Report By the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR|): 10 Palestinians Killed, including 1 Woman and 1 Child, and 122 Others Wounded, Including 22 Women and 40 Children
Death Toll Mounts to 213, Including 61 Children and 35 Women, and Total Number of Injuries Rises to 958, Including 291 Children and 206 Women
For the 9th consecutive day, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continued their offensive on the Gaza Strip. During which, Israeli warplanes launched dozens of intense airstrikes, along with artillery and gunboats shelling. As a result, more houses and civilian facilities were targeted. Moreover, the only Covid-19 laboratory is no longer able to carry out tests due to an Israeli airstrike near the Headquarter of the Ministry of Health and al-Rimal Clinic. The violent artillery shelling also continued, forcing more residents to leave.
Further to PCHR’s press release published yesterday, the Israeli offensive killed 10 Palestinians, including a woman and 2 children, and the injury of 122 others, including 22 women and 40 children. Also, the Israeli airstrikes targeted 16 houses, several facilities, governmental sites and headquarters, and infrastructure on a wide scale. Thus, the number of targeted houses has risen to 134, including multi-story buildings and several towers.
Moreover, the death toll since the beginning of the Israeli offensive has risen to 213, including 61 children and 35 women, and the number of those wounded has risen to 958, including 291children and 206 women.
According to the daily update by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the total number of injuries has risen to 1440, including 400 children and 270 women. Among those injuries: 50 were critical and 340 ranged between serious and moderate.
The following are the most significant developments:
Northern Gaza:
Israeli warplanes carried out many airstrikes while Israeli artillery and gunboats bombarded various targets. As a result, 3 Palestinians were killed while 46 others, including 17 children and 10 women, were wounded. Also, the airstrikes targeted 5 houses and completely destroyed them while nearby houses and infrastructure sustained severe and partial destruction.
At approximately 12:30 on Monday, 17 May 2021, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at the third floor in the sons of Yousef al-Leddawi’s residential building and completely destroyed the floor. Five minutes later, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at Abu Jalhoum family’s house, west of Beit Lahia.
At approximately 13:00, medical sources at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, declared the death of Yehia Mansour Ghaben (22), succumbing to wounds he sustained last Thursday when the Israeli artillery fired shells at farmers in their land near the American Hospital, west of Beit Hanoun Crossing.
At approximately 17:30, Israeli warplanes launched 4 missiles at Ayman Siyam’s house in central Jabalia camp, and destroyed it completely. Five minutes later, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of citizens in central Beit Lahia. As a result, Ahmed Ziyad Hussain Sabbah (28) and Mohammed Nazeer Mohammed Abu ‘Oun (18) were killed while 2 other civilians were injured; one of them sustained serious wounds.
At approximately 17:50, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at a 3-story house belonging to ‘Abed al-Rahman Abu al-Jabeen in central Jabalia. As a result, the house roof and walls sustained material damage.
At approximately 18:35, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at Abu ‘Ajinah’s house in Beit Lahia. As a result, the house roof and walls sustained material damage.
At approximately 03:45 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, Israeli warplanes fired 15 missiles at various areas in northern Gaza Strip, including several lands and an under-construction house in western Jabalia. As a result, the lands, streets and infrastructure sustained severe damage.
At approximately 10:25, Israeli warplanes fired 3 missiles at a 3-story house belonging to Omar Suliman in Jabalia, and completely destroyed it.
At approximately 10:50, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a 3-story house belonging to Ahmed ‘Abed al-Fattah Baker al-Kafarna in central Beit Hanoun. As a result, 5 Palestinians were wounded while the house roof and walls sustained material damage.
At approximately 11:00, Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a group of citizens on al-Qerman Street in Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip. As a result, a woman was injured.
Around the same time, Israeli warplanes fired 2 missiles at a 2-story house belonging to Ra’fat Salman Salman in northern Jabalia, and completely destroyed it. Also, nearby houses sustained varying damage.
At approximately 11:55, Israeli warplanes fired a missile a 2-story house belonging to Raied Ya’qoub al-Kafarnah in northern Beit Hanoun. As a result, the house roof and walls sustained material damage.
Gaza City:
Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of airstrikes on various targets across the city. As a result, 4 Palestinians, including a girl, were killed and 64 others were wounded, including 11 women and 20 children. Also, a dead body of a woman from Abu al-‘Aouf family was retrieved from under the rubble of residential buildings that were bombarded in the Al-Wehda Street massacre. The airstrikes targeted 2 commercial and 6 residential buildings and completely destroyed them. Also, the headquarter of the Ministry of Health, several factories and civilian facilities sustained severe damage.
On Monday afternoon, 17 May 2021, 2 dead bodies arrived at al-Shifa Hospital after Israeli warplanes targeted near the Maldives Café at Gaza seaside, raising the number of those killed in this airstrike to 4, including two documented in yesterday’s press release. Those killed were identified as Mohammed Jamal ‘Ali Abu Sam’an (24), Mohammed Hasan Hasan Abu Sam’an (32), ‘Ali Waleed al-‘Abed Burais (30). And Ahmed Khalil Hejazi al-Louh (24) and their bodies were torn into pieces.
Around the same time, medical and civil defense crew retrieved the dead body of Shaymma ‘Alaa Subhi Abu al-‘Aouf (21) from under the rubble of residential buildings that were bombarded over its residents’ heads on al-Wehda Street, raising the number of those killed in that massacre to 44.
At approximately 13:00, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Shehab al-Dein Mahmoud Ibrahim al-Mishal’s (45) house, northwest of Gaza City. As a result, the 2-storey house, sheltering 9 members, was completely destroyed. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Services called the residents before the airstrike and ordered them to evacuate it.
At approximately 17:45, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at Ghazy al-Shawwa building in Central Gaza City. As a result, Zeyad Kamel Abdullah Abu Dayer (55) and his niece, Rafeef Mershed Kamel Abu Dayer (11), both residents of the area, were killed, while the upper floors of the building, comprised of 6 floors and a roof and housing offices and organizations, were completely destroyed. Moreover, the administrative building of the Ministry of Health in Shuhada al-Rimal clinic next to al-Shawwa building and al-Amal Institute for Orphans and its building which includes a number of private clinics, sustained severe damage.
At approximately 18:30, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at Mashareq building belonging to the Ministry of Endowments near Ansar crossroad, west of Gaza City. At approximately 01:30 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, Israeli warplanes targeted the same building again with several missiles. As a result, the 5-storey building housing al-Nahdah bookshop and printing house and Abu al-Einain pharmacy in the ground floor as well as the Orphans Fund head office, was completely destroyed while the nearby Abbas Police Station, the Military Medical Services headquarter, office of lawyer Mohammed Adel Besaiso, other multi-story buildings and shops sustained severe damage.
At approximately 19:00, IOF stationed along the eastern border fence fired several shells at Ahmed Hasan Barawi al-Falouji’s (55) house, east of Gaza City. As a result, 4 floors of the 6-storey house, sheltering 7 families of 60 members, was completely destroyed. Also, a shell fell on a nearby ground house belonging to Salah Hasan Barawi al-Falouji (45) was completely destroyed.
At approximately 19:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at al-Dahdouh’s house in al-Zaytun neighborhood, south of Gaza City. As a result, the 2-storey house was completely destroyed.
At approximately 00:20 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Zaher Ramadan Mousa Abu al-‘Amrein’s (47) house, west of Gaza City. As a result, the 1-storey house (120 sqms) sheltering 3 families, including 4 women and 9 children, was completely destroyed. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Services called the residents and ordered them to evacuate the house.
At approximately 04:00, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at a house belonging to Munir Abdul Rahman Mustafa al-Rantisi’s sons, in al-Naser neighborhood, a completely destroyed the 4th floor. Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Izz al-Dein al-Haddad’s house, east of Gaza City, and completely destroyed it.
At approximately 05:00, the Israeli artillery stationed along the border fence, east of Gaza City, fired many shells; some of them fell on the “Karny” Industrial Area. As a result, 2 factories were set on fire and completely destroyed.
At approximately 06:10, Israeli warplanes launched 6 missiles at Kuhail building next to the Islamic University, which housed private offices, educational institutions, Samir Mansour Bookshop, Iqra’ Library, al-Ro’ya and Dar al-Manara printing houses. As a result, the building was completely destroyed and nearby buildings and facilities sustained severe damage.
Central Gaza Strip:
Israeli warplanes carried out dozens of airstrikes across the central Gaza Strip. The airstrikes targeted houses, agricultural and open lands and sites. As a result, a house was completely destroyed, and dozens of nearby houses sustained partial damage. Moreover, a child was killed, and 6 were wounded, including 3 children.
At approximately 12:40 on Monday, 17 May 2021, an Israeli drone launched a missile at a house in Deir al-Balah. As a result, Yousef Rafiq al-Baz (13) was killed, his brother, Ramadan (16), was wounded, and a nearby carwash sustained severe damage.
At approximately 15:20, Israeli warplanes launched a missile at an uninhabited house belonging to Ayman Mohammed Saidam, north of al-Maghazi. As a result, the house was completely destroyed and nearby houses sustained partial damage.
At approximately 11:00 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, an Israeli drone launched a missile at Basem al-Hazeen’s house, in al-Nusairat neighborhood. As a result, 3 civilians, including 2 children, were wounded and the house sustained partial damage.
Khan Younis:
IOF carried out several airstrikes targeting 3 houses, 2 farms and an agricultural land. As a result, 6 Palestinians, including a woman, was wounded.
At approximately 13:30 on Monday, 17 May 2021, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Amjad Mousa Mohammed Abu al-Naja’s house, in Ma’an. As a result, the house was completely destroyed.
At approximately 14:30, Israeli warplanes launched 2 missiles at Mahdi Jaber Hamdan Kawarea’s house, in Jorat al-Lout in Khan Yunis. As a result, the house was completely destroyed and nearby houses sustained severe damage.
At approximately 07:10 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, Israeli warplanes targeted Mohammed Ibrahim Mohammed al-Shawaf’s house in Abasan al-Kabeera. As a result, the 2-storey house was completely destroyed, and nearby houses sustained partial damage.
Rafah:
Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes on different parts of Rafah; during which 3 missiles were launched. Moreover, the Israeli artillery and gunboats heavily fired many artillery shells. As a result, a house and a car were targeted and several houses sustained severe damage.
At approximately 10:50 on Tuesday, 18 May 2021, an Israeli drone launched a missile at Omar Lotfi Khamis al-Jazzar’s house in al-Jneina neighborhood. Ten minutes later, Israeli warplanes launched a missile. As a result, the ground floor house (135 sqms), sheltering 3 families of 15 members, was completely destroyed, and nearby houses sustained damage. It should be noted that the Israeli Intelligence Services called the residents and ordered them to evacuate.
PCHR strongly condemns IOF’s use of mass explosive power, which proves Israel’s intention to inflict harm on Palestinian civilians in disregard for IHL principles of distinction and proportionality.
PCHR renews its warning that civilians are paying the heaviest price during the escalation and emphasizes that IOF’s ongoing strikes on residential populated areas and the use of weapons based on collective retaliation constitute grave breaches of the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 that amount to war crimes.
PCHR calls upon the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, to act urgently in order to end all IOF’s military hostilities.
