The Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza has reported that more than 500 Palestinian families have been completely erased from records due to direct Israeli targeting. The latest instance was the complete obliteration of 12 families in the Nuseirat refugee camp last month.
Mohammad al-Mughir, head of the Civil Defense’s Documentation and Follow-Up Committee in Gaza, announced in a press statement that the documentation of families, where all members have been killed, is ongoing despite the committee losing around 20% of its data due to bombings, displacement, targeting of Civil Defense teams, and lack of internet access for electronic record-keeping.
Al-Mughir highlighted that the majority of the weaponry used in these killings was American-made. He stated that Israeli forces deliberately target residential blocks or areas to assassinate a single individual, resulting in higher civilian casualties.
“The Civil Defense is actively documenting these obliterated families to provide legal teams with evidence to use in international courts against Israel’s crimes,” said al-Mughir.
He recounted a devastating attack in early December on the Salem family’s home in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, which killed approximately 85 family members. The remaining family members were killed by Israeli forces after being forced to flee to the Rimal and Tel al-Hawa areas.
Among the families completely wiped out was the al-Astal family, which lost over 64 members in an attack on Khan Younis last November. Al-Mughir also reported that the Abu Quta family was annihilated when their residential block in Rafah’s Shabora neighborhood was targeted.
“In one of our search operations, Civil Defense teams found 37 martyrs from the Muammar family following a strike aimed at journalist Alaa Maamar near the European Hospital a few months ago, erasing five entire families from civil records,” he added.
Israeli forces have continued their genocidal war and military aggression on Gaza for 279 consecutive days. Since the offensive began on October 7, 2023, the number of martyrs has risen to 38,295, with 88,241 others wounded, many sustaining severe injuries.
Amidst the relentless bombardment, Israeli forces consistently target Palestinian families and displaced individuals. The Palestinian Ministry of Health documented four massacres against Palestinian families in Gaza just on Wednesday, July 11, 2024.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=55018
