30 july 2014
At least 67 Palestinians have been killed and 110 injured in Israeli attacks since midnight Wednesday on the 23rd day of the Gaza offensive, according to the Ministry of Health.
In the most devastating attack, at least 16 people were killed when an Israeli artillery shell hit a UN school in the northern Gaza Strip.
The shell struck Abu Hussein school in Jabaliya refugee camp, which was sheltering hundreds of newly-displaced Palestinians.
In another attack later Wednesday morning, four Palestinian children and three others, all from the Khalili family, were killed in an Israeli shelling on the al-Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City.
The Israeli army said in a statement around 8:00 a.m. that it had targeted "75 terror sites in the Gaza Strip" overnight.
The latest killings brought the number of dead since the start of Israel's assault on Gaza to more than 1,296, according to health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra.
UN figures indicate at least three quarters of the dead were civilians.
The more than 240 Palestinian children who have died represent at least 29 percent of civilian casualties, the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, said in a statement, adding that another six children in Israel had been wounded from Gaza rocket fire.
So far, UN figures show more than 215,000 people have fled their homes in a territory which is home to 1.7 million Palestinians, leaving one in eight people homeless.
Many have taken shelter at schools run by UNRWA, a number of which have been hit by shells in the past week.
Ceasefire prospects
Palestinian factions were reportedly heading to Cairo on Wednesday to discuss a temporary humanitarian ceasefire.
However there was no immediate comment from Hamas as to whether that trip would go ahead.
The PLO said it had garnered the Islamist movement's support for a 24-hour truce, but did not say when it was expected to start.
President Mahmoud Abbas had been in touch with exiled Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal on Monday and Tuesday and had "proposed the 24 hour truce," senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath told AFP on Tuesday.
"Meshaal and Hamas agreed."
But Hamas said it had not so far agreed to any new truce and was waiting for Israel to show its hand first.
"When we have an Israeli commitment ... on a humanitarian truce, we will look into it but we will never declare a truce from our side while the occupation keeps killing our children," spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.
Palestinian factions in Gaza have repeatedly insisted they would not except any long-term ceasefire that did not stipulate the lifting of the siege on Gaza.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked for fresh help from Washington in trying to broker a ceasefire.
"Last night we talked, and the prime minister talked to me about an idea and a possibility of a ceasefire," Kerry said on Tuesday.
Netanyahu had said he "would embrace a ceasefire that permits Israel to protect itself against the tunnels and obviously not be disadvantaged for the great sacrifice they have made thus far."
Latest killings
Al-Qidra provided a continuous account of the deaths and injuries across the Gaza Strip Wednesday.
He identified some of those killed in the shelling on the UN school as Issam Jaber al-Khatib, Said Abu Jalala, Taysir Hammad, Luay al-Feiri, Bassem Khalid al-Najjar, Thair Khalid al-Najjar, Usama Muhammad Suhweil, Bilal Midhat al-Amudi, Muhammad Moussa Ghabn, Adel Muhammad Abu Qamar, Abdullah Midhat al-Amudi, Ramadan Khader Salman, Alaa Khader Salman, Ali Ahmad Shahin, and Rami Barakat.
The bodies were taken to Kamal Adwan hospital in Jabaliya and al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
Four more Palestinians were killed and 40 were injured in a later Israeli attack on Jabaliya.
In the latest attacks on the Strip, six people were killed as Israeli shelling targeted the Maan area in Khan Younis.
The dead were identified as Maryam Ahmad Hijazi, Ibrahim Mustafa al-Ghalban, Ismail Mahmoud al-Ghalban, Salah Hijazi, and Subhiyeh Ibrahim Hijazi.
Additionally, Ramadan Abu Jazar was killed in an Israeli attack in eastern Rafah
Earlier, a man in al-Zwaida in central Gaza was killed in an Israeli attack, while at around the same time a woman was killed in Deir al-Balah.
Another seven Palestinians were killed when Israeli shelling targeted the Abu Amer family home in Khan Younis.
They were identified as Ahmad Suleiman Abu Amer, his wife Muna Hajjad Abu Amer, and their children, Marwa, Marah, Suleiman, and Yasser.
Mona Hajaj Abu Amer was also killed in the shelling.
Additionally, 10 members of a single family were killed as Israeli forces shelled a building housing several members of the al-Astal family in Khan Younis.
They were identified as Ali Mahmoud al-Astal, 23, Khalid Salim al-Astal, 26, Muhammad Salim al-Astal, 26, Ramzi Ibrahim al-Astal, 21, Odeh Ali al-Astal, 25, Ahmad Muhammad Suleiman al-Astal, 26, Ahmad Ibrahim Ali al-Astal, Khalil Ibrahim Ali al-Astal, Izz al-Din Jaber Muhammad al-Astal, and Muhammad Mahmoud Muhammad al-Astal.
Some 25 other Palestinians were injured in the attack.
A Palestinian was killed in Israeli shelling targeting al-Nasser neighborhood in eastern Rafah.
Another unidentified Palestinian was also killed in Rafah.
Walid Shihda Marzouq Muammar, 51, was killed in an Israeli shelling targeting eastern Rafah.
Additionally, Sujud Abdulhakim Elayyan, 11, was killed in an Israeli shelling targeting Jaffa Street. Elayyan was physically disabled and used a wheelchair.
Another 19 Palestinians were killed in various Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip.
In the most devastating attack, at least 16 people were killed when an Israeli artillery shell hit a UN school in the northern Gaza Strip.
The shell struck Abu Hussein school in Jabaliya refugee camp, which was sheltering hundreds of newly-displaced Palestinians.
In another attack later Wednesday morning, four Palestinian children and three others, all from the Khalili family, were killed in an Israeli shelling on the al-Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City.
The Israeli army said in a statement around 8:00 a.m. that it had targeted "75 terror sites in the Gaza Strip" overnight.
The latest killings brought the number of dead since the start of Israel's assault on Gaza to more than 1,296, according to health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra.
UN figures indicate at least three quarters of the dead were civilians.
The more than 240 Palestinian children who have died represent at least 29 percent of civilian casualties, the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, said in a statement, adding that another six children in Israel had been wounded from Gaza rocket fire.
So far, UN figures show more than 215,000 people have fled their homes in a territory which is home to 1.7 million Palestinians, leaving one in eight people homeless.
Many have taken shelter at schools run by UNRWA, a number of which have been hit by shells in the past week.
Ceasefire prospects
Palestinian factions were reportedly heading to Cairo on Wednesday to discuss a temporary humanitarian ceasefire.
However there was no immediate comment from Hamas as to whether that trip would go ahead.
The PLO said it had garnered the Islamist movement's support for a 24-hour truce, but did not say when it was expected to start.
President Mahmoud Abbas had been in touch with exiled Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal on Monday and Tuesday and had "proposed the 24 hour truce," senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath told AFP on Tuesday.
"Meshaal and Hamas agreed."
But Hamas said it had not so far agreed to any new truce and was waiting for Israel to show its hand first.
"When we have an Israeli commitment ... on a humanitarian truce, we will look into it but we will never declare a truce from our side while the occupation keeps killing our children," spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.
Palestinian factions in Gaza have repeatedly insisted they would not except any long-term ceasefire that did not stipulate the lifting of the siege on Gaza.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked for fresh help from Washington in trying to broker a ceasefire.
"Last night we talked, and the prime minister talked to me about an idea and a possibility of a ceasefire," Kerry said on Tuesday.
Netanyahu had said he "would embrace a ceasefire that permits Israel to protect itself against the tunnels and obviously not be disadvantaged for the great sacrifice they have made thus far."
Latest killings
Al-Qidra provided a continuous account of the deaths and injuries across the Gaza Strip Wednesday.
He identified some of those killed in the shelling on the UN school as Issam Jaber al-Khatib, Said Abu Jalala, Taysir Hammad, Luay al-Feiri, Bassem Khalid al-Najjar, Thair Khalid al-Najjar, Usama Muhammad Suhweil, Bilal Midhat al-Amudi, Muhammad Moussa Ghabn, Adel Muhammad Abu Qamar, Abdullah Midhat al-Amudi, Ramadan Khader Salman, Alaa Khader Salman, Ali Ahmad Shahin, and Rami Barakat.
The bodies were taken to Kamal Adwan hospital in Jabaliya and al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
Four more Palestinians were killed and 40 were injured in a later Israeli attack on Jabaliya.
In the latest attacks on the Strip, six people were killed as Israeli shelling targeted the Maan area in Khan Younis.
The dead were identified as Maryam Ahmad Hijazi, Ibrahim Mustafa al-Ghalban, Ismail Mahmoud al-Ghalban, Salah Hijazi, and Subhiyeh Ibrahim Hijazi.
Additionally, Ramadan Abu Jazar was killed in an Israeli attack in eastern Rafah
Earlier, a man in al-Zwaida in central Gaza was killed in an Israeli attack, while at around the same time a woman was killed in Deir al-Balah.
Another seven Palestinians were killed when Israeli shelling targeted the Abu Amer family home in Khan Younis.
They were identified as Ahmad Suleiman Abu Amer, his wife Muna Hajjad Abu Amer, and their children, Marwa, Marah, Suleiman, and Yasser.
Mona Hajaj Abu Amer was also killed in the shelling.
Additionally, 10 members of a single family were killed as Israeli forces shelled a building housing several members of the al-Astal family in Khan Younis.
They were identified as Ali Mahmoud al-Astal, 23, Khalid Salim al-Astal, 26, Muhammad Salim al-Astal, 26, Ramzi Ibrahim al-Astal, 21, Odeh Ali al-Astal, 25, Ahmad Muhammad Suleiman al-Astal, 26, Ahmad Ibrahim Ali al-Astal, Khalil Ibrahim Ali al-Astal, Izz al-Din Jaber Muhammad al-Astal, and Muhammad Mahmoud Muhammad al-Astal.
Some 25 other Palestinians were injured in the attack.
A Palestinian was killed in Israeli shelling targeting al-Nasser neighborhood in eastern Rafah.
Another unidentified Palestinian was also killed in Rafah.
Walid Shihda Marzouq Muammar, 51, was killed in an Israeli shelling targeting eastern Rafah.
Additionally, Sujud Abdulhakim Elayyan, 11, was killed in an Israeli shelling targeting Jaffa Street. Elayyan was physically disabled and used a wheelchair.
Another 19 Palestinians were killed in various Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip.
Smoke billows over Gaza
Gaza’s sole power plant was destroyed by the most intense Israeli bombardment of this war. The people of Gaza were already dealing with power cuts more than 20 hours a day.
“This was a humanitarian plant that served the people,” the director of the power plant, Mohammed al-Sharif said, “its existence helped people, life, hospitals and the normal, simple life of the people of Gaza.”
Israel intensified its invasion overnight. Tanks destroyed several houses in eastern Jebalya. Including the casualties of this morning, the death toll has climbed to over 1,200. An additional 182,000 people, about 10% of Gaza’s population, have sought shelter, according to the United Nations.
Both sides have dismissed talks of a ceasefire in recent days. Among those pushing for an end to the fighting is United States Secretary of State John Kerry. Kerry told reporters that he was talking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “two, three, four times a day.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron has joined Kerry, U.S. President Barack Obama and others in a call for a ceasefire.
“What we’re seeing is absolutely heartbreaking in terms of the loss of life,” Cameron said. In his statement, he continued to blame Hamas for sparking the current war.
“Hamas must stop attacking Israel with rocket attacks. That is how this started. It’s completely unjustified and they need to stop as part of the ceasefire.”
Not everyone is calling for an end to the fighting. Among those encouraging Hamas to continue their fight is Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“We call on the world, and especially the Islamic world, to support and arm the Palestinian nation,” Ayatollah Khamenei said at a prayer ceremony in Tehran last night. Iran has not recognized Israel as a legitimate state since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
As the conflict has entered its third week, neither side appears closer to a ceasefire agreement.
Gaza’s sole power plant was destroyed by the most intense Israeli bombardment of this war. The people of Gaza were already dealing with power cuts more than 20 hours a day.
“This was a humanitarian plant that served the people,” the director of the power plant, Mohammed al-Sharif said, “its existence helped people, life, hospitals and the normal, simple life of the people of Gaza.”
Israel intensified its invasion overnight. Tanks destroyed several houses in eastern Jebalya. Including the casualties of this morning, the death toll has climbed to over 1,200. An additional 182,000 people, about 10% of Gaza’s population, have sought shelter, according to the United Nations.
Both sides have dismissed talks of a ceasefire in recent days. Among those pushing for an end to the fighting is United States Secretary of State John Kerry. Kerry told reporters that he was talking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “two, three, four times a day.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron has joined Kerry, U.S. President Barack Obama and others in a call for a ceasefire.
“What we’re seeing is absolutely heartbreaking in terms of the loss of life,” Cameron said. In his statement, he continued to blame Hamas for sparking the current war.
“Hamas must stop attacking Israel with rocket attacks. That is how this started. It’s completely unjustified and they need to stop as part of the ceasefire.”
Not everyone is calling for an end to the fighting. Among those encouraging Hamas to continue their fight is Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“We call on the world, and especially the Islamic world, to support and arm the Palestinian nation,” Ayatollah Khamenei said at a prayer ceremony in Tehran last night. Iran has not recognized Israel as a legitimate state since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
As the conflict has entered its third week, neither side appears closer to a ceasefire agreement.
Wounded Infant In Latest Bombardment - Ministry Of Health
Updated 08:00
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported that fifteen Palestinians have been killed, in the early morning hours before dawn Wednesday, when the Israeli army fired a missile into Abu Hussein School, where families had taken shelter, in Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Three others were killed in separate airstrikes, and dozens wounded.
Update 09:39: Resident Omar Awad al-Breem, was killed after the army bombarded homes, east of Khan Younis. An airstrike in Rafah, in southern Gaza, claimed the life of one Palestinian. His remains were taken to the Abu Yousef Najjar Hospital in Rafah.
1. Hussein Mohammad Abu Rezeq, 36, Rafah.
In the attack on the school in Jabalia, dozens of injured children began pouring into the hospital in the early morning hours, in a scene that has become all-too-familiar for hospital workers in the past three weeks.
At least 15 civilians were killed in the airstrike that hit the school. They've been identified as:
2. Issam Jaber al-Khatib, Jabalia.
3. Sa’id Abu Jalala, Jabalia.
4. Taiseer Hammad, Jabalia.
5. Lu’ay al-Feery, Jabalia.
6. Bassem Khaled Najjar, Jabalia.
7. Tha’er Khaled Najjar, Jabalia.
8. Osama Mohammad Sohweil, Jabalia.
9. Bilal Midhat al-‘Amoudi, Jabalia.
10. Abdullah Midhat al-‘Amoudi.
11. Mohammad Mousa Ghaban.
12. Ramadan Khader Salman, Jabalia.
13. Alaa' Khader Salman, Jabalia.
14. Adel Mohammad Abu Qamar.
15. Ali Ahmad Shaheen.
16. Rami Barakat.
Dozens of Palestinians, including children and infants, have been injured in the Israeli attacks, and were moved to local hospitals and medical centers.
Furthermore, medics located that body of a Palestinian man, killed in earlier Israeli bombardment on a neighborhood, east of the Central District. He has been identified as:
17. Mohammad Ezzat Abu Sweireh, 34, Central District.
In a separate attack, one Palestinian was killed apartment building known as the Italian Residential Tower in Gaza City. He was the coach of the Palestinian National Football Team. He has been identified as".
18. 'Aed Zaqqout, Gaza.
The Ministry of Health said that the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip has led to the death of at least 1255 Palestinians, including entire families, while more than 7100 Palestinians have been injured.
Earlier on Wednesday Israeli missiles and shells, targeting homes and civilian structures in different parts of the Gaza Strip have led to the death of at least 25 Palestinians, including family members and children, and wounding dozens of residents.
Updated 08:00
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported that fifteen Palestinians have been killed, in the early morning hours before dawn Wednesday, when the Israeli army fired a missile into Abu Hussein School, where families had taken shelter, in Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Three others were killed in separate airstrikes, and dozens wounded.
Update 09:39: Resident Omar Awad al-Breem, was killed after the army bombarded homes, east of Khan Younis. An airstrike in Rafah, in southern Gaza, claimed the life of one Palestinian. His remains were taken to the Abu Yousef Najjar Hospital in Rafah.
1. Hussein Mohammad Abu Rezeq, 36, Rafah.
In the attack on the school in Jabalia, dozens of injured children began pouring into the hospital in the early morning hours, in a scene that has become all-too-familiar for hospital workers in the past three weeks.
At least 15 civilians were killed in the airstrike that hit the school. They've been identified as:
2. Issam Jaber al-Khatib, Jabalia.
3. Sa’id Abu Jalala, Jabalia.
4. Taiseer Hammad, Jabalia.
5. Lu’ay al-Feery, Jabalia.
6. Bassem Khaled Najjar, Jabalia.
7. Tha’er Khaled Najjar, Jabalia.
8. Osama Mohammad Sohweil, Jabalia.
9. Bilal Midhat al-‘Amoudi, Jabalia.
10. Abdullah Midhat al-‘Amoudi.
11. Mohammad Mousa Ghaban.
12. Ramadan Khader Salman, Jabalia.
13. Alaa' Khader Salman, Jabalia.
14. Adel Mohammad Abu Qamar.
15. Ali Ahmad Shaheen.
16. Rami Barakat.
Dozens of Palestinians, including children and infants, have been injured in the Israeli attacks, and were moved to local hospitals and medical centers.
Furthermore, medics located that body of a Palestinian man, killed in earlier Israeli bombardment on a neighborhood, east of the Central District. He has been identified as:
17. Mohammad Ezzat Abu Sweireh, 34, Central District.
In a separate attack, one Palestinian was killed apartment building known as the Italian Residential Tower in Gaza City. He was the coach of the Palestinian National Football Team. He has been identified as".
18. 'Aed Zaqqout, Gaza.
The Ministry of Health said that the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip has led to the death of at least 1255 Palestinians, including entire families, while more than 7100 Palestinians have been injured.
Earlier on Wednesday Israeli missiles and shells, targeting homes and civilian structures in different parts of the Gaza Strip have led to the death of at least 25 Palestinians, including family members and children, and wounding dozens of residents.
The Israeli army continued its bombardment of homes and civilian structures in different parts of the Gaza Strip killing at least 26 Palestinians, including family members and children, and wounding dozens of residents.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza said that one Palestinian died of serious wound suffered in an earlier bombardment on Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
He died in the Intensive Care Unit of the Nasser Medical Center in Khan Younis. He has been identified as:
1. Ahmad Mohammad Yassin al-Majayda, Khan Younis.
In addition, eight members of the al-Astal family were killed in a family gathering home in Khan Younis, after the army fired a missile into it, while several family members were injured in the attack. The slain Palestinians have been identified as:
2. Ali Mahmoud al-Astal, 23, Khan Younis.
3. Khaled Salim al-Astal, 26, Khan Younis.
4. Mohammad Salim al-Astal, 26, Khan Younis.
5. Ramzi Ibrahim al-Astal, 21, Khan Younis.
6. Odah Ahmad al-Astal, 25, Khan Younis.
7. Ahmad Mahmoud Suleiman al-Astal, 26, Khan Younis.
8. Ahmad Ibrahim Ali al-Astal, Khan Younis.
9. Khalil Ibrahim Ali al-Astal, Khan Younis.
10. Ezzedddin Jabr Mohammad al-Astal, Khan Younis.
11.Mohammad Mahmoud al-Astal, Khan Younis.
In a separate attack in Khan Younis, two Palestinians were killed and at least one was seriously wounded, after the army fire a missile into a home in the city. The slain Palestinians have been identified as:
12. Mohammad Abdul-Sattar al-Abadla, 21, Khan Younis.
13. Fahd Mahmoud Jaber al-Agha, 23, Khan Younis.
In addition, a Palestinian girl was killed after the army bombarded her family home in the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza. She has been identified as:
14. Asma’ Abu al-Kaas, 16, al-Boreij, Central Gaza.
A man was also killed in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, after the army bombarded his home, east of the city. He has been identified as:
15. Walid Shihda Marzouq Moammar, 51, Rafah.
A wheelchair-bound child was killed in an Israeli bombing of a home in Jaffa Street, in Gaza. She has been identified as:
16. Sojoud Abdul-Hakim Oleyyan, 11, Gaza.
The Ministry of Health also said at least thirteen Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli bombardment of Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, but their remains are yet to be identified, and to be released to the public at a later stage. Dozens of residents, including children, have been injured in the attack.
Also, several Palestinian children have been injured in Israeli bombardments of homes in Gaza City, and were moved to the Shifa Medical Center.
Many Palestinians were also injured in another Israeli Air Strike in Khan Younis, while three Palestinians were injured by an Israeli missile striking their home in Yebna refugee camp, in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and several Palestinians have been injured in areas in northern Gaza.
Also, dozens of Palestinians have been injured when the army bombarded a mosque in the Shaty’ Refugee camp.
The Ministry of Health says that 191 Palestinians have been killed in two days, since the first day of al-Fitr Muslim Feast, and more than 500 have been injured. Most of them are women, children and elderly.
It added 1242 Palestinians have been killed, at least 7020 have been injured in the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza since July 8.
Among the killed are 287 children, 130 women, and 57 elderly. Among the wounded are 2164 children, 1314 women and 282 elderly.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza said that one Palestinian died of serious wound suffered in an earlier bombardment on Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
He died in the Intensive Care Unit of the Nasser Medical Center in Khan Younis. He has been identified as:
1. Ahmad Mohammad Yassin al-Majayda, Khan Younis.
In addition, eight members of the al-Astal family were killed in a family gathering home in Khan Younis, after the army fired a missile into it, while several family members were injured in the attack. The slain Palestinians have been identified as:
2. Ali Mahmoud al-Astal, 23, Khan Younis.
3. Khaled Salim al-Astal, 26, Khan Younis.
4. Mohammad Salim al-Astal, 26, Khan Younis.
5. Ramzi Ibrahim al-Astal, 21, Khan Younis.
6. Odah Ahmad al-Astal, 25, Khan Younis.
7. Ahmad Mahmoud Suleiman al-Astal, 26, Khan Younis.
8. Ahmad Ibrahim Ali al-Astal, Khan Younis.
9. Khalil Ibrahim Ali al-Astal, Khan Younis.
10. Ezzedddin Jabr Mohammad al-Astal, Khan Younis.
11.Mohammad Mahmoud al-Astal, Khan Younis.
In a separate attack in Khan Younis, two Palestinians were killed and at least one was seriously wounded, after the army fire a missile into a home in the city. The slain Palestinians have been identified as:
12. Mohammad Abdul-Sattar al-Abadla, 21, Khan Younis.
13. Fahd Mahmoud Jaber al-Agha, 23, Khan Younis.
In addition, a Palestinian girl was killed after the army bombarded her family home in the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza. She has been identified as:
14. Asma’ Abu al-Kaas, 16, al-Boreij, Central Gaza.
A man was also killed in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, after the army bombarded his home, east of the city. He has been identified as:
15. Walid Shihda Marzouq Moammar, 51, Rafah.
A wheelchair-bound child was killed in an Israeli bombing of a home in Jaffa Street, in Gaza. She has been identified as:
16. Sojoud Abdul-Hakim Oleyyan, 11, Gaza.
The Ministry of Health also said at least thirteen Palestinians have been killed in an Israeli bombardment of Jabalia, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, but their remains are yet to be identified, and to be released to the public at a later stage. Dozens of residents, including children, have been injured in the attack.
Also, several Palestinian children have been injured in Israeli bombardments of homes in Gaza City, and were moved to the Shifa Medical Center.
Many Palestinians were also injured in another Israeli Air Strike in Khan Younis, while three Palestinians were injured by an Israeli missile striking their home in Yebna refugee camp, in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, and several Palestinians have been injured in areas in northern Gaza.
Also, dozens of Palestinians have been injured when the army bombarded a mosque in the Shaty’ Refugee camp.
The Ministry of Health says that 191 Palestinians have been killed in two days, since the first day of al-Fitr Muslim Feast, and more than 500 have been injured. Most of them are women, children and elderly.
It added 1242 Palestinians have been killed, at least 7020 have been injured in the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza since July 8.
Among the killed are 287 children, 130 women, and 57 elderly. Among the wounded are 2164 children, 1314 women and 282 elderly.
World organizations, Tuesday, including the Joint Coordinating Committee of the Non-Aligned Movement (JCC), along with the UN Group of 77 and China, the International NGO Network and the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of Union for the Mediterranean further echoed the urgency of the international community's demand for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel.
WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency has reported that a communiqué from the JCC and the Group of 77 and China has strongly condemned the ongoing militant hostilities by Israel against the Palestinian people, as they continue to disenfranchise, injure, imprison and kill the civilian population by ever increasing numbers, to include entire families, and particularly in the Gaza Strip.
Over 1,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of children, women and elderly have been killed by Israeli occupying forces, with over 6,000 civilian injuries reported, and more than 180,000 civilians having now been displaced as a result of Israel's current offensive on the already besieged coastal region.
Members of the JCC have demanded an immediate end to Israel’s military aggression against the Palestinian people, calling upon the international community and, in particular, the UN Security Council, to exert all efforts in bringing to a end the ongoing military operations in Gaza, by Israel, and to ensure a ceasefire which is sustainable, in line with that which took place in November 2012:
“Israel must be demanded to abide forthwith by all of its obligations under international law, particularly the 4th Geneva Convention, and by all relevant United Nations resolutions,” read the communiqué.
The JCC called on the Security Council to immediately act in calling for and securing a lasting ceasefire, with special regard to its Presidential Statement of July 28, 2014:
“The Security Council must uphold its Charter duties with an immediate viewing to saving and protecting innocent civilian lives and averting the further destabilization of the situation, which constitutes a threat to regional and international peace and security, and must adopt a resolution to this effect.”
In addition, the International NGO Network also called, on Tuesday, for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, in addition to the immediate provision of humanitarian assistance to its population, as well as for the lifting of the cripplig siege that continues to be imposed on the region by Israel, with backing from the Egyptian government.
In a press statement, the Network said that “military operations have failed miserably to bring about justice, peace and security for the population in Gaza Strip and Israel.”
It further read:
“Today, as Israeli military operations in Gaza continue to kill civilians and demolish homes, schools, power plants, neighborhoods and villages, and as missiles continue to be fired from Gaza into Israel, We urge anew for an immediate ceasefire.”
The group also called upon the government of Italy, together with the international community, in consolidating effective efforts to reach solutions which contribute to "achieving a genuine and just peace for all in the region, including and insuring that the perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law are identified in a transparent and systematic manner", according to WAFA.
Furthermore, the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of Union for the Mediterranean also issued a similar press statement which called for an end to the violence:
“The Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and respect of international humanitarian law and of the Geneva Convention. Civilians of all ages are paying the price for this latest escalation: the life of an Israeli human being and of a Palestinian human being is equal.”
The Bureau is urging effective facilitation of humanitarian pauses in the conflict, corridors which allow workers to aid the victims, assist the wounded, and offer relief to trapped civilian victims.
In expressing its support for efforts to reach a sustainable ceasefire, the statement further asserted that it "encourages and promotes the ongoing mediation by key regional players and the UN Secretary-General and supports their efforts to come to a sustainable cease fire."
"The Bureau encourages all efforts that may arise, with the same view, from individuals and organizations of civil society,” the statement continued, noting that no lasting solution to the conflict will come about by means of violence, and urging both sides to return to the negotiating table for discussing a two-state solution:
“Palestinians and Israelis have the same right to live in security, integrity and dignity. To make those rights effective is a challenge and a duty of us all.”
WAFA Palestinian News & Info Agency has reported that a communiqué from the JCC and the Group of 77 and China has strongly condemned the ongoing militant hostilities by Israel against the Palestinian people, as they continue to disenfranchise, injure, imprison and kill the civilian population by ever increasing numbers, to include entire families, and particularly in the Gaza Strip.
Over 1,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of children, women and elderly have been killed by Israeli occupying forces, with over 6,000 civilian injuries reported, and more than 180,000 civilians having now been displaced as a result of Israel's current offensive on the already besieged coastal region.
Members of the JCC have demanded an immediate end to Israel’s military aggression against the Palestinian people, calling upon the international community and, in particular, the UN Security Council, to exert all efforts in bringing to a end the ongoing military operations in Gaza, by Israel, and to ensure a ceasefire which is sustainable, in line with that which took place in November 2012:
“Israel must be demanded to abide forthwith by all of its obligations under international law, particularly the 4th Geneva Convention, and by all relevant United Nations resolutions,” read the communiqué.
The JCC called on the Security Council to immediately act in calling for and securing a lasting ceasefire, with special regard to its Presidential Statement of July 28, 2014:
“The Security Council must uphold its Charter duties with an immediate viewing to saving and protecting innocent civilian lives and averting the further destabilization of the situation, which constitutes a threat to regional and international peace and security, and must adopt a resolution to this effect.”
In addition, the International NGO Network also called, on Tuesday, for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, in addition to the immediate provision of humanitarian assistance to its population, as well as for the lifting of the cripplig siege that continues to be imposed on the region by Israel, with backing from the Egyptian government.
In a press statement, the Network said that “military operations have failed miserably to bring about justice, peace and security for the population in Gaza Strip and Israel.”
It further read:
“Today, as Israeli military operations in Gaza continue to kill civilians and demolish homes, schools, power plants, neighborhoods and villages, and as missiles continue to be fired from Gaza into Israel, We urge anew for an immediate ceasefire.”
The group also called upon the government of Italy, together with the international community, in consolidating effective efforts to reach solutions which contribute to "achieving a genuine and just peace for all in the region, including and insuring that the perpetrators of violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law are identified in a transparent and systematic manner", according to WAFA.
Furthermore, the Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of Union for the Mediterranean also issued a similar press statement which called for an end to the violence:
“The Bureau of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and respect of international humanitarian law and of the Geneva Convention. Civilians of all ages are paying the price for this latest escalation: the life of an Israeli human being and of a Palestinian human being is equal.”
The Bureau is urging effective facilitation of humanitarian pauses in the conflict, corridors which allow workers to aid the victims, assist the wounded, and offer relief to trapped civilian victims.
In expressing its support for efforts to reach a sustainable ceasefire, the statement further asserted that it "encourages and promotes the ongoing mediation by key regional players and the UN Secretary-General and supports their efforts to come to a sustainable cease fire."
"The Bureau encourages all efforts that may arise, with the same view, from individuals and organizations of civil society,” the statement continued, noting that no lasting solution to the conflict will come about by means of violence, and urging both sides to return to the negotiating table for discussing a two-state solution:
“Palestinians and Israelis have the same right to live in security, integrity and dignity. To make those rights effective is a challenge and a duty of us all.”
Fresh Israeli strikes kill 2 children ahead of truce talks
Fresh Israeli bombardments rocked Gaza in the early hours of Wednesday, killing two children, as Palestinian factions were to head to Cairo to discuss a temporary humanitarian ceasefire.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas entered its 23rd day, international efforts to bring an end to the bloodshed that has killed more than 1,200 people continued apace, and concern grew over the high civilian death toll, especially among children.
Since the war began on July 8, when Israel launched a campaign to stop rocket fire from Gaza and destroy attack tunnels, a series of concerted international efforts to bring a truce have fallen flat.
And the fighting continued Wednesday morning, when the first Israeli bombardments of the day killed two girls and a middle-aged man.
A shelling in the northern Gaza Strip killed an 11-year-old handicapped girl, emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said, with a subsequent shelling in the center of the small coastal territory killing a 16-year-old girl.
Loud explosions could be heard from Gaza City as well as rockets being fired by Gaza militants.
The fighting came as a Palestinian delegation prepared for a trip to Cairo to discuss a temporary humanitarian ceasefire.
The West Bank-headquartered Palestine Liberation Organization, which has been at odds with Hamas for years, said it had garnered the Islamist movement's support for a 24-hour truce, but did not say when that was due to start.
Israel's government had no comment on the proposal.
President Mahmoud Abbas "was in touch with (Hamas chief Khalid) Mashaal yesterday and today. He proposed the 24-hour truce, Mashaal and Hamas agreed," senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath told AFP on Tuesday.
International efforts have focused on getting Israel and Hamas to agree to a temporary humanitarian ceasefire, and then extending that truce for a longer period while they intensify efforts to end hostilities altogether.
But apart from a fragile halt on Saturday after which hostilities picked up with renewed vigour, efforts have failed.
Children paying the price
Heavy Israeli bombardment of Gaza overnight Monday to Tuesday killed scores of Palestinians after they had marked the beginning of the Muslim Eid festival, medics said.
Israel's aerial, naval and artillery shellings have killed some 1,230 Palestinians in the bloodiest conflict in six years, and the vast majority of Palestinian dead are civilians, according to the UN.
Hamas fire, including thousands of rockets launched at Israel, has killed 53 soldiers and three civilians.
Rights groups expressed growing alarm Tuesday at the number of children victims of the conflict.
The more than 240 children who have died represent at least 29 percent of civilian casualties, the United Nations children's fund, UNICEF, said in a statement, adding that another six children in Israel had been wounded from Gaza rocket fire.
"We see children killed, injured, mutilated and burnt, in addition to being terrified to their core. The consequences run much deeper than previous flare-ups" in Gaza, UNICEF's Gaza field office chief Pernille Ironside said.
Diplomatic push
Meanwhile world efforts to stop the fighting continued, but with neither side apparently willing to concede.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked for fresh help from America in trying to broker a ceasefire.
"Last night we talked, and the prime minister talked to me about an idea and a possibility of a ceasefire. He raised it with me, as he has consistently," Kerry said Tuesday.
The top US diplomat added that Netanyahu had said he "would embrace a ceasefire that permits Israel to protect itself against (Palestinian militants') tunnels and obviously not be disadvantaged for the great sacrifice they have made thus far."
There was no Israeli government comment.
PLO secretary general Yasser Abed Rabbo said after consultations with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the two main militant groups in Gaza, that there was "willingness for a ceasefire and humanitarian truce for 24 hours."
Hamas said so far it had not agreed to any new truce and was waiting for Israel to show its hand first.
"When we have an Israeli commitment ... on a humanitarian truce, we will look into it but we will never declare a truce from our side while the occupation keeps killing our children," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on Facebook.
Israel targeted the vacant home of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza City's Shati refugee camp on Tuesday.
Shells fired from tanks struck Gaza's biggest power plant, bringing it grinding to a halt and exacerbating already widespread blackouts.
As both sides appeared more determined than ever to keep up the fighting, the hostilities have pushed more than 215,000 people to flee their homes in the overcrowded territory, according to the World Health Organization.
Fresh Israeli bombardments rocked Gaza in the early hours of Wednesday, killing two children, as Palestinian factions were to head to Cairo to discuss a temporary humanitarian ceasefire.
As the conflict between Israel and Hamas entered its 23rd day, international efforts to bring an end to the bloodshed that has killed more than 1,200 people continued apace, and concern grew over the high civilian death toll, especially among children.
Since the war began on July 8, when Israel launched a campaign to stop rocket fire from Gaza and destroy attack tunnels, a series of concerted international efforts to bring a truce have fallen flat.
And the fighting continued Wednesday morning, when the first Israeli bombardments of the day killed two girls and a middle-aged man.
A shelling in the northern Gaza Strip killed an 11-year-old handicapped girl, emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said, with a subsequent shelling in the center of the small coastal territory killing a 16-year-old girl.
Loud explosions could be heard from Gaza City as well as rockets being fired by Gaza militants.
The fighting came as a Palestinian delegation prepared for a trip to Cairo to discuss a temporary humanitarian ceasefire.
The West Bank-headquartered Palestine Liberation Organization, which has been at odds with Hamas for years, said it had garnered the Islamist movement's support for a 24-hour truce, but did not say when that was due to start.
Israel's government had no comment on the proposal.
President Mahmoud Abbas "was in touch with (Hamas chief Khalid) Mashaal yesterday and today. He proposed the 24-hour truce, Mashaal and Hamas agreed," senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath told AFP on Tuesday.
International efforts have focused on getting Israel and Hamas to agree to a temporary humanitarian ceasefire, and then extending that truce for a longer period while they intensify efforts to end hostilities altogether.
But apart from a fragile halt on Saturday after which hostilities picked up with renewed vigour, efforts have failed.
Children paying the price
Heavy Israeli bombardment of Gaza overnight Monday to Tuesday killed scores of Palestinians after they had marked the beginning of the Muslim Eid festival, medics said.
Israel's aerial, naval and artillery shellings have killed some 1,230 Palestinians in the bloodiest conflict in six years, and the vast majority of Palestinian dead are civilians, according to the UN.
Hamas fire, including thousands of rockets launched at Israel, has killed 53 soldiers and three civilians.
Rights groups expressed growing alarm Tuesday at the number of children victims of the conflict.
The more than 240 children who have died represent at least 29 percent of civilian casualties, the United Nations children's fund, UNICEF, said in a statement, adding that another six children in Israel had been wounded from Gaza rocket fire.
"We see children killed, injured, mutilated and burnt, in addition to being terrified to their core. The consequences run much deeper than previous flare-ups" in Gaza, UNICEF's Gaza field office chief Pernille Ironside said.
Diplomatic push
Meanwhile world efforts to stop the fighting continued, but with neither side apparently willing to concede.
US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had asked for fresh help from America in trying to broker a ceasefire.
"Last night we talked, and the prime minister talked to me about an idea and a possibility of a ceasefire. He raised it with me, as he has consistently," Kerry said Tuesday.
The top US diplomat added that Netanyahu had said he "would embrace a ceasefire that permits Israel to protect itself against (Palestinian militants') tunnels and obviously not be disadvantaged for the great sacrifice they have made thus far."
There was no Israeli government comment.
PLO secretary general Yasser Abed Rabbo said after consultations with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the two main militant groups in Gaza, that there was "willingness for a ceasefire and humanitarian truce for 24 hours."
Hamas said so far it had not agreed to any new truce and was waiting for Israel to show its hand first.
"When we have an Israeli commitment ... on a humanitarian truce, we will look into it but we will never declare a truce from our side while the occupation keeps killing our children," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said on Facebook.
Israel targeted the vacant home of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza City's Shati refugee camp on Tuesday.
Shells fired from tanks struck Gaza's biggest power plant, bringing it grinding to a halt and exacerbating already widespread blackouts.
As both sides appeared more determined than ever to keep up the fighting, the hostilities have pushed more than 215,000 people to flee their homes in the overcrowded territory, according to the World Health Organization.
