The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) continue attacks on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip; attacks fall under international law definition of extra-judicial killing. The Israeli government has officially claimed responsibility for the attack on a man who was believed to be involved in launching rockets towards Israel. The resistance fighter was on his way to his brother’s cafe on the crowded beach of Beit Lahiya. The fact that the beach was crowded with people shows a blatant disregard for civilian life. Al Mezan Center for Human Rights strongly condemns the unlawful attack that bypasses due process and constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.
According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, at approximately 10:20 pm on Wednesday, 11 June 2014, Israeli aircraft fired at least one missile onto a motorcycle that was travelling in front of the naval police department on the Beit Lahiya beach in the North Gaza district. As a result of the attack, Mohammed Ahmed Al ‘Awoor, 33, who was driving the motorcycle, was killed. His body was dismembered. Al ‘Awoor was on his way to his brother’s cafe on Beit Lahiya beach when he was killed.
According to Al Mezan’s field investigations, Ali Abdel Lateef Al ‘Awoor, 10, was sitting behind his uncle on the motorcycle. He was critically injured. A car was travelling near the motorcycle when the attack took place. As a result, the car driver, Hamada Hussein Naser, 32, sustained critical injuries. A passerby, Munzer Al Masar’i, 27, sustained minor injury. Ali Al ‘Awoor and Hamada Naser were referred Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Al Mezan strongly condemns the crime and points out that the attack, as with others of a similar nature, could lead to a critical escalation. The Israeli attack shows IOF disregard for its obligations under international law.
Al Mezan reasserts that extrajudicial attacks and killings constitute a flagrant and gross violation of international law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. International law bans extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary execution under all circumstances.
Al Mezan therefore reiterates its calls on the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Conventions, who are obligated under the Conventions to respect and ensure respect for them in all cases, to promptly intervene to end these grave breaches of international law and to secure effective international protection for civilians under Israel’s occupation in the Gaza Strip. Al Mezan views the intervention of the international community as a legal and moral obligation as well as an urgent necessity, particularly in the current situation. Without such intervention the IOF will only abuse the silence of the international community in order to expand its ongoing aggression. The perpetrators of such crimes should be pursued and brought to justice in line with international standards.