MEMO's Diary of the War Crimes in Gaza- Day Fourteen

Friday, 9 January 2009- DAY FOURTEEN

IOF had continued their offensive on the Gaza Strip for the 14th consecutive day, killing more Palestinian civilians and destroying more houses and civilian facilities. The number of civilian deaths continued to rise due to the use of excessive force by IOF and their disregard for the lives of civilians, in violation of IHL and international law.

IOF warplanes bombed a 2-story house belonging to Fayez Mohammed Salha near al-Rebat Mosque in Beit Lahia. Six members of the Salha family were killed while trying to flee from the house, after a warning missile was launched. Six minutes after the warning missile, an IOF fighter jet dropped a bomb on the house, which led to the complete destruction of the house and the death of Salha’s wife, his four children and his sister-in-law. In Gaza City, IOF warplanes bombarded the police headquarters, the roof of al-Jawhara apartment building and a flat in al-Sousi apartment building.

In the central Gaza Strip, IOF warplanes and gunboats bombed houses in al-Qura’an area, west to al-Zawaida village. As a result, 7 civilians were killed and 23 others, including 4 children and 5 women, were wounded. IOF warplanes also bombarded al-Furqan Mosque in Deir al-Balah. On this day, IOF withdrew from the east of al-Qarara village and the bodies of a number of Palestinians were found in the area. In Rafah, IOF warplanes continued to bombard the border between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

The death toll of this day was 46 Palestinians, including 36 civilians; 12 children and 5 women.