743 Palestinians Killed, of Whom 605 Are Civilians, Including 176 Children and 96 Women, and 3,946 Others Wounded, Mostly Civilians, Including 1,129 Children and 804 Women;

524 Houses Targeted and Destroyed and Hundreds of Others Extensively Damaged;

Thousands of Palestinian Civilians Forcibly Displaced

Israeli occupation forces have continued their brutal and immoral offensive on the Gaza Strip for the 17^th consecutive day, and have continued the policy of collective punishment in disregard for the international law and humanitarian law, which ensure protection for civilians in times of war, and in violation of the principles of necessity, proportionality and distinction. Israeli forces have continued their aerial, ground and sea attacks throughout the Gaza Strip, causing more civilian casualties and damaging civilian facilities. Israeli forces escalated their attacks throughout the Gaza Strip. They attacked civilians, houses and other civilian facilities.  Israeli warplanes bombarded a number of houses without prior warnings.  Israeli forces continued their incursions in several areas in the Gaza Strip, and more Palestinian civilians were forced to leave their homes in border areas. The most violent Israeli attacks were against the eastern villages of Khan Yunis, as reports indicate that many Palestinians were killed or wounded, while Israeli forces prevented ambulances from reaching them.   Additionally, more Palestinian civilians were forcibly displaced from border areas.

From 10:00 on Wednesday, 23 July 2014 to 10:00 on Thursday, 24 July 2014, according to the information PCHR has been able to obtain, 80 Palestinians, 64 of whom are civilians, including 15 children and 5 women, were killed.  Additionally, 489 Palestinians, mostly civilians, were wounded – this number includes 138 children and 101 women.  Israeli warplanes also targeted and destroyed 33 houses.

The latest developments since the press release issued by PCHR yesterday noon have been as follows:

The Northern Gaza Strip:

Israeli warplanes launched 20 airstrikes and Israeli tanks and gunboats fired dozens of shells targeting houses, a hospital, a medical crew, an UNRWA shelter, a police station, agricultural plots and open areas.  As a result of these attacks, 13 Palestinians, including 7 civilians, were killed – the civilian victims include 3 children and a woman.  Additionally, 61 Palestinians, including 11 children and 13 women, were wounded. Israeli warplanes bombarded 4 houses and destroyed one of them.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 10:20 on Wednesday, 23 July 2014, Israeli forces fired an artillery shell that landed in the vicinity of the southwestern entrance of Um al-Nasser village.  As a result, Rabee’ Qassem Rabee’ Abu Ras, 9, was killed, and another 3 civilians, including his mother, were wounded. These civilians were traveling on animal cart.

- At approximately 12:30, medical crews recovered the body of a member of a Palestinian armed group, who was killed by Israeli forces at approximately 01:30 on the same day in al-Ghoboun area in Beit Lahia. 

- At approximately 13:05, medical crews recovered the bodies of 2 members of a Palestinian armed group, who were attacked and killed in the morning by an Israeli drone in Beit Lahia. 

- At approximately 14:05, Israeli warplanes bombarded without a prior warning a house belonging to Mahmoud 'Awadh Ziada, 48, a leader of Islamic Jihad, in the densely populated Jabalya refugee camp.  As a result, Ziada was killed, and another two persons were wounded. Two persons were also missing under the debris.  Additionally, a nearby house belonging to Fayez Ibrahim al-Zainati was destroyed, and al-Zinati’s 4 children were wounded: Mohammed, 10; Ahmed, 9; Mahmoud, 5; and Amani, 16.  Another house belonging to Moneer al-Hinnawi was damaged, and a number of members of the family were wounded.

- At approximately 14:15, an Israeli drone launched 2 missiles at an agricultural plot near a house belonging to the Rayan family in al-Falouja area in Jabalya.  The house was damaged.

- At approximately 15:00, an Israeli drone fired 2 missiles at a house belonging to the Abu al-Laban family in al-'Alami area in Jabalya refugee camp.  At approximately 15:15, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house, which penetrated the roof, but did not explode.  The house and an adjacent house belonging to Hussein Salem were damaged.

- At approximately 15:10, Israeli tanks fired 2 shells at the second floor of Balsam Hospital in the west of Beit Hanouun, damaging it.

- At approximately 15:20, Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at al-Sikka Street in the east of Jabalya.  One of the shells hit a house belonging to the Abu al-Hussain family, damaging it.

- At approximately 15:35, Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at Beit Hanoun. One of the shells hit a house belonging to 'Awad Abu Marasa in al-Sikka Street.  The house was extensively damaged.

- At approximately 15:50, Israeli drones fired 2 missiles at a house belonging to 'Alaa’ Abu Dan in Jabalya refugee camp.  The house was partially destroyed and 5 members of the family were wounded.  A nearby house belonging to Tayseer Abu al-Kas was extensively damaged, and 11 members of the family were wounded.  Another house belonging to Daniel Aby Qamar was damaged and 3 members of the family.  A house belonging to the al-Durini family was also damaged and 5 members of the family were wounded.

- At approximately 16:00, medical crews recovered the bodies of 2 members of a Palestinian armed group who were killed by Israeli forces in the east of Jabalya.

- At approximately 16:15, medical sources at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City declared a member of a Palestinian armed group died of wounds he sustained when an Israeli drone attacked him a few hours earlier.

- At approximately 17:20, an Israeli drone attacked a number of Palestinian civilians in Musallam Street in Beit Lahia.  As a result, Ziad Ghaleb Jawdat al-Radi’, 23; Ra’ed Salem Rajab al-Radi’, 23, and Salama Salem Rajab al-Radi’, 5, were killed.

- At approximately 18:45, Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at the garden of Beit Hanoun Hospital.  The building was damaged, and the patients and staff were terrified.

- At approximately 19:00, Israeli forces fired an artillery shell at the seventh and eighth floors of building 12 in Sheikh Zayed Project in Beit Lahia.  As a result, Bilal 'Ali Ahmed Abu 'Aathra, 26, and 'Abdul Karim Nasser Saleh Abu Jermi, 25, were killed, and another 2 civilians were wounded. It should be noted that during this offensive, a number of Israeli artillery shells hit and damaged a number of housing units in the project.

- At approximately 19:05, Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at the southern entrance of Beit Hanoun.  One of the shells hit a cow barrack belonging to the Abu Raya family.  As a result, Ayman Yousef Ahmed al-Hajj Ahmed, 16, was killed and another civilian was wounded.

- At approximately 23:40, Israeli tanks fired a number of shells at Beit Lahia.  A shell hit one of the al-Fardous buildings in the west of Beit Lahia.  As a result, fire broke out in a housing unit.

- Israeli warplanes also bombarded 11 houses, destroying 2 of them completely and the other 9 ones partially.  Israeli tanks fired dozens of shells at Palestinian houses in various areas in the northern Gaza Strip.  

Gaza City:

Israeli warplanes launched several airstrikes and Israeli gunboats and tanks fired shells targeting houses and civilians. As a result of these attacks, 10 Palestinians, including 7 civilians were killed – the civilian victims include a child.  Additionally, 33 Palestinians, including 13 children and 2 women, were wounded.  Four houses were destroyed and the 10^th floor of al-Zafer apartment building 9 was damaged. 

The most significant attacks in Gaza City were as follows:

- At approximately 11:00 on Wednesday, 23 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians who were near their houses in al-Sha’af neighborhood in the east of Gaza City.  As a result, Nidal Hamdi Diab al-'Ejla, 30, and Mahmoud Ziad mas’oud Habib, 27, were killed.

- At approximately 13:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at Mohammed 'Abdul Ra’ouf al-Dada, 40, when he was near his house in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City.

- At approximately 14:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at the 10^th floor of al-Zafer apartment building 9 in the center of Gaza City, extensively damaging it.

- At approximately 15:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Mohammed Darwish Bulbol in al-Shuja’iya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City. Bulbil’s son, Ahmed, 22, was killed, and the house was extensively damaged.

- At approximately 16:45, the body of Hazem Ayman Muhareb 'Ayad, 24, was recovered from al-Shuja’iya neighborhood, as he was killed on 20 July 2014.

- At approximately 20:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians who were near Hassan al-Banna Mosque in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City.  As a result, 2 civilians were killed: Hatem Na’im Mohammed 'Aqel, 14; and Nayef Fayez Nayef al-Zaza, 29.

- At approximately 03:30 on Thursday, 24 July 2014, 4 shells fired by Israeli gunboats hits a 3-storey house belonging to Mahmoud 'Abdul Rahim 'Abdul Rahman Nassar in a-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City.  The house and a nearby house were damaged.

- At approximately 09:00, medical crews recovered the bodies of 3 members of a Palestinian armed group who were attacked and killed by an Israeli drone on 19 July 2014 in al-Zaytoun neighborhood in the southeast of Gaza City. 

- At approximately 09:30, Israeli drones fired 2 missiles at a 4-storey house belonging to Khalil 'Awad Abu Namous, in which 25 people live, in Tal al-Hawa neighborhood in south of Gaza City.  A few minutes later, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at the house and destroyed it.

The Central Gaza Strip:

Israeli warplanes launched 17 airstrikes and tanks fired dozens of shells targeting houses, a mosque, agricultural lands and open areas.  As a result of these attacks, 8 Palestinians, including 5 civilians, were killed – the civilian victims include 2 children and a woman.  Additionally, 53 Palestinians, including 17 women and 16 children, were wounded.  Three houses were destroyed. 

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 12:00 on Wednesday, 23 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at Deir al-Balah.  As a result, Na’im Jum’a Abu Mizyed, 33, was killed and another 2 persons were wounded.

- At approximately 12:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a flat belonging to Yasser Ibrahim Bashir in a 3-storey apartment building in Deir al-Balah.  As a result, Rawan Ayman Swaidan, 7, was killed when she was near her house, which is adjacent to the building.

- At approximately 13:30, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to Mahmoud Mohammed al-Lahham, in which 21 people live, in Deir al-Balah.  The house was partially destroyed.  

- At approximately 15:40, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Rami Yasser al-Maqat’a, in which 5 people live, in Deir al-Balah.  As a result, Jana Rami Yasser al-Maqat’a, 2, and Yaseem Hassan al-Maqat’a, 27, were killed, and 7 others were wounded.  The houses and 2 nearby houses were also destroyed.

- Also at approximately 15:40, Israeli drones fired 2 missiles at a 2-storey house belonging to Fu’ad Mohammed al-Ma’ni, in which 6 people live, in Deir al-Balah.  The house was completely destroyed.

- At approximately 18:00, medical crews recovered the body of 'Abdul Qader Jameel al-Khaldi, 22, from the east of al-Boreij refugee camp.  He was killed by Israeli shelling two days earlier.

- At approximately 02:00 on Thursday, 24 July 2014, an Israeli drone fired a missile at Heker al-Jame’ area in Deir al-Balah.  As a result, a member of a Palestinian armed group was killed.

- Also at approximately 02:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a 2-storey house belonging to Mazen 'Abdul Qader Abu Samak, in which 9 people live.  As a result, the house was destroyed and Ahmed Ibrahim al-'Qar’an, 25, was killed.  Al-'Qar’an’s father was also wounded.

- At approximately 02:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ref’at Ibrahim Abu 'Obaid, in which 27 people live.  The house was partially destroyed.

- At approximately 03:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a 3-storey house belonging to the Qatamesh family in al-Maghazi refugee camp.  The house was completely destroyed.

- At approximately 03:50, medical sources declared that Khalil Nasser Wishah, 20, died of wounded he sustained by Israeli shelling of al-Boreij refugee camp 2 days ago.

Khan Yunis:

Israeli warplanes launched 50 airstrikes targeting houses, civilians, agricultural plots, and open areas in the southern Gaza Strip town of Khan Yunis.  Israeli tanks also fired dozens of shells at agricultural and open areas.  As a result, 39 Palestinians, including 5 children and 2 women, were killed. A woman died of previous wounds. Additionally, 165 Palestinians, including 36 women and 42 children, were wounded. Israeli forces maintained their incursion into Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis, and there are reports that there are dozens of Palestinian casualties in the village, and medical crews were denied access to them.  When many civilians attempted to leave the village, Israeli forces fired at them, killing 4.

The most significant attacks were as follows:

- At approximately 11:30 on Wednesday, 23 July 2014, medical sources declared that Manal Mohammed al-Astal, 45, died of wounds she had sustained in the morning when a shell landed near her house.

- At approximately 11:50, an Israeli drone fired a missile at al-Zanna area, east of Kahn Yunis.  As a result, 3 Palestinian civilians were wounded, and one of them, Hassan Majdi Radwan, 24, died of his wounds later.

- At approximately 12:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians to the north of al-Qarara police station.  As a result, Hassan Abu Jamous was killed and 6 others were wounded.

- At approximately 12:30, Israel forces that had moved into Khuza’a village, east of Khan Yunis, fired bullets and artillery shells at hundreds of Palestinian civilians who attempted to leave the village as there were reports about a one-hour coordination to evacuate casualties.  Israeli forces fired also at ambulances and prevented them from entering the village. 

- At approximately 13:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a transmission station of Jawwal Company on the roof of a house belonging to Wa’el Abu 'Aamer at 'Abassan intersection.  The station was destroyed and the house was damaged.

- At approximately 14:00, medical crews recovered the bodies of Mohammed Yousef Khaled al-'Abadla, 23, and Nour 'Abdul Rahim al-'Abadla, 24, from al-Qarara village. The two victims were killed by Israeli forces a few days ago, but medical crews had not been able to recover their bodies due to the presence of Israeli forces in the area.

- At approximately 14:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to Shadi al-Batash in al-Qarara village, northeast of Khan Yunis.  The house was destroyed, but no casualties were reported.

- Also at approximately 14:30, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a motorbike on which 2 Palestinian civilians were traveling in 'Abdul Ghafour area in al-Qarara village.  As a result, the two civilians were killed.  They were identified as: Mohammed Fareed al-Astal, 22; and 'Ali Hamed al-Astal, 23. 

- At approximately 16:00, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in Ma’an area in the east of Khan Yunis.  As a result, Mohammed Sami 'Omran, 26, was killed.

- At approximately 17:00, 12 ambulances attempted to enter Khuza’a village, but Israeli forces prevented and fired at them.

- At approximately 17:15, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in al-'Abadla area in al-Qarara village.  As a result, 3 civilians were wounded.

- At approximately 18:00, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a house belonging to Ibrahim 'Omar al-Hallaq, 40, a pharmacist.  As a result, al-Hallaq and an unknown person were killed, and fire broke in the house.

- At approximately 18:30, an Israeli warplane launched a missile at a house belonging to Dr. Kamal Abu Rujaila, which he uses as clinic, in Khuza’a village, as a number of wounded Palestinians went to the house seeking medical aid.  A number of casualties were reported as a result of the attack.  Apparently, one Palestinian was killed.  Medical crews were not able to reach the house. A volunteer paramedic, who was wounded throughout the body while he was attempting to evacuate wounded Palestinians, has been trapped in the area since Wednesday morning, 23 July 2014, as medical crews have not been able to reach him.  According to reports from Khuza’a village, Israeli forces raided a number of houses and turned them into military sites.  They also arrested scores of Palestinians.  At approximately 23:00, an ICRC crew and 10 ambulances of Palestine Red Crescent Society went to Kuza’a village, but they w