2 jan 2009
On the seventh day of a weeklong assault on Gaza, new Israeli attacks killed and maimed about 60 people by Friday evening. Nine died, including five children.
Meanwhile, Israeli sources reported that about 20 rockets were fired targeting sites in the western Negev. One injury was reported there.
Two Palestinians, a man and a woman, were killed and 20 others injured in a strike by Israeli forces on Friday evening in central Gaza. Twenty others were injured.
Local witnesses said that 22-year-old Tahani A'yesh was killed, while five of her family members suffered injuries in the Israeli shelling attack on her home near the area of Juhr Ad-Deek, east of Al-Bureij Refugee Camp in central Gaza.
Another Palestinian was killed when Israel's air force targeted a civilian car, passing over a bridge in the Gaza Valley, which is in the south. Three others were injured in that attack and were transferred to Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital.
Ten others were injured after a number of airstrikes targeted the home of I'mad A'gel, a senior leader within the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.
Several other places of business were struck, as well, particularly in An-Nuseirat Refugee Camp in the central Gaza Strip.
Sixteen out of the 30 killed in Israeli airstrikes since New Year's Eve were children; nine were from the same family and nine of the adults killed were women.
Fifty-seven percent of Palestinians killed so far in 2009 have been children.
On Friday the bodies of the Rayan family children were buried, and Palestinian medical sources confirmed the deaths of three more Palestinians under 17 years old.
Seven Palestinians have been killed since midnight Thursday, bringing the death toll to 430 and the injured to 2,220 on day seven of the Israeli operation.
The day's strikes were reported as follows:
2:45pm One of the children killed Friday was from the Al-Astal family. He was playing outside his home in the Al-Qararra neighborhood when a shell hit the area.
2:30pm At An-Nuseirat Refugee Camp, the Israeli army targeted the home of Imad A'qel, a prominent leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. His home was destroyed but no injuries were reported.
2:15pm Three Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on Al-Qarara village in southern Gaza.
2:00pm Shells landed on the home of Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades leader in the central Gaza Strip.
1:15pm 20 year-old Fadi Shebat was killed in Israeli shelling at Beit Hanoun.
1:00pm 15-year-old Hammad Mesbeh was killed by Israeli shells in Gaza City. Medical sources in the Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed that Hammad was killed by shrapnel from an Israeli missile strike fired from a pilotless drone. His body was difficult to identify because it arrived to the hospital in pieces.
12:10pm Gazans crowded Jabaliya streets in a public outcry against the Israeli killing of Hamas leader Nizar Rayan and 15 family members on Thursday.
12:00pm Shells fell on Der Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
10:30am One dead, several injured as Israeli missiles land on a home in Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip. 6-year-old Christine At-Turk was killed in the strike.
10:00am Foad Al-Matuq was killed and four were injured after Israeli shells hit an empty home in Jabalia Refugee Camp in the northern Gaza Strip. Shelling targeted the home of Nabil Matuq, Fouad's brother. The home was also demolished.
9:00am Missile strikes in residential areas across the Gaza Strip were reported.
7:00am Israeli missiles targeted the homes of two Hamas members at Al-Bureij Refugee Camp near Gaza City. The strikes left homes totally demolished, as well as several buildings in the area. One of the damaged homes belonged to Jamal Ad-Durrah, the father of Muhammad Ad-Durrah, whose death at the hands of Israeli gunfire was caught on film in the now iconic image of the young boy cowering behind his father as they hide behind an oil drum in the face of Israeli fire.
6:45am Two homes in Rafah were bombed, injuring six people.
6:30am Israeli shelling targeted a house in the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood, west of Gaza City.
6:00am Israeli shelling hit the Caliphates' Mosque in Jabalia Refugee Camp, injuring four Palestinians.
5:45am Thousands of birds were killed when Israeli fire targeted a farm in Gaza City.
Meanwhile, Israeli sources reported that about 20 rockets were fired targeting sites in the western Negev. One injury was reported there.
Two Palestinians, a man and a woman, were killed and 20 others injured in a strike by Israeli forces on Friday evening in central Gaza. Twenty others were injured.
Local witnesses said that 22-year-old Tahani A'yesh was killed, while five of her family members suffered injuries in the Israeli shelling attack on her home near the area of Juhr Ad-Deek, east of Al-Bureij Refugee Camp in central Gaza.
Another Palestinian was killed when Israel's air force targeted a civilian car, passing over a bridge in the Gaza Valley, which is in the south. Three others were injured in that attack and were transferred to Shuhada Al-Aqsa Hospital.
Ten others were injured after a number of airstrikes targeted the home of I'mad A'gel, a senior leader within the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.
Several other places of business were struck, as well, particularly in An-Nuseirat Refugee Camp in the central Gaza Strip.
Sixteen out of the 30 killed in Israeli airstrikes since New Year's Eve were children; nine were from the same family and nine of the adults killed were women.
Fifty-seven percent of Palestinians killed so far in 2009 have been children.
On Friday the bodies of the Rayan family children were buried, and Palestinian medical sources confirmed the deaths of three more Palestinians under 17 years old.
Seven Palestinians have been killed since midnight Thursday, bringing the death toll to 430 and the injured to 2,220 on day seven of the Israeli operation.
The day's strikes were reported as follows:
2:45pm One of the children killed Friday was from the Al-Astal family. He was playing outside his home in the Al-Qararra neighborhood when a shell hit the area.
2:30pm At An-Nuseirat Refugee Camp, the Israeli army targeted the home of Imad A'qel, a prominent leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas. His home was destroyed but no injuries were reported.
2:15pm Three Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on Al-Qarara village in southern Gaza.
2:00pm Shells landed on the home of Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades leader in the central Gaza Strip.
1:15pm 20 year-old Fadi Shebat was killed in Israeli shelling at Beit Hanoun.
1:00pm 15-year-old Hammad Mesbeh was killed by Israeli shells in Gaza City. Medical sources in the Palestinian Red Crescent confirmed that Hammad was killed by shrapnel from an Israeli missile strike fired from a pilotless drone. His body was difficult to identify because it arrived to the hospital in pieces.
12:10pm Gazans crowded Jabaliya streets in a public outcry against the Israeli killing of Hamas leader Nizar Rayan and 15 family members on Thursday.
12:00pm Shells fell on Der Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip.
10:30am One dead, several injured as Israeli missiles land on a home in Jabaliya in the northern Gaza Strip. 6-year-old Christine At-Turk was killed in the strike.
10:00am Foad Al-Matuq was killed and four were injured after Israeli shells hit an empty home in Jabalia Refugee Camp in the northern Gaza Strip. Shelling targeted the home of Nabil Matuq, Fouad's brother. The home was also demolished.
9:00am Missile strikes in residential areas across the Gaza Strip were reported.
7:00am Israeli missiles targeted the homes of two Hamas members at Al-Bureij Refugee Camp near Gaza City. The strikes left homes totally demolished, as well as several buildings in the area. One of the damaged homes belonged to Jamal Ad-Durrah, the father of Muhammad Ad-Durrah, whose death at the hands of Israeli gunfire was caught on film in the now iconic image of the young boy cowering behind his father as they hide behind an oil drum in the face of Israeli fire.
6:45am Two homes in Rafah were bombed, injuring six people.
6:30am Israeli shelling targeted a house in the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood, west of Gaza City.
6:00am Israeli shelling hit the Caliphates' Mosque in Jabalia Refugee Camp, injuring four Palestinians.
5:45am Thousands of birds were killed when Israeli fire targeted a farm in Gaza City.
About 250 foreign passport holders left the Gaza Strip through the Erez crossing near Beit Hanoun Friday morning.
Palestinian sources say those leaving are Palestinians with foreign passports and internationals married to Palestinians, who are leaving with their children. Most of the internationals departing the Gaza Strip hold passports from the former Soviet Union and some European countries.
The Israeli army decided to allow the group to leave the area after a military decision was issued Thursday night,
Other families refused to leave because loved ones were not granted permits to exit the Strip and they would not leave children and close family behind.
Eight Gazans land in Amman for treatment
Eight wounded Gazans were flown in to Jordan from northern Egypt Friday morning in order to receive treatment in Amman's major hospital.
According to the Jordan times the plane was meant to being 40 wounded Gazans to Jordan, but for unstated reasons only eight were transported.
The offer to provide hospital treatment for wounded Gazans came from Jordanian King Abdullah II.
Palestinian sources say those leaving are Palestinians with foreign passports and internationals married to Palestinians, who are leaving with their children. Most of the internationals departing the Gaza Strip hold passports from the former Soviet Union and some European countries.
The Israeli army decided to allow the group to leave the area after a military decision was issued Thursday night,
Other families refused to leave because loved ones were not granted permits to exit the Strip and they would not leave children and close family behind.
Eight Gazans land in Amman for treatment
Eight wounded Gazans were flown in to Jordan from northern Egypt Friday morning in order to receive treatment in Amman's major hospital.
According to the Jordan times the plane was meant to being 40 wounded Gazans to Jordan, but for unstated reasons only eight were transported.
The offer to provide hospital treatment for wounded Gazans came from Jordanian King Abdullah II.
Israeli airplanes dropped leaflets calling for Gazans to inform their military of the whereabouts of projectile launchers in return for aid and assistance.
The papers were found by the thousands all over Gaza on Friday morning and bear the signature of the Israeli military.
The leaflet reads:
To the residents of the Gaza Strip, Take responsibility for your fate!
If you wish to provide help and assistance to your people in the sector, call the number below to provide us with the needed information. The projectile launchers and the terrorist elements pose a threat to you and your families.
The power to stop the massacre is in your hands. Don't hesitate!
We will be glad to receive any information you have and it is not necessary to give us your personal information.
Your anonymity is guaranteed. Call us at the following number: 02-5839749
Or you can e-mail us at: [email protected] to provide us with any information on the terrorist factions.
Note: To protect your safety, we ask you to be secretive when you call us.
Head of the Israeli Defense Forces
Israel has used similar tactics on several occasions, most recently during their 2006 war in Lebanon and earlier in 2003 during an attack on the West Bank. The fliers are meant to shake the civilian population and crush the spirit of the 'home front.'
Israeli military personnel have also cut into the Voice of Al-Quds radio station in Gaza and broadcast announcements to Gazans that convey a message similar to the leaflets.
At the same time, the Al-Qassam Brigades, which is affiliated with Hamas, has managed to cut into Israeli military radio channels and broadcast statements in Hebrew warning soldiers against entering the Gaza Strip.
In regard to Google's knowledge of Israel's usage of its email platform for military purposes, a company spokesperson told Ma'an that the corporation "does not monitor the email addresses selected by Gmail users."
Twelve projectiles launched into Israel Thursday morning
The military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) launched 12 projectiles at the Israeli side of the Nahal Oz crossing in northern Gaza, as well as the nearby Kibbutz Sa'd, Ashkelon, Sderot and a military gathering east Juhr Ad-Dik overnight on Thursday.
The brigades said in a statement that their attacks come as a response to the Israeli massacre in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli sources said two women were lightly hurt when projectiles landed in Ashkelon.
The papers were found by the thousands all over Gaza on Friday morning and bear the signature of the Israeli military.
The leaflet reads:
To the residents of the Gaza Strip, Take responsibility for your fate!
If you wish to provide help and assistance to your people in the sector, call the number below to provide us with the needed information. The projectile launchers and the terrorist elements pose a threat to you and your families.
The power to stop the massacre is in your hands. Don't hesitate!
We will be glad to receive any information you have and it is not necessary to give us your personal information.
Your anonymity is guaranteed. Call us at the following number: 02-5839749
Or you can e-mail us at: [email protected] to provide us with any information on the terrorist factions.
Note: To protect your safety, we ask you to be secretive when you call us.
Head of the Israeli Defense Forces
Israel has used similar tactics on several occasions, most recently during their 2006 war in Lebanon and earlier in 2003 during an attack on the West Bank. The fliers are meant to shake the civilian population and crush the spirit of the 'home front.'
Israeli military personnel have also cut into the Voice of Al-Quds radio station in Gaza and broadcast announcements to Gazans that convey a message similar to the leaflets.
At the same time, the Al-Qassam Brigades, which is affiliated with Hamas, has managed to cut into Israeli military radio channels and broadcast statements in Hebrew warning soldiers against entering the Gaza Strip.
In regard to Google's knowledge of Israel's usage of its email platform for military purposes, a company spokesperson told Ma'an that the corporation "does not monitor the email addresses selected by Gmail users."
Twelve projectiles launched into Israel Thursday morning
The military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) launched 12 projectiles at the Israeli side of the Nahal Oz crossing in northern Gaza, as well as the nearby Kibbutz Sa'd, Ashkelon, Sderot and a military gathering east Juhr Ad-Dik overnight on Thursday.
The brigades said in a statement that their attacks come as a response to the Israeli massacre in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli sources said two women were lightly hurt when projectiles landed in Ashkelon.
The Israeli military leadership has picked civilian homes in each neighborhood of Gaza and announced to residents that the building will be shelled.
One man from the Ash-Shata refugee camp received a phone call from an Israeli soldier urging him to leave the area because his home would shortly be shelled. He left for his brother's home.
Three hours after the first phone call the man's brother got a similar message; they both left for a new location.
Thousands of others left their homes after the start of the strikes and the psychological warfare, but many have now returned since all their "safe places" became targets.
In the densely packed Gaza Strip your home is either across the street from a government ministry building, in the same building as a de facto government police officer (which are targets despite being protected under international law) or beside a mosque said to be a 'known hideout for militants.'
If the foreign press had been here, they would have seen that.
They also would have heard the screams of children who feel the earth move when shells hit the top floors of buildings nearby; who hear the blast and then the fall of thousands of pounds of concrete sliding towards the earth on the backs of the families whose apartments are obliterated.
In one large apartment building it only took three days for more than half of the residents - mostly those on the higher floors - to move out. Every morning after the start of the strikes trucks could be seen at the bottom of the building, loading blankets and mattresses so families could find another place to sleep.
Those that remain on the lower floors have divided the building into women's and men's quarters and are sharing the space because there is nowhere else for families to go.
It is for these reasons that Gaza City has not slept despite the near 24-hour darkness and the black cloud of smoke that enshrouds it.
This is the reality of the city that foreign journalists do not know; the city described as a human cage, a cement hole or a vat of human flesh. Israel relies on these descriptions of Gaza for its media war, its psychological manipulation of the international community and even its own citizens.
For their attack on this city Israel has chosen the operation title "Cast Lead." It is the name by which we will denounce and expose the criminal nature of what it represents.
One man from the Ash-Shata refugee camp received a phone call from an Israeli soldier urging him to leave the area because his home would shortly be shelled. He left for his brother's home.
Three hours after the first phone call the man's brother got a similar message; they both left for a new location.
Thousands of others left their homes after the start of the strikes and the psychological warfare, but many have now returned since all their "safe places" became targets.
In the densely packed Gaza Strip your home is either across the street from a government ministry building, in the same building as a de facto government police officer (which are targets despite being protected under international law) or beside a mosque said to be a 'known hideout for militants.'
If the foreign press had been here, they would have seen that.
They also would have heard the screams of children who feel the earth move when shells hit the top floors of buildings nearby; who hear the blast and then the fall of thousands of pounds of concrete sliding towards the earth on the backs of the families whose apartments are obliterated.
In one large apartment building it only took three days for more than half of the residents - mostly those on the higher floors - to move out. Every morning after the start of the strikes trucks could be seen at the bottom of the building, loading blankets and mattresses so families could find another place to sleep.
Those that remain on the lower floors have divided the building into women's and men's quarters and are sharing the space because there is nowhere else for families to go.
It is for these reasons that Gaza City has not slept despite the near 24-hour darkness and the black cloud of smoke that enshrouds it.
This is the reality of the city that foreign journalists do not know; the city described as a human cage, a cement hole or a vat of human flesh. Israel relies on these descriptions of Gaza for its media war, its psychological manipulation of the international community and even its own citizens.
For their attack on this city Israel has chosen the operation title "Cast Lead." It is the name by which we will denounce and expose the criminal nature of what it represents.
More than 60 parliamentarians from different United Kingdom parties signed a memorandum demanding an immediate end to Israeli rocket attacks on Gaza.
The memo called for the international community to exert pressure on Israel, aiming to stop the airstrikes and initiate sanctions on military supplies to Israel.
The document also called for sending urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and to end the humanitarian crisis, which the United Nations says is escalating.
The dozens of parliamentarians sent the memo to Mustafa Al-Barhouthi, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI) and a former candidate for the Palestinian presidency.
Al-Barhouthi called the move "the beginning of a positive international movement, heading in the right direction, to stop the barbaric Israeli assault on Gaza."
The memo called for the international community to exert pressure on Israel, aiming to stop the airstrikes and initiate sanctions on military supplies to Israel.
The document also called for sending urgent humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and to end the humanitarian crisis, which the United Nations says is escalating.
The dozens of parliamentarians sent the memo to Mustafa Al-Barhouthi, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative (PNI) and a former candidate for the Palestinian presidency.
Al-Barhouthi called the move "the beginning of a positive international movement, heading in the right direction, to stop the barbaric Israeli assault on Gaza."
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas was en route to New York on Friday evening to appear with the heads of other countries in order to make the case against the Israeli government at the United Nations.
Saeb Erekat, head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s Negotiations Affairs Department, confirmed that the president intends to pressure member states of the UN to pressure Israel to "unconditionally and immediately" halt its attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The news came during a meeting held with the United States and United Kindom consul generals to Jerusalem.
Erekat insisted that an immediate halt to the attacks was in the best interests of all parties, noting that procedures to establish a more comprehensive and universal truce could be negotiated later.
He called on Israel to lift its siege of the Gaza Strip, open the crossings and allow efforts by Egypt to achieve a Palestinian unity government-as soon as possible.
Erekat called on the international community to activate the Fourth Geneva Convention, which demands that Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are protected.
He also insisted that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) be permitted to provide all humanitarian assistance and medical treatment required in the besieged strip, including fuel and electricity.
Erekat stressed that ending "incitement campaigns and accusations" would bring about a suitable atmosphere to guarantee success to Egypt's mediation efforts.
Saeb Erekat, head of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)'s Negotiations Affairs Department, confirmed that the president intends to pressure member states of the UN to pressure Israel to "unconditionally and immediately" halt its attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The news came during a meeting held with the United States and United Kindom consul generals to Jerusalem.
Erekat insisted that an immediate halt to the attacks was in the best interests of all parties, noting that procedures to establish a more comprehensive and universal truce could be negotiated later.
He called on Israel to lift its siege of the Gaza Strip, open the crossings and allow efforts by Egypt to achieve a Palestinian unity government-as soon as possible.
Erekat called on the international community to activate the Fourth Geneva Convention, which demands that Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are protected.
He also insisted that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) be permitted to provide all humanitarian assistance and medical treatment required in the besieged strip, including fuel and electricity.
Erekat stressed that ending "incitement campaigns and accusations" would bring about a suitable atmosphere to guarantee success to Egypt's mediation efforts.
An assistant within the Palestinian de facto Ministry of the Economy said on Friday that Israel plans to open the Karem Shalom crossing into Gaza within 48 hours.
Economic Minister Naser As-Saraj said that it would be opened on Sunday to allow 80 truckloads into the strip, 45 with humanitarian aid and 35 others for the private sector.
Witnesses identify three children killed in Friday airstrikes
Local witnesses told Ma'an on Friday that the following three children were killed in Israeli airstrikes on 2 January.
Mohamad Iyad Al-Astal, 10
Abed Rabu Al-Astal, 11
Abed As-Satar Walid Al-Astal, 11
Brothers Mohamad and Abed Rabu were killed while playing at the Ad-Dababeesh family's home, witnesses said, along with their cousin, Abad As-Satar.
An ambulance driver and another child were also injured during the attack that killed the three young relatives, witnesses added.
Economic Minister Naser As-Saraj said that it would be opened on Sunday to allow 80 truckloads into the strip, 45 with humanitarian aid and 35 others for the private sector.
Witnesses identify three children killed in Friday airstrikes
Local witnesses told Ma'an on Friday that the following three children were killed in Israeli airstrikes on 2 January.
Mohamad Iyad Al-Astal, 10
Abed Rabu Al-Astal, 11
Abed As-Satar Walid Al-Astal, 11
Brothers Mohamad and Abed Rabu were killed while playing at the Ad-Dababeesh family's home, witnesses said, along with their cousin, Abad As-Satar.
An ambulance driver and another child were also injured during the attack that killed the three young relatives, witnesses added.
Thousands of Hamas supporters paid their last respects at a funeral procession for one of the movement's most prominent military and political leaders, Nizar Rayan, and fourteen members of his family on Friday.
The 15 Palestinians died in an Israeli airstrike on their home in the central Gaza Strip the day before. Their bodies were wrapped in Hamas flags before they were buried.
Mourners prayed in the yard of a local mosque that was destroyed on Thursday night after being shelled by Israeli fighter planes.
Rayan was one of the leading members of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip. His four-story home was hit by two missiles shortly after the Israeli army reportedly urged him to evacuate.
In an unusual show of unity, several members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) attended the funeral.
Hamas leader and PLC member Ismail Al-Asqar said that "the killing of Rayan has strengthened the movement."
"The rules of the game have changed since the first day (of Israel's operation); there are many surprised awaiting the occupation," he said. "The killings will empower us. We will not raise a white flag."
"The occupation will enter Gaza again," the PLC member predicted, calling for "new strikes" against Israel in light of its assassination of Rayan on Thursday.
The 15 Palestinians died in an Israeli airstrike on their home in the central Gaza Strip the day before. Their bodies were wrapped in Hamas flags before they were buried.
Mourners prayed in the yard of a local mosque that was destroyed on Thursday night after being shelled by Israeli fighter planes.
Rayan was one of the leading members of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip. His four-story home was hit by two missiles shortly after the Israeli army reportedly urged him to evacuate.
In an unusual show of unity, several members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) attended the funeral.
Hamas leader and PLC member Ismail Al-Asqar said that "the killing of Rayan has strengthened the movement."
"The rules of the game have changed since the first day (of Israel's operation); there are many surprised awaiting the occupation," he said. "The killings will empower us. We will not raise a white flag."
"The occupation will enter Gaza again," the PLC member predicted, calling for "new strikes" against Israel in light of its assassination of Rayan on Thursday.
PRC armed wing shells Nir Oz with two projectiles
The Salah Din Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), claimed responsibility for shelling Nir Oz Kibbutz with two homemade projectiles on Friday evening.
The group added in a statement that the incident "came in response to the Israeli attacks" and as an effort to "affirm the option of resistance."
The Salah Din Brigades, the armed wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), claimed responsibility for shelling Nir Oz Kibbutz with two homemade projectiles on Friday evening.
The group added in a statement that the incident "came in response to the Israeli attacks" and as an effort to "affirm the option of resistance."
Jan 2: A personal post
Ministry Building on the right - see how far the blast's impact goes?
People have asked me if I am frightened. What I am frightened by is the enormity of these events, at how few international eyes there are here to witness them, and that it is hard to imagine how it will end. In the last handful of days, I have given about 30 interviews by phone, and a couple on camera, to a world outside which my friends are telling me is slowly waking up to this disaster.
Yet about 400 foreigners took Israel up on its offer of an exit route through Erez border today, and we wonder what they have planned next that they don’t want outsiders here to witness.
I am so glad to be here, to be a small sign to Gaza folks that people do care about them. And my fabulous friends are sending supportive messages, not only to me but to Palestinians, who cluster round to look at them, and translate them to each other, sometimes in tones of astonishment; and to smile at the footage of demonstrations and vigils. I told a local friend today that Israelis will be demonstrating against their government’s actions on Saturday, and she could hardly comprehend it. (See a Jerusalem demo that’s happened already here.) I look forward to sharing the pictures of this and all the other rallies about to happen, with her and everyone.
Underneath the rockets is a strange place to be, that’s for sure. So far, most of my little ISM group seems to have the same calm response to this crazy scenario, and that is helpful. During the day we will catch taxis (largely to save time as well as for safety) if they are going where we need to go. If we are going to dangerous areas, or at night when the taxis vanish, we tend to walk. We prefer to avoid paying someone to take us somewhere dangerous anyway.
Walking through this ghostly city at night is easier with a colleague for company and consultation. Everyone, including the taxi drivers, take circuitous routes designed to avoid as much as possible both places that have been bombed (as repeat strikes are not the less common for being pointless) or places that might be bombed.
People have asked me if I am frightened. What I am frightened by is the enormity of these events, at how few international eyes there are here to witness them, and that it is hard to imagine how it will end. In the last handful of days, I have given about 30 interviews by phone, and a couple on camera, to a world outside which my friends are telling me is slowly waking up to this disaster.
Yet about 400 foreigners took Israel up on its offer of an exit route through Erez border today, and we wonder what they have planned next that they don’t want outsiders here to witness.
I am so glad to be here, to be a small sign to Gaza folks that people do care about them. And my fabulous friends are sending supportive messages, not only to me but to Palestinians, who cluster round to look at them, and translate them to each other, sometimes in tones of astonishment; and to smile at the footage of demonstrations and vigils. I told a local friend today that Israelis will be demonstrating against their government’s actions on Saturday, and she could hardly comprehend it. (See a Jerusalem demo that’s happened already here.) I look forward to sharing the pictures of this and all the other rallies about to happen, with her and everyone.
Underneath the rockets is a strange place to be, that’s for sure. So far, most of my little ISM group seems to have the same calm response to this crazy scenario, and that is helpful. During the day we will catch taxis (largely to save time as well as for safety) if they are going where we need to go. If we are going to dangerous areas, or at night when the taxis vanish, we tend to walk. We prefer to avoid paying someone to take us somewhere dangerous anyway.
Walking through this ghostly city at night is easier with a colleague for company and consultation. Everyone, including the taxi drivers, take circuitous routes designed to avoid as much as possible both places that have been bombed (as repeat strikes are not the less common for being pointless) or places that might be bombed.
Palestinian Legislative Council
This process is becoming increasingly intricate. Last night, E and I began the route to the hospital as we had the night before, choosing what had been the safeish route then. We didn’t realise (til we found it looming above us) that this route, yesterday watched over by the elegant and massively solid Palestinian Legislative Council, now included its enormous remains. |
I am awed by how much power it must have taken to destroy it. We stumbled swiftly over the rubble away from it, rockets occasionally lighting the sky above us, in time for us to cover our ears. About 14 mosques have been bombed since Saturday. Early on, after covering the destruction of the mosque that had also killed the Balisha girls, V and I had to pass a beautiful one in Jabalia. An old man explained we had come the wrong way, and said we had to go back past what he called the “mosquito”. We did, uncomfortably. I heard yesterday it no longer exists.
Old Governor's Mansion
There used to be a lovely house overlooking the sea on Charles de Gaulle street, surrounded by one of the few gardens with lush green grass. In August when I was first here, I would peer in through the railings as I passed. I discovered yesterday it is rubble, the white staircase climbing into nowhere now. |
I am told it was the governor’s mansion from the time of Egypt’s rule here in the 50s, used mostly since the 60s to host dignitaries, a historic building. Not someone’s home though. The Al Quds doctors were telling us that most of last nights targets in Rafah were homes. I was thinking about rubble, and how it all looks the same, though the buildings it once constituted all looked different. And how tiring and sad it must be to clear it by hand, when you maybe haven’t eaten enough or slept enough. Especially if it is your personal rubble.
My uncle phoned today, he was surprised to find that, of all the important things he could have interrupted me doing, I was in fact washing my hair. I haven’t slept a night at home once since the strikes began, but I do manage the occasional visit for a wash. And to eat jam with a spoon since it is the sole foodstuff at my place.
At least one more emergency medical worker was injured today. Ahmed Eid, 25, was attempting to rescue people in the just-bombed house of the Babish family, in the Sheikh Radwan area east of Gaza city at about 4pm, when Israeli planes took the opportunity for a second strike. 6-7 civilians were injured and Ahmed required stitches to his head. There are unconfirmed reports of injuries to another medical worker. 3 children were killed by rocket attack in Khan Younis. At 1.30 this afternoon, Dr Hasan Khalef from Al Shifa tells us that in the last 24 hours, 20 children have been killed and 112 wounded, and 8 women killed and 135 wounded. Ismail, the third child of the Hamadan family, died yesterday of his injuries.
Gaza people too have grieved for the Ni’lin boys killed by Israeli soldiers for being out on a West Bank demo against the Gaza strikes – 22 year old Arafat, who died that day, and 18 year old Mohammed, who was shot 3 times by Israeli soldiers and died of his injuries yesterday.
To be absolutely honest, if this goes on for weeks, I don’t think all of my ISM group will make it out alive. But are our lives worth any more than those of the people of Gaza?
My uncle phoned today, he was surprised to find that, of all the important things he could have interrupted me doing, I was in fact washing my hair. I haven’t slept a night at home once since the strikes began, but I do manage the occasional visit for a wash. And to eat jam with a spoon since it is the sole foodstuff at my place.
At least one more emergency medical worker was injured today. Ahmed Eid, 25, was attempting to rescue people in the just-bombed house of the Babish family, in the Sheikh Radwan area east of Gaza city at about 4pm, when Israeli planes took the opportunity for a second strike. 6-7 civilians were injured and Ahmed required stitches to his head. There are unconfirmed reports of injuries to another medical worker. 3 children were killed by rocket attack in Khan Younis. At 1.30 this afternoon, Dr Hasan Khalef from Al Shifa tells us that in the last 24 hours, 20 children have been killed and 112 wounded, and 8 women killed and 135 wounded. Ismail, the third child of the Hamadan family, died yesterday of his injuries.
Gaza people too have grieved for the Ni’lin boys killed by Israeli soldiers for being out on a West Bank demo against the Gaza strikes – 22 year old Arafat, who died that day, and 18 year old Mohammed, who was shot 3 times by Israeli soldiers and died of his injuries yesterday.
To be absolutely honest, if this goes on for weeks, I don’t think all of my ISM group will make it out alive. But are our lives worth any more than those of the people of Gaza?
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