The Israeli Forces Destroy the only Oxygen Factory in Gaza, Fear from Dangerous Effects on Hospital Services

At approximately 10 am Sunday 19 May 2002, the Israeli occupation forces shelled a residential area southeast of Gaza City, near the settlement of Nitzarim, with tank shells and heavy machineguns.
Numerous homes were damaged, as a result.
A fire was started in a nearby farm, owned by Wasfi al-Hussaini and partners.
Additionally, these forces bulldozed the fence of a wood workshop in the same area.
Besides, these forces bulldozed al-Ghsain Oxygen Factory, which produces oxygen for medical use.
The factory, which is in the same area and owned by Yihia Muhammad al-Ghsain, occupies an area of 6.
5 dunams[1] and produced 200 oxygen units a day.
It is worth mentioning that this factory is the only oxygen factory in the Gaza Strip and is the main oxygen provider for hospitals.
The factory was frequently shelled and its eastern section was demolished earlier.
The Israeli forces have notified the owner that they intend to bulldoze the factory five weeks ago.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns the continued Israeli aggression against Palestinian civilians and their property in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
The Center is particularly concerned with the destruction of the only oxygen factory in Gaza, which will affect hospital services and threaten civilians’ lives.
As such, Al Mezan calls upon the international community, especially the High Contracting Parties to the 4th Geneva Convention, to intervene immediately and put an end to the Israeli grave breaches of the Convention.
The international community is obliged to provide protection to Palestinian civilians and stop the Israeli aggression against them and their property.
[1] One dunam corresponds to 1,000 square meters.
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