Global Indigo

Continuing air and land bombardments by the Israeli Occupation Forces have killed over 100 Palestinians since February 27, 2008. Both the UN and the EU condemn the onslaught as well as the United States. Still the incursion carries on unscathed. Neighboring Egypt has opened up it’s borders to accommodate wounded Palestinians, who find their own local hospitals pushed to the breaking point. To date 108 Gazans have been killed, 54 of them civilians.

PCHR’s investigations indicates that IOF have use excessive and disproportionate lethal force during aerial and land operations against populated areas and civilian installations. The use of force disregarded the threat to civilian lives, causing many direct civilian casualties inside homes. In addition, IOF intentionally obstructed the work of medical crews. Many of the victims died bleeding to death in front of their family members. In addition, IOF directly targeted medical crews, killing a paramedic and seriously injuring another in Jabalia. Ambulances sustained damages as well.

PCHR reiterates its condemnation of these serious crimes, and:

1. Affirms that these crimes are a continuation of Israeli war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) in general and the Gaza Strip in particular. These crimes are indicative of IOF disregard for civilian Palestinian lives.
2. Reiterates the warning over the escalation crimes against civilians in light of the statements and threats by Israeli political and military leaders, which threaten to cause additional civilian casualties.
3. Calls upon the High Contracting Parties (HCP) of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) to fulfill their legal obligation under Article 1 of the Convention and ensure that it is respected by all parties under any circumstances. The Centre calls upon the HCP to fulfill their obligations under Article 146 of the Convention to pursue persons suspected of perpetrating grave violations of the Convention, which are defined as war crimes under Article 147 of the Convention.

PCHR mural in Gaza city.
For up to the minute reporting please visit:

Palestinian Center for Human Rights

http://pchrgaza.ps/