4 Palestinians killed and 7 injured as a result of escalating IOF offensive and siege on the Gaza Strip

In a severe escalation of the IOF offensive in the Gaza Strip, IOF air, ground and naval attacks have targeted residential areas.
In addition to the shelling of a Palestinian security base, incursions into areas in the Gaza Strip have continued, leaving Al Atatra area south west of Beit Lahia town under IOF control.
Reports show that IOF troops reached Al Towam area in Jabalia under helicopter and tank cover, arbitrarily shelling residential areas, targeting civilians and their belongings without warning.
According to Al Mezan investigations, at approximately 11.
55pm on July 5, an IOF scouting jet fired a rocket at a group of Palestinians gathered in Al Soudania area near the coastal area.
IOF gun ships simultaneously launched two missiles at a base belonging to Palestinian security forces, partially destroying the base and killing Rami Abu Hashem, 31, and Husam Hejazi, 26, and injuring 11 others.
According to medical reports, 3 of the injured sustained serious injuries.
At approximately 2.
25am on July 6, an IOF jet fired a rocket at a group of Palestinians near Al Khozandar oil station in Anan area, killing Abdullah Zommar Salha, 24.
Further, at approximately 10.
30am on July 6.
the IOF shelled a store belonging to Mesbah Al Sultan during their incursion, resulting in the total destruction of the store which is located close to Al Aamodi junction in Al Salateen area.
The shelling also resulted in damage to the house of Mahmoud Al Sultan.
Furthermore, at approximately 11.
15am on July 6, IOF opened fire on Mohammed Al Attar, 20, while he was standing in front of his house in Al Atatra area.
Al Attar reportedly died from a bullet to the chest.
Al Mezan fieldworkers reported that Al Attar was left bleeding on the ground for over 30 minutes until Palestinian ambulances were able to reach him.
At approximately 11.
30am on July 6 the IOF penetrated 600 meters into East Al Qarara in northern Khan Younis, under heavy arbitrary shelling and firing from IOF helicopters.
Moreover, the IOF have tightened the imposed siege on the Gaza Strip and maintained the closure of all crossing points.
The IOF also continued refusing the entry of medicines, food and fuel supplies into the Gaza Strip.
In addition, about 4000 Palestinians including patients and children were stranded outside of the Gaza Strip as a result of the closure of Rafah crossing, the only passage for Palestinians to enter or exit Gaza.
The stranded passengers have poor financial resources and survival conditions are bleak after 11 days of waiting to be allowed into the Gaza Strip.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns these ongoing IOF violations against civilians and expresses its grave concern over the escalating IOF offensive in the OPT, and in the Gaza Strip in particular; it confirms that crimes such as the targeting of civilians and properties constitute serious violations of international law, most notably the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and the Hague Regulations.
Al Mezan calls upon the international community, notably the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal and moral obligations under the Convention and provide protection to Palestinian civilians in the OPT.
End.