Reference: 93/2008

Date: 5 November 2008

Press Release

IOF Incursion Kills Six, Destroys Civilian Property in Gaza;

Al Mezan Condemns the Israeli Aggression and Calls for International Intervention

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed six Palestinians and demolished a three-story house during an incursion into middle Gaza. Israeli helicopter gunships launched three missile attacks on the al-Maghazi refugee camp and al-Qarara town. A number of Palestinians were injured and many homes and farms were destroyed by the IOF in the incursion. In addition, the IOF arrested four persons, including three women.

According to Al Mezan's field investigations, an Israeli special force penetrated nearly 400 meters into Abu Hamam area in the east of Deir el-Balah town at around 20:15 on Tuesday, 4 November 2008. The force rounded a three-story house owned by Hassan Salman al-Hamidi, which is home to four households comprising 23 persons, including 12 children.

The force also broke into the house of Mufeed Salman Arrmili, and used it as a military post. Using loud speakers, the force ordered the residents of al-Hamidi house to leave the house. It stormed into the house under a cover of heavy fire, injuring 22-year-old woman, Haneen Saleh al-Hamidi, who was transferred to an Israeli hospital for medical treatment. Later a number of military vehicles, including an armored bulldozer and a helicopter, reinforced the force.

The IOF planted explosives inside the house and blew it up at around 3:00am, on Wednesday, 5 November 2008. The explosion destroyed the house and caused damage to a number of neighboring houses. The bulldozer razed the house's rubble to the ground and uprooted olive trees in its surroundings. It also destroyed a Subaru car, a water well, a poultry farm and a motorcycle. The force withdrew at around 6:00am on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 after arresting four civilians, including three women who were residents of the demolished house. It was also reported that three resistance fighters were injured during the incursion; one of whom is in critical condition.

During the incursion the IOF launched attacks on a refugee camp and a town near Deir el-Balah. At around 10:30pm on Tuesday 4 November 2008, an Israeli helicopter gunship fired a missile towards a group of young men, who were in the south of al-Maghazi refugee camp, killing 32-year-old Mazen Nazmi Si'dah.

At around 12:05am on Wednesday 5 November 2008, an Israeli drone fired two missiles targeting a group of resistance fighters, who were close to Hamouda Cemetery east of al-Qarara town, killing four. They were identified as Mahmoud Balousha, 21; Muhammad Awad, 29; Wajid Miharib, 19; and Omar al-Alami, 20. Later at around 1:30am on the same day, drones fired two missiles targeting a group of resistance fighters at Street 2 in al-Qarara town. Ammar Salhiya, 21, was killed in the attack. Two other persons were injured; of whom one critically.

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights strongly condemns the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. In particular, the Center condemns the IOF's use of lethal, excessive force which killed and injured a number of people and damaged civilian property. The Center stresses that such practices represent grave breaches of the international humanitarian law (IHL). Al Mezan also condemns the arrest of civilians, including three women, and moving them to Israel.

Al Mezan Center calls the international community to end its silence with regard to these breaches. The Center warns about possible escalation by the IOF in the Gaza Strip as part of the elections in Israel. The Center calls the international community to take immediate actions to end Israel's breaches of the rules of the IHL and provide international protection for civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Center also calls the international community to take immediate action to end the collective punishment and siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, which impacts on the humanitarian needs of the civilian population.

End