The IOF are continuing their escalating offensive against Palestinian civilians and their property in the OPT, using excessive and disproportionate force.
Since 3 August, 17 Palestinians, including 5 children, have been killed in Rafah City.
The total number of Palestinians killed since the beginning of the Israeli Military operation "Summer Rain" has reached 179 killed, including 35 children under the age of 18.
According to Al Mezan field sources, on 7 August at approximately 6:20am, the IOF penetrated the area surrounding Gaza International Airport, then moved to western Rafah and bombarded the house of Yasir Nahoud Abd Al Aali, after it had been evacuated by its residents.
In the same context, at approximately 2:00am the IOF war planes shelled a block of 4 apartments owned by the sons of Mohammed Hasan Al Shorafa in Beit Lahia.
It is noteworthy that the IOF warned residents to evacuate their apartments just 30 minutes before the shelling, which is insufficient time for 4 families, a total of 34 individuals including 12 children, to collect all their belongings.
According to Al Mezan's preliminary documentation, the shelling on different areas in Rafah City has resulted in the killing of: Ziad Sulaiman Al Sheikh, 22, shrapnel wounds to the head Adnan Bassam Abu Libda, 19, shrapnel wounds to the abdomen and leg Wa'il Mohammed Younis, 24, body retrieved in pieces Mahmoud Anwar Kollab, 21, shrapnel wounds to the head Anis salem Awwad, 12, shrapnel wounds to the neck Abd Ar Rahman Ahmed Abu Sleima, 24, body retrieved in pieces Yousif Obeid Allah Abu Mour, 22, body retrieved in pieces Soliaman Mahfouz Irmilat, 55, body retrieved in pieces Izz Ad Din Salim Abu Jazer, 22, body retrieved in pieces Shahed Saleh Sheikh Al Eid, 3 years Isam younis Al Bashiti, 20, shrapnel wounds to the head Ahmed Marzouq Shahin, 22, live bullets to the chest Ammar Rajaa Jacob An Natour, 17, shrapnel wounds to different parts of the body Kifah Rajaa Jacob An Natour, 15, shrapnel wounds to different parts of the body Shirif Sabir Ayyash, 21, body retrieved in pieces Mohammed Salah Al Khawaja, 22, body retrieved in pieces Ibrahim salman Irmilat, 17, shrapnel wounds to the back and left shoulder A further 40 other Palestinians were reported injured, including, 9 children and other 8 sustaining critical injuries.
Prior to the IOF redeployment in Rafah, particularly in the area surrounding Gaza International Airport and eastern areas of Al Shouka town, the IOF attacked 35 houses, 15 of them were entirely destroyed.
Further, they bulldozed 400 dunums of agricultural land.
The number of families that have had to evacuate their houses on 3 August from At Tanour and Tabbet Zar'i neighborhoods, and Amer area in Rafah, is 400 which amounts to a total of 2560 individuals.
The UNRWA has used 3 of its schools as shelters to accommodate those evacuated.
UNRWA has also provided financial aid to the families that were evacuated since 28 June, which consist of 512 families, a total of 3277 individuals, to rent new houses.
Al Mezan condemns the escalating IOF offensive against Palestinians and highlights that the huge loss in life and property evidence the prior intent and deliberate nature of IOF killings and destruction.
Al Mezan confirms that the IOF have committed war crimes violating the texts of international humanitarian law, most notably the Fourth Geneva Convention relevant to the Protection of Civilians in Time of War.
Al Mezan affirms that the silence of the international community in the light of ongoing Israeli violations of Palestinians' human rights allows Israel to commit further crimes.
Al Mezan reiterates its demands to the international community, most notably the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to fulfill its legal and moral obligations, and immediately intervene to halt Israeli war crimes and provide protection to Palestinian civilians in the OPT.
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