News Briefs
28 November 2021 |Reference 58/2021
Short Link:
On Sunday, 28 November 2021, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights issued a fact sheet titled, “Israel’s Bombing of the Khudair Group’s Warehouse in North Gaza”. The factsheet examines Israel’s May 2021 bombing of the warehouse, the subsequent fire, and its repercussions on public health and the environment.
As background, the Khudair Group is a Palestinian corporate group specialized in the import and marketing of agricultural supplies in the Gaza Strip. During the May bombardment, Israeli artillery shelled the Group’s warehouse, which is about 6,750 square meters in size and located in As-Siyafa in Beit Lahia, North Gaza, ultimately destroying it and forcing families in the vicinity to leave their homes due to the intense smell of burning chemicals.
The factsheet describes the incident and the ensuing material losses, and highlights in particular the incident’s possible adverse effects on the environment, public health, and the local agricultural sector, based on Al Mezan’s documentation, victims’ testimonies, and expert opinions.
It is important to note that several residents came forward within the course of the investigation to report skin rashes, in some cases that are still occurring today, miscarriages and other relevant symptoms following the incident. To date, unpleasant smells released from the site reportedly continue to cause suffocation and insomnia for many residents.
The factsheet also notes that Israel’s deliberate attack on the warehouse—an object that was clearly civilian in nature—constitutes a serious violation of international law that may amount to a war crime.
The fact sheet offers the following recommendations to the international community and relevant Palestinian authorities:
|
International Reports
From the war diaries
News Briefs
Press Releases
The Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR)
On the International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian Journalists: in the absence of justice and accountability, Israel continues to target journalists with impunity
Israel resumed the deliberate use of excessive and lethal force against Palestinian protesters in Gaza, killing one and injuring eight
Israel increases collective punishment measures by suspending goods exports from Gaza for the third consecutive day
Al Mezan condemns Israel's latest racist measure against Palestinian prisoners
Adalah, Al Mezan and ACRI Petition Israeli Supreme Court Against the Law that Denies Administrative Release to 'Security Prisoners'