Thread by @rich_weir

🚨New @hrw report: Israeli airstrikes on 4 high-rises in Gaza in May 2021 were apparent violations of the laws of war & may amount to war crimes.

The attacks caused serious harm for those who lived, worked, or benefitted from businesses there.

🧵👇

hrw.org/news/2021/08/2…

.@hrw documented attacks on four high-rises:
Hanadi, al-Jawhara, al-Shorouk, and al-Jalaa.

We found no evidence of mil targets.

Israel claims w/o evidence that they attacked the buildings b/c they were used by militants.

Israel should publicly produce that evidence.

On May 11, Israel attacked & destroyed Hanadi tower.

The attack destroyed the bldg, businesses inside & severely damaged an apt bldg & hotel nearby. It also damaged critical electrical delivery lines for Gaza City & the immediate are, Gaza’s electricity Co. said.

On May 12 al-Jawhara tower was attacked and substantially damage. A co-owner told us they planned to demolish the building.

It was full of businesses, restaurants, homes, an IT company that provided internet across Gaza & media offices. Surrounding bldgs also suffered damage.

Later on May 15, Israel attacked al-Shorouk tower. It had 50 offices & a coffee shop – “doctors, lawyers, journalists’ offices” – and empty residential apartments.

Part of the tower fell onto another building, destroying homes & more businesses.

On May 15, the Israeli military attacked al-Jalaa tower, which housed multiple news outlets incl, @AJENews and @AP.

According to an owner of the bldg, 130 people were living in there when they were told to evacuate.

It also housed 10s of businesses.

Jawad Mahdi, an owner of al-Jalaa tower told @hrw: “All these years of hard work, it was a place of living, safety, children and grandchildren, all our history and life, destroyed in front of your eyes ... It’s like someone ripping your heart out and throwing it.”

.@guardian & @airwars obtained a recording of a call made to residents of al-Jalaa by an individual who said he was from the Israeli military, in which they threatened a reprisal attack.

theguardian.com/global-develop…

.@hrw wrote to the Israeli military asking if they made such a call and if it reflected Israeli military policy.

As of today, we have not received a response.

The destruction of numerous business that employed Palestinians in Gaza has serious effects for a population where unemployment is already above 40%. gisha.org/en/gazas-workf…

One business owner who had 30 employees affected by the destruction of their offices told @hrw his employees “have families of their own, who were just entering into marriage, who support their elderly parents, who have sick members of the family who need financial support.”

These attacks have many other effects beyond just the damage to buildings, including displacement & reduced standard of living & impaired access to shelter, health care, & basic services such as electricity, all of which affect the enjoyment of basic human rights.

All of this is exacerbated by the crushing closure of Gaza and restrictions on the entry of vital materials, such as concrete.

While there has been some recent relaxation in allowing construction materials into Gaza, it's not enough.

The crushing closure of the Gaza Strip needs to end, along with the impunity that fuels ongoing serious abuses.