The Palestinian Initiative for Global Dialogue and Democracy, MIFTAH, strongly condemns the escalating Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, which has claimed the lives of 20 Palestinians in the past 48 hours. Eight people were killed on October 12, including three members of the same family and two children in an Israeli raid on the village of Abasan east of Khan Younis and the Shujayiyeh neighborhood of Gaza city. Thirty others were wounded in the attacks.

Then on the morning of October 14, seven others were killed in the Azbat Abed Rabbo section of Beit Hanoun after Israeli forces entered the area in a six-hour incursion. Seven members of the Izzedin Qassam Brigades were killed in an Israeli air attack on the village and dozens of others wounded while massive infrastructure damaged was incurred. The Israeli army also withdrew from Khan Younis after an incursion that lasted 48 hours.

MIFTAH urges the international community to step in and halt the ongoing Israeli assault against the Gaza Strip in which scores have lost their lives, homes and livelihood. Israel must be made to respect international human rights agreements or face the consequences of its actions. Israel cannot be allowed to act against the Palestinians in such a way that contradicts the most basic of human rights including the right to life, with impunity.

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The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy, MIFTAH, is a non-governmental, non-partisan Jerusalem-based institution dedicated to fostering democracy and good governance within Palestinian society through promoting public accountability, transparency, the free flow of information and ideas and the challenging of stereotyping at home and abroad.

For further information, please contact:
Media and Information Programme, MIFTAH
Tel: +972 2 585 1842
Fax: +972 2 583 5184
E-mail: mip@miftah.org
Website: www.miftah.org