The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have escalated their attacks in Gaza, killing eight people on Tuesday; including two children. It also injured 11 persons, including nine children. Medical sources described the injury of two children as critical.
At approximately 3:30pm on Tuesday 22 March 2011, IOF fired three artillery shells at a group of Palestinian children and young men who were playing football near the Al Wadiya Dairy. The factory is located in the Nazaz Street in the Al Shija'iya neighborhood, east of Gaza City. As a result, two adults and two children were killed.
In a separate incident, at approximately 7:40pm on the same day, Israeli reconnaissance drones fired two missiles at a car carrying four resistance fighters. The car was travelling near the Tunis School, east of Az-Zaitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City. As a result, the four were killed.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights strongly condemns the Israeli attacks; especially the killing of children playing football near their homes. It asserts that it is crucial that the international community intervene to end the Israeli escalating aggression and prevent committing further grave breaches of international humanitarian and human rights laws. The silence of the international community towards these continued violations in the occupied Palestinian territory has only allowed more Israeli violations and attacks with impunity.
