosque in Abassan town, east to Khan Younis City in south Gaza District.
It caused severe damage to the mosque and several other houses in its vicinity.
Israeli aircrafts also bombarded numerous open fields close to neighborhoods in Khan Younis, causing damages to houses in the Al-Amal neighborhood and the towns of Abassan and Khuza'a.
Three women were injured in these raids.
Moreover, Israeli naval vessels opened fire towards the Al-Mawasi area in the west of Khan Younis, injuring three civilians, including two children.
At approximately 9:10am today, Israeli aircrafts raided the house of Khaled Abu Odeh in the Al-Amal neighborhood, destroying it and a neighboring house completely, and causing damage to several houses in its vicinity.
Five people were injured in this raid; including a cameraman of the Al-Aqsa Space Channel, two children and one woman.
IOF's artillery shells landed in eastern Abassan town at approximately 11:20am today.
One shell landed near the house of Hasan Ikdeeh, killing a 5-year-old child, Marwan Hasan Ikdeeh, and injuring his 13-year-old sister, Lama.
An IOF special force sneaked into the Al Zana area in the east of Bani Suhaila town, where it exchanged fire with militants.
Al Mezan\s field worker reported that this area has been targeted with artillery between 5am and noon today.
An Israeli aircrafts fired a missile at a protestor who was trying to set fire to a tire in this same area.
It was also reported that the bodies of two unidentified men lie in the north of the area.
In south Gaza's district of Rafah, Israeli planes, naval vessels and artillery bombarded various parts of the town and its refugee camp.
In Al-Shoka village, east of Rafah, a four-month girl was killed when pieces of furniture fell on her as a result of IOF artillery shelling near her house.
Israeli aircrafts also fired 9 missiles at a road in the Al-Nasser village between Rafah and Khan Younis.
They also raided a field and a car maintenance workshop in Rafah refugee camp, destroying the workshop and two cars.
At approximately 6am on Tuesday, Israeli aircrafts raided the house of Ismail Abu Haddaf in Block O refugee campnin Rafah, destroying it completely and causing damage to several houses in its vicinity.
Two hours later, aircrafts raided the Civil defence office in Rafah camp, destroying it and causing damage to five houses.
During the drafting of this release, an Israeli raid targeted another UNRWA school in Al-Fakhora neighborhood in Jabalia refugee camp.
Initial news indicate that between 15 and 45 civilians who have been sheltering the school were killed.
As the Israeli aggression continues, the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip have grown worse and are in a state of severe disaster.
Without electricity supply for several days, water, sanitation and health services have been affected badly.
The number of displaced people have grown to over 50,000, while UNRWA and other humanitarian organizations face difficulty in providing shelter and food for them.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights renews its condemnation of the Israeli war crimes in the Gaza Strip, which have continued to cause unprecedented losses in civilian life and property.
Attacks on civilian targets are not unavoidable collateral damage, but deliberate attacks in which IOF uses guided missiles and shells.
Al Mezan remains alarmed by the international community's failure to address the grave situation in Gaza, by bringing the Israeli military actions to an end and aiding civilians.
Therefore, Al Mezan Center reiterates its calls upon the international community to take effective action to bring to an end these operations without delay.
Al Mezan calls: • The United Nations Secretary General to condemn the Israeli disproportionate use of force and the targeting of civilians and civilian objects in defiance of peremptory rules of international law, and to ensure that the UNSC and GA take appropriate steps to address the situation in the Gaza Strip; • The United Nations Agencies to provide urgent humanitarian aid and safe shelters for Gazans who have been displaced and those living in threatened areas; • The ICRC to double its efforts to ensure humanitarian access for civilians and ensure tending to the urgent needs for medicines and water, and to investigate the likelihood of the use of cluster bombs in north Gaza; • The Human Rights Council to request the UN general Assembly to request the convening in Switzerland of a conference of the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilians in Times of war, of 1949, to consider the breaches by Israel of its nonderogable obligations under the Convention in the course of its ongoing military actions in Gaza, and to consider the necessary measures to ensure respect of the rules set out in the Convention and its relevant protocols.
• Civil societies around the world to exert pressure on their governments so that they act in conformity with the relevant human rights and humanitarian obligations as prescribed in relevant international law.
Failure to take effective action to halt the continuous Israeli violations has only allowed for a grave situation to grow worse.
Action must be taken immediately to ensure the protection of the civilian population in the occupied Gaza Strip.
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