IOF Escalate Attacks against the Gaza Strip: 17 Palestinians Killed and at Least 30 Others Wounded in Gaza City in Less Than 4 Hours

On Tuesday morning, 15 January 2008, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed 17 Palestinians, including 5 civilians, and wounded at least 30 others, 5 of whom are in a serious condition, during an incursion into the al-Shojaeya and al-Zaytoun neighborhoods of east Gaza City. The incursion continued until noon. Preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR indicate that most of the victims were killed by tank shells, and that IOF troops used excessive lethal force without regard for the lives of Palestinian civilian living in the affected areas.
PCHR strongly condemns these latest crimes, and continues to be gravely concerned about the escalation of attacks by IOF against the Gaza Strip. PCHR calls upon the international community to immediately intervene in order to stop these crimes, as well as repeated Israeli threats to invade the Gaza Strip en masse, which will undoubtedly cause even more destruction, including deaths and injuries, to the Palestinian civilian population of the Gaza Strip.
ccording to the preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 08:00 on Tuesday, 15 January 2008, IOF heavy military vehicles moved nearly 3,000 meters into Palestinian areas around Malaqa Square, which lies between al-Shojaeya and al-Zaytoun neighborhoods in the east of Gaza City. IOF then indiscriminately opened fire at anything that moved within the area. A number of militants from the Palestinian resistance clashed with IOF, and the IOF responded by firing tank shells. As a result, 5 Palestinian militants were killed:

1) Rami Talal Farahat, 30.

2) ‘Aahed Sa’dallah ‘Ashour, 27.

3) Mahmoud ‘Ata Abu Laban, 21.

4) Hussam Mahmoud al-Zahhar, 22.

5) Saleem ‘Abdul Haq al-Mdallal, 20
IOF continued to indiscriminately shell Palestinian houses and agricultural areas. As a result, 3 Palestinian farmers were also killed:

1) As’ad ‘Eissa Radwan Tafesh, 65;

2) Marwan Sameer ‘Ouda, 22.

3) Sa’id Mustafa al-Sammouni, 50.

Another 2 civilians, including a student, were also killed during the incursion:

1) Ayman Fadel Malaka, 35, a car trader who was in the car market located neat the affected area.

2) ‘Abdul Salam ‘Atiya Abu Laban, 19, a student.

In addition, 30 Palestinians, including a woman, were wounded by the IOF gunfire. The conditions of five of those wounded during the incursion is described as "serious" by medical sources.

The victims were identified as:

1) Mohammed Majdi Hejji, 20.

2) Sakher Saleem Zwayed, 27.

3) Mustafa Yahia Selmi, 20.

4) Mos’ab Saleem Selmi, 21.

5) ‘Abdullah Taleb Salem, 23.

6) Mohammed Sabri Hana, 20.

7) Khamis Abu Sawawin, 25.

IOF withdrew from the area at approximately 12:30. Soon afterwards, Palestinian ambulances rushed to al-Shojaeya and al-Zaytoun. Medical personnel found the bodies of 7 militants from the Palestinian resistance who had been killed by IOF during the incursion.