Tag: Gaza - Page 123 - International Solidarity Movement

Israel’s attack on civilians: two children killed

23 March 2011 | International Solidarity Movement

Until now I am doubting whether to upload the horrific pictures of the latest fatalities of Israel’s attacks on Gaza. They show what remains of 15-year-old Qasem Salah Abu Uteiwi and his 16-year-old friend Imad Mohammed Issa Faraj Allah. Both teenagers are from Nuseirat refugee camp, in central Gaza Strip. They were killed on Saturday evening, March 19th, while they were playing in the neighbouring village Johr Al-Dik, at approximately 300 meters from the border.

Warning — extremely graphic images were uploaded here:
http://guerrillaradio.iobloggo.com/2064/il-vero-volto-dell-occupazione-israeliana-attenzione-immagini-cruente

At approximately 21:30 an Israeli tank, stationed along the border, fired more than 20 artillery shells. As a result the two children were immediately killed. Witnesses state that the IOF continued firing until late in the evening.

Yesterday, me and my friends from ISM went down to Nuseirat refugee camp to give our condolences to the families of the victims.

“We were all worried when they did not return home in the evening, and our worry increased after after we heard the bombing. The next morning, we heard on the news that the bodies of two civilians were brought to Shifa hospital. I immediately hurried down there and recognized Qasem in the remains of one of the bodies in the morgue. He was missing an arm, was covered in burns, his face was tattered with shrapnel, and he did not have a single tooth in his mouth”, says Khaled, one of Qasem’s uncles.

The Uteiwi family is a poor family, which was pushed deeper into poverty during Israel’s massacre in 2008-2009. Khaled’s house was destroyed during Cast Lead, just like 3 dunums of his land, while his daughter, Ayat was shot in the chest by a sniper in early January 2009.

Friends and family of Imad Mohammed Issa Faraj Allah gathered in a different mourning tent, a couple of blocks further on. Imad’s father, Mohammed, suddenly turned to me and said: “They have no conscience, no laws, they can do what they want to us. The UN, which promptly adopted a resolution to attack Lybia, has vetoed the condemnation of Israel for its illegal colonies in Palestine. It has turned our souls bitter. They call it ‘the war on terrorism’, but they should call it the war on Arab terrorism, because Israeli terrorism is untouchable.” The man takes a breath and continues.

“I worked 12 years in Israel, and this must be my bonus. Imad’s brothers have seen the photos of his massacred corpse and they demand revenge. These killings are the reason for the conflict. “

In a New Crime, IOF Kills Two Children in Central Gaza

21 March 2011 | Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

On Saturday evening, 19 March 2011, the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) used excessive and lethal force which resulted in the death of two Palestinian children who were nearly 300 meters from the border east of Juhr Addik village in the central Gaza Strip. It should be noted that on Thursday morning, 17 March 2011, IOF warplanes dropped leaflets on border areas in the different parts of the Gaza Strip warning Palestinians to avoid coming within 300 meters of the border fence with Israel.

According to an investigation conducted by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and statements made by eyewitnesses, at approximately 21:30 on 19 March 2011, IOF stationed along the border line east of Juhr Addik village in central the Gaza Strip fired several artillery shells at two Palestinian children who were nearly 300 meters from the border. As a result the two children were immediately killed. IOF continued firing until late in the evening. Today morning, 20 March 2011, IOF moved approximately 400 meters into the area and conducted surveillance in the area. After coordination was made with IOF through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), at approximately 11:30 this morning, an ambulance from the Palestinian Red Crescent Society managed to access the two bodies which were approximately 300 meters from the border. The two bodies were then transferred to al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza city. The two children were identified as:

1. Imad Mohammed Issa Faraj Allah, 16, from Nuseirat refugee camp; and

2. Qasem Salah Abu Uteiwi, 16, from Nuseirat refugee camp.

PCHR condemns this crime and is gravely concerned. PCHR also:

1. Asserts that these crimes are part of a series of war crimes committed by IOF in the oPt, which reflect total disregard for the lives of Palestinian civilians.

2. Warns of the escalation of war crimes against Palestinian civilians in view of the statements and threats expressed by Israeli political and military officials who have vowed more casualties in the Gaza Strip.

3. Calls upon the international community to take immediate action in order to put an end to such crimes. PCHR further renews its demand for the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their obligation under Article 1 which stipulates “the High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances,” as well as their obligations under Article 146 which requires that the Contracting Parties prosecute persons alleged to commit grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention. These grave breaches constitute war crimes under Article 147 of the same Convention and under Protocol I Additional to Geneva Conventions.

Young Gazan fisherman shot in abdomen

17 March 2011 | International Solidarity Movement, Gaza

A young curly-haired boy snores solemnly in a hot room in Al-Shifa hospital in central Gaza City. He lays wrapped in a blanket and is connected to a drip. His brothers and cousins sit around his bed on yet another hospital visit. “This is the life we face as fishermen: the Israeli’s shoot at us daily and injuries are frequent,” says one of the visitors.

Yasser Nasser Bakr, 19 years old, received a bullet in his abdomen on the morning of March 16th, while he was out fishing.

“We went out with a series of small hasakas (traditional fishing boats) at about 5.30 am this morning. At 6:30 AM the Israeli Navy started shooting at us. They shot around us and at the boats for about five minutes. They would stop and open fire again after a while. This was ongoing until Yasser was injured at approximately 10:30 AM,” says his brother who sailed with him. “I was petrified and just wanted one thing: to leave. However, this happens on a daily basis, so we cannot withdraw, we need to continue in these circumstances, otherwise we wouldn’t catch a single fish.”

At 1.5 nautical miles the fishermen met with the Israeli gunboat, which got as close as 30 meters to the fishing boats. “And they speak Arabic very well, insulting us and telling us to ‘get the hell out of of here,’ while we are righteously there according to their laws,” says Yasser’s brother.

A boy jumps up and demonstrates how only three days ago he laid down on the deck of the boat protecting his head with his arms after threats of the captain of the gunboat. “He said to us: ‘I’ll kill the child!’, while he was pointing his M16 machine gun to my face!” cries 17 year old Khalil.

Gazan fishermen collectively suffer from Israel’s unilaterally imposed sea blockade of but 3 nautical miles, which cuts them off from the big schools of fish. The Bakr family has more misery accounted to Israel though. On July 5th 2010, Yasser’s brother, Ala’am Bakr was shot while fishing. On September 24th, the Bakr family suffered a tragic loss: Mansour Bakr was killed at sea. Just two months ago, the Navy arrested four members of the Bakr family. While they were released the same day, their boat remains confiscated, leaving these men and their families without income.

More visitors wander into the hospital room to visit Yasser, who wakes up with groans of pain. The fishermen show us videos of how they were attacked previously. When asked if they have a message to share with the outside world, they yelled: “We want the sea back, help us open the sea for us again.”

Inspired by Egypt, young Palestinians lead movement to end division

Vittorio Arrigoni

Translation by Daniela Loffreda.

The mighty flow of blood and hope from Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen, Bahrein, Algeria and Lybia has also washed over young Palestinian minds in Gaza. What started as a stream has become a torrent and will soon spill its banks. Palestine’s 25 January will be 15 March. Palestinians are working hard to mobilize thousands of people to the squares of Ramallah and Gaza on the day which has been named “The Day of Reconciliation” rather than “The Day of Anger”.

The lessons learned from the Egyptian Revolution have refreshed the pride of young Gazawi as Muslims and Christians from various social classes were able to drive out a powerful dictator who seemed to be nailed to his throne. They are ready to explode into a strong and rational demand for the “End of Division,” ie the end of the division between Fatah and Hamas.

“We chose the 15 March because for us Palestinians, it is a day without political significance or special celebrations. The basis for our popular initiative is absolutely non political and independent from all political factions. We do not accept groups that even remotely identify with any party”, says 22 year old Assad.

When I met up with Assad Saftawy, Shamallakh Mohammed, and Mohammed Al Sheikh at the Coffee Gallery in downtown Gaza City, the tension was so high, one could cut it with a knife. Shortly before I had arrived, the boys got an unwelcome visit from undercover Hamas police who seized their computers and cell phones.

“Why are Hamas so afraid of you?” I ask them.

“Although we have been clear from the very beginning that our intentions are for a call to heal the fracture between Ramallah and Gaza due to so much suffering, apparently they suspect that there is someone among us who is connected to “The Revolution of Honor”, Fatah’s day of anger initiated a few weeks ago but deserted by people in droves. Besides this, all Arab leaders fear the spontaneous demonstrations of young people. “The funny thing is that senior government officials here, such as the deputy of Hamas’ Ahmed Yousef, declared publicly that he was in support of our initiative”, said 22 year old Mohammed Al Sheikh.

Anyone wishing to join the initiative for the movement on 15 March may have to contend with explicit threats from either the mukabarat in their dark uniforms or maybe a raid in a crowded coffee house by undercover Hamas security forces like the one today. The politics of double games wear two kinds of suits.

“Do you think they have the same problems even in Ramallah?” I ask.

24 year old Mohammed Shamallakh responds: “Of course. And like us, they too are willing to go to jail. We will not hide. Feel free to write our real names. In front of the tv cameras politicians pay lip service to all their good intentions regarding a possible reconciliation, but we know that in reality, they are enjoying many privileges in this stalemate. Young people are tired of being at their windows, watching life pass before their very eyes. Because of the feud between Hamas and Fatah, I have lost three scholarships, the opportunity to travel, work and create a family. Every day that passes is like a year and I do not want to begin living at 40 or 50 years of age. If our leaders are so short-sighted as to not have control of the situation, understand the needs of the people, then on 15 March we will show them that it’s time to put aside internal disagreements and work together in order to end the siege and occupation “.

Not only are large numbers of youths expected to mobilize from the center of Gaza City and Manara Square in Ramallah, but also Palestinians in Israel, various European cities and the world are ready to hit the streets.

“We need all the international support we can get so that it doesn’t get repressed by police violence and we can accomplish our goals to have an event as significant as we want it to be, for the good of all Palestinians”, continues Mohammed. “The difference between us and our Tunisian and Egyptians brothers is that we don’t want to break a system, but rather sew it back together. Then new elections can take place and the PLO could be reconstructed with the presence of Hamas. In this way there could be better salaries, improved living conditions and less unemployment. We will be able to get back that freedom of expression and civil rights which are now being smothered by both Fatah and Hamas.”

I bring to Mohammed’s attention the problem of external interference in the choice of Palestinian leadership and the recent scandals brought to light by the publishing of the cables by Al Jazeera which show the close collaboration of PLO leasdership and Israel.

“If we can be as smart as the guys who taught us how to move in Tahrir square, whoever governs us will have no choice. And this is our intention, nail Hamas and Fatah into a corner and force them to have real dialogue, to work for the people and against the Israeli occupation. The 6 million refugees outside of Palestine implore them as well.”

I asked them what they recalled from 14 June, 2007, the bloody day in Gaza when Palestinians slaughtered Palestinians without any mercy at all.

Their enthusiastic faces suddenly became bleak. Even though through the years, each of these three boys had lost friends and relatives at the hands of the Israelis, they all agreed in saying that day was the saddest day in recent Palestinian history.

“There were snipers and gunfire everywhere throughout the Gaza Strip. It was impossible to distinguish who was killing whom. Since then, our future has certainly been dead” says Assad Saftawy anguishly.

Before offering them a shisha, I ask them about how their parents took to the initiative.

Mohammed Shamallakh: “My father advised me to give up on the idea. You must know that I suffer from a particular situation: in Ramallah they are convinced that I am a militant from Hamas. In Gaza, that I belong to Fatah. But I do not side with one or the other and the initiative of 15 March will not be manipulated by anyone. We are only asking in a loud and strong voice for the end of the divisions”.

Assad: “I’m slowly convincing my father, in the meantime my brothers and my sisters have already sided with me”.

Mohammed Al Sheikh: “My father is already with us and has promised to attend the event. And he will not be alone, my mother will also come. The problem is that I suspect they want to participate so that they can defend me! ”

As the smoke rises from the arghile and begins to brood over our heads, I get the distinct feeling that Mohammed’s parents are probably not wrong.

Vittorio Arrigoni has lived in Gaza City since 2008. A freelance journalist, peace activist and Italian member of the ISM (International Solidarity Movement), He writes predominately for the newspaper Il Manifesto. He is the author of Gaza Stay Human (Gaza. Restiamo umani) and blogs at: http://guerrillaradio.iobloggo.com.

Bombing is southern Gaza: 18-month child injured

3 March 2011 | International Solidarity Movement, Gaza

On February 26, Jamal Abo Hiatham Sharikhi (33 years) had his home destroyed by bombing from the Israeli military, and his 18-month old daughter was injured on her head by broken glass. He described the experience in this way: “It was 2 o’clock in the afternoon. I was sleeping near the window, and my 18-month old daughter was sleeping next to me. I woke up terrified by an explosion very close: the window was shattered and my daughter was bleeding from the top of her head. When I cleaned her, I realized that there was a piece of glass embedded in the skin. Then I took her to the hospital.” Medics removed the glass and instructed him on how to care for the wound.

The windows of his house were completely destroyed: it’s now impossible to close the door to the terrace and his home is full of glass over the floors, carpets, mattresses, and blankets. When the children came into the house they continued to be hurt by the glass. For this reason the family has temporarily moved to live with relatives. The explosion occurred a few tens of meters from the home of Hitiam, in a former military compound hit so many times that now it is now empty and abandoned, but the blast was enough to destroy all the windows of the building where Hitiam and his daughter were sleeping, from the second floor where he lives to the ground floor where his mother Shafiah, 57-years-old, lives.

“I was sleeping and was also hit by the glass,” she said, “I was luckily protected by a blanket. Then I saw a large black cloud rising from the explosion. My son looks strong, but I know he is destroyed by what has happened to his daughter. ”

This is not the first time Israeli violence has hit this family. Hitiam’s first wife was killed in 2007 while coming from Beit Lahya, trying to join her husband because the situation in the north was becoming dangerous. Her two children were traveling with her mother when a car that was hit by an Israeli bomb exploded near them. The mother and the driver were killed. When they brought the corpse of the mother to the hospital, she was still holding fast to her daughter of 15 days, and doctors struggled to separate her from the mother.

The girl injured Feb. 26 comes from the second marriage of Hitiam, which occurred after the death of his first wife.

Also on February 26 at about the same time Israeli bombs reached the Burej refugee camp, fortunately without causing any injuries.