29 dec 2008
Syria has ended its indirect peace negotiations with Israel in light of the latter's ongoing assaults on the Gaza Strip.
A Syrian official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak with the media, said that "Israel's aggression closes all the doors" to a peace settlement in the Middle East.
Israel and Syria has been negotiating indirectly in Turkey since May. The two sides had met as many as four times, news accounts suggested.
Last Monday, Syrian President Bashar Assad said he believed direct peace talks with Israel were possible.
One week later, over 310 Palestinians are dead, along with hopes for a future agreement between Israel and its northern Arab neighbor.
A Syrian official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak with the media, said that "Israel's aggression closes all the doors" to a peace settlement in the Middle East.
Israel and Syria has been negotiating indirectly in Turkey since May. The two sides had met as many as four times, news accounts suggested.
Last Monday, Syrian President Bashar Assad said he believed direct peace talks with Israel were possible.
One week later, over 310 Palestinians are dead, along with hopes for a future agreement between Israel and its northern Arab neighbor.
Hamas's West Bank spokesperson Farhat As'ad said on Sunday that Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip amounted to war crimes, according to a statement.
"What is happening in Gaza is an organized war crime in which Israel used all forms of weapons against the Palestinians," he said.
"What is happening in Gaza is an organized war crime in which Israel used all forms of weapons against the Palestinians," he said.
Politicians on all sides of the ongoing bloodshed in the Gaza Strip have condemned the assaults, calling for a halt to the violence and protests against the onslaught.
From Israel, Member of Knesset Mohammad Baraka called for all Palestinian national action parties inside Israel to attend a demonstration on Saturday in Nazareth.
Baraka urged the world to speak out and to pressure Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza and to lift the siege, which was ongoing before airstrikes began on Saturday.
From Gaza, Islamic Jihad denounced the Israeli attacks, the movement said in a statement.
"The continued Arab official silence is unjustified in declaring war in this way; threatening the Palestinians from Arab and Islamic countries is a dangerous issue," the group said on Sunday.
The movement confirmed that resistance will not stop but rather escalate as scenes of destruction and killings cannot go unanswered.
"We will continue to retaliate even if we were alone in this battle," the movement said.
It also called for all Arab and Islamic nations to take to the streets in solidarity of the Palestinians and to pressure Israel to lift the siege. It accused Arab countries of remaining silent to what is happening in Gaza.
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Abdallah Abdallah said that "what is required is an immediate halt to these massacres, carried against the innocent in Gaza."
He noted that such acts will not weaken the Palestinians and will not end their demands of freedom, independence and an end to the Israeli occupation.
From Israel, Member of Knesset Mohammad Baraka called for all Palestinian national action parties inside Israel to attend a demonstration on Saturday in Nazareth.
Baraka urged the world to speak out and to pressure Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza and to lift the siege, which was ongoing before airstrikes began on Saturday.
From Gaza, Islamic Jihad denounced the Israeli attacks, the movement said in a statement.
"The continued Arab official silence is unjustified in declaring war in this way; threatening the Palestinians from Arab and Islamic countries is a dangerous issue," the group said on Sunday.
The movement confirmed that resistance will not stop but rather escalate as scenes of destruction and killings cannot go unanswered.
"We will continue to retaliate even if we were alone in this battle," the movement said.
It also called for all Arab and Islamic nations to take to the streets in solidarity of the Palestinians and to pressure Israel to lift the siege. It accused Arab countries of remaining silent to what is happening in Gaza.
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Abdallah Abdallah said that "what is required is an immediate halt to these massacres, carried against the innocent in Gaza."
He noted that such acts will not weaken the Palestinians and will not end their demands of freedom, independence and an end to the Israeli occupation.
Five of the Ba'lousha family girls were massacred on Monday as Israeli warplanes fired missiles in a residential area in Jabaliya, north of Gaza City.
Bombs began falling near the family home shortly before midnight on Sunday. When relatives heard the first airstrikes, Samira Abu Bakr, a mother of eight, began removing her children from the home.
The 32-year-old mother was able to remove three of her children from the house and into the relative safety of a neighboring building. As Samira lay down the youngest and left to help the older children, an Israeli missile was fired from one of the jets flying overhead. The missile hit the Ba'lousha home; the structure was reduced to rubble instantly.
Among the dead were four-year-old Jawaer Ba'lousha, her eight-year-old and two-year-old sisters Dina and Samar, as well as 14-year-old Ikram and 17-year-old Tahrir. Samira was herself injured in the blast and is in critical condition at Gaza City Hospital.
Medical crews continued to pull bodies from the rubble of the home and the nearby Imad Aqil Mosque into Monday morning. Jets hit the mosque just after the Ba'lousha home was destroyed.
Palestinian medical sources said several other homes in the neighborhood were hit, and crews worked all day Monday searching for bodies beneath the rubble.
Five other children died in the Sunday night airstrikes, including three from the Al-Absi family in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City, and a brother and sister from the Kishku family in the city's Zaytoun neighborhood.
As of Monday morning, United Nations agencies had counted at least 25 children and nine women among the more than 325 dead, as well as 130 children and 45 women among the over 1,000 injured. By UNRWA's count, at least 51 of the dead were civilians.
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Mustafa Barghouthi condemned the attacks Monday evening, saying, "Israel has targeted hospitals, mosques and a university. Considering the physical nature of the Gaza Strip and the incredible density of 4,117 persons per square kilometer, it is impossible for the [Israeli Air Force] to hit only the so-called 'security targets.'"
Saturday's dead
Israeli missiles were no less destructive Saturday, claiming the lives of seven students from a vocational training center affiliated with the UN on Al-Muhafadha Street in Gaza City; the students were waiting for a school bus to take them home.
Earlier, three Palestinians from the Ar-Rayyis family were killed in front of their family-owned shop on the same street. A father and his son were later killed in the same area.
No safe place
There are few reinforced buildings in the Gaza Strip, so finding a safe place for children is difficult. In recent weeks Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised residents of southern Israel that he would spend millions on providing bomb shelters to protect civilians from Palestinian projectile attacks.
In the past three days, two Israelis have been killed by projectile fire, although no serious injuries were reported in the six months preceding Saturday's attack.
Gaza is the most densely populated place on the planet, with nearly 1.5 million Palestinians on a 360 square kilometer strip on the Mediterranean coast.
Bombs began falling near the family home shortly before midnight on Sunday. When relatives heard the first airstrikes, Samira Abu Bakr, a mother of eight, began removing her children from the home.
The 32-year-old mother was able to remove three of her children from the house and into the relative safety of a neighboring building. As Samira lay down the youngest and left to help the older children, an Israeli missile was fired from one of the jets flying overhead. The missile hit the Ba'lousha home; the structure was reduced to rubble instantly.
Among the dead were four-year-old Jawaer Ba'lousha, her eight-year-old and two-year-old sisters Dina and Samar, as well as 14-year-old Ikram and 17-year-old Tahrir. Samira was herself injured in the blast and is in critical condition at Gaza City Hospital.
Medical crews continued to pull bodies from the rubble of the home and the nearby Imad Aqil Mosque into Monday morning. Jets hit the mosque just after the Ba'lousha home was destroyed.
Palestinian medical sources said several other homes in the neighborhood were hit, and crews worked all day Monday searching for bodies beneath the rubble.
Five other children died in the Sunday night airstrikes, including three from the Al-Absi family in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City, and a brother and sister from the Kishku family in the city's Zaytoun neighborhood.
As of Monday morning, United Nations agencies had counted at least 25 children and nine women among the more than 325 dead, as well as 130 children and 45 women among the over 1,000 injured. By UNRWA's count, at least 51 of the dead were civilians.
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Mustafa Barghouthi condemned the attacks Monday evening, saying, "Israel has targeted hospitals, mosques and a university. Considering the physical nature of the Gaza Strip and the incredible density of 4,117 persons per square kilometer, it is impossible for the [Israeli Air Force] to hit only the so-called 'security targets.'"
Saturday's dead
Israeli missiles were no less destructive Saturday, claiming the lives of seven students from a vocational training center affiliated with the UN on Al-Muhafadha Street in Gaza City; the students were waiting for a school bus to take them home.
Earlier, three Palestinians from the Ar-Rayyis family were killed in front of their family-owned shop on the same street. A father and his son were later killed in the same area.
No safe place
There are few reinforced buildings in the Gaza Strip, so finding a safe place for children is difficult. In recent weeks Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert promised residents of southern Israel that he would spend millions on providing bomb shelters to protect civilians from Palestinian projectile attacks.
In the past three days, two Israelis have been killed by projectile fire, although no serious injuries were reported in the six months preceding Saturday's attack.
Gaza is the most densely populated place on the planet, with nearly 1.5 million Palestinians on a 360 square kilometer strip on the Mediterranean coast.
Muhammad Baraka
Tempers flared at Israel's parliament building in Jerusalem on Monday as rightist members of the Knesset one after another made inciting statements against Palestinians.
In response, one of the few Palestinian members of the Knesset, Muhammad Baraka, began a heated argument with several of the rightists in the room, causing the parliament's speaker to expel Baraka from the session.
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu was the first to offend moderate elements in the room through his vocal support for an aggressive and "bloody" operation against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, applauding atrocities committed by the Israeli army there.
Baraka, unable to restrain himself, told Netanyahu to "shut up and stop dancing over shed blood."
Immediately, another member Netanyahu's Likud Party, Gilad Arden, told Baraka to "go to Gaza," causing the latter to answer, "Of course I would go to show solidarity with my people."
Another rightist member of the Knesset, Avigdor Liberman, said to Baraka, "Go there and don't come back." Baraka fired back, "I and my people will remain a thorn in your and your likes' throat."
Following that comment, Knesset Speaker Dalia Itsik ordered Baraka out of the session. On his way out, an extreme rightist Member of Knesset Ardan said to Baraka, "You are a racist." Baraka replied, "you are a shoe."
Following that comment, Knesset Member Auri Ariel told Baraka in a challenging manner, "Hit him with your shoe." Baraka apparently started to oblige, removing his shoe, before Israeli Knesset security removed him from the building.
Tempers flared at Israel's parliament building in Jerusalem on Monday as rightist members of the Knesset one after another made inciting statements against Palestinians.
In response, one of the few Palestinian members of the Knesset, Muhammad Baraka, began a heated argument with several of the rightists in the room, causing the parliament's speaker to expel Baraka from the session.
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu was the first to offend moderate elements in the room through his vocal support for an aggressive and "bloody" operation against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, applauding atrocities committed by the Israeli army there.
Baraka, unable to restrain himself, told Netanyahu to "shut up and stop dancing over shed blood."
Immediately, another member Netanyahu's Likud Party, Gilad Arden, told Baraka to "go to Gaza," causing the latter to answer, "Of course I would go to show solidarity with my people."
Another rightist member of the Knesset, Avigdor Liberman, said to Baraka, "Go there and don't come back." Baraka fired back, "I and my people will remain a thorn in your and your likes' throat."
Following that comment, Knesset Speaker Dalia Itsik ordered Baraka out of the session. On his way out, an extreme rightist Member of Knesset Ardan said to Baraka, "You are a racist." Baraka replied, "you are a shoe."
Following that comment, Knesset Member Auri Ariel told Baraka in a challenging manner, "Hit him with your shoe." Baraka apparently started to oblige, removing his shoe, before Israeli Knesset security removed him from the building.
Islamic Jihad's leadership said on Sunday night that the movement will not stand down to a hypothetical Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip.
Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ramadan Shallah said that his movement will "fight Israeli tanks, which intend to change the situation in the Gaza Strip by force, through destruction and killing."
Shallah told Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV that "Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip was okayed by international, Arab and regional sides aiming to change the current situation in Gaza."
He insisted that Israel's "aggression" must stop, the siege on Gaza must come to an end and the crossings must be opened before any positive talks about a ceasefire will be entertained.
Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ramadan Shallah said that his movement will "fight Israeli tanks, which intend to change the situation in the Gaza Strip by force, through destruction and killing."
Shallah told Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV that "Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip was okayed by international, Arab and regional sides aiming to change the current situation in Gaza."
He insisted that Israel's "aggression" must stop, the siege on Gaza must come to an end and the crossings must be opened before any positive talks about a ceasefire will be entertained.
The fifth Free Gaza ship
The SS Dignity will depart Cyprus at 5pm local time for the Gaza City Port, which was bombed by the Israeli navy overnight Sunday. This will be the sixth trip to Gaza organized by the Free Gaza Movement.
The ship will carry three tons of medical supplies donated by the people of Cyprus and three volunteer doctors who will begin work in Gaza hospitals and clinics immediately and stay for several weeks. Also on board are Human Rights workers and US politicians.
In their statement to the press the Free Gaza movement made a point of mentioning that they are not asking Israeli for "permission" to land in Gaza, as the Qatar ship had done earlier. The group insisted that "we will not stop until the Dignity lands in Gaza."
The group named the voyage "Stop This Madness" and says it is challenging the world to take action against the Israeli massacre.
Ewa Jasiewicz, a Free Gaza organizer living in Gaza, asked "Where is the United Nations? Where is the Arab League? Where is the outrage against Israeli cruelty and Egyptian complicity? Every hospital in Gaza is already overwhelmed. Israel is committing war crimes here in Gaza, and words of condemnation are no longer enough. The world must act now to stop this madness."
The Free Gaza Movement is the only group that has successfully broken the siege on Gaza, bringing in some basic supplies but focusing on highlighting the crisis in Gaza and bringing it to the attention of the world.
When the voyages began in August the movement sought to challenge Israeli control of Gaza's sea border, saying that Israel's unilateral withdrawal in 2005 and its claims that it no longer occupies the area should allow Gazans free use of their port and territorial waters.
The ships from the movement got into Gaza but subsequent attempts by Qatar, Israeli activists and Libya have not been successful.
It is not clear whether Israel does indeed have a policy regarding Gaza waters, since Qatari requests to dock in Gaza were refused, Israelis were arrested as they attempted to launch a vessel from a port near Tel Aviv, and Libyans were blocked by Israeli warships as they entered Gaza waters.
Gazans, frustrated with the ongoing scilence from the world, say the Free Gaza initiatives give them hope, and show them that there are indeed people who care and are paying attention to Gaza's dire situation.
One young woman commented, "It is scary for us, and we are used to things here. It gives us some hope that others, those who are not accustomed to life here, are willing to come and see what it is like, even though it is dangerous right now to leave the house."
Some of those travelling on the Free Gaza Monday are:
Dr. Elena Theoharous, surgeon and Member of Parliament from Cyprus
Al-Jazeera reporter Sami Al-Haj, a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay
The Hon. Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate.
The SS Dignity will depart Cyprus at 5pm local time for the Gaza City Port, which was bombed by the Israeli navy overnight Sunday. This will be the sixth trip to Gaza organized by the Free Gaza Movement.
The ship will carry three tons of medical supplies donated by the people of Cyprus and three volunteer doctors who will begin work in Gaza hospitals and clinics immediately and stay for several weeks. Also on board are Human Rights workers and US politicians.
In their statement to the press the Free Gaza movement made a point of mentioning that they are not asking Israeli for "permission" to land in Gaza, as the Qatar ship had done earlier. The group insisted that "we will not stop until the Dignity lands in Gaza."
The group named the voyage "Stop This Madness" and says it is challenging the world to take action against the Israeli massacre.
Ewa Jasiewicz, a Free Gaza organizer living in Gaza, asked "Where is the United Nations? Where is the Arab League? Where is the outrage against Israeli cruelty and Egyptian complicity? Every hospital in Gaza is already overwhelmed. Israel is committing war crimes here in Gaza, and words of condemnation are no longer enough. The world must act now to stop this madness."
The Free Gaza Movement is the only group that has successfully broken the siege on Gaza, bringing in some basic supplies but focusing on highlighting the crisis in Gaza and bringing it to the attention of the world.
When the voyages began in August the movement sought to challenge Israeli control of Gaza's sea border, saying that Israel's unilateral withdrawal in 2005 and its claims that it no longer occupies the area should allow Gazans free use of their port and territorial waters.
The ships from the movement got into Gaza but subsequent attempts by Qatar, Israeli activists and Libya have not been successful.
It is not clear whether Israel does indeed have a policy regarding Gaza waters, since Qatari requests to dock in Gaza were refused, Israelis were arrested as they attempted to launch a vessel from a port near Tel Aviv, and Libyans were blocked by Israeli warships as they entered Gaza waters.
Gazans, frustrated with the ongoing scilence from the world, say the Free Gaza initiatives give them hope, and show them that there are indeed people who care and are paying attention to Gaza's dire situation.
One young woman commented, "It is scary for us, and we are used to things here. It gives us some hope that others, those who are not accustomed to life here, are willing to come and see what it is like, even though it is dangerous right now to leave the house."
Some of those travelling on the Free Gaza Monday are:
Dr. Elena Theoharous, surgeon and Member of Parliament from Cyprus
Al-Jazeera reporter Sami Al-Haj, a former detainee at Guantanamo Bay
The Hon. Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate.
Coordination between the Palestinian Authority (PA), Egypt and Jordan, truckloads of humanitarian and medical aid is en route to Gaza on Monday, according to the head of the PA's civil affairs department.
Hussain Ash-Sheikh told Ma'an that aid received from Qatar, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Egypt will be sent to Gaza by the truckload on Monday. Another 48 trucks from international organizations, as well as 15 truckloads of medical aid, will head toward Gaza later in the afternoon.
Among the supplies is blood units from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and five ambulances donated by the Turkish government, all expected to enter the Gaza Strip on Monday.
Meanwhile, the PA's undersecretary at the National Economy Ministry, Naser As-Sarraj, said that the Karem Shalom crossing east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip would be opened.
He told Ma'an that 60 truckloads would be sent to Gaza, 16 of which had been provided by private organizations. He added that Israel cancelled its decision to open the Karni crossing on Monday morning. And nothing has been decided about the Nahal Oz crossing, he said.
On Sunday evening, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced that he would allow the entry of 100 truckloads of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip through Israel's Kerem Shalom crossing, as well as cooking gas and fuel through the Nahal Oz crossing.
Hussain Ash-Sheikh told Ma'an that aid received from Qatar, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Egypt will be sent to Gaza by the truckload on Monday. Another 48 trucks from international organizations, as well as 15 truckloads of medical aid, will head toward Gaza later in the afternoon.
Among the supplies is blood units from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and five ambulances donated by the Turkish government, all expected to enter the Gaza Strip on Monday.
Meanwhile, the PA's undersecretary at the National Economy Ministry, Naser As-Sarraj, said that the Karem Shalom crossing east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip would be opened.
He told Ma'an that 60 truckloads would be sent to Gaza, 16 of which had been provided by private organizations. He added that Israel cancelled its decision to open the Karni crossing on Monday morning. And nothing has been decided about the Nahal Oz crossing, he said.
On Sunday evening, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced that he would allow the entry of 100 truckloads of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip through Israel's Kerem Shalom crossing, as well as cooking gas and fuel through the Nahal Oz crossing.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s Executive Committee in Ramallah on Monday to discuss "the painful events" in the Gaza Strip.
President Abbas urged all factions, including Hamas, to take part in consultations about Gaza.
"The situation in Gaza is extremely dangerous, and today's meeting will be dedicated to discussing the situation," the official Palestinian Authority (PA) news agency, Wafa, quoted Abbas as saying on Monday.
Abbas reiterated his condemnation of the Israeli assault on Gaza, saying, "We wish the injured a speedy recovery, and we condemn the fierce Israeli assault against our people in the Gaza Strip."
The Palestinian president called on the whole world to exert efforts to stop "Israeli aggression," asserting that he has been contacting international, Arab and regional sides to try and stop the aggression "as soon as it started."
Abbas added that he recommends the resumption of the ceasefire in Gaza in order to avoid more suffering there. The president also highlighted that Arab foreign ministers plan to hold a meeting Wednesday and that there will be an Arab League summit shortly thereafter.
"For the time being, we will send as much humanitarian aid as we can to our people in the Gaza Strip. We received aid from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabi, Qatar and Libya, among other Arab countries," Abbas added, calling on the world to send desperately needed aid.
The president added that the PA "[does] not want to blame Arab countries who are doing their best, especially Egypt. May peace be upon the Egyptian officer killed yesterday in a regrettable incident."
"We should avoid pointing fingers toward those who support the Palestinian people as much as they can," Abbas insisted.
President Abbas urged all factions, including Hamas, to take part in consultations about Gaza.
"The situation in Gaza is extremely dangerous, and today's meeting will be dedicated to discussing the situation," the official Palestinian Authority (PA) news agency, Wafa, quoted Abbas as saying on Monday.
Abbas reiterated his condemnation of the Israeli assault on Gaza, saying, "We wish the injured a speedy recovery, and we condemn the fierce Israeli assault against our people in the Gaza Strip."
The Palestinian president called on the whole world to exert efforts to stop "Israeli aggression," asserting that he has been contacting international, Arab and regional sides to try and stop the aggression "as soon as it started."
Abbas added that he recommends the resumption of the ceasefire in Gaza in order to avoid more suffering there. The president also highlighted that Arab foreign ministers plan to hold a meeting Wednesday and that there will be an Arab League summit shortly thereafter.
"For the time being, we will send as much humanitarian aid as we can to our people in the Gaza Strip. We received aid from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabi, Qatar and Libya, among other Arab countries," Abbas added, calling on the world to send desperately needed aid.
The president added that the PA "[does] not want to blame Arab countries who are doing their best, especially Egypt. May peace be upon the Egyptian officer killed yesterday in a regrettable incident."
"We should avoid pointing fingers toward those who support the Palestinian people as much as they can," Abbas insisted.
Most of the Israeli airstrikes hit Gazans at work, not activists launching rockets as Israel has reported, said Spokesman for the de facto Interior Ministry Ihab Al-Ghusein in a Monday statement.
Those killed in government buildings were ministry employees doing their best to help the people of the besieged Gaza Strip, said Al-Ghusein in a Gaza City press conference Monday afternoon.
Al-Ghusein confirmed that Gaza will accept any and all aid from Arab states, and urged Egypt to open the Rafah crossing to aid could come into the Strip. The aid is desperately needed, he added, because Israel has bombed mosques, houses, schools and university campuses.
He called on Palestinians to unite, and promised that no political prisoners from Fatah or any other faction were in de facto government custody. Those in prison for legitimate criminal reasons have been assured safety, since they are in the central prison.
Spokesman of the police in the de facto government Islam Shahwan also spoke at the press conference and estimated that at least 95% of the security services buildings have been demolished. He said that nine police officers were killed in Rafah and 29 in Khan Younis, 70 in the central Gaza City districts and 30 in the north.
Those killed in government buildings were ministry employees doing their best to help the people of the besieged Gaza Strip, said Al-Ghusein in a Gaza City press conference Monday afternoon.
Al-Ghusein confirmed that Gaza will accept any and all aid from Arab states, and urged Egypt to open the Rafah crossing to aid could come into the Strip. The aid is desperately needed, he added, because Israel has bombed mosques, houses, schools and university campuses.
He called on Palestinians to unite, and promised that no political prisoners from Fatah or any other faction were in de facto government custody. Those in prison for legitimate criminal reasons have been assured safety, since they are in the central prison.
Spokesman of the police in the de facto government Islam Shahwan also spoke at the press conference and estimated that at least 95% of the security services buildings have been demolished. He said that nine police officers were killed in Rafah and 29 in Khan Younis, 70 in the central Gaza City districts and 30 in the north.
The rhythm of life in Gaza sees civilians, fighters, Brigades leaders and their children walking the same streets, working in the same buildings and searching the same hospitals for the bodies of their dead. All are likely to come under fire as Israel continues to go after "Hamas assets" in the Gaza Strip.
Gaza City is dense, with tall apartment buildings, packed refugee camps and crowded neighborhoods. The city holds approximately 400,000 residents crammed into 45 square kilometers, the most overcrowded population in the world.
Rawan, a young woman living in the center of the city, has not left her family's home since her uncle rushed to collect her and two relatives from the school where they study and work.
"He took more than an hour to get to us," she explained, "We don't have a car and he had to beg taxi drivers on the street to take him to the school, but they all said no because the area was too dangerous."
Of her six family members only Rawan's uncle has left the home, and only to find food.
"It's dangerous to go outside," she said, "but when you hear reports of homes being bombed and whole families being trapped and killed, you wonder if you are safe inside too."
Overnight on Sunday, Israeli warplanes bombed a house in Jabalia, just north of Gaza City. Five people from the Ba'lousha family were killed in that attack, including children.
Emad, another Gaza City resident, said his family spends its time together in the living room. He said his four young children refuse to leave their mother's side, and follow her around the home like ducklings. Rawan tells a similar story; the salon is the only room where windows are not broken and the family feels safe.
The Ba'lousha family was likely sleeping in their living room when the Israeli bomb hit their home.
Staying informed
From her window, Rawan can see four different bomb sites. She hears bombs hitting buildings all over Gaza City and smells the smoke coming through her home's broken windows.
"We run to the windows even though we are scared the airstrike is not yet over," she explained. "We can't stand that we do not know what is going on."
When there is electricity, usually for about two or three hours each day, the first thing many Gazans do is run for their mobile phone chargers. The phones provide a link to the world; once the electricity is off they can listen to the radio on them and call friends and family to make sure they are all right.
As soon as the phones are plugged in, families turn on the television news.
Rawan says she shivers when she watches many of the broadcasts, when she hears Gazans screaming over the television or on the radio. She says she cannot stand that her young cousins are watching the programs, too; she says she sometimes snaps at them to get out of the room.
"When I was watching the news reports my five-year-old cousin come up to me and asked, 'Why are they doing this?'" Rawan said. "What should I tell her? That they hate us and they want us to die? So I lie to her and tell her things will be fine."
The kids go into the kitchen, where Umm Rawan is making one of two meals: sandwiches when there is bread or macaroni when there is not.
Gazans are accustomed to having nothing; families buy non-perishable foods that cook quickly and require little preparation. Cooking is done by candlelight after sunset and no one knows how long a tank gas is going to have to last, so they use as little as possible.
Those who venture outside see empty streets. Emad, who manages Ma'an's Gaza office is outside for much of the day, said the only people he sees on the streets are rushing to hospitals to see loved ones or find their bodies, and then those looking to buy more food.
Sami, a journalist for a foreign news agency, said he wears a flak jacket and helmet, driving the streets of Gaza in an armored car, but he still does not feel safe. "It has never been like this before," he said, "300 dead in two days.we are being massacred."
Running on empty
Emad guessed that every bakery he passed on Sunday had lines of at least 200 out their front doors. "At least all those that were open did," he added. Rawan's family had to beg a local grocer to sell them a two-kilogram sack of flour.
Gaza's flour mills shut down on 19 December; UNRWA closed its doors a week earlier.
Families are running on reserves, wondering when they will run out and whether or not it will be before the airstrikes end.
For days and months before the airstrikes, Palestinians in Gaza worried about how many truckloads of goods and humanitarian supplies Israel would be letting through. According to UNRWA reports, the daily need for Gaza's 1.5 million residents is 400-600 truckloads, including construction supplies and raw materials to keep the factory industry afloat, as well as food, medicine and other goods.
An 11 December UN report showed the average number of goods transferred into Gaza in October this year was 123, and during the ceasefire in which Gaza factions were meant to halt projectile launches and Israel promised to open crossings. Before Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, the average was approximately 475 trucks each day.
But now, according to Rawan, "I don't want food and I don't want fuel; I don't care if we have electricity. I just want this to stop."
Gaza City is dense, with tall apartment buildings, packed refugee camps and crowded neighborhoods. The city holds approximately 400,000 residents crammed into 45 square kilometers, the most overcrowded population in the world.
Rawan, a young woman living in the center of the city, has not left her family's home since her uncle rushed to collect her and two relatives from the school where they study and work.
"He took more than an hour to get to us," she explained, "We don't have a car and he had to beg taxi drivers on the street to take him to the school, but they all said no because the area was too dangerous."
Of her six family members only Rawan's uncle has left the home, and only to find food.
"It's dangerous to go outside," she said, "but when you hear reports of homes being bombed and whole families being trapped and killed, you wonder if you are safe inside too."
Overnight on Sunday, Israeli warplanes bombed a house in Jabalia, just north of Gaza City. Five people from the Ba'lousha family were killed in that attack, including children.
Emad, another Gaza City resident, said his family spends its time together in the living room. He said his four young children refuse to leave their mother's side, and follow her around the home like ducklings. Rawan tells a similar story; the salon is the only room where windows are not broken and the family feels safe.
The Ba'lousha family was likely sleeping in their living room when the Israeli bomb hit their home.
Staying informed
From her window, Rawan can see four different bomb sites. She hears bombs hitting buildings all over Gaza City and smells the smoke coming through her home's broken windows.
"We run to the windows even though we are scared the airstrike is not yet over," she explained. "We can't stand that we do not know what is going on."
When there is electricity, usually for about two or three hours each day, the first thing many Gazans do is run for their mobile phone chargers. The phones provide a link to the world; once the electricity is off they can listen to the radio on them and call friends and family to make sure they are all right.
As soon as the phones are plugged in, families turn on the television news.
Rawan says she shivers when she watches many of the broadcasts, when she hears Gazans screaming over the television or on the radio. She says she cannot stand that her young cousins are watching the programs, too; she says she sometimes snaps at them to get out of the room.
"When I was watching the news reports my five-year-old cousin come up to me and asked, 'Why are they doing this?'" Rawan said. "What should I tell her? That they hate us and they want us to die? So I lie to her and tell her things will be fine."
The kids go into the kitchen, where Umm Rawan is making one of two meals: sandwiches when there is bread or macaroni when there is not.
Gazans are accustomed to having nothing; families buy non-perishable foods that cook quickly and require little preparation. Cooking is done by candlelight after sunset and no one knows how long a tank gas is going to have to last, so they use as little as possible.
Those who venture outside see empty streets. Emad, who manages Ma'an's Gaza office is outside for much of the day, said the only people he sees on the streets are rushing to hospitals to see loved ones or find their bodies, and then those looking to buy more food.
Sami, a journalist for a foreign news agency, said he wears a flak jacket and helmet, driving the streets of Gaza in an armored car, but he still does not feel safe. "It has never been like this before," he said, "300 dead in two days.we are being massacred."
Running on empty
Emad guessed that every bakery he passed on Sunday had lines of at least 200 out their front doors. "At least all those that were open did," he added. Rawan's family had to beg a local grocer to sell them a two-kilogram sack of flour.
Gaza's flour mills shut down on 19 December; UNRWA closed its doors a week earlier.
Families are running on reserves, wondering when they will run out and whether or not it will be before the airstrikes end.
For days and months before the airstrikes, Palestinians in Gaza worried about how many truckloads of goods and humanitarian supplies Israel would be letting through. According to UNRWA reports, the daily need for Gaza's 1.5 million residents is 400-600 truckloads, including construction supplies and raw materials to keep the factory industry afloat, as well as food, medicine and other goods.
An 11 December UN report showed the average number of goods transferred into Gaza in October this year was 123, and during the ceasefire in which Gaza factions were meant to halt projectile launches and Israel promised to open crossings. Before Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, the average was approximately 475 trucks each day.
But now, according to Rawan, "I don't want food and I don't want fuel; I don't care if we have electricity. I just want this to stop."
Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the An-Nasser Brigades refused to participate in the all-factions meeting called by President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday, while Fatah officials called for wide participation
Hamas leader Muhammad Nazzal made the announcement for his party during an interview with Al-Arabiya television Monday evening. Hamas will not try to make any political gains on the backs of the Gaza massacre, he said.
Islamic Jihad sent a statement to Ma'an saying "what is required now is resistance," and further stated that it was the party's duty to defend "our land and our people and respond to the massacres committed against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip."
They called for unity in resistance activities, but spurned Abbas' call for national unity.
Abu Abeer with the An-Nasser Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, said that all factions should refuse Abbas' invitation and rally all Gazans, encouraging patience in such harsh times.
Senior Fatah leader Ibrahim Abu An-Naja, however, insisted that all factions must gather and assess the bloody events in Gaza.
Abu An-Naga sent a statement to Ma'an calling the leaders of all security services to stop political arrests immediately and release all political detainees. He said that now is the time when parties can prepare the political climate for a national reconciliation and save the people of the Gaza Strip.
He further called for an end to all media campaigns that further divide the Palestinian people, and asserted the importance of unity in crisis.
Hamas leader Muhammad Nazzal made the announcement for his party during an interview with Al-Arabiya television Monday evening. Hamas will not try to make any political gains on the backs of the Gaza massacre, he said.
Islamic Jihad sent a statement to Ma'an saying "what is required now is resistance," and further stated that it was the party's duty to defend "our land and our people and respond to the massacres committed against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip."
They called for unity in resistance activities, but spurned Abbas' call for national unity.
Abu Abeer with the An-Nasser Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, said that all factions should refuse Abbas' invitation and rally all Gazans, encouraging patience in such harsh times.
Senior Fatah leader Ibrahim Abu An-Naja, however, insisted that all factions must gather and assess the bloody events in Gaza.
Abu An-Naga sent a statement to Ma'an calling the leaders of all security services to stop political arrests immediately and release all political detainees. He said that now is the time when parties can prepare the political climate for a national reconciliation and save the people of the Gaza Strip.
He further called for an end to all media campaigns that further divide the Palestinian people, and asserted the importance of unity in crisis.
The caretaker government held its weekly meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr Salam Fayyad at the Council of Ministers headquarters in Ramallah on Monday, where ministers addressed the urgent issue of the Gaza massacre.
Fayyad briefed the ministers on the diplomatic efforts made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as part of his efforts to secure an immediate halt to Israeli atrocities.
In order to rally the international community to the Gaza cause the caretaker government issued the following statement:
First: The Government renews its strong condemnation of the continued aggression on our people in the Gaza Strip and calls on the international community to put pressure on Israel to ensure the immediate freeze of Israeli attacks. We also stress the need for Arab and international protection for Palestinians.
Second: The government calls to renew the truce to spare our people.
Third: The government strongly condemns Israeli forces' attacks on peaceful demonstrations in the West Bank which led to the death of two Palestinians, and injury of many others.
Fourth: The government praises the unity and cooperation among Palestinians in all places to oppose the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and calls for more unity to stop the Israeli practices.
Fifth: The government condemns all the damning rumors blaming Egypt and the nearby Arab countries for their lack of involvement and asks all parties to halt such accusations. The government needs no more conflicts with any Arab states and rather hopes to keep good relations.
Sixth: The government renews its call for a meeting among Arab foreign ministers, set to take place Wednesday, where all parties will discuss steps to stop the Israeli aggression.
Seventh: The government praises the efforts of all medical staff in Gaza to support the Palestinian people and rescue them from Israeli attacks.
The government also publically thanked Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Qatar, for their offers to accept Gaza's wounded.
Fayyad briefed the ministers on the diplomatic efforts made by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, as part of his efforts to secure an immediate halt to Israeli atrocities.
In order to rally the international community to the Gaza cause the caretaker government issued the following statement:
First: The Government renews its strong condemnation of the continued aggression on our people in the Gaza Strip and calls on the international community to put pressure on Israel to ensure the immediate freeze of Israeli attacks. We also stress the need for Arab and international protection for Palestinians.
Second: The government calls to renew the truce to spare our people.
Third: The government strongly condemns Israeli forces' attacks on peaceful demonstrations in the West Bank which led to the death of two Palestinians, and injury of many others.
Fourth: The government praises the unity and cooperation among Palestinians in all places to oppose the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and calls for more unity to stop the Israeli practices.
Fifth: The government condemns all the damning rumors blaming Egypt and the nearby Arab countries for their lack of involvement and asks all parties to halt such accusations. The government needs no more conflicts with any Arab states and rather hopes to keep good relations.
Sixth: The government renews its call for a meeting among Arab foreign ministers, set to take place Wednesday, where all parties will discuss steps to stop the Israeli aggression.
Seventh: The government praises the efforts of all medical staff in Gaza to support the Palestinian people and rescue them from Israeli attacks.
The government also publically thanked Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Qatar, for their offers to accept Gaza's wounded.
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