18 jan 2009
BBC: Former British Army Colonel Richard Kemp Discusses IDF Gaza Ops
BBC: Former British Army Colonel Richard Kemp Discusses IDF Gaza Ops
|
|
|
|
16 jan 2009
|
13 jan 2009
Exclusive Focus on Israeli Violations Diminishes the Credibility of the Council’s Action
The United Nations Human Rights Council’s vote to investigate violations in the Gaza crisis by Israel alone instead of by both sides weakens the credibility of the investigation, Human Rights Watch said today.
The council voted on January 12, 2009, to dispatch an urgent international fact-finding mission to investigate violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by Israel against the Palestinian people. The resolution was approved 33 to 1, with 13 abstentions.
“The crisis in Gaza is overwhelming and a priority for Council action,” said Julie de Rivero, Geneva advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. ”But the Council compromised what could have been a strong response by focusing only on Israel’s conduct and ignoring Hamas’s behavior.”
Human Rights Watch has repeatedly documented Israeli abuses in Gaza, including the devastating humanitarian impact of the 19-month blockade. It has called for investigation of the January 6 attack that killed some 40 displaced persons at a UN school, and of actions that unnecessarily place civilians in danger, including the use of white phosphorous in populated areas.
“Highlighting the abuses of both sides does not, and should not, imply equating the conduct of both sides,” De Rivero said. “A credible inquiry requires examining all aspects of the conflict and its impact on civilians, and being open to investigating all alleged abuses.”
Exclusive Focus on Israeli Violations Diminishes the Credibility of the Council’s Action
The United Nations Human Rights Council’s vote to investigate violations in the Gaza crisis by Israel alone instead of by both sides weakens the credibility of the investigation, Human Rights Watch said today.
The council voted on January 12, 2009, to dispatch an urgent international fact-finding mission to investigate violations of international human rights and humanitarian law by Israel against the Palestinian people. The resolution was approved 33 to 1, with 13 abstentions.
“The crisis in Gaza is overwhelming and a priority for Council action,” said Julie de Rivero, Geneva advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. ”But the Council compromised what could have been a strong response by focusing only on Israel’s conduct and ignoring Hamas’s behavior.”
Human Rights Watch has repeatedly documented Israeli abuses in Gaza, including the devastating humanitarian impact of the 19-month blockade. It has called for investigation of the January 6 attack that killed some 40 displaced persons at a UN school, and of actions that unnecessarily place civilians in danger, including the use of white phosphorous in populated areas.
“Highlighting the abuses of both sides does not, and should not, imply equating the conduct of both sides,” De Rivero said. “A credible inquiry requires examining all aspects of the conflict and its impact on civilians, and being open to investigating all alleged abuses.”
|
12 jan 2009
Shelled family recounts Gaza horror |
9 jan 2009
Red Cross finds starving children with 12 corpses in Gaza 'house of horrors' |
7 Jan 2009
IDF issues warnings to the civilians of Gaza
The IDF warnings are aimed at reducing the risk of injury to uninvolved civilians by prior announcement of the IDF's intent to attack, instructing residents to evacuate the areas where terrorists or terror infrastructure are to be found.
Leaflet: IDF warns residents of Gaza
On the basis of the principle that the IDF has no quarrel with Gaza's civilian population who are being used as a human shield by the Hamas terrorists, the IDF has been transmitting announcements and warnings to the residents of the Gaza Strip.
These announcements are aimed at reducing the risk of injury to uninvolved civilians by prior announcement of the IDF's intent to attack, instructing residents to evacuate the areas where terrorists or terror infrastructure are to be found.
To make sure these warnings reach the residents, the IDF has used different measures: dropping leaflets, making phone calls, and commandeering local radio and TV stations.
The main messages include:
-- Calls to evacuate buildings where weapons are stored and/or where tunnels have been dug (since December 27)
-- Instructions to move to the center of towns (as of January 3)
-- Instructions to residents to listen to IDF advisories and avoid interaction with terrorist elements
These messages were conveyed by several means:
1. Dropping leaflets:
On December 28, 300,000 leaflets were dropped throughout the entire Gaza Strip
On December 29, 80,000 leaflets were dropped in Rafah
On January 3, 300,000 leaflets were dropped in the entire Gaza Strip, especially in the northern and eastern parts
On January 5, 300,000 leaflets were droopped in Gaza City, Khan Yunis and Rafah.
Leaflet (December 28, 2008):
Translation:
To the residents of the Gaza Strip
The IDF will act against any movements and elements conducting terrorist activities against the residents of the State of Israel.
The IDF will hit and destroy any building or site containing ammunition and weapons.
As of the publication of this announcement, anyone having ammunition and/or weapons in his home is risking his life and must leave the place for the safety of his own life and that of his family.
You have been warned.
IDF Command
2. Phone calls
On December 27, around 20,000 phone calls were made throuthout the entire Gaza Strip
On December 29, around 10,000 phone calls were made to the residents of Rafah
Phone Message (December 27, 2008)
The IDF will hit and destroy any site or building containing ammunition or weapons.
As of the publication of this announcement, the life of anyone in whose home ammunition and weapons are to be found is in danger, and he must leave the place for the sake of his own safety and that of his family.
IDF Command
3. Breaking into local radio transmissions
(Radio Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Radio and Radio PFLP)
a. Specific local announcements
Radio Announcement (December 29, 2008)
To the residents of Rafah: A military announcement -
The IDF will act against any organizations and elements carrying out terrorist activities against the residents of the State of Israel.
The IDF will hit and destroy any building or site containing ammunition, weapons or tunnels.
As of the issuing of this announcement, anyone having ammunition and/or weapons or a tunnel in his home is risking his life and must leave the place for his own safety and that of his family.
You have been warned.
IDF Command
Radio Announcement (January 3, 2009)
Military announcement
To all residents of the area
For your own safety, you are required to leave your homes immediately and move to the city centers.
IDF Command
b. Daily news bulletins (since December 27)
News Bulletin - Breakin into regular radio transmissions (January 3, 2009)
Following are the main news items regarding the latest events in the Gaza Strip:
Israel is continuing its operations in the Gaza Strip according to plan.
Israel strongly reiterates that it is taking strong measures against Hamas operatives only, and does not wish to harm the civilian population.
IDF troops have so far killed scores of active Hamas terrorists.
Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip are continuing to use the local population as a human shield and to fire from places where civilians reside, while they themselves hide and put the population in danger.
As part of the Hamas attempts to conceal the truth, Hamas spokesman Ihab al-Ghusain announced from his hiding place that the Gaza television station El-Arabia has been closed down.
Official sources in the Arab world have voiced their criticism of senior Hamas leaders in Gaza for totally forsaking the residents of Gaza Strip and looking out only for themselves and their nearest.
Gaza residents are welcome to receive food and medical supplies, delivered via the Rafah, Karni and Kerem Shalom passages, at the UNRWA centers throughout the Gaza Strip.
Israel calls on the population, for its own safety, to move to city centers.
Listen for further instructions from the IDF Command, heed instructions from IDF troops, and avoid staying in areas occupied by Hamas terrorist elements.
The IDF warnings are aimed at reducing the risk of injury to uninvolved civilians by prior announcement of the IDF's intent to attack, instructing residents to evacuate the areas where terrorists or terror infrastructure are to be found.
Leaflet: IDF warns residents of Gaza
On the basis of the principle that the IDF has no quarrel with Gaza's civilian population who are being used as a human shield by the Hamas terrorists, the IDF has been transmitting announcements and warnings to the residents of the Gaza Strip.
These announcements are aimed at reducing the risk of injury to uninvolved civilians by prior announcement of the IDF's intent to attack, instructing residents to evacuate the areas where terrorists or terror infrastructure are to be found.
To make sure these warnings reach the residents, the IDF has used different measures: dropping leaflets, making phone calls, and commandeering local radio and TV stations.
The main messages include:
-- Calls to evacuate buildings where weapons are stored and/or where tunnels have been dug (since December 27)
-- Instructions to move to the center of towns (as of January 3)
-- Instructions to residents to listen to IDF advisories and avoid interaction with terrorist elements
These messages were conveyed by several means:
1. Dropping leaflets:
On December 28, 300,000 leaflets were dropped throughout the entire Gaza Strip
On December 29, 80,000 leaflets were dropped in Rafah
On January 3, 300,000 leaflets were dropped in the entire Gaza Strip, especially in the northern and eastern parts
On January 5, 300,000 leaflets were droopped in Gaza City, Khan Yunis and Rafah.
Leaflet (December 28, 2008):
Translation:
To the residents of the Gaza Strip
The IDF will act against any movements and elements conducting terrorist activities against the residents of the State of Israel.
The IDF will hit and destroy any building or site containing ammunition and weapons.
As of the publication of this announcement, anyone having ammunition and/or weapons in his home is risking his life and must leave the place for the safety of his own life and that of his family.
You have been warned.
IDF Command
2. Phone calls
On December 27, around 20,000 phone calls were made throuthout the entire Gaza Strip
On December 29, around 10,000 phone calls were made to the residents of Rafah
Phone Message (December 27, 2008)
The IDF will hit and destroy any site or building containing ammunition or weapons.
As of the publication of this announcement, the life of anyone in whose home ammunition and weapons are to be found is in danger, and he must leave the place for the sake of his own safety and that of his family.
IDF Command
3. Breaking into local radio transmissions
(Radio Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Radio and Radio PFLP)
a. Specific local announcements
Radio Announcement (December 29, 2008)
To the residents of Rafah: A military announcement -
The IDF will act against any organizations and elements carrying out terrorist activities against the residents of the State of Israel.
The IDF will hit and destroy any building or site containing ammunition, weapons or tunnels.
As of the issuing of this announcement, anyone having ammunition and/or weapons or a tunnel in his home is risking his life and must leave the place for his own safety and that of his family.
You have been warned.
IDF Command
Radio Announcement (January 3, 2009)
Military announcement
To all residents of the area
For your own safety, you are required to leave your homes immediately and move to the city centers.
IDF Command
b. Daily news bulletins (since December 27)
News Bulletin - Breakin into regular radio transmissions (January 3, 2009)
Following are the main news items regarding the latest events in the Gaza Strip:
Israel is continuing its operations in the Gaza Strip according to plan.
Israel strongly reiterates that it is taking strong measures against Hamas operatives only, and does not wish to harm the civilian population.
IDF troops have so far killed scores of active Hamas terrorists.
Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip are continuing to use the local population as a human shield and to fire from places where civilians reside, while they themselves hide and put the population in danger.
As part of the Hamas attempts to conceal the truth, Hamas spokesman Ihab al-Ghusain announced from his hiding place that the Gaza television station El-Arabia has been closed down.
Official sources in the Arab world have voiced their criticism of senior Hamas leaders in Gaza for totally forsaking the residents of Gaza Strip and looking out only for themselves and their nearest.
Gaza residents are welcome to receive food and medical supplies, delivered via the Rafah, Karni and Kerem Shalom passages, at the UNRWA centers throughout the Gaza Strip.
Israel calls on the population, for its own safety, to move to city centers.
Listen for further instructions from the IDF Command, heed instructions from IDF troops, and avoid staying in areas occupied by Hamas terrorist elements.
|
Israel's chemical weapons burned Gaza civilians & homes
|
Gaza medics in the line of fire
|
