Al Mezan Warns of IOF Conducting Large-Scale Military Operation in the Gaza Strip; Denounces Killing of Children and Aggression

by Mahmoud Abu Rahma

Field observations collected by Al Mezan Center for Human Rights indicate an impending escalation of aggression and murder of civilians and children by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) in the Gaza Strip. Political and military officials of the Israeli government, including high-ranking Ministers, continue to announce the possibility of conducting a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the IOF has escalated recently its operations and incursions, in which it routinely demolishes homes and land, and shelled areas along the eastern border. An even wider expansion of IOF's military operations would inevitably include carrying out incursions in large areas of the Strip, which would incur a serious threat to civilians. With such an impending escalation, there is a strong possibility of war crimes to be committed and for it to be widespread.

According to the Center's field investigations, on 11 June 2008, at approximately 2:30am, IOF warplanes began firing and shelling on Al Sreij area of Al Qarara village, northeast of Khan Younis. Simultaneously, IOF military vehicles entered amid intensive fire approximately one kilometer into the area. The IOF also began bulldozing in the same area.

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