IOF Continue to Target Civilians in the Gaza Strip

by Electronic Intifada (reposted)

Tue, Jul 11, 2006 9:27PM

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) killed 3 Palestinian children and seriously injured a fourth one yesterday evening (10 July 2006) in Beit Hanoun, when an IOF plane fired a rocket at them. This crime comes within the context of the open war against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip since the capture of the Israeli soldier on 25 June 2006. It is part of the chain of collective punishment, targeting civilians, and destroying civilian property and infrastructure. With the death of these children, the number of Palestinian casualties in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israeli military operation rises to 51 dead, including 26 civilians, and 140 injured. There are 7 children and a woman among the dead; and the majority of the injured are civilians.

PCHR's preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 19:15 on Monday, 10 July 2006, and IOF plane fired a rocket at 4 children who were near Hayel Abdel Hamid Secondary School in northern part of Beit Hanoun. They were in an area previously used as soccer field near their homes. The rocket fell amidst the children. Three were killed instantly; and their bodies were torn by the blast. The fourth child suffered serious injures. The dead children are: Mahfouth Farid Nuseir (16), Ahmad Ghalib Abu Amsha (16), and Ahmad Fathi Shabat (16). The injured child is Raji Omar Deifallah (16).

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http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4957.shtml

§Two Weeks, and Counting

by Electronic Intifada (reposted)

Tue, Jul 11, 2006 9:27PM

Heavy artillery shelling along the border. Tank gunfire. Scenes of fierce clashes between the IDF and Palestinian fighters. Friends watching the daily news reports on Gaza call my cell phone during the day, expecting me to be staying at home, and are surprised when I tell them it’s business as usual, I’m in the middle of today’s program with the kids (Haneen! Get your butt back in your seat!) and could they please call back in a couple of hours?

You can only put life on hold for so long. After the first two days of the Israeli incursion, we all got tired of just waiting around with our ears stuck to the radio, listening to minute-by-minute reports yo-yoing between imminent truce and a full-blown invasion. Besides, we’d been in this situation many times before, and sitting around wringing our hands has never made much of a difference to the outcome.

In the evening, sporadic gunshots ring through the air, competing defiantly against tank gunfire. But these rounds aren’t being fired at anyone. They’re fired into the air, the traditional volley of bullets celebrating a happy marriage (and a none too cheap gesture, I may add, with bullets now supposedly costing 17 shekels a piece). July is the month of weddings, and though they may have to be toned down out of respect for those killed during this new incursion, they are not being postponed… for who can say when would come a more “appropriate” time to get on with life?

At night, when it’s too hot to sleep indoors (which most of the time it is), I lie down on a mattress I’ve put on my balcony. One of three things happen: 1) I’m worn out and fall asleep immediately; 2) instead of sheep, I count the sound of heavy artillery shelling until I fall asleep (I usually count up to between 15 and 20 shots within as many minutes); or 3) a particularly loud shelling sound or sonic boom sends me scurrying back inside like my butt’s on fire and I sweat the night out sleeping on the floor of my room.

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http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4961.shtml

§Palestinian injuries suggest Israel is using chemical weapons in Gaza

by Electronic Intifada (reposted)

Tue, Jul 11, 2006 9:28PM

The Palestinian ministry of health revealed on Monday that the Israeli army has used a new type of explosive in its offensive on the Gaza Strip. These explosives contain toxics and radioactive materials which burn and tear the victim's body from the inside and leave long term deformations.

The ministry called upon the international community and the humanitarian organizations to send an international medical community to examine the victims and confirm the truth about these banned weapons that Israel appears to be using.

The ministry showed that most of the injuries which the hospitals receive result from huge explosions which cause burning and severing of limbs, including the inner parts of the body. This causes long term deformations.

It is added that doctors in Gaza have been forced to amputate limbs of at least 12 injured Palestinians as a result of injuries sustained in the current Israeli offensive on the Strip.

This report was originally published by Ma'an News Agency 10 July 2006

http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article4958.shtml

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