30th December 2008: Two International Human Rights Activists witnessed the killing of two young girls in Beit Hanoun this morning. A young boy was also seriously injured in the attack.
The two girls, one four years old, the other twelve years old were killed as they took out garbage from their home. The deaths came as Israeli missiles destroyed an agricultural co-operative, a PFLP community centre and a police station in the Beit Hanoun area.
“It is impossible to avoid civilian casualties in a densely populated area. No one is safe from the Israeli air strikes. I saw two girls, ages 4 and 12 get hit by a bomb from an F16. They were outside clearing some rubbish around their homes. The 4 year old girl died and the 12 year old girl was being taken to the hospital on a donkey cart. The people of Gaza have nothing left from the ongoing siege: there is not even an ambulance to take a child to the hospital. There is no excuse in dropping bombs on Gaza, as civilian deaths are unavoidable. The reality for the children of Gaza will not change until there is international pressure on Israel to end the bombings and the ongoing siege.” – Ewa Jasiewicz – Free Gaza Movement
“Bombs do not discriminate. I saw two girls, ages 4 and 12 get hit by a bomb from an F16. They were outside clearing some rubbish around their homes. The 4 year old girl died and the 12 year old girl was being taken to the hospital on a donkey cart. Israel is striking Gaza after leaving the population with nothing because of the ongoing siege. There is not even an ambulance to take a child to the hospital. Until there is a strong voice from the international community demanding that Israel end the siege and bombings, everyone is in danger.” – Alberto Arce – International Solidarity Movement
