15 jan 2009
Interview with Sharon Locke of the International Solidarity Movement from within the Al Quds Hospital,attacked and surrounded by the Israeli Army, Gaza, Tel al Huwa neighbourhood, 15th January 2009
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7 Minutes
When I’d met the extended Abed Rabbo family, before the ground invasion began, they had just had their house bombed by an F-16. Their area has been occupied by Israeli tanks and soldiers since the ground invasion began. Medical workers cannot reach the injured there, and those who have managed to escape testify to imprisonment in their houses, abuse, point-blank shooting (to death), and a number of dead not yet known.
It’s an area Israel views as strategic, lying just hundreds of metres from the eastern border to Israel, a key entry point for invading troops. Past invasions have meant entire families and neighbours being locked into a room of a house for a day, days. Supposition among journalists and those with 2 cents here is that Israel’s intense bombardment of, and destruction of houses in, the area is to both decimate any resistance and to create an alternate ‘road’ for tanks and troops to roll in on, meaning houses in their path are leveled to the ground.
That day, Abu Mahmoud Abed Rabbo had related the events of his house demolition. “A person called me saying he was a spokesperson for the Israeli army and that we had 7 minutes to leave the house before it was bombed. I begged for 10, told him 7 wasn’t enough to collect possessions and get our children out safely.
He said 7,” Abed Rabbo explained. His family made it out in time, avoiding the death sentence that has been given so many here, without warning. He said he’d just stood away from the house and watched as it was bombed, watched 20 years of his life be erased, with everything inside it. “I’m just a working man, not Fatah, not Hamas. Just a man. Why did they bomb my house?” he’d asked. “There were 4 families in here, at least 25 children,” he’d added.
We stepped over and around rubble and the bits of house interiors that get melded together in blasts like these, going across the street to a relatives who was then sheltering the family. An elderly woman sat by a wood fire, simmering something in a pot for their meal, no gas to cook over. We’d continued visiting sites of missile strikes around the Ezbet Abed Rabbo area. A yard with 2 massive craters in it, one from that morning and one from the night before. Looking from a room at the back of a 2 story house, I noticed the damage the F-16 bombs had done not only to the land but also to the houses around. Glass shatered, window frames blown in, safety to the wind…
And on to the next house demolished, in our paths at least, that of Ziad Abud Foul, whose new home was demolished at 2 am January 2nd. The blast, of course, damaged the surrounding buildings, cutting chunks out of walls and sending rubble and shrapnel flying dangerously.
This family is very likely now among the dead.
It’s an area Israel views as strategic, lying just hundreds of metres from the eastern border to Israel, a key entry point for invading troops. Past invasions have meant entire families and neighbours being locked into a room of a house for a day, days. Supposition among journalists and those with 2 cents here is that Israel’s intense bombardment of, and destruction of houses in, the area is to both decimate any resistance and to create an alternate ‘road’ for tanks and troops to roll in on, meaning houses in their path are leveled to the ground.
That day, Abu Mahmoud Abed Rabbo had related the events of his house demolition. “A person called me saying he was a spokesperson for the Israeli army and that we had 7 minutes to leave the house before it was bombed. I begged for 10, told him 7 wasn’t enough to collect possessions and get our children out safely.
He said 7,” Abed Rabbo explained. His family made it out in time, avoiding the death sentence that has been given so many here, without warning. He said he’d just stood away from the house and watched as it was bombed, watched 20 years of his life be erased, with everything inside it. “I’m just a working man, not Fatah, not Hamas. Just a man. Why did they bomb my house?” he’d asked. “There were 4 families in here, at least 25 children,” he’d added.
We stepped over and around rubble and the bits of house interiors that get melded together in blasts like these, going across the street to a relatives who was then sheltering the family. An elderly woman sat by a wood fire, simmering something in a pot for their meal, no gas to cook over. We’d continued visiting sites of missile strikes around the Ezbet Abed Rabbo area. A yard with 2 massive craters in it, one from that morning and one from the night before. Looking from a room at the back of a 2 story house, I noticed the damage the F-16 bombs had done not only to the land but also to the houses around. Glass shatered, window frames blown in, safety to the wind…
And on to the next house demolished, in our paths at least, that of Ziad Abud Foul, whose new home was demolished at 2 am January 2nd. The blast, of course, damaged the surrounding buildings, cutting chunks out of walls and sending rubble and shrapnel flying dangerously.
This family is very likely now among the dead.
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FGM: Israel threatens to shoot unarmed civilians aboard mercy shipFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Israeli navy today threatened to kill unarmed civilians aboard a mercy ship on its way to deliver medical supplies and doctors to besieged Gaza. The Free Gaza Movement ship, SPIRIT OF HUMANITY, left Cyprus Wednesday morning carrying doctors, journalists, human rights workers, and parliamentarians. The ship also carried over a ton of desperately needed medicines donated by the European Campaign to Break the Siege, and intended for overwhelmed hospitals in the Gaza Strip. |
At the request of the ship’s organizers the passenger list and manifest were publicly released, and Cypriot authorities searched the boat prior to its departure in order to certify that it only carried humanitarian items.
The organizers also sent an official notification to the Israeli government of their intent to break through the blockade of Gaza.
At roughly 3am UST (1am GMT), in international waters 100 miles off the coast of Gaza, at least five Israeli gunboats surrounded the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY and began recklessly cutting in front of the slow-moving civilian craft. The Israeli warships radioed the SPIRIT, demanding that the ship turn around or they would open fire and “shoot.” When asked if the Israeli navy was acknowledging that they intended to commit a war crime by deliberately firing on unarmed civilians, the warships replied that they were prepared to use “any means” to stop the ship.
An earlier attempt by Free Gaza to deliver doctors and medical supplies ended on 30 December when Israeli gunboats deliberately and repeatedly rammed the DIGNITY, almost sinking that ship. Rather than endanger the lives of its passengers, the SPIRIT is now returning to Cyprus.
Israel’s reckless and shocking threats against an unarmed ship on a mission of mercy are a violation of both international maritime law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which states that “the high seas should be reserved for peaceful purposes.”
CALL the Israeli Government and demand that it immediately STOP attacking the civilian population of Gaza and STOP using violence to prevent human rights and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.
Mark Regev in the Prime Minister’s office: +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264 [email protected]
Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence: +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148 [email protected]
Israeli Navy Spokesperson: + 972 5 781 86248
The organizers also sent an official notification to the Israeli government of their intent to break through the blockade of Gaza.
At roughly 3am UST (1am GMT), in international waters 100 miles off the coast of Gaza, at least five Israeli gunboats surrounded the SPIRIT OF HUMANITY and began recklessly cutting in front of the slow-moving civilian craft. The Israeli warships radioed the SPIRIT, demanding that the ship turn around or they would open fire and “shoot.” When asked if the Israeli navy was acknowledging that they intended to commit a war crime by deliberately firing on unarmed civilians, the warships replied that they were prepared to use “any means” to stop the ship.
An earlier attempt by Free Gaza to deliver doctors and medical supplies ended on 30 December when Israeli gunboats deliberately and repeatedly rammed the DIGNITY, almost sinking that ship. Rather than endanger the lives of its passengers, the SPIRIT is now returning to Cyprus.
Israel’s reckless and shocking threats against an unarmed ship on a mission of mercy are a violation of both international maritime law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which states that “the high seas should be reserved for peaceful purposes.”
CALL the Israeli Government and demand that it immediately STOP attacking the civilian population of Gaza and STOP using violence to prevent human rights and humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.
Mark Regev in the Prime Minister’s office: +972 2670 5354 or +972 5 0620 3264 [email protected]
Shlomo Dror in the Ministry of Defence: +972 3697 5339 or +972 50629 8148 [email protected]
Israeli Navy Spokesperson: + 972 5 781 86248
Voices from Tel al Huwa, Gaza City
As a result of the ongoing shelling in the Tel al Huwa neigbourhood of Gaza City, many families are attempting to find shelter in the Al Quds hospital.
Australian Human Rights Activist Sharon Lock has described the events as Israeli snipers opened fire on families seeking refuge in Al-Quds hospital, in Tel al Huwa:
One family lives very close to the hospital. They tried to come here as they thought it would be safer. Israeli snipers started firing at the family. They shot a young girl in the face and abdomen. She is now being operated on. The father of the family was shot in the leg and fell to the ground. The mother was screaming that one of her daughters was still outside, behind a bush, too scared to move. Mohammed, a medic I have been working with, ran outside and carried her to the hospital
Mohammed Shiziq, Palestinian medic, said,
“The Red Cross is not managing to coordinate evacuation of wounded people. There are people right next to the Red Crescent hospital bleeding to death. We cannot get to them as the Israelis shoot at us. Usually we transfer severe cases to Al-Shifa hospital. We cannot do that now. “
Dr Amal el Khaloud, of El Azhar University told the ISM that,
“There was very heavy shelling and many fires since 11pm last night. We went to hide under the elevator shaft in our apartment block as it is made of concrete. At 11am the army broke down the door for our building and took al the men under 40. They also took their documents and phones. My husband is a childrens doctor. They took my him with them. There are now around 600 people crammed in the hospital, mostly women and children.”
Australian Human Rights Activist Sharon Lock has described the events as Israeli snipers opened fire on families seeking refuge in Al-Quds hospital, in Tel al Huwa:
One family lives very close to the hospital. They tried to come here as they thought it would be safer. Israeli snipers started firing at the family. They shot a young girl in the face and abdomen. She is now being operated on. The father of the family was shot in the leg and fell to the ground. The mother was screaming that one of her daughters was still outside, behind a bush, too scared to move. Mohammed, a medic I have been working with, ran outside and carried her to the hospital
Mohammed Shiziq, Palestinian medic, said,
“The Red Cross is not managing to coordinate evacuation of wounded people. There are people right next to the Red Crescent hospital bleeding to death. We cannot get to them as the Israelis shoot at us. Usually we transfer severe cases to Al-Shifa hospital. We cannot do that now. “
Dr Amal el Khaloud, of El Azhar University told the ISM that,
“There was very heavy shelling and many fires since 11pm last night. We went to hide under the elevator shaft in our apartment block as it is made of concrete. At 11am the army broke down the door for our building and took al the men under 40. They also took their documents and phones. My husband is a childrens doctor. They took my him with them. There are now around 600 people crammed in the hospital, mostly women and children.”
Israeli snipers shooting at families seeking refuge in Al-Quds hospital
Israeli snipers are shooting at families who are attempting to seek refuge in Al-Quds hospital, Gaza City. Palestinian and international volunteers are now on the streets outside the hospital to try and get the families inside the hospital.
Australian Human Rights Activist Sharon Lock is assisting medical teams at the hospital,
Israeli snipers are shooting at families attempting to get to the hospital. They are frightened and have no where to go. At least two families have been shot at now, children have been wounded.
Al-Quds hospital, Gaza City, located in the Tel al Huwa neighbourhood of Gaza, has been under attack by the Israeli army since 1:30 AM. According to International volunteers at the hospital it has been hit by shells four times.
“The hospital has received over 150 calls for help from people including many children in the surrounding area who have been wounded and are in desperate need of medical care. The Israeli army has surrounded the hospital and no one is able to get in or out.” – Sharon Lock (Australia) International Solidarity Movement
No one is able to get to these children.
Australian Human Rights Activist Sharon Lock is assisting medical teams at the hospital,
Israeli snipers are shooting at families attempting to get to the hospital. They are frightened and have no where to go. At least two families have been shot at now, children have been wounded.
Al-Quds hospital, Gaza City, located in the Tel al Huwa neighbourhood of Gaza, has been under attack by the Israeli army since 1:30 AM. According to International volunteers at the hospital it has been hit by shells four times.
“The hospital has received over 150 calls for help from people including many children in the surrounding area who have been wounded and are in desperate need of medical care. The Israeli army has surrounded the hospital and no one is able to get in or out.” – Sharon Lock (Australia) International Solidarity Movement
No one is able to get to these children.
"I Am Still Alive"
Carnage at Al-Fakhoura School, Jabalia.
"I was working at the [Kamal Edwan] Hospital here in Jabalia, when the ambulances arrived with the dead and injured from Al-Fakhoura school. Most of the dead were women and children, and most of the survivors had terrible shrapnel wounds. We had to turn the maternity ward into a surgical theatre so that we could try to save more lives."
Ayman Al-Majdalawi is a nurse from Jabalia in the Northern Gaza Strip. Yesterday, January 6, he was on duty at Kamal Edwan hospital when the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired four artillery shells towards nearby Al-Fakhoura school. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) had just transformed the school into a temporary shelter for dozens of local families, who, like thousands of other local residents, had been driven out of their homes by the IOF's continuing military onslaught.
One of the four artillery shells struck the house of Samir Deeb, instantly killing him, his wife, three of his children, five of his brother's children and two female relatives. The other three artillery shells exploded next to Al-Fakhoura school, causing carnage in and around the crowded school. Twenty seven civilians were killed instantly, and more than fifty injured. Women, men and children had limbs torn from their bodies by the force of the explosions.
"The ambulance drivers told me the Israelis were shooting at them as they were trying to evacuate the dead and injured" says Ayman Al-Majdalawi. "When the ambulances arrived at Kamal Edwan, there was chaos. This is a small hospital, and we were trying to save as many people as we could - but a lot of them had already lost arms or legs, and they were bleeding heavily. It was horrific."
Under customary international law, it is illegal to target civilian objects, including schools, hospitals and United Nations facilities. IOF claimed Al-Fakhoura school was targeted because Hamas militants had fired [at IOF] from the school. However, under customary international law, an attacking force is obliged to take the necessary precautions to protect the civilian population against the dangers resulting from military operations. Given the densely-populated, residential nature of the area surrounding the school, an artillery attack in the vicinity could reasonably be expected to cause excessive civilian casualties. As John Ging, UNRWA Director of Operations in the Gaza Strip noted "it was entirely inevitable if artillery shells landed in that area there would be a high number of casualties."
John Ging also stated that his agency had provided the Israelis with exact geographical coordinates of all UN facilities in Gaza, including Al-Fakhoura school. He refuted IOF claims that Hamas gunmen had fired at them from the school. "I can tell you categorically that there was no military activity in that school at the time of the tragedy" he said. "They were innocent people."
Since the Israeli Occupation Forces unleashed 'Operation Cast Lead' on December 27, 2008, at least 682 Palestinians have been killed inside the Gaza Strip, including at least 158 children and 41 women. Another 2,950 adults and children have been maimed and injured, leaving Gaza hospitals at the brink of total collapse. Israeli war planes and tanks are indiscriminately bombing and shelling civilian houses and facilities across the entire Gaza Strip, whilst heavily armed IOF troops shoot to kill on the streets.
Hundreds of thousands of Gazan families are trapped inside their homes, without electricity water or adequate food, terrified of being killed, or buried alive. Meanwhile medical staff like Ayman Al-Majdalawi are risking their lives to reach, and rescue, the dead and injured. "No-where in Gaza safe" he says. "Our ambulances are in danger, and some of the injured people have bled to death because we couldn't reach them. I try to go to other hospitals if I am needed, but it is very dangerous, and like everyone else, we are very frightened."
"I was working at the [Kamal Edwan] Hospital here in Jabalia, when the ambulances arrived with the dead and injured from Al-Fakhoura school. Most of the dead were women and children, and most of the survivors had terrible shrapnel wounds. We had to turn the maternity ward into a surgical theatre so that we could try to save more lives."
Ayman Al-Majdalawi is a nurse from Jabalia in the Northern Gaza Strip. Yesterday, January 6, he was on duty at Kamal Edwan hospital when the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) fired four artillery shells towards nearby Al-Fakhoura school. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) had just transformed the school into a temporary shelter for dozens of local families, who, like thousands of other local residents, had been driven out of their homes by the IOF's continuing military onslaught.
One of the four artillery shells struck the house of Samir Deeb, instantly killing him, his wife, three of his children, five of his brother's children and two female relatives. The other three artillery shells exploded next to Al-Fakhoura school, causing carnage in and around the crowded school. Twenty seven civilians were killed instantly, and more than fifty injured. Women, men and children had limbs torn from their bodies by the force of the explosions.
"The ambulance drivers told me the Israelis were shooting at them as they were trying to evacuate the dead and injured" says Ayman Al-Majdalawi. "When the ambulances arrived at Kamal Edwan, there was chaos. This is a small hospital, and we were trying to save as many people as we could - but a lot of them had already lost arms or legs, and they were bleeding heavily. It was horrific."
Under customary international law, it is illegal to target civilian objects, including schools, hospitals and United Nations facilities. IOF claimed Al-Fakhoura school was targeted because Hamas militants had fired [at IOF] from the school. However, under customary international law, an attacking force is obliged to take the necessary precautions to protect the civilian population against the dangers resulting from military operations. Given the densely-populated, residential nature of the area surrounding the school, an artillery attack in the vicinity could reasonably be expected to cause excessive civilian casualties. As John Ging, UNRWA Director of Operations in the Gaza Strip noted "it was entirely inevitable if artillery shells landed in that area there would be a high number of casualties."
John Ging also stated that his agency had provided the Israelis with exact geographical coordinates of all UN facilities in Gaza, including Al-Fakhoura school. He refuted IOF claims that Hamas gunmen had fired at them from the school. "I can tell you categorically that there was no military activity in that school at the time of the tragedy" he said. "They were innocent people."
Since the Israeli Occupation Forces unleashed 'Operation Cast Lead' on December 27, 2008, at least 682 Palestinians have been killed inside the Gaza Strip, including at least 158 children and 41 women. Another 2,950 adults and children have been maimed and injured, leaving Gaza hospitals at the brink of total collapse. Israeli war planes and tanks are indiscriminately bombing and shelling civilian houses and facilities across the entire Gaza Strip, whilst heavily armed IOF troops shoot to kill on the streets.
Hundreds of thousands of Gazan families are trapped inside their homes, without electricity water or adequate food, terrified of being killed, or buried alive. Meanwhile medical staff like Ayman Al-Majdalawi are risking their lives to reach, and rescue, the dead and injured. "No-where in Gaza safe" he says. "Our ambulances are in danger, and some of the injured people have bled to death because we couldn't reach them. I try to go to other hospitals if I am needed, but it is very dangerous, and like everyone else, we are very frightened."
Gaza Ambulance Drivers Risk Life and Limb to Evacuate Civilians to Safety
Palestinian paramedics are risking their lives to rescue the dead, maimed and injured across Gaza
“We are working twenty four hours a day – we only sleep when there is no Israeli shelling. The rest of the time it is our duty to stay at our work – I have not been to my home for days now, and I can't believe the situation we are facing. Ninety percent of the injured victims we try to rescue have already lost legs or arms, or both.”
Khalid Yusef Abu Sa’ada lives in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, and works as an ambulance driver at the Al Awda hospital in neighbouring Jabaliya town, risking his life to evacuate dead, maimed and injured victims of attacks by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).
“I was driving my ambulance in Beit Lahia a few days ago, when the Israelis shelled us” he says. “They fired one shell at us, and two minutes later they fired another. I was with two paramedics –
“We are working twenty four hours a day – we only sleep when there is no Israeli shelling. The rest of the time it is our duty to stay at our work – I have not been to my home for days now, and I can't believe the situation we are facing. Ninety percent of the injured victims we try to rescue have already lost legs or arms, or both.”
Khalid Yusef Abu Sa’ada lives in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, and works as an ambulance driver at the Al Awda hospital in neighbouring Jabaliya town, risking his life to evacuate dead, maimed and injured victims of attacks by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF).
“I was driving my ambulance in Beit Lahia a few days ago, when the Israelis shelled us” he says. “They fired one shell at us, and two minutes later they fired another. I was with two paramedics –
Arafa Abdul Dayem
The Israeli shells killed one of them, Arafa Abdul Dayem, and the other man, Ala Sarhan, was badly injured. He can’t work because now he is in hospital, paralysed.” This was not the first time Khalid Sa’ada and his colleagues had been attacked by the IOF whilst trying to rescue injured civilians. |
“A few days ago we were trying to rescue a boy who had been injured in Beit Lahia, when the Israelis bombed us” he says.
“The bomb struck just as we were evacuating the patient into our ambulance – the force of the explosion ripped the boy’s head off.”
According to Khalid Sa’ada, Al Awda hospital has two ambulances, and both of them have been destroyed by IOF during their massive ongoing military operation in Gaza. He says he is now driving an ambulance donated to the hospital by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
Since the IOF unleashed Operation Cast Lead on December 27, approximately 983 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 673 civilians, of whom approximately 225 are children. At least seven Palestinian medical personnel are amongst the dead, killed by IOF whilst on duty rescuing the dead and injured. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) has investigated IOF killings of medical personnel during this ongoing IOF military operation. Its findings indicate that IOF have been deliberately targeting medical personnel during this ongoing military operation.
On 31 December, 2008, paramedic Mohammed Abu Hasera, age 21, was killed in Jabal Alrees east of Gaza city when IOF bombed an ambulance belonging to the Palestinian Ministry of Heath whilst he was inside it. His colleague, Dr Ehab Al Madhoun, was also severely injured, and subsequently died of his injuries in hospital.
On 4 January, 2009 paramedics Yasser Shubeir, Anas Naim and Rafat Adbul Aal were killed together in the Tal Al Hawa district of Gaza city whilst trying to evacuate injured civilians. They had arrived in Tal Al Hawa by ambulance, and when IOF bombed the ambulance, the three paramedics attempted to rescue the injured on foot, pushing their medical trolleys in front of them. They were shelled by the IOF, and all three men were killed instantly. Paramedic Arafa Abdul Dayem was killed the same day, whilst on duty in Beit Lahia.
“The bomb struck just as we were evacuating the patient into our ambulance – the force of the explosion ripped the boy’s head off.”
According to Khalid Sa’ada, Al Awda hospital has two ambulances, and both of them have been destroyed by IOF during their massive ongoing military operation in Gaza. He says he is now driving an ambulance donated to the hospital by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
Since the IOF unleashed Operation Cast Lead on December 27, approximately 983 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 673 civilians, of whom approximately 225 are children. At least seven Palestinian medical personnel are amongst the dead, killed by IOF whilst on duty rescuing the dead and injured. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) has investigated IOF killings of medical personnel during this ongoing IOF military operation. Its findings indicate that IOF have been deliberately targeting medical personnel during this ongoing military operation.
On 31 December, 2008, paramedic Mohammed Abu Hasera, age 21, was killed in Jabal Alrees east of Gaza city when IOF bombed an ambulance belonging to the Palestinian Ministry of Heath whilst he was inside it. His colleague, Dr Ehab Al Madhoun, was also severely injured, and subsequently died of his injuries in hospital.
On 4 January, 2009 paramedics Yasser Shubeir, Anas Naim and Rafat Adbul Aal were killed together in the Tal Al Hawa district of Gaza city whilst trying to evacuate injured civilians. They had arrived in Tal Al Hawa by ambulance, and when IOF bombed the ambulance, the three paramedics attempted to rescue the injured on foot, pushing their medical trolleys in front of them. They were shelled by the IOF, and all three men were killed instantly. Paramedic Arafa Abdul Dayem was killed the same day, whilst on duty in Beit Lahia.
As he and his colleague, twenty five year old Ahmed Abu Fuul, were attempting to evacuate a dead body to an ambulance waiting on the street below, they were targeted by an IOF artillery shell that took Dr Saleh's head off. His colleague, Ahmed, was hospitalized with back and head injuries after being struck by Dr Saleh's severed head.
International Humanitarian Law explicitly prohibits attacks on medical institutions, and medical personnel. The Fourth Geneva Convention states that all "personnel engaged in the search for, removal and transporting of and caring for wounded and sick civilians … shall be respected and protected" (Article 20). Under no circumstances may medical personnel engaged in their legitimate duties be the object of an attack. The direct targeting of medical personnel constitutes a war crime.
Doctors, paramedics, ambulance drivers and other medical staff in Gaza are exhausted, and completely overwhelmed by the scale of deaths and injuries they are facing day and night, struggling to treat even those with the most horrific and critical injuries, whilst on the frontline themselves.
“We know there are still many people we cannot reach, because some areas are too dangerous, and our ambulances are being deliberately targeted by the Israelis” says Khalid Sa’ada, who speaks calmly, like a man who has already seen the worst. But despite the risks to their lives, every day he and his exhausted, dedicated colleagues continue working, and witnessing the bloody carnage of indiscriminate Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians. “Yesterday, at about ten o’clock in the morning, we were in Tal Il Zaatar in Jabliya” he says.
“As I was driving, I saw a man walking down the street ahead. One moment later this man was struck by a missile that tore his body in two in front of our eyes. The situation here in Gaza is unbelievable - but we are still doing the best we can – because, as I told you, this is our duty.”
International Humanitarian Law explicitly prohibits attacks on medical institutions, and medical personnel. The Fourth Geneva Convention states that all "personnel engaged in the search for, removal and transporting of and caring for wounded and sick civilians … shall be respected and protected" (Article 20). Under no circumstances may medical personnel engaged in their legitimate duties be the object of an attack. The direct targeting of medical personnel constitutes a war crime.
Doctors, paramedics, ambulance drivers and other medical staff in Gaza are exhausted, and completely overwhelmed by the scale of deaths and injuries they are facing day and night, struggling to treat even those with the most horrific and critical injuries, whilst on the frontline themselves.
“We know there are still many people we cannot reach, because some areas are too dangerous, and our ambulances are being deliberately targeted by the Israelis” says Khalid Sa’ada, who speaks calmly, like a man who has already seen the worst. But despite the risks to their lives, every day he and his exhausted, dedicated colleagues continue working, and witnessing the bloody carnage of indiscriminate Israeli attacks on Palestinian civilians. “Yesterday, at about ten o’clock in the morning, we were in Tal Il Zaatar in Jabliya” he says.
“As I was driving, I saw a man walking down the street ahead. One moment later this man was struck by a missile that tore his body in two in front of our eyes. The situation here in Gaza is unbelievable - but we are still doing the best we can – because, as I told you, this is our duty.”
Some graphic pictures included (this is what Palestinian children see almost every day.)
Numbers below are not related to the number from the slideshow. |
Day 20 of Israeli War On GazaAhmed Osama Safflower 7
Informative Report on Gaza War: Death toll 1100, wounded 5100 By: Sameh A. Habeeb: A Photojournalist, Humanitarian & Peace Activist in Gaza Strip. "Main actions: Israel targets hospitals, United Nations premises, Press offices, theaters and densely populated buildings in west of Gaza. Additionally, people are being used as human shields" |
1- Heavy artillery shelling on the eastern part of Gaza City.
2- Israeli artillery and air force destroyed Al Bashir Mosque in east of Gaza.
3- Israeli artillery and air force bombed Al arqam school in east of Gaza.
4- Artillary shells hit and burned Al Sa'd building in Tal Hawa area.
5- Israeli forces for the first time since 17 years invaded Tal Al Hawa area and made full scale of destruction and killing.
6- Fifteen Palestinians wounded as Israeli strike bombed a mosque in Rafah City.
7- Two Palestinians killed in an air raid targeted Hamas leader, Mah,moud al Zahar in Tal Al Hawa.
8- Israeli air force hit a house in Jabalia Refugee Camp.
9- Artillary shelling destroyed house of Mashraw and Safadi family east of Al Shijaya area. Many people wounded in the place.
10- Israeli army bombarded a computer shop in Rafah market and a nearby Mosque called Al Abrar.
11- Heavy shelling from the artillery machine in Tal Al hawa near Barcelona playground.
12- Al Wafa' hospital east of Gaza, partially destroyed due to 8 Israeli heavy artillery shells.
13- Three Palestinians killed in Sheikh Zayed city northern Gaza Strip.
14- A flat in a big building hit and a firer set in mid of Gaza city, Falasteen building.
15- Tens of phosphorus bombs rained down mid of Gaza City.
16- Fire set in many flats in Gaza Tal Haw southern western Gaza.
17- Israeli troops captured many tens of people in Tal al Hawa.
18- Israeli tanks and troops invaded Tal Al Hawa and destroyed many houses leaving many wounded and killed people.
19- Another flagrant violation, Israelis bombarded the UNRWA compound in Gaza despite their promise not to do it last week.
20- Two Journalists wounded in an Israeli air strike targeted Al Shoroq building mid of Gaza. The building includes Reuters, AP and tens of media outlets.
21- People living Al Amani building left their flats in one floor only.
22- Israeli tanks hit "Red Crescent Society" and fire ignited in the building.
23- Al Quds hospital is being bombed after hundreds of people took it as a shelter.
24- Israli army destroyed a theatre in Tal Al hawa area.
25- Rockets hit house of journalist Eyad el Zaem and fire set in the place.
26- House of Abu Ala khalaf hit in Tal Al Hawa, many injured in the place and paramedics unable to save them.
27- Fire set in many ambulances and stockpiles of medical equipments.
28- Israeli snipers spread through Tal al Hawa area and open fire on people.
29- Bombings targeted house of Om Sabri Saidam in Tal Al Hawa.
30- A rocket hit house of Muqat family, fire set in and many wounded!
31- A rocket hit a workshop for sponge.
32- Fire set in house of al Alol family due to Israeli rockets western Gaza, near house of President Abbas.
33- Two Palestinians killed in Al Toffah quarter east of Gaza.
34- Five houses burned by Israeli phosphorous east of Gaza.
35- Around 40 people killed today.
36- Five Palestinian women killed northern Gaza Strip in heavy bombings.
37- Israeli army and troops captured tens of Palestinians in Al Amoor area eastern Rafah City.
38- Artillary shells fall down in some farms eastern shijaya area.
39- Four people killed, 12 wounded as Israeli rockets targeted house of Al Naoq family northern Gaza, Jabalia town. The victims are, Sameeh Al Naoq, Mahmoud Al Noq, Muhammad Saleh and Abd Al latif.
40- Israeli soldiers use Palestinian citizens as humans shields in Tal Al Hawa area, in one of the populated buildings.
41- Israeli Radio: 11 soldiers wounded in Tal Al Hawa invasion.
42- Heavy bombings in Rafah City where Al Abrar mosque was hit!
43- Israeli F16s raided on al sheikh zayed City northern Gaza strip.
44- F16s hit house of Saday family Al yarmok area which is a very densely populated area.
45- Rockets hit house of Dr. Abd Al Mn'am Qasem in northern Gaza Strip.
46- Heavy fire is being opened on civilians houses east of Gaza City.
47- Israel says: 7 Israelis lightly wounded in a Palestinian projectile hit Bir Saba' area.
48- Many houses burned and Islamic society building burned by Israeli rockets in northern Gaza, Bait lahia town.
49- Israeli air force bombarded house for Syam family resulted in killing and injuring many.
50- White and Black smoke Billowing all over the Gaza Strip.
51- Medical sources: War victims 1100, wounded 5100. Child victims: 300, women 110, elderly men and women are 118.
52- A house is being destroyed in Tal Al Hawa and many people under the rubbles including a child and his grandfather.
2- Israeli artillery and air force destroyed Al Bashir Mosque in east of Gaza.
3- Israeli artillery and air force bombed Al arqam school in east of Gaza.
4- Artillary shells hit and burned Al Sa'd building in Tal Hawa area.
5- Israeli forces for the first time since 17 years invaded Tal Al Hawa area and made full scale of destruction and killing.
6- Fifteen Palestinians wounded as Israeli strike bombed a mosque in Rafah City.
7- Two Palestinians killed in an air raid targeted Hamas leader, Mah,moud al Zahar in Tal Al Hawa.
8- Israeli air force hit a house in Jabalia Refugee Camp.
9- Artillary shelling destroyed house of Mashraw and Safadi family east of Al Shijaya area. Many people wounded in the place.
10- Israeli army bombarded a computer shop in Rafah market and a nearby Mosque called Al Abrar.
11- Heavy shelling from the artillery machine in Tal Al hawa near Barcelona playground.
12- Al Wafa' hospital east of Gaza, partially destroyed due to 8 Israeli heavy artillery shells.
13- Three Palestinians killed in Sheikh Zayed city northern Gaza Strip.
14- A flat in a big building hit and a firer set in mid of Gaza city, Falasteen building.
15- Tens of phosphorus bombs rained down mid of Gaza City.
16- Fire set in many flats in Gaza Tal Haw southern western Gaza.
17- Israeli troops captured many tens of people in Tal al Hawa.
18- Israeli tanks and troops invaded Tal Al Hawa and destroyed many houses leaving many wounded and killed people.
19- Another flagrant violation, Israelis bombarded the UNRWA compound in Gaza despite their promise not to do it last week.
20- Two Journalists wounded in an Israeli air strike targeted Al Shoroq building mid of Gaza. The building includes Reuters, AP and tens of media outlets.
21- People living Al Amani building left their flats in one floor only.
22- Israeli tanks hit "Red Crescent Society" and fire ignited in the building.
23- Al Quds hospital is being bombed after hundreds of people took it as a shelter.
24- Israli army destroyed a theatre in Tal Al hawa area.
25- Rockets hit house of journalist Eyad el Zaem and fire set in the place.
26- House of Abu Ala khalaf hit in Tal Al Hawa, many injured in the place and paramedics unable to save them.
27- Fire set in many ambulances and stockpiles of medical equipments.
28- Israeli snipers spread through Tal al Hawa area and open fire on people.
29- Bombings targeted house of Om Sabri Saidam in Tal Al Hawa.
30- A rocket hit house of Muqat family, fire set in and many wounded!
31- A rocket hit a workshop for sponge.
32- Fire set in house of al Alol family due to Israeli rockets western Gaza, near house of President Abbas.
33- Two Palestinians killed in Al Toffah quarter east of Gaza.
34- Five houses burned by Israeli phosphorous east of Gaza.
35- Around 40 people killed today.
36- Five Palestinian women killed northern Gaza Strip in heavy bombings.
37- Israeli army and troops captured tens of Palestinians in Al Amoor area eastern Rafah City.
38- Artillary shells fall down in some farms eastern shijaya area.
39- Four people killed, 12 wounded as Israeli rockets targeted house of Al Naoq family northern Gaza, Jabalia town. The victims are, Sameeh Al Naoq, Mahmoud Al Noq, Muhammad Saleh and Abd Al latif.
40- Israeli soldiers use Palestinian citizens as humans shields in Tal Al Hawa area, in one of the populated buildings.
41- Israeli Radio: 11 soldiers wounded in Tal Al Hawa invasion.
42- Heavy bombings in Rafah City where Al Abrar mosque was hit!
43- Israeli F16s raided on al sheikh zayed City northern Gaza strip.
44- F16s hit house of Saday family Al yarmok area which is a very densely populated area.
45- Rockets hit house of Dr. Abd Al Mn'am Qasem in northern Gaza Strip.
46- Heavy fire is being opened on civilians houses east of Gaza City.
47- Israel says: 7 Israelis lightly wounded in a Palestinian projectile hit Bir Saba' area.
48- Many houses burned and Islamic society building burned by Israeli rockets in northern Gaza, Bait lahia town.
49- Israeli air force bombarded house for Syam family resulted in killing and injuring many.
50- White and Black smoke Billowing all over the Gaza Strip.
51- Medical sources: War victims 1100, wounded 5100. Child victims: 300, women 110, elderly men and women are 118.
52- A house is being destroyed in Tal Al Hawa and many people under the rubbles including a child and his grandfather.
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Women and children in Ni’lin protest against Israel’s war crimesOn 15th of January women and children in Ni’lin protested against Israel’s war crimes against the Palestinian people. They were accompanied by international and Israeli human rights activists.
The demonstration with approximately 100 participants took place inside the town and was good in expressing the mood of the village. The demonstration started at the girls school. The girls wore t-shirts they printed themselves displaying the Palestinian nation and the names of Ni’lin and Gaza confirming their solidarity with the plight of the people who are suffering from Israeli brutality. They also carried balloons saying “Stop the wall”, “Stop the killing” and other slogans expressing their outrage. |
They shouted slogans as they marched. They went to the graves of the four shaheeds (martyrs) from the village. First they went to the graves of Arafat al Khawadja, 22, and Mohammed al Khawadja , 19, where Arafat’s brother gave a speech. After they continued to the places where Ahmed Moussa, 10, and Yousef Amira, 17 are buried.
Media listened to the speeches and opinions of women and children participating in the demonstration.
This demonstration is a continuation of the struggle of Ni’lin against the construction of the Apartheid Wall since may 2008.
Media listened to the speeches and opinions of women and children participating in the demonstration.
This demonstration is a continuation of the struggle of Ni’lin against the construction of the Apartheid Wall since may 2008.
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