28 dec 2008
During an emergency meeting in New York the United Nations Security Council called for an immediate end to all military actions in the Gaza Strip.
The meeting began Saturday at Libya's request, and the 15 member council was convened to address the Israeli violence in Gaza. While the group called for an "end to violence" they did not condemn the Israeli actions.
They did, however, insist that the humanitarian situation in Gaza be addressed quickly.
In earlier statements US representatives called for Hams to stop launching projectiles at Israeli targets, totally ignoring the incessant Israeli airstrikes on the coastal region that have now killed close to 300 people. These comments were reiterated by US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad on Sunday.
In his comments after the meeting Khalilzad noted that rocket attacks from Gaza had "precipitated the current violence."
A similar stance is being taken by the UK's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who also noted that projectiles were the root of the attacks. The British foreign ministry did, however, warn Israel to mitigate civilian casualties as much as possible.
France called on both sides to cease the hostilities. President Nicolas Sarkozy condemned the provocations that led to the situation, and the "excessive use of force," used by Israel.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon took an on-the-fence stance and was described as "deeply alarmed" by Saturday's "heavy violence and bloodshed" in Gaza, according to a statement from his spokesperson Saturday. Ki-Moon appealed to all sides to stop the violence and noted that he recognized Israel's "security concerns."
Expressing condemnation over the violence was Commissioner General of UNRWA Karen AbuZayd expressed her "horror" at the extensive destruction in the Gaza Strip Saturday, and communicated her "deep sadness at the terrible loss in human life," in a press statement.
Other nations such as Russia, Jordan, Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Lebanon, and The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have also condemned the attacks, and are calling for their immediate cessation.
The meeting began Saturday at Libya's request, and the 15 member council was convened to address the Israeli violence in Gaza. While the group called for an "end to violence" they did not condemn the Israeli actions.
They did, however, insist that the humanitarian situation in Gaza be addressed quickly.
In earlier statements US representatives called for Hams to stop launching projectiles at Israeli targets, totally ignoring the incessant Israeli airstrikes on the coastal region that have now killed close to 300 people. These comments were reiterated by US Ambassador to the UN Zalmay Khalilzad on Sunday.
In his comments after the meeting Khalilzad noted that rocket attacks from Gaza had "precipitated the current violence."
A similar stance is being taken by the UK's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who also noted that projectiles were the root of the attacks. The British foreign ministry did, however, warn Israel to mitigate civilian casualties as much as possible.
France called on both sides to cease the hostilities. President Nicolas Sarkozy condemned the provocations that led to the situation, and the "excessive use of force," used by Israel.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon took an on-the-fence stance and was described as "deeply alarmed" by Saturday's "heavy violence and bloodshed" in Gaza, according to a statement from his spokesperson Saturday. Ki-Moon appealed to all sides to stop the violence and noted that he recognized Israel's "security concerns."
Expressing condemnation over the violence was Commissioner General of UNRWA Karen AbuZayd expressed her "horror" at the extensive destruction in the Gaza Strip Saturday, and communicated her "deep sadness at the terrible loss in human life," in a press statement.
Other nations such as Russia, Jordan, Iran, Turkey, Kuwait, Lebanon, and The United Arab Emirates (UAE) have also condemned the attacks, and are calling for their immediate cessation.
A Palestinian armed group fired two Katyusha rockets toward the northern Negev city of Ashdod in Israel on Sunday, the furthest distance reached yet for a projectile launched from Gaza.
The two rockets exploded near Ashdod, which is more than 30 kilometers from Gaza, without causing injuries or damage, according to Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz.
Fighters stepped up rhetoric and retaliatory operations Saturday and Sunday, launching at least 14 projectiles at Israeli targets following a day of airstrikes that killed more than 200 Gazans.
Israeli media reported that eight were injured when a projectile landed near the city of Ashkelon.
Fatah's military wing announced that it will resume bombing operations inside Israeli cities and has threatened to hit and destroy the Israeli military and security entities. They also called a state of alert in order to retaliate for Israeli attacks in Gaza.
"The Israelis can choose either to depart or to die on this holy land," a Sunday statement by the Al-Aqsa Brigades said.
Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades said their fighters launched two homemade projectiles at Ashkelon.
The An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) fired projectiles at the Zekeim military post and three others at Sderot.
The military wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed to have launched two homemade projectiles at the Israeli town of Nir Oz. Later in the afternoon they fired two Grad missiles towards Ashdod and a homemade projectile at Ami Ayalon.
The military wing affiliated to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), the National Resistance Brigades, fired two homemade projectiles at Israel's Sufa military post near the southern Gaza Strip.
The group said in a statement that the shelling came as part of the ongoing retaliation for the Israeli "massacre" in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli sources said 60 Gazan projectiles landed in Israeli towns since the country began its military operation.
On Saturday, one Israeli was killed and five injured.
According to Israeli army radio, Israeli towns bordering the Gaza Strip are "living in a state of worry" and radio reports tell citizens to expect as many as 200 projectiles to be sent over the Gaza wall during the ongoing Israeli attacks.
The two rockets exploded near Ashdod, which is more than 30 kilometers from Gaza, without causing injuries or damage, according to Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz.
Fighters stepped up rhetoric and retaliatory operations Saturday and Sunday, launching at least 14 projectiles at Israeli targets following a day of airstrikes that killed more than 200 Gazans.
Israeli media reported that eight were injured when a projectile landed near the city of Ashkelon.
Fatah's military wing announced that it will resume bombing operations inside Israeli cities and has threatened to hit and destroy the Israeli military and security entities. They also called a state of alert in order to retaliate for Israeli attacks in Gaza.
"The Israelis can choose either to depart or to die on this holy land," a Sunday statement by the Al-Aqsa Brigades said.
Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades said their fighters launched two homemade projectiles at Ashkelon.
The An-Nasser Salah Addin Brigades, the military wing affiliated to the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) fired projectiles at the Zekeim military post and three others at Sderot.
The military wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades, claimed to have launched two homemade projectiles at the Israeli town of Nir Oz. Later in the afternoon they fired two Grad missiles towards Ashdod and a homemade projectile at Ami Ayalon.
The military wing affiliated to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), the National Resistance Brigades, fired two homemade projectiles at Israel's Sufa military post near the southern Gaza Strip.
The group said in a statement that the shelling came as part of the ongoing retaliation for the Israeli "massacre" in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli sources said 60 Gazan projectiles landed in Israeli towns since the country began its military operation.
On Saturday, one Israeli was killed and five injured.
According to Israeli army radio, Israeli towns bordering the Gaza Strip are "living in a state of worry" and radio reports tell citizens to expect as many as 200 projectiles to be sent over the Gaza wall during the ongoing Israeli attacks.
PA health minister urges Hamas to allow wounded into Egypt; flies to Cairo to speak with counterpart
Palestinian Minister of Health for the caretaker government Fathi Abu Moghli left for Cairo Sunday where he will meet with his Egyptian counterpart Hatem Al-Jabali to coordinate the transfer of hundreds of injured Gazans into Egypt for treatment.
Egypt offered to accept Gaza wounded Saturday but medical sources said patients were not stable enough to make the trip and encouraged Egypt to send medical supplies. On Sunday Hamas officials announced that the de facto government would not open the Rafah crossing for wounded Gazans unless the crossing was completely opened.
Abu Moghli is making efforts to ensure that the crossing is opened, though there seems to be little he can do. He condemned reports of Hamas fighters firing on vehicles carrying wounded Gazans to the Rafah crossing, in an attempt to bar their passage.
He called Hamas to show responsibility in this critical time when so many Gazans are injured and face poorly equipped hospitals and scant medical attention.
Abu Moghli expressed gratitude to the Egyptian officials who opened Rafah crossing, sent medics to the borders and prepared nearby hospitals to receive the injured.
Egypt offered to accept Gaza wounded Saturday but medical sources said patients were not stable enough to make the trip and encouraged Egypt to send medical supplies. On Sunday Hamas officials announced that the de facto government would not open the Rafah crossing for wounded Gazans unless the crossing was completely opened.
Abu Moghli is making efforts to ensure that the crossing is opened, though there seems to be little he can do. He condemned reports of Hamas fighters firing on vehicles carrying wounded Gazans to the Rafah crossing, in an attempt to bar their passage.
He called Hamas to show responsibility in this critical time when so many Gazans are injured and face poorly equipped hospitals and scant medical attention.
Abu Moghli expressed gratitude to the Egyptian officials who opened Rafah crossing, sent medics to the borders and prepared nearby hospitals to receive the injured.
India accused Israel of targeting Palestinian civilians in its air assault that began on Saturday and has left nearly 300 Palestinians dead, according to a statement.
India urged "an immediate end to the use of force against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip," noting that Israel's policy of targeting non-militants "has resulted in large numbers of casualties."
India's official spokesperson said that the south-Asian country "has been closely monitoring developments that have been unfolding in the Gaza Strip."
"While India is aware of the immediate cross-border provocations resulting from rocket attacks particularly against targets in southern Israel, it urges an immediate end to the use of force against Palestinian civilians," the statement said.
"India hopes that on-going efforts within the region to restore peace [will] be supported," the spokesperson noted in the statement received from New Delhi on Saturday.
India urged "an immediate end to the use of force against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip," noting that Israel's policy of targeting non-militants "has resulted in large numbers of casualties."
India's official spokesperson said that the south-Asian country "has been closely monitoring developments that have been unfolding in the Gaza Strip."
"While India is aware of the immediate cross-border provocations resulting from rocket attacks particularly against targets in southern Israel, it urges an immediate end to the use of force against Palestinian civilians," the statement said.
"India hopes that on-going efforts within the region to restore peace [will] be supported," the spokesperson noted in the statement received from New Delhi on Saturday.
Two military factions launched projectiles, two at Israeli military post and three at Sderot.
The National Resistance Brigades (NRB), a military wing affiliated to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), fired two projectiles at the Israeli military post Sufa.
The group said in a statement that the shelling came as a reaction to the second day of "Israeli atrocities" in the Gaza Strip.
Another military group calling itself the Hizbullah Brigades claimed to have launched three projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot.
The National Resistance Brigades (NRB), a military wing affiliated to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), fired two projectiles at the Israeli military post Sufa.
The group said in a statement that the shelling came as a reaction to the second day of "Israeli atrocities" in the Gaza Strip.
Another military group calling itself the Hizbullah Brigades claimed to have launched three projectiles at the Israeli town of Sderot.
Israel's air force shelled a tunnel area in Rafah on Sunday, killing two Palestinians and injuring 22.
The new airstrikes targeted Palestinian security buildings and tunnels that provided Gaza with fuel, which led to fires along the border.
Hundreds of residents and those working in the tunnel industry poured to the border with Egypt, where Egyptian border police tried to stop them.
The new airstrikes targeted Palestinian security buildings and tunnels that provided Gaza with fuel, which led to fires along the border.
Hundreds of residents and those working in the tunnel industry poured to the border with Egypt, where Egyptian border police tried to stop them.
Hundreds of Palestinians attempted to scale walls marking the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip on Sunday as Egyptian police used force to prevent the departure from the war-torn coastal strip.
Shortly beforehand, Israel's air force shelled a tunnel area in Rafah, killing two Palestinians and injuring 22, leading to a massive attempted exodus from the area.
During the original strike, Israel's air force destroyed 40 tunnels after airstrikes targeted Palestinian security buildings and tunnels that provided Gaza with fuel, which led to fires along the border.
Hundreds of residents and those working in the tunnel industry poured to the border with Egypt, where Egyptian border police attempted to stop them.
Shortly beforehand, Israel's air force shelled a tunnel area in Rafah, killing two Palestinians and injuring 22, leading to a massive attempted exodus from the area.
During the original strike, Israel's air force destroyed 40 tunnels after airstrikes targeted Palestinian security buildings and tunnels that provided Gaza with fuel, which led to fires along the border.
Hundreds of residents and those working in the tunnel industry poured to the border with Egypt, where Egyptian border police attempted to stop them.
Aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on the Gaza Strip, Sunday
Shells hit Gaza tunnels Sunday evening, killing two and injuring 22.
The blasts also prompted hundreds to race for new gaps in Egypt's border wall. Refugees were met with Egyptian security forces, who used force to repel the crowds.
Airstrikes damaged the border wall between Egypt and Gaza and at least 40 smuggling tunnels, which bring food and fuel into the coastal area. Much of the fuel caught fire during the attacks and large fires broke out along the border.
The chaos provided cover for hundreds of tunnel workers and Rafah residents to attempt an escape from the bombarded strip. But early reports indicated that no Palestinians actually made it over the border wall.
The strikes marked the 36-hour point in Israel's "Operation Cast Lead," which has seen nearly 300 killed and over 1,000 injured.
The tunnels, about a quarter of which are now destroyed, are the only means by which Gazans have to obtain food, fuel and other necessities. Israel has closed the strip's crossings for all but a week and a half since its 4 November invasion of the area that effectively marked the end of a truce that began 19 June.
Hospitals ran out of medical supplies shortly after the violence escalated and Israeli airstrikes demolished a medical supply warehouse and fuel supply container on Sunday, leaving no reserves for injured Gazans.
Shells hit Gaza tunnels Sunday evening, killing two and injuring 22.
The blasts also prompted hundreds to race for new gaps in Egypt's border wall. Refugees were met with Egyptian security forces, who used force to repel the crowds.
Airstrikes damaged the border wall between Egypt and Gaza and at least 40 smuggling tunnels, which bring food and fuel into the coastal area. Much of the fuel caught fire during the attacks and large fires broke out along the border.
The chaos provided cover for hundreds of tunnel workers and Rafah residents to attempt an escape from the bombarded strip. But early reports indicated that no Palestinians actually made it over the border wall.
The strikes marked the 36-hour point in Israel's "Operation Cast Lead," which has seen nearly 300 killed and over 1,000 injured.
The tunnels, about a quarter of which are now destroyed, are the only means by which Gazans have to obtain food, fuel and other necessities. Israel has closed the strip's crossings for all but a week and a half since its 4 November invasion of the area that effectively marked the end of a truce that began 19 June.
Hospitals ran out of medical supplies shortly after the violence escalated and Israeli airstrikes demolished a medical supply warehouse and fuel supply container on Sunday, leaving no reserves for injured Gazans.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)'s armed wing claimed responsibility for firing five homemade projectiles on the nearby Western Negev and southern Israeli town of Ashkelon on Sunday.
Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said in a statement that the shelling, which was apparently carried out in partnership with the Al-Aqsa Brigades, was aimed at an Israeli military post in eastern Rafah.
The Brigades affirmed that the projectiles were fired "within the continued response to Israeli crimes in Gaza."
Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades said in a statement that the shelling, which was apparently carried out in partnership with the Al-Aqsa Brigades, was aimed at an Israeli military post in eastern Rafah.
The Brigades affirmed that the projectiles were fired "within the continued response to Israeli crimes in Gaza."
The armed wing of Fatah claimed responsibility for firing two homemade projectiles on Sderot and Ashkelon on Sunday, according to a statement.
"This shelling came in retaliation to the ongoing holocaust in Gaza, which claimed the life of hundreds," the statement said.
"This shelling came in retaliation to the ongoing holocaust in Gaza, which claimed the life of hundreds," the statement said.
Israel's air force shelled a house in the Az-Zeitoun area of the Gaza Strip, killing two Palestinians late on Sunday.
The latest attack brought the death toll of Israel's ongoing campaign in the Gaza Strip to 292.
The shelling apparently targeted a Palestinian security post and a residential building in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood in the south of Gaza City.
A car was also targeted at An-Nuseirat Refugee Camp early on Sunday evening.
The latest attack brought the death toll of Israel's ongoing campaign in the Gaza Strip to 292.
The shelling apparently targeted a Palestinian security post and a residential building in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood in the south of Gaza City.
A car was also targeted at An-Nuseirat Refugee Camp early on Sunday evening.
Jeffrey Halper
Let's be crystal clear. Israel's massive attacks on Gaza today have one overarching goal: conflict management. How to end rocket attacks on Israel from a besieged and starving Gaza without ending the impetus for those attacks.
How to end rocket attacks on Israel with 41 years of increasingly oppressive Israeli occupation without a hint that a sovereign and viable Palestinian state will ever emerge.
Indeed, the occupation, in which Israel controls Gaza under a violent siege that violates fundamental human rights and international law, is not even mentioned in Israel's PR campaign.
Speaking to the international community, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni insists that no country would tolerate its citizens being attacked, a seemingly reasonable statement were it not for Israeli sanctions on Gaza, supported by the US and Europe--sanctions that preceded the rocket fire on Israel--or the fact of the Israeli occupation, in general.
Solely focusing on the rocket attacks conceals the political policy that led to them: "The Hamas government in Gaza must be toppled," Livni has said repeatedly. "The means to do this must be military, economic and diplomatic."
The responsibility for the suffering both in Israel and Gaza rests squarely with successive Israeli governments; Labor, Likud and Kadima alike. Had there been a genuine political process (Remember, the closure of Gaza began in 1989.), Israelis and Palestinians could have been living together in peace and prosperity for 20 years.
After all, already in 1988 the PLO accepted the two-state solution, in which a Palestinian state would arise on only 22 percent of historic Palestine, alongside the state of Israel on the other 78 percent. A truly generous offer.
In Israel, however, the effort is to hide its preference for control over peace. Framing its attacks as a response to rockets from Gaza, exploiting an immediate trigger to effectively conceal deeper political intentions and policies, does that. It also conceals Israeli violations of the ceasefire.
The fact that the rocket attacks could have been avoided altogether through a genuine political process means that the people of southern Israel are being held hostage by their government, as well. Their suffering, and the suffering of the people of Gaza and the rest of the occupied territories, must be placed squarely at the feet of the Israeli government.
Israel cannot expect security for its people and political normalcy as long as it occupies Palestinian lands and continues its attempt to impose its permanent rule over the Palestinians by military force.
We call on the Israeli government to end its aggression immediately and enter into genuine political negotiations with a united Palestinian leadership. We call on the international community to end its sanctions on Gaza immediately in accordance with international law, initiate an effective political process to end the Israeli occupation and bring about a just peace, which reflects the will of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.
***Jeff Halper is the director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICADH), which is based in Jerusalem and has chapters in the United Kingdom and United States.
Let's be crystal clear. Israel's massive attacks on Gaza today have one overarching goal: conflict management. How to end rocket attacks on Israel from a besieged and starving Gaza without ending the impetus for those attacks.
How to end rocket attacks on Israel with 41 years of increasingly oppressive Israeli occupation without a hint that a sovereign and viable Palestinian state will ever emerge.
Indeed, the occupation, in which Israel controls Gaza under a violent siege that violates fundamental human rights and international law, is not even mentioned in Israel's PR campaign.
Speaking to the international community, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni insists that no country would tolerate its citizens being attacked, a seemingly reasonable statement were it not for Israeli sanctions on Gaza, supported by the US and Europe--sanctions that preceded the rocket fire on Israel--or the fact of the Israeli occupation, in general.
Solely focusing on the rocket attacks conceals the political policy that led to them: "The Hamas government in Gaza must be toppled," Livni has said repeatedly. "The means to do this must be military, economic and diplomatic."
The responsibility for the suffering both in Israel and Gaza rests squarely with successive Israeli governments; Labor, Likud and Kadima alike. Had there been a genuine political process (Remember, the closure of Gaza began in 1989.), Israelis and Palestinians could have been living together in peace and prosperity for 20 years.
After all, already in 1988 the PLO accepted the two-state solution, in which a Palestinian state would arise on only 22 percent of historic Palestine, alongside the state of Israel on the other 78 percent. A truly generous offer.
In Israel, however, the effort is to hide its preference for control over peace. Framing its attacks as a response to rockets from Gaza, exploiting an immediate trigger to effectively conceal deeper political intentions and policies, does that. It also conceals Israeli violations of the ceasefire.
The fact that the rocket attacks could have been avoided altogether through a genuine political process means that the people of southern Israel are being held hostage by their government, as well. Their suffering, and the suffering of the people of Gaza and the rest of the occupied territories, must be placed squarely at the feet of the Israeli government.
Israel cannot expect security for its people and political normalcy as long as it occupies Palestinian lands and continues its attempt to impose its permanent rule over the Palestinians by military force.
We call on the Israeli government to end its aggression immediately and enter into genuine political negotiations with a united Palestinian leadership. We call on the international community to end its sanctions on Gaza immediately in accordance with international law, initiate an effective political process to end the Israeli occupation and bring about a just peace, which reflects the will of the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.
***Jeff Halper is the director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions (ICADH), which is based in Jerusalem and has chapters in the United Kingdom and United States.
The Free Gaza Movement is sending its Dignity vessel "on an emergency mission of mercy" to Gaza, according to a statement sent to Ma'an on Sunday.
The ship will depart Cyprus on Monday with three to four tons of urgently needed medical supplies, the group said.
On board will be four physicians, including Dr Elena Theoharous, a surgeon and member of parliament in Cyprus. Also going are the Hon. Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate, and Sami al-Hajj, an Al-Jazeera reporter and former detainee at Guantanamo Bay.
Dr Khaled from the Shifa Hospital ICU in Gaza City told the group on Saturday that the majority of cases are critical shrapnel wounds from Israeli gunboats and helicopters, with an estimated 80 percent who will not survive without urgently needed medications.
The Free Gaza Movement said that hospitals have requested bandages, splints and rubber gloves, "items that any medical community should have access to, but, because of Israel's policies of collective punishment, these supplies are not available."
Eliza Ernshire, one of the Free Gaza organizers, said, "We have calls for surgeons willing to go into Gaza and work there throughout this crisis. The doctors inside are exhausted and unable to cope with the number of wounded."
"We will do our best to send in the Dignity as often as we can over the next few weeks, bringing in physicians and medical supplies," the statement added.
The Free Gaza Movement, a human rights group, sent two boats to Gaza in August 2008. These were the first international boats to land in the port in 41 years.
Since August, four more voyages were successful, taking parliamentarians, human rights workers, physicians and other dignitaries to witness the effects of Israel's "draconian policies on the civilians of Gaza," the group said.
The ship will depart Cyprus on Monday with three to four tons of urgently needed medical supplies, the group said.
On board will be four physicians, including Dr Elena Theoharous, a surgeon and member of parliament in Cyprus. Also going are the Hon. Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate, and Sami al-Hajj, an Al-Jazeera reporter and former detainee at Guantanamo Bay.
Dr Khaled from the Shifa Hospital ICU in Gaza City told the group on Saturday that the majority of cases are critical shrapnel wounds from Israeli gunboats and helicopters, with an estimated 80 percent who will not survive without urgently needed medications.
The Free Gaza Movement said that hospitals have requested bandages, splints and rubber gloves, "items that any medical community should have access to, but, because of Israel's policies of collective punishment, these supplies are not available."
Eliza Ernshire, one of the Free Gaza organizers, said, "We have calls for surgeons willing to go into Gaza and work there throughout this crisis. The doctors inside are exhausted and unable to cope with the number of wounded."
"We will do our best to send in the Dignity as often as we can over the next few weeks, bringing in physicians and medical supplies," the statement added.
The Free Gaza Movement, a human rights group, sent two boats to Gaza in August 2008. These were the first international boats to land in the port in 41 years.
Since August, four more voyages were successful, taking parliamentarians, human rights workers, physicians and other dignitaries to witness the effects of Israel's "draconian policies on the civilians of Gaza," the group said.
The Palestinian Committee for Human Rights "condemns in the strongest terms the war waged" by Israeli forces, according to a statement sent to Ma'an on Saturday.
The group condemned Israel's "wide-scale aerial offensive, which has so far targeted dozens of police headquarters and stations, public and governmental buildings and security sites throughout the Gaza Strip."
The group called on the international community and the United Nations, specifically, to "put an end to the current unprecedented deterioration in the human rights situation and humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip."
The air strikes started at 11:25 local time, in unison throughout the Gaza Strip.
"This timing indicates that an Israeli decision was taken to cause maximum casualties in the climax of daily activities. It also explains the high number of victims killed or wounded in a few minutes on the bloodiest day during the 41 years of Israeli occupation," the group claimed.
The timing of air strikes coincided with the end of the morning period and the beginning of the afternoon period at schools, many of which are located near police stations that were attacked. PCHR learned that a number of children were killed or wounded while on their way to or back from schools, and hundreds of school children and civilians were treated for shock.
"PCHR strongly condemns such series of war crimes being committed by [the Israeli military] in the Gaza Strip," the statement said.
The Palestinian human rights organization also:
1) Reiterates its call for the international community, especially the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, and international organizations to immediately intervene to stop such unprecedented deterioration in the human rights situation and humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.
2) Reminds that police stations, police officers and law enforcement officials are classified under international law as civilians, and targeting them as such while they are not engaged in military action constitutes a violation of international law.
3) Points out that the majority of buildings and sites that were attacked are located in civilian-populated areas, so scores of houses were heavily damaged. Such attacks are an indication of Israeli disregard for the lives and safety of Palestinian civilians, which can be seen in the high number of civilian victims.
4) Calls upon states and international organizations to provide urgent humanitarian and medical assistance to the Gaza Strip, which has been under a tightened siege impacting all aspects of life, especially health conditions, as hospitals in the Gaza Strip are unable to treat such high numbers of casualties.
The group condemned Israel's "wide-scale aerial offensive, which has so far targeted dozens of police headquarters and stations, public and governmental buildings and security sites throughout the Gaza Strip."
The group called on the international community and the United Nations, specifically, to "put an end to the current unprecedented deterioration in the human rights situation and humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip."
The air strikes started at 11:25 local time, in unison throughout the Gaza Strip.
"This timing indicates that an Israeli decision was taken to cause maximum casualties in the climax of daily activities. It also explains the high number of victims killed or wounded in a few minutes on the bloodiest day during the 41 years of Israeli occupation," the group claimed.
The timing of air strikes coincided with the end of the morning period and the beginning of the afternoon period at schools, many of which are located near police stations that were attacked. PCHR learned that a number of children were killed or wounded while on their way to or back from schools, and hundreds of school children and civilians were treated for shock.
"PCHR strongly condemns such series of war crimes being committed by [the Israeli military] in the Gaza Strip," the statement said.
The Palestinian human rights organization also:
1) Reiterates its call for the international community, especially the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, and international organizations to immediately intervene to stop such unprecedented deterioration in the human rights situation and humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip.
2) Reminds that police stations, police officers and law enforcement officials are classified under international law as civilians, and targeting them as such while they are not engaged in military action constitutes a violation of international law.
3) Points out that the majority of buildings and sites that were attacked are located in civilian-populated areas, so scores of houses were heavily damaged. Such attacks are an indication of Israeli disregard for the lives and safety of Palestinian civilians, which can be seen in the high number of civilian victims.
4) Calls upon states and international organizations to provide urgent humanitarian and medical assistance to the Gaza Strip, which has been under a tightened siege impacting all aspects of life, especially health conditions, as hospitals in the Gaza Strip are unable to treat such high numbers of casualties.
More than 1,500 people protested outside Israel's London embassy on Sunday in response to Israeli airstrikes that left nearly 300 dead in the Gaza Strip on Saturday.
London police called reinforcements after protesters tore down barriers and hurled objects toward the embassy.
At least three people were arrested during the demonstration, while many others were forcibly removed.
The demonstration reportedly stopped traffic in the British capital city.
"Israel is a terrorist state," some demonstrators changed while others waved Palestinian flags. Others held up posters reading "Holocaust in Gaza."
London police called reinforcements after protesters tore down barriers and hurled objects toward the embassy.
At least three people were arrested during the demonstration, while many others were forcibly removed.
The demonstration reportedly stopped traffic in the British capital city.
"Israel is a terrorist state," some demonstrators changed while others waved Palestinian flags. Others held up posters reading "Holocaust in Gaza."
Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Sunday described Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip as "a disaster to all Palestinians and Arabs," asserting that such behavior cannot be explained any other way.
But he also slammed criticism against Arab countries through media outlets: "The Arab dimension of the Palestinian question is the most important dimension, and thus it must be preserved and never be undermined," Fayyad insisted.
He added, "I am quite sure the question of Palestine will remain a top priority for Arab countries, however, I feel the Palestinians must exert every possible effort to preserve and develop that. We have to discriminate between condemnation of Israeli aggression and recruitment of international solidarity and between irresponsible calls which harm our cause."
"Thus, I call on all Palestinian political leaders to behave more responsibly and more wisely," he said.
Fayyad also stated his concern about incitement against Arab countries and against the Palestinian Authority.
He said, "I wonder about the attempts to call attention to anything other than what is going on in the Gaza Strip. Whose interest does this incitement and suggesting doubts about Arab leaders who have always supported the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights serve?"
"Thousands of 'martyrs' from Arab countries were killed defending Palestinian rights," he added.
Fayyad also applauded Egypt for hosting injured Palestinians and offering them medical care in Egyptian hospitals. He thanked Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz for his announcement that Saudi Arabia will receive any injured Gazan in the kingdom's hospitals.
But he also slammed criticism against Arab countries through media outlets: "The Arab dimension of the Palestinian question is the most important dimension, and thus it must be preserved and never be undermined," Fayyad insisted.
He added, "I am quite sure the question of Palestine will remain a top priority for Arab countries, however, I feel the Palestinians must exert every possible effort to preserve and develop that. We have to discriminate between condemnation of Israeli aggression and recruitment of international solidarity and between irresponsible calls which harm our cause."
"Thus, I call on all Palestinian political leaders to behave more responsibly and more wisely," he said.
Fayyad also stated his concern about incitement against Arab countries and against the Palestinian Authority.
He said, "I wonder about the attempts to call attention to anything other than what is going on in the Gaza Strip. Whose interest does this incitement and suggesting doubts about Arab leaders who have always supported the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights serve?"
"Thousands of 'martyrs' from Arab countries were killed defending Palestinian rights," he added.
Fayyad also applauded Egypt for hosting injured Palestinians and offering them medical care in Egyptian hospitals. He thanked Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz for his announcement that Saudi Arabia will receive any injured Gazan in the kingdom's hospitals.
Jordanian politicians burned an Israeli flag inside the kingdom's parliament building on Sunday, according to news accounts.
The action was apparently in response to Israel's ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip, which has left nearly 300 dead and almost 1,000 injured.
The action was apparently in response to Israel's ongoing assault on the Gaza Strip, which has left nearly 300 dead and almost 1,000 injured.
Turkish leaders strongly condemned Israeli missile attacks on the Gaza Strip on Saturday, saying that the "irresponsible move" could cause instability throughout the entire region.
According to Turkey's semi-official Anatolia news agency, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said he is "deeply saddened by Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip."
"I condemn the attack," he added. "It is not only between Israel and Palestine. The incident can cause instability in the region."
On Saturday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon over Israel's attacks on Gaza, urging the world leader to step up humanitarian aid and immediately halt "Israeli aggression."
According to Turkey's semi-official Anatolia news agency, Turkish President Abdullah Gul said he is "deeply saddened by Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip."
"I condemn the attack," he added. "It is not only between Israel and Palestine. The incident can cause instability in the region."
On Saturday, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon over Israel's attacks on Gaza, urging the world leader to step up humanitarian aid and immediately halt "Israeli aggression."
Arab League Secretary General Amr Mousa affirmed that the UN Security Council Resolution on Gaza is insufficient, according to a statement.
He said in statements to reporters that after holding a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the two discussed "working on the Arab and international level."
Later, a meeting is planned for the Arab Ministers of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Jordanian parliamentarians burned an Israeli flag inside the kingdom's parliament building in response to the Gaza attacks. One of the politicians held a banner reading "dismiss the Israeli ambassador to Jordan."
He said in statements to reporters that after holding a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the two discussed "working on the Arab and international level."
Later, a meeting is planned for the Arab Ministers of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Jordanian parliamentarians burned an Israeli flag inside the kingdom's parliament building in response to the Gaza attacks. One of the politicians held a banner reading "dismiss the Israeli ambassador to Jordan."