HHo0s

Interviewees by age and genderMen43% 41%WomenMinors16%Of the 68 patients interviewed, 29 were minors (under the age of 18) and 11 were adultwomen. Twenty-one (21) of the interviewees described incidents that had occurredin northern Gaza; 16 in Gaza City; 10 in central Gaza (‘Middle Area’); 11 in Khan Younisgovernorate; and 10 in Rafah governorate. Nine (9) of the incidents involved residentsof refugee camps. 21With the exception of one person interviewed at Erez Crossing, and two of theinjured paramedics who were specifically sought out due to their injuries in thecourse of medical evacuation work, the patients were approached solely on thebasis of hospitalisation because of injuries sustained during the attacks. 22 Theywere interviewed by members of the FFM teams and by PHR-Israel staff on datesbetween 29 July and 11 Sep 2014. Four (4) patients were interviewed twice, by twodifferent team members on two different dates. Patient interviews included visualexamination of wounds and assessment of medical care up to the date of interview.Medical documentation, including file notes, laboratory results, X-rays and otherfindings, was examined where available. The FFM teams also interviewed medicalstaff at the above hospitals in order to garner a general impression of cases admitted.While formal institutional review board (human research ethics committee) clearancewas not sought, consent was obtained from all adults and guardians – and assentfrom children – following full disclosure of the intent and purpose of collectinginformation by members of the FFM teams. Only after clear permission was givenwere the interviews conducted and photographs taken of the patients and theirinjuries. In circumstances where patients were unable to speak because of the nature21One person, the husband of one of the patients interviewed, who was her companion in the hospital, was interviewedbecause he had been injured in the same attack his wife described.22Meetings were held with the following persons: 20 Aug 2014 and 11 Sep 2014, Shifa Hospital, Gaza City: Hamdy El Kahlawi,Forensic Pathologist; 20 August 2014: Ihab Kaheel, Director General of Ministry of Justice, in charge of access to forensicevidence; 20 Aug 2014, 9 and 14 Sep 2014: Nasser Abu Sha’aban, Shifa Hospital, Gaza City; 11 Sep 2014: Himayah Center forHuman Rights.22