17 jan 2009
Fatah leader Hatem Abdul Qader
A Fatah senior leader, Hatem Abdul Qader, criticized on Saturday what he described as the silence of the Fatah leadership on the Israeli attack on Gaza and the Palestinian national project as a whole.
"The leadership of the was supposed movement to play a greater and influential role in dealing with the massacres and conspiracies against the Palestinians," he said, decrying attacks "aiming at ending Palestinians' material and moral existence."
Abdul Qader is a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) from Jerusalem.
In a statement, he held the Fatah's leadership responsible for "this setback and the inability to play an influential role in the dangerous events that are taking place in Palestine."
He noted that "the divisions that inflicted the movement prevented it from taking clear and honest stances towards the recent events, an issue that made it losing its ability of clearing a political vision capable of dealing effectively with the up to date developments to stand firmly against the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinians."
He noted that "all the actions carried out by the movement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were natural responses by the field leaders of the movement. There were no central actions led by the movement."
He criticized "the movement's silence towards those who take stance on its behalf and they do not related to it, he explained that "they are trying to distort the movement and its stances towards the recent events."
A Fatah senior leader, Hatem Abdul Qader, criticized on Saturday what he described as the silence of the Fatah leadership on the Israeli attack on Gaza and the Palestinian national project as a whole.
"The leadership of the was supposed movement to play a greater and influential role in dealing with the massacres and conspiracies against the Palestinians," he said, decrying attacks "aiming at ending Palestinians' material and moral existence."
Abdul Qader is a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) from Jerusalem.
In a statement, he held the Fatah's leadership responsible for "this setback and the inability to play an influential role in the dangerous events that are taking place in Palestine."
He noted that "the divisions that inflicted the movement prevented it from taking clear and honest stances towards the recent events, an issue that made it losing its ability of clearing a political vision capable of dealing effectively with the up to date developments to stand firmly against the Israeli onslaught on the Palestinians."
He noted that "all the actions carried out by the movement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were natural responses by the field leaders of the movement. There were no central actions led by the movement."
He criticized "the movement's silence towards those who take stance on its behalf and they do not related to it, he explained that "they are trying to distort the movement and its stances towards the recent events."
As Israel's attacks in Gaza continue to draw the world's attention their policy of Judaizing Palestinian East Jerusalem continues, said member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Najat Abu Bakker said in Ramallah on Saturday.
Bakkar reminded the world that as Gaza attacks continue the Israeli policy of confiscating lands, constructing the separation wall and forcing 40,000 Jerusalemites to live behind the wall and be denied access to municipal services also continues.
She accused Israel of planning for the Gaza attack for years, and of using Palestinian blood to achieve their political aims. What they most want to achieve, she said, is the destruction of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Bakkar reminded the world that as Gaza attacks continue the Israeli policy of confiscating lands, constructing the separation wall and forcing 40,000 Jerusalemites to live behind the wall and be denied access to municipal services also continues.
She accused Israel of planning for the Gaza attack for years, and of using Palestinian blood to achieve their political aims. What they most want to achieve, she said, is the destruction of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Two Israeli soldiers and two officers were wounded in after mortars launched by Palestinian fighters hit them on the outskirts of Gaza City.
While the Israeli military confirmed that the four were wounded in an exchange of fire, the officials said that the incident is still being investigated, and that they could not rule out a "friendly fire" incident.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas said that they bombed an Israeli tank in Al-Mughraqa, on the southern outskirts of Gaza City, and exchanged fire with Israeli troops in the same location.
Israeli tanks and ground troops had withdrawn on Friday morning to the ruins of the Israeli settlement Nitzarim, to the south of Gaza City, after operating for 24-hours deep in the urban center of Gaza.
The Al-Qassam Brigades also said they fired eight homemade rockets at Israeli troops to the west of Ash-Shati Refugee Camp, and two more at Israeli jeeps east of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
In a joint attack that included Islamic Jihad fighters and a group called the Eagles of Palestine, Hamas said they attacked Netzarim wit three homemade projectiles at 9:30pm on Friday.
The Al-Qassam Brigades also claimed responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles at the Israeli town of Ofakim. Israeli reports indicated that one projectile struck an empty building near the town, causing no injuries.
The group also said they launched Russian-made Grad missiles at a military base and the town of Netivot.
Another group calling themselves the Yasser Arafat Brigades said they launched three projectiles at the town of Sderot at 1am on Saturday.
The Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, claimed to have launched two projectiles at Sderot overnight.
Another group calling themselves Hizbullah in Palestine, after the Lebanese Shia movement, claimed that they used suicide bombers to attack Israeli troops near the Az-Zahra Tower in Gaza City.
In the attack which they also claim involved machine gun-fire, two soldiers were allegedly killed.
While the Israeli military confirmed that the four were wounded in an exchange of fire, the officials said that the incident is still being investigated, and that they could not rule out a "friendly fire" incident.
The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas said that they bombed an Israeli tank in Al-Mughraqa, on the southern outskirts of Gaza City, and exchanged fire with Israeli troops in the same location.
Israeli tanks and ground troops had withdrawn on Friday morning to the ruins of the Israeli settlement Nitzarim, to the south of Gaza City, after operating for 24-hours deep in the urban center of Gaza.
The Al-Qassam Brigades also said they fired eight homemade rockets at Israeli troops to the west of Ash-Shati Refugee Camp, and two more at Israeli jeeps east of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
In a joint attack that included Islamic Jihad fighters and a group called the Eagles of Palestine, Hamas said they attacked Netzarim wit three homemade projectiles at 9:30pm on Friday.
The Al-Qassam Brigades also claimed responsibility for launching two homemade projectiles at the Israeli town of Ofakim. Israeli reports indicated that one projectile struck an empty building near the town, causing no injuries.
The group also said they launched Russian-made Grad missiles at a military base and the town of Netivot.
Another group calling themselves the Yasser Arafat Brigades said they launched three projectiles at the town of Sderot at 1am on Saturday.
The Al-Aqsa Brigades, the armed wing of Fatah, claimed to have launched two projectiles at Sderot overnight.
Another group calling themselves Hizbullah in Palestine, after the Lebanese Shia movement, claimed that they used suicide bombers to attack Israeli troops near the Az-Zahra Tower in Gaza City.
In the attack which they also claim involved machine gun-fire, two soldiers were allegedly killed.
The agreement signed between Israel and the United States Friday is a "reward [for Israel's] onslaught and violations of international law," said Member of the Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee, and the politburo office of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) Tayseer Khalid.
The agreement, signed by Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice promised US involvement in patrolling the Mediterranean and ensuring that no arms are smuggled into Gaza, principally from Iran.
Khalid called the agreement a "threat to the security and stability in the region and an attempt to engage the world in a wide scale war under the pretext of barring smuggled weapons to Gaza."
What would have been a more advisable course of action for the United States, said Khalid, would have been to pressure Israel into halting its attacks on Gaza. Instead, he added, the US put one of its airbases in the Gulf on high alert so it can be ready to provide Israeli troops with air cover and continue pumping US-made weapons like the smartbomb into Gaza.
The agreement, signed by Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice promised US involvement in patrolling the Mediterranean and ensuring that no arms are smuggled into Gaza, principally from Iran.
Khalid called the agreement a "threat to the security and stability in the region and an attempt to engage the world in a wide scale war under the pretext of barring smuggled weapons to Gaza."
What would have been a more advisable course of action for the United States, said Khalid, would have been to pressure Israel into halting its attacks on Gaza. Instead, he added, the US put one of its airbases in the Gulf on high alert so it can be ready to provide Israeli troops with air cover and continue pumping US-made weapons like the smartbomb into Gaza.
Medics recover two bodies near Khan Younis
Palestinian medical crews recovered the bodies of two brothers who were killed by Israeli fire in the Al-Fakhari area east of Khan Younis on Saturday.
The dead were identified as Ibrahim Muhammad Sharab and Kassab Muhammad Sharab.Their father was wounded and was taken to a hospital.
The head of Ambulances and Emergency Services in the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Dr Mu'awiya Hassanain said that 13 people have been killed in Gaza so far on Saturday, most of them as a result of phosphorus munitions. He said that a number of the bodies have been so badly burned that they cannot be identified.
The death toll in Gaza is now 1,205. Among them are 410 children, 108 women, 113 elderly people, and five foreign nationals.
Hassanain said that Israeli attacks have destroyed 15 clinics and damaged several ambulances.
Palestinian medical crews recovered the bodies of two brothers who were killed by Israeli fire in the Al-Fakhari area east of Khan Younis on Saturday.
The dead were identified as Ibrahim Muhammad Sharab and Kassab Muhammad Sharab.Their father was wounded and was taken to a hospital.
The head of Ambulances and Emergency Services in the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Dr Mu'awiya Hassanain said that 13 people have been killed in Gaza so far on Saturday, most of them as a result of phosphorus munitions. He said that a number of the bodies have been so badly burned that they cannot be identified.
The death toll in Gaza is now 1,205. Among them are 410 children, 108 women, 113 elderly people, and five foreign nationals.
Hassanain said that Israeli attacks have destroyed 15 clinics and damaged several ambulances.
More efforts must be made to track down Israeli war criminals and try them for their crimes in Gaza, said Minister of Justice and Prisoners' Issues in the de facto government Muhammad Farraj Al-Ghol on Saturday.
In a statement released to the public Al-Ghol called for an end to the massacres in Gaza and condemned the Israeli leaders responsible for the crimes in the Gaza Strip.
He called for an end to the violence, and the release of all the non-combatants detained by Israel during their attacks. He announced that the Israeli practice of using civilians as human shields before detaining them was a crime and showed the carelessness of human life on the part of Israeli soldiers. He called the practice a serious violation of human rights.
In a statement released to the public Al-Ghol called for an end to the massacres in Gaza and condemned the Israeli leaders responsible for the crimes in the Gaza Strip.
He called for an end to the violence, and the release of all the non-combatants detained by Israel during their attacks. He announced that the Israeli practice of using civilians as human shields before detaining them was a crime and showed the carelessness of human life on the part of Israeli soldiers. He called the practice a serious violation of human rights.
Hamas said on Satruday that it will ignore any unilateral announcement of a ceasefire by Israel.
Usama Hamdan, the Hamas representative in Lebanon said that the movement will fight on until its demands are met. Speaking during a televised interview in Beirut, Hamdan said Hamas has "nothing new" to say regarding a possible ceasefire.
"Today the movement's delegation arrives in Cairo. And clearly, we have nothing new to offer... Either we hear what we have demanded or the result will be the continuation of confrontation on the ground," Hamdan said.
The Israeli security cabinet is expected to endorse a unilateral halt in its attacks on Saturday night, exactly three weeks after it began its massive assault on the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile officials representing both Hamas and Israel are in Cairo where they are negotiating with Egypt an indirect bilateral ceasefire agreement. On Friday Israel reportedly rejected a Hamas proposal for a 12-month renewable ceasefire, demanding an indefinite truce.
Analysis suggest that by declaring a one-way ceasefire, it may be attempting to compel Hamas to offer more concessions in the Cairo talks.
Usama Hamdan, the Hamas representative in Lebanon said that the movement will fight on until its demands are met. Speaking during a televised interview in Beirut, Hamdan said Hamas has "nothing new" to say regarding a possible ceasefire.
"Today the movement's delegation arrives in Cairo. And clearly, we have nothing new to offer... Either we hear what we have demanded or the result will be the continuation of confrontation on the ground," Hamdan said.
The Israeli security cabinet is expected to endorse a unilateral halt in its attacks on Saturday night, exactly three weeks after it began its massive assault on the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile officials representing both Hamas and Israel are in Cairo where they are negotiating with Egypt an indirect bilateral ceasefire agreement. On Friday Israel reportedly rejected a Hamas proposal for a 12-month renewable ceasefire, demanding an indefinite truce.
Analysis suggest that by declaring a one-way ceasefire, it may be attempting to compel Hamas to offer more concessions in the Cairo talks.
The marathon negotiations of politicians are little comfort for the beleaguered people of Gaza.
Gaza is the subject of debate as Hamas and Israel continue their back-and-forth ceasefire talks in Egypt, the Arab states stage three separate summits, the UN secretary-general tours the region and the Israeli foreign minister jets to Washington.
"Now people are actually hoping - they think there is a possibility to stop the fire," said Rawan, a 22-year-old teacher from Gaza City. Her house is just minutes away from the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood, where the most intense shelling of the war took place on Thursday.
Last week Gazans placed their hopes on the United Nations Security Council, which did call for an immediate ceasefire. Their hopes were dashed the next day when the Israeli government responded to the resolution with more bombing. This week Israeli Foreign Minster Tzipi Livni stated, speaking in a luxury hotel in Israel, that the bombing will stop, "whenever Israel decides."
"You light a candle of hope and then it goes out, and then you light another one," says Rawan.
Rawan and her family have been trapped indoors for three weeks now mainly without electricity and often without running water. An explosion blew out the windows of their house, in the upscale Rimal neighborhood, in the early days of the bombardment, so there is nothing to shelter the family from the frigid January air. Many of Rawan's cousins have moved into her house, as Rimal is perceived to be safer than other areas of the city.
Rawan, however, is aware of the reality that there is no shelter in Gaza: "People move from house to house, but where can they go, really?" As she speaks, displaced families, children in tow, stream past her blown-out windows.
As the politicians argue about the details of the ceasefire, people die. On Saturday morning, Israeli forces shelled another UN shelter, this time in Beit Lahiya, killing more innocents.
"It looks as if all the pieces of the puzzle are coming together," said Mark Regev, the spokesperson of the Israeli prime minister. He was speaking on Friday evening.
"There will be discussions tomorrow morning, and it looks like a cabinet meeting will take place tomorrow night. Everyone is very upbeat," Regev said.
Even as these pronouncements eschewed from the Israeli political eschelon, Israel was sending a different message to people in Gaza. As recently as Friday morning, Gaza residents reported receiving automated phone calls from the Israeli military warning of the "coming stage" operations in the territory.
During the call, received on land line phones in Gaza, a recorded voice warns in Arabic against "hiding Hamas members in your home."
It is feared that the call could signal the dreaded "Third Stage" of the Gaza war - an all out invasion of the Strip's city centers.
Gaza is the subject of debate as Hamas and Israel continue their back-and-forth ceasefire talks in Egypt, the Arab states stage three separate summits, the UN secretary-general tours the region and the Israeli foreign minister jets to Washington.
"Now people are actually hoping - they think there is a possibility to stop the fire," said Rawan, a 22-year-old teacher from Gaza City. Her house is just minutes away from the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood, where the most intense shelling of the war took place on Thursday.
Last week Gazans placed their hopes on the United Nations Security Council, which did call for an immediate ceasefire. Their hopes were dashed the next day when the Israeli government responded to the resolution with more bombing. This week Israeli Foreign Minster Tzipi Livni stated, speaking in a luxury hotel in Israel, that the bombing will stop, "whenever Israel decides."
"You light a candle of hope and then it goes out, and then you light another one," says Rawan.
Rawan and her family have been trapped indoors for three weeks now mainly without electricity and often without running water. An explosion blew out the windows of their house, in the upscale Rimal neighborhood, in the early days of the bombardment, so there is nothing to shelter the family from the frigid January air. Many of Rawan's cousins have moved into her house, as Rimal is perceived to be safer than other areas of the city.
Rawan, however, is aware of the reality that there is no shelter in Gaza: "People move from house to house, but where can they go, really?" As she speaks, displaced families, children in tow, stream past her blown-out windows.
As the politicians argue about the details of the ceasefire, people die. On Saturday morning, Israeli forces shelled another UN shelter, this time in Beit Lahiya, killing more innocents.
"It looks as if all the pieces of the puzzle are coming together," said Mark Regev, the spokesperson of the Israeli prime minister. He was speaking on Friday evening.
"There will be discussions tomorrow morning, and it looks like a cabinet meeting will take place tomorrow night. Everyone is very upbeat," Regev said.
Even as these pronouncements eschewed from the Israeli political eschelon, Israel was sending a different message to people in Gaza. As recently as Friday morning, Gaza residents reported receiving automated phone calls from the Israeli military warning of the "coming stage" operations in the territory.
During the call, received on land line phones in Gaza, a recorded voice warns in Arabic against "hiding Hamas members in your home."
It is feared that the call could signal the dreaded "Third Stage" of the Gaza war - an all out invasion of the Strip's city centers.
Israeli military shell UNRWA school
An UNRWA school in Beit Lahiya is being shelled by the Israeli Army. International Human Rights Activists are at the scene, assisting in the evacuation of families to neighboring buildings. Irish Human Rights Activist Caoimhe Butterly said;
One UNWRA school was hit this morning. Two young children, ages 4 and 8, were killed. We don’t yet have an accurate count of the injured but there is at least one person with leg amputations as a result of the air-strike.
There is an exodus of families now who are leaving, terrified, with possessions in hand, trying to get to safety. But there is no safe space in Gaza and I believe that has been made very clear to people.
British citizen Ewa Jasiewicz added;
It looks like a missile initially hit the UNRWA school around 6.30 this morning. The building was surrounded by black smoke and we saw them drop white phosphorous. As we were assisting in evacuating people from the building, it was hit with phosphorous again. We picked up a 5 year old girl who was injured by shrapnel on the way out from the school, and saw another phosphorous bomb hitting the school.
There were no fighters in the area, according to the UN shelter manager, only civilians. This is a war crime.
Medics from the area have also reported that due to the severe fuel shortages in the Gaza Strip, there are some ambulances that cannot assist in the evacuation.
One UNWRA school was hit this morning. Two young children, ages 4 and 8, were killed. We don’t yet have an accurate count of the injured but there is at least one person with leg amputations as a result of the air-strike.
There is an exodus of families now who are leaving, terrified, with possessions in hand, trying to get to safety. But there is no safe space in Gaza and I believe that has been made very clear to people.
British citizen Ewa Jasiewicz added;
It looks like a missile initially hit the UNRWA school around 6.30 this morning. The building was surrounded by black smoke and we saw them drop white phosphorous. As we were assisting in evacuating people from the building, it was hit with phosphorous again. We picked up a 5 year old girl who was injured by shrapnel on the way out from the school, and saw another phosphorous bomb hitting the school.
There were no fighters in the area, according to the UN shelter manager, only civilians. This is a war crime.
Medics from the area have also reported that due to the severe fuel shortages in the Gaza Strip, there are some ambulances that cannot assist in the evacuation.
Saturday January 17 – Starting again
Washing floor
Let me start with the good news. I found it surprisingly destabilising having to evacuate the hospital. Since the strikes began, I have spent more nights here than anywhere else, and it began to feel like coming ‘home’ each time I arrived, especially with the welcome I unfailingly received. There is a sense of order in a hospital, of safety and care and compassion. When a handful of us came back to mind the hospital at about 3 am after evacuation, with the remains of the fire still resisting the fire-fighters, it felt very bleak. Beds were scattered in the road; inside, things were overturned and broken after the hurried leaving, the place was covered with mud. In most rooms there were waterfalls. Two out of three of our buildings were blackened and smoldering.
I wandered about in the operations room, clearing things up so it wouldn’t look so sad. If I felt displaced, when I had a perfectly good flat to go to, what about all the medical folks here whose homes have been destroyed in the last weeks, for whom this was their only warm, comfortable, safe place?
But yesterday the Red Crescent met and decided they wanted to work from Al-Quds again, and even better, the hospital will be open on Monday. I forgot to allow for the fact that they have no choice. Today I arrived to a completely revived atmosphere on the ground floor – lights working again, most things back in place, mud washed away, and disaster team boys sliding around their room on a cloth to dry their floor. I haven’t been to visit the bits of the hospital that were burning two days ago. Right now I think I’ll just enjoy what I see. Some of the medics are making us a potato chip dinner. The triplets are now at Nasser childrens hospital, by the way.
So you remember I wrote this about Wed morning Jan 14:
While there, heard shouting, went up stairs to see medic S covered in blood, he had just carried a little girl in from the street who snipers had shot in face and abdomen. We saw her father fall on the hospital stairs, having been shot in the leg. Mother was panicking, shouting there was another girl left behind. S, I and other medics went out to get her, found her not far away, S took her on his shoulders into the hospital. The other medics and I realised they were just the beginning of a stream of desperate people fleeing their buildings, many of which were on fire.
This was the Badran family. Faddel al Badran, 54, was shot in the leg. Yasmine, 12, was the girl we went to bring in. Haneen, 9, was the one shot in the face and abdomen: I knew she had been taken straight into surgery at Al-Quds. today I found out that she was transferred to Al-Shifa and died shortly afterwards.
Last night they bombed another UNRWA school in which homeless people had taken refuge in Beit Lahia. There are 36 wounded, including 14 children. Two boys aged 3 and 8 are dead. John Ging of UNRWA was on the TV being coldly furious. But as I type (I’ll be reading this out over the phone to the UK for uploading) a truce has apparently begun. It is strangely quiet. Everyone desperately wants to hope it’ll have some meaning.
Israeli forces shell UN school, killing mother and son Gaza official toll reaches 1,205
Israeli forces shelled a United Nations-run school in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing a mother and her young son.
According to witnesses several others were injured when Israeli rockets struck the school in Beit Lahiya. Tens of thousands of Gazans are sheltering in schools across the Strip run by the UN's relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
UNRWA spokesperson Christopher Gunness said several rounds hit the school at about 6:45am. After a short pause, the third floor of the school took a direct hit, killing the two and injuring another 14 people.
Witnesses said four more people were killed when other shells struck nearby as people tried to escape.
About 1,600 civilians had sought refuge from the Israeli onslaught inside the building, Gunness said.
"The Israeli army knew exactly our GPS co-ordinates and they would have known that hundreds of people had taken shelter there," he said.
Israeli attacks continued across the Strip, even as the Israeli security cabinet prepared to endorse a ceasefire later on Saturday. At the Karama Towers in northern Gaza, Israeli warplanes dropped incendiary white phosphorus shells, killing three people. Palestinian medics say they found three completely burnt bodies covered in phosphorus.
Witnesses said Israeli forces targeted an apartment in a residential tower and that the inhabitants of the flat were torn to pieces.
Rising death toll
The head of Ambulances and Emergency Services in the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Dr Muawiya Hassanain said that 13 people have been killed in Gaza so far on Saturday, most of them as a result of phosphorus munitions. He said that a number of the bodies have been so badly burned that they cannot be identified.
The death toll in Gaza is now 1,205. Among them are 410 children, 108 women, 113 elderly people, and five foreign nationals.
Hassanain said that Israeli attacks have destroyed 15 clinics and damaged several ambulances.
Throughout the territory, especially in Gaza City, residents are reporting explosions and gunfire. Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian guerillas are ongoing.
After a day of relative calm on Friday, Gazans reported renewed shelling, particularly in the Gaza City neighborhoods of Tel Al-Hawa, Karama, and At-Tawam. Israeli warships fired on four Palestinians on the shore at Ash-Shati Refugee Camp.
In the early morning, Israeli artillery attacked the Taha Mosque, in eastern Jabaliya. Another Israeli strike targeted a group of Palestinian fighters in Beit Lahiya, although no one was reported killed or injured.
In Beit Lahiya, intense shelling hit the Ad-Duwar area, causing houses to go up in flames. A number of families were taken to Kamal Udwan Hospital with the help of UNRWA.
The south
Also in the early morning, Israeli forces shelled several places in and near Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Strip. Witnesses reported phosphorus bombs landing on the Al-Hasayneh area, west of An-Nusseirat. Several houses owned by the Muhadi family were hit with phosphorus munitions.
Medical sources also said on Saturday that two Palestinians were killed in Israeli shelling in the Al-Amour area south Gaza. Rescue workers recovered the bodies from near the Sufa border crossing, east of Rafah.
Palestinian medical crews recovered the bodies of two brothers who were killed by Israeli fire in the Al-Fakhari area east of Khan Younis on Saturday.
The dead were identified as Ibrahim Muhammad Sharab and Kassab Muhammad Sharab.Their father was wounded and was taken to a hospital.
Israeli warplanes lunched a rocket at the Al-Mawarej area in Rafah, also in southern Gaza. Warplanes also targeted Abu Al-Enen supermarket in Rafah with three rockets in addition to two houses in Al-Barahmeh area.
Israeli forces have been heavily bombing tunnels along the Egyptian border in Rafah, forcing hundreds to flee their homes.
Let me start with the good news. I found it surprisingly destabilising having to evacuate the hospital. Since the strikes began, I have spent more nights here than anywhere else, and it began to feel like coming ‘home’ each time I arrived, especially with the welcome I unfailingly received. There is a sense of order in a hospital, of safety and care and compassion. When a handful of us came back to mind the hospital at about 3 am after evacuation, with the remains of the fire still resisting the fire-fighters, it felt very bleak. Beds were scattered in the road; inside, things were overturned and broken after the hurried leaving, the place was covered with mud. In most rooms there were waterfalls. Two out of three of our buildings were blackened and smoldering.
I wandered about in the operations room, clearing things up so it wouldn’t look so sad. If I felt displaced, when I had a perfectly good flat to go to, what about all the medical folks here whose homes have been destroyed in the last weeks, for whom this was their only warm, comfortable, safe place?
But yesterday the Red Crescent met and decided they wanted to work from Al-Quds again, and even better, the hospital will be open on Monday. I forgot to allow for the fact that they have no choice. Today I arrived to a completely revived atmosphere on the ground floor – lights working again, most things back in place, mud washed away, and disaster team boys sliding around their room on a cloth to dry their floor. I haven’t been to visit the bits of the hospital that were burning two days ago. Right now I think I’ll just enjoy what I see. Some of the medics are making us a potato chip dinner. The triplets are now at Nasser childrens hospital, by the way.
So you remember I wrote this about Wed morning Jan 14:
While there, heard shouting, went up stairs to see medic S covered in blood, he had just carried a little girl in from the street who snipers had shot in face and abdomen. We saw her father fall on the hospital stairs, having been shot in the leg. Mother was panicking, shouting there was another girl left behind. S, I and other medics went out to get her, found her not far away, S took her on his shoulders into the hospital. The other medics and I realised they were just the beginning of a stream of desperate people fleeing their buildings, many of which were on fire.
This was the Badran family. Faddel al Badran, 54, was shot in the leg. Yasmine, 12, was the girl we went to bring in. Haneen, 9, was the one shot in the face and abdomen: I knew she had been taken straight into surgery at Al-Quds. today I found out that she was transferred to Al-Shifa and died shortly afterwards.
Last night they bombed another UNRWA school in which homeless people had taken refuge in Beit Lahia. There are 36 wounded, including 14 children. Two boys aged 3 and 8 are dead. John Ging of UNRWA was on the TV being coldly furious. But as I type (I’ll be reading this out over the phone to the UK for uploading) a truce has apparently begun. It is strangely quiet. Everyone desperately wants to hope it’ll have some meaning.
Israeli forces shell UN school, killing mother and son Gaza official toll reaches 1,205
Israeli forces shelled a United Nations-run school in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday, killing a mother and her young son.
According to witnesses several others were injured when Israeli rockets struck the school in Beit Lahiya. Tens of thousands of Gazans are sheltering in schools across the Strip run by the UN's relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
UNRWA spokesperson Christopher Gunness said several rounds hit the school at about 6:45am. After a short pause, the third floor of the school took a direct hit, killing the two and injuring another 14 people.
Witnesses said four more people were killed when other shells struck nearby as people tried to escape.
About 1,600 civilians had sought refuge from the Israeli onslaught inside the building, Gunness said.
"The Israeli army knew exactly our GPS co-ordinates and they would have known that hundreds of people had taken shelter there," he said.
Israeli attacks continued across the Strip, even as the Israeli security cabinet prepared to endorse a ceasefire later on Saturday. At the Karama Towers in northern Gaza, Israeli warplanes dropped incendiary white phosphorus shells, killing three people. Palestinian medics say they found three completely burnt bodies covered in phosphorus.
Witnesses said Israeli forces targeted an apartment in a residential tower and that the inhabitants of the flat were torn to pieces.
Rising death toll
The head of Ambulances and Emergency Services in the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Dr Muawiya Hassanain said that 13 people have been killed in Gaza so far on Saturday, most of them as a result of phosphorus munitions. He said that a number of the bodies have been so badly burned that they cannot be identified.
The death toll in Gaza is now 1,205. Among them are 410 children, 108 women, 113 elderly people, and five foreign nationals.
Hassanain said that Israeli attacks have destroyed 15 clinics and damaged several ambulances.
Throughout the territory, especially in Gaza City, residents are reporting explosions and gunfire. Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian guerillas are ongoing.
After a day of relative calm on Friday, Gazans reported renewed shelling, particularly in the Gaza City neighborhoods of Tel Al-Hawa, Karama, and At-Tawam. Israeli warships fired on four Palestinians on the shore at Ash-Shati Refugee Camp.
In the early morning, Israeli artillery attacked the Taha Mosque, in eastern Jabaliya. Another Israeli strike targeted a group of Palestinian fighters in Beit Lahiya, although no one was reported killed or injured.
In Beit Lahiya, intense shelling hit the Ad-Duwar area, causing houses to go up in flames. A number of families were taken to Kamal Udwan Hospital with the help of UNRWA.
The south
Also in the early morning, Israeli forces shelled several places in and near Khan Younis, in the southern part of the Strip. Witnesses reported phosphorus bombs landing on the Al-Hasayneh area, west of An-Nusseirat. Several houses owned by the Muhadi family were hit with phosphorus munitions.
Medical sources also said on Saturday that two Palestinians were killed in Israeli shelling in the Al-Amour area south Gaza. Rescue workers recovered the bodies from near the Sufa border crossing, east of Rafah.
Palestinian medical crews recovered the bodies of two brothers who were killed by Israeli fire in the Al-Fakhari area east of Khan Younis on Saturday.
The dead were identified as Ibrahim Muhammad Sharab and Kassab Muhammad Sharab.Their father was wounded and was taken to a hospital.
Israeli warplanes lunched a rocket at the Al-Mawarej area in Rafah, also in southern Gaza. Warplanes also targeted Abu Al-Enen supermarket in Rafah with three rockets in addition to two houses in Al-Barahmeh area.
Israeli forces have been heavily bombing tunnels along the Egyptian border in Rafah, forcing hundreds to flee their homes.
Day 22 of Israeli War On Gaza
Bilal Muhammad Shehdeh al-Ashqar 5 and his little brother of 3
Informative Report on Gaza War: Death toll 1220, wounded 5350
By: Sameh A. Habeeb:
Informative Report on Gaza War: Death toll 1220, wounded 5350
By: Sameh A. Habeeb:
1- Israeli air strike hit the eastern part of Gaza City. Many houses were harmed partially.
2- Israeli air forces raided on a United Nations' school northern Gaza, town of Bait Lahia. A woman and two children were killed and many wounded. Tens of people came to take the school as a shelter but it was hit!
3- Two Palestinians killed in east of Rafah City. Invading tanks destroyed sevetal houses and arrested some residents.
4- Three Palestinians killed by Phosphorous bombs fall down in many places in north of Gaza.
5- Two Palestinians killed after being injured in Khan yunis and their father was wounded. Here is an email I got from the friends of the family before they know what has happened to them!
Family Friend,
I am writing to make a request for a good friend from Gaza (Amer Shurrab, UWCAD '01--03, Middlebury College '08.5). He just found out his father and two brothers were attacked while returning home from their farm during the 3-hr ceasefire. One brother (Kassab Shurrab) died, but the father (Mohammed Shurrab -64) and the remaining brother (Ibrahim-17) are now wounded and stranded in an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) controlled area. It's been 16 hours and emergency services are unable to reach them. The ambulances cannot travel there without permission from the IDF, and local aid groups claim that soldiers are blocking their access.
We have spoken with the local Red Cross in Khan Yunis and they have been trying to get the IDF's permission to get to the family, but have not been allowed. What we are asking, is if you could help by using any of your contacts (in the area and/or region, with NGOs, HR groups,media, etc), to bring attention and pressure in order to get permission for the ambulances to save two lives. We are very desperate and trying as many avenues as possible to help aid reach them. If you know even a foot soldier who might be able to push the ball by calling a local commander we would really appreciate any help.
His father and brother are located at:
In front of Supermarket Abu Zidan El-Najar
El Fukhari (neighbourhood)
Khan Yunis (town)
Gaza
We truly appreciate any help at this time, thank you for your time.
Salam,
6- Two Palestinians killed near Sofa crossings in Rafah City southern Gaza Strip.
7- Three Palestinians killed in northern Gaza Strip near al karma buildings.
8- Heavy bombings mid of Gaza City and clashes erupted in eastern part of Gaza city.
9- Heavy bombings artillery shelling western Gaza city and in Al Zaytoin area south east of Gaza.
10- Naval gunboats shelled southern Gaza City leaving 4 Palestinian wounded.
11- Shells destroyed Taha mosque east of Jabalia.
12- Rockets hit a group of Palestinian fighters in Twam area west north of occupied Gaza strip.
13- Four Israeli soldiers wounded by Palestinian mortar shells north of Gaza.
14- Fire set in several houses in Bait Lahia resulted in many wounded.
15- Phosphorus bombs hit many targets at Khan yonis city and many house burned in the area.
16- Phosphorus bombs hit many targets at Khan yonis city and many house burned in the area.
17- Rockets attack into several farms and houses in Moraj area in Rafah City.
18- Three rockets hit Al Barhma area in Rafah City.
19- More than 100 bombs, rockets and shells hit the tunnels area in Rafah City. Tens of the houses destroyed and hundreds of persons left their houses.
20- Israeli F16s raided by 4 rockets on many spaces inside Egypt and hover in the area.
21- Medical sources: victims up to 1220 while wounded up to 5350. A big number of ambulances and medical equipments destroyed in addition to destroying 15 medical centers and sections.
22- Palestinian fighters launched 14 projectiles into Israeli settlements.
23- Houses destroyed northern Gaza in Israeli bombings.
24- Artillary shells bombarded Al Tofah area eastern Gaza City.
25- Rockets hit Al Salam quarter in Rafah City and 3 wounded in the place.
26- Drones fired a rocket into empty spaces in Shja'ya area.
27- Power Crisis still storming most of the Gaza Strip.
28- Water is not being accessed by 800 thousands Gazans.
29- Bread crisis still storming Gaza leaving 5 bakeries out of 47 working!
30- Drones excessively hover on Gaza City, eastern and northern areas.
31- Israeli tanks based in Rafah City, Gaza Airport, fired many houses in Shoka area.
2- Israeli air forces raided on a United Nations' school northern Gaza, town of Bait Lahia. A woman and two children were killed and many wounded. Tens of people came to take the school as a shelter but it was hit!
3- Two Palestinians killed in east of Rafah City. Invading tanks destroyed sevetal houses and arrested some residents.
4- Three Palestinians killed by Phosphorous bombs fall down in many places in north of Gaza.
5- Two Palestinians killed after being injured in Khan yunis and their father was wounded. Here is an email I got from the friends of the family before they know what has happened to them!
Family Friend,
I am writing to make a request for a good friend from Gaza (Amer Shurrab, UWCAD '01--03, Middlebury College '08.5). He just found out his father and two brothers were attacked while returning home from their farm during the 3-hr ceasefire. One brother (Kassab Shurrab) died, but the father (Mohammed Shurrab -64) and the remaining brother (Ibrahim-17) are now wounded and stranded in an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) controlled area. It's been 16 hours and emergency services are unable to reach them. The ambulances cannot travel there without permission from the IDF, and local aid groups claim that soldiers are blocking their access.
We have spoken with the local Red Cross in Khan Yunis and they have been trying to get the IDF's permission to get to the family, but have not been allowed. What we are asking, is if you could help by using any of your contacts (in the area and/or region, with NGOs, HR groups,media, etc), to bring attention and pressure in order to get permission for the ambulances to save two lives. We are very desperate and trying as many avenues as possible to help aid reach them. If you know even a foot soldier who might be able to push the ball by calling a local commander we would really appreciate any help.
His father and brother are located at:
In front of Supermarket Abu Zidan El-Najar
El Fukhari (neighbourhood)
Khan Yunis (town)
Gaza
We truly appreciate any help at this time, thank you for your time.
Salam,
6- Two Palestinians killed near Sofa crossings in Rafah City southern Gaza Strip.
7- Three Palestinians killed in northern Gaza Strip near al karma buildings.
8- Heavy bombings mid of Gaza City and clashes erupted in eastern part of Gaza city.
9- Heavy bombings artillery shelling western Gaza city and in Al Zaytoin area south east of Gaza.
10- Naval gunboats shelled southern Gaza City leaving 4 Palestinian wounded.
11- Shells destroyed Taha mosque east of Jabalia.
12- Rockets hit a group of Palestinian fighters in Twam area west north of occupied Gaza strip.
13- Four Israeli soldiers wounded by Palestinian mortar shells north of Gaza.
14- Fire set in several houses in Bait Lahia resulted in many wounded.
15- Phosphorus bombs hit many targets at Khan yonis city and many house burned in the area.
16- Phosphorus bombs hit many targets at Khan yonis city and many house burned in the area.
17- Rockets attack into several farms and houses in Moraj area in Rafah City.
18- Three rockets hit Al Barhma area in Rafah City.
19- More than 100 bombs, rockets and shells hit the tunnels area in Rafah City. Tens of the houses destroyed and hundreds of persons left their houses.
20- Israeli F16s raided by 4 rockets on many spaces inside Egypt and hover in the area.
21- Medical sources: victims up to 1220 while wounded up to 5350. A big number of ambulances and medical equipments destroyed in addition to destroying 15 medical centers and sections.
22- Palestinian fighters launched 14 projectiles into Israeli settlements.
23- Houses destroyed northern Gaza in Israeli bombings.
24- Artillary shells bombarded Al Tofah area eastern Gaza City.
25- Rockets hit Al Salam quarter in Rafah City and 3 wounded in the place.
26- Drones fired a rocket into empty spaces in Shja'ya area.
27- Power Crisis still storming most of the Gaza Strip.
28- Water is not being accessed by 800 thousands Gazans.
29- Bread crisis still storming Gaza leaving 5 bakeries out of 47 working!
30- Drones excessively hover on Gaza City, eastern and northern areas.
31- Israeli tanks based in Rafah City, Gaza Airport, fired many houses in Shoka area.
Page: 2 - 1
|
Days: Jan 18 - 17 - 16 - 15 - 14 - 13 - 12 - 11 - 10 - 9 - 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - Dec 31 - 30 - 29 - 28 - 27