Updates

House demolition

Sealing of East Jerusalem home - collective punishment

Yesterday, 19 Jan. '09, the Israeli army sealed the family's home of the perpetrator of the Mercaz HaRav yeshiva terror attack, after the High Court rejected the famil's petition. Sealing homes is collective punishment of innocents who have not been charged with any offense, and is therefore prohibited under international law.

20 January 2009

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

19 Jan.: Casualty update

Gaza: Yesterday 95 bodies were dug up from the ruins. As of today, at least 1,300 killed, of them at least 410 children and 104 women. Over 5,320 injured, of them over 350 severely injured (Palestinian Ministry of Health figures). Israel: 3 civilians and 10 soldiers killed. Over 84 civilians injured, of them 4 severely injured, not including those treated for shock, and 113 soldiers injured, of them one in critical condition and 20 Moderately or severely injured.

19 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Suspicion: Soldiers shot and killed man and his son in their home

According to testimonies given to B'Tselem, on 3 January, soldiers called to 'Atiya a-Samuni to come out of his house, in a-Zeitun, Gaza City. When he approached the door, soldiers opened fire, killing him. The soldiers continued firing, wounding a number of relatives, among them an infant who died from his wounds.

19 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Suspicion: Soldiers shot Palestinian farmer to death without warning

A farmer from the Huza'ah village was killed this morning (18 Jan.) by Israeli gunfire while working his land, some 400 meters from the Israeli border. His brother. A witness told B'Tselem that in spite of the ceasefire, the soldiers opened fire without warning.

18 January 2009

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

18 Jan.: Casualty update

Gaza: at least 1,205 killed, of them at least 410 children and 100 women. Over 5,320 injured, of them over 350 severely injured (Palestinian Ministry of Health figures). Israel: 3 civilians and 10 soldiers killed. Over 84 civilians injured, of them 4 severely injured, not including those treated for shock, and 113 soldiers injured, of them one in critical condition and 20 Moderately or severely injured.

18 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Testimony: Toddler and his brother killed in Gaza bombing

On 11 January, tanks shelled the Hamuda family home in Gaza City, killing a toddler and wounding his mother and brother. The father's testimony indicates that during the long wait for the shelling to stop and rescue teams to arrive, the brother died of his wounds.

18 January 2009

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

15 Jan.: Casualty update

Gaza: at least 1,033 killed, of them at least 335 children and 98 women. Over 4,850 injured, of them over 450 severely injured (Palestinian Ministry of Health figures). Israel: 3 civilians and 10 soldiers killed. Over 82 civilians injured, of them 4 severely injured, not including those treated for shock, and 77 soldiers injured, of them one in critical condition.

15 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

B'Tselem: Stop the fighting immediately

Continuation of the fighting will bring more death and destruction. Innocent civilians, among them large numbers of children, will be killed and wounded. According to media reports, both sides have already agreed to the principle of a ceasefire. Under these circumstances, they must immediately stop the fighting.

15 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Israeli organizations: Stop disproportionate harm to civilians

In a press conference held today in Jerusalem, 9 Israeli human rights organizations called on the government and army to respect the laws of war and stop disproportionate harm to civilians. According to media reports and testimonies of Gazans, military forces are wantonly using lethal force, thus far killing hundreds of civilians and wreaking damage to infrastructure.

14 January 2009

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

14 Jan.: Casualty update

Gaza: at least 970 killed, of them at least 300 children and 76 women. Over 4,400 injured, of them over 450 severely injured (Palestinian Ministry of Health figures). Israel: 3 civilians and 10 soldiers killed. Over 82 civilians injured, of them 4 severely injured, not including those treated for shock, and 71 soldiers injured, of them one in critical condition.

14 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Testimony: Children bombed while standing in street, Beit Lahiya

On 7 Jan., Lu'ai Subuh, 10 years old, walked home with some family members and friends to bring essential items to the school in which his family was sheltering. As he waited in the street with his friends, the three were hit by a bombing. One of the children died and Lu'ai lost his eyesight.

14 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Suspicion that woman carrying white flag was shot to death

According to a report to B'Tselem from a Palestinian who is under siege with his family in the southeastern part of the Gaza Strip, a fifty-year-old woman from his family was shot when she exited the house while waving a white flag.

13 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Testimony: Bombed in their yard opposite UNRWA school

On 6 Jan., the Dib family sat in their trying to bake bread, as the bakeries had run out. A shell struck their home, which is next to UNRWA's al-Fakhura school, killing nine members of the family.

13 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Testimony: Shelled house catches fire, burning occupants inside

On 4 Jan., the Israeli army shelled a home in Beit Lahiya. Ghadah Abu Halima told B'Tselem that the house went up in flames and five of its occupants burned to death, four of them children. As the wounded survivors made their way to hospital, soldiers fired at them.

13 January 2009

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

13 Jan.: Casualty update

Gaza: at least 900 killed, of them at least 270 children and 95 women. Over 4,200 injured, of them over 400 severely injured (Palestinian Ministry of Health figures). Israel: 3 civilians and 7 soldiers killed. Over 82 civilians injured, of them 4 severely injured, not including those treated for shock, and 61 soldiers injured, of them one in critical condition.

12 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Israel using phosphorous illegally

Various reports indicate that the Israeli army is using phosphorous in the Gaza Strip. This weapon causes severe burns and is capable of igniting fires. Its use in a crowded area such as the Gaza Strip is illegal.

12 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Israeli use of indiscriminate weapon

An army investigation has concluded that the harm caused to civilians in the UNRWA school bombing on 4 Jan. resulted from the use of an imprecise weapon. B'Tselem demands that the army prohibit use of this weapon in the Gaza Strip.

11 January 2009

Attacks on Israeli Civilians by Palestinians

11 Jan.: Casualty update

Gaza: at least 870 killed, of them at least 230 children and 93 women. Over 3,600 injured, of them over 400 severely injured (Palestinian Ministry of Health figures). Israel: 3 civilians and 7 soldiers killed. Over 78 civilians injured, of them 4 severely injured, not including those treated for shock, and 60 soldiers injured, of them one in critical condition.

11 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Human rights groups report from the field

Israeli human rights groups have launched a blog supplying ongoing updates about the harm caused to civilians as part of the fighting in the Gaza Strip and Southern Israel.

9 January 2009

The Gaza Strip

Testimony: 14-year old killed in Khan Yunis bombing

On the first day of the attack on Gaza, Khaled al-Astal rode his bike to see a place that had been bombed. As he drew near, more missiles were fired into the crowd that had gathered, killing him instantly.

9 January 2009