Friday, 16 January 2009- DAY TWENTY-ONE

IOF continued their offensive against the Gaza Strip for the 21st consecutive day. In the northern Gaza Strip, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a number of Palestinian civilians in Beit Lahia town; 4 members of the ‘Atiya family, including two children, were killed. IOF also shelled a house belonging to Dr. ‘Izziddin Abu al-’Eish, killing 4 members of the family, including 3 of Dr. Abu al-’Eish’s daughters. In Gaza City, IOF attacked residential areas, including Tal al-Hawa neighborhood. They fired tanks shells and white phosphorous bombs at houses and civilian objects, killing a number of Palestinian civilians. An IOF warplane also fired a missile at a wake tent in al-Shoja’eya neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, killing 10 civilians.

In the central Gaza Strip, an IOF warplane fired a missile at a house belonging to ‘Eissa ‘Abdul Hadi al-Batran, killing his wife and 5 children. In Khan Yunis, IOF warplanes bombarded the police headquarters. IOF troops positioned in al-Fukhari area in the southeast of Khan Yunis opened fire at a civilian vehicle, in which a father and his two sons from the Shurrab family were traveling. The two sons were wounded and bled to death over a number of hours; Israeli soldiers stationed nearby offered no assistance. In Rafah, IOF warplanes bombarded the border strip between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

The death toll of Palestinians on this day was 48, including 35 civilians; 16 children and 3 women. This number also includes 4 Palestinians who died ofwounds they had sustained earlier during the offensive.



MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asaad