Unknown armed individuals fired at houses and offices of prominent Fatah Leaders and members of the Security Forces. According to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, members of the Preventive Security opened fire on a vehicle driven by a member of the Eiz al Din al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. The driver remains unidentified at this stage. Later, unknown militants opened fire on several homes and offices belonging to PA officials, Fatah leaders and commanders of the security forces. Militants carried out their attacks using civilian cars and fired from rooftops of nearby homes. Security forces returned fire and clashes were witnessed in various areas of Gaza City. Read more about Gaza clashes continue 

A number of people were injured, three institutions were burned in both Gaza City and Jabalya in the aftermath of the tension between Hamas and the Palestinian Security Forces. Dozens of militants marched through Jabalya refugee camp, through Tel al Zatar and in the area near the hospital. Hamas militants shot at vehicles belonging to the Preventive Security Force and clashes erupted between both sides. These clashes constitute a continuation of recent clashes which left three children dead and at least 50 people injured. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights strongly condemns these clashes and calls for a complete cessation of violence between both sides. Read more about Gaza clashes renew 

Israeli military extra-judicially executes a member of Hamas while standing near his home, this is the fifth death resulting from Israel’s policy of extra-judicial executions in the recent days. At 9.00 on Sunday, an Israeli sniper, positioned inside the military site located on the eastern edge of the settlement of Gani Tal, north-west of Khan Yunis, fired one bullet at Sa’id Aissa Siam, a Hamas member, 32 years old from al Amal neighbourhood in Khan Yunis. At the time of the shooting he was standing close to the door of his house, 150 metres away from the Israeli watchtower. The bullet hit him in the neck and exited from the other side, hitting the wall and shrapnel wounded his 60 year old father. Read more about Israel threatens to invade Gaza, assassinates Hamas activist 

Since Wednesday, Palestinians have witnessed a severe escalation in violations committed by Israeli occupying forces. Israeli forces have resumed their use of helicopter gunships to attack civilian and residential areas and continued with their state-sanctioned policy of committing extra-judicial executions. To date this escalation in attacks has resulted in the killing of four Palestinians, in the West Bank, while the fate of a 5th is still unknown. Further to this, across the Gaza Strip, attacks by the IOF have resulted in extensive damage to civilian property. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights calls on the international community to immediately intervene to “ensure respect” for international humanitarian law. Read more about Israel escalates attack on Palestinian towns 

Armed clashes resumed this morning between members of Hamas and Palestinian Security Forces and a state of tension prevails throughout Gaza. Events started at 0700 yesterday, Thursday the 14 th of July, after a group of al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas , launched missiles from the northern Gaza Strip into Israel. After launching the missiles they retreated but came into contact with Palestinian police and clashes broke out - leaving five Hamas members injured. All of the injured were transferred to Kamal Odwan hospital in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip. Two of them were seriously injured and transferred to Shifa hospital in Gaza City . Read more about Palestinian civilians die in Gaza clashes 

This week Israeli forces killed two children and a fifth Palestinian was pronounced clinically dead. Israeli armed forces conducted 27 incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, including complete military control in Tulkarm. Israeli forces raided homes and arrested 30 Palestinians, including three children. Israeli forces turned six homes into military sites. Israel continues to impose a total siege on the occupied Palestinian terrritories. A number of roads and border crossings in the Gaza Strip remain closed. Israeli forces arrested a number of Palestinians at various checkpoints in the West Bank. In some areas, Israeli forces imposed curfews. Read more about Weekly report on human rights violations 

Israeli settlers, masquerading as NGO workers trick Palestinian civilians into signing over land - when the scam was uncovered the settlers ran over 11 Palestinian civilians with their vehicle during an escape attempt. In an attempt to purchase land from Palestinian civilians under a fraudulent pretext Israeli settlers yesterday, the 5th of July 2005, critically injured 2 Palestinian civilians and injured 9 others when they ran over them with their jeeps. Israeli settlers, backed by Israeli occupation forces, continue to appropriate land from Palestinian civilians. Read more about Settler Land Scam Results in injury of 11 Palestinian civilians 

In a dry-run for the disengagement plan Israeli forces moved into the al Mawasi area of the Gaza Strip and demolished 11 Palestinian buildings. Israeli settlers destroyed near-by farm-land and closed down a local health clinic. They established a new settlement called Tam Yam. Early in the morning of Sunday June 26, a number of Israeli settlers moved into two buildings, which belonged to Khan Yunis municipality, close to a small pier for Palestinian fishermen in the Khan Yunis part of al Mawasi. In the recent past settlers have been locating themselves in these buildings at certain times before again evacuating the buildings. Read more about Disengagement begins with destruction of Palestinian buildings 

The Palestinian Authority has carried out four death sentences this morning in Gaza City. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights is gravely concerned about this development, the first executions since 2002, and reiterates that the death penalty constitutes a violation of the right to life. It is a cruel and inhumane punishment that does not serve to deter crimes. The rights group calls upon President Abbas again not to convert death sentences and the Palestinian Legislative Council to repeal legislation related to the death penalty. The PA carried out the death sentences handed down against four prisoners convicted of murder and other crimes between 1995 and 2000. Read more about Palestinian rights group critical of Abbas' support for death penalty