Day 10: Gaza Burning
Israel-Gaza Border- Day 10 and only the numbers have changed; more than 530 dead and 2,500 injured. Heavy fighting is still raging in the Gaza Strip between Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters after Israel launched its ground offensive on the territory. Al Shifa' Hospital has run out of beds to accommodate the injured as a result of the intense Israeli shelling. Many of them with less severe wounds lie on stretchers in hallways and near stairwells. According to the Palestinian Red Crescent, a large number of the victims are civilians, women and children included. An entire family was wiped out by Israeli shelling from the sea; a father, a mother and their five children. Another woman who lost 7 members of her family was shown on a live feed provided by Ramattan News Agency, frantically searching for her only surviving daughter.
Forty-eight hours ago, Israeli planes dropped thousands of leaflets on Southern and Central Gaza asking residents to vacate the area. They also dropped leaflets asking them to call a special phone number to inform on locations of Hamas operatives launching rockets at Israeli towns. In short the Israeli government wants Gazans to rat out their neighbors, brothers and cousins...to become collaborators! The Israeli military has also captured the Hamas-affiliated Al Aqsa TV and has been broadcasting messages telling Hamas leaders to give themselves up. However, Gazans have not vacated their homes, and Hamas remains defiant continuing to fire rockets at Israeli towns, "we will not surrender or be defeated, even if Israel drops a nuclear bomb on Gaza," says Ramadan Shalah from Hamas.
In 1967, in six days Israel defeated the armies of several Arab countries and overran the West Bank, Gaza, Sinai and the Golan Heights. It's been ten days, and Gaza has not yet fallen. Many in the Arab media have started to compare Israel's assault on Gaza, codenamed "Operation Cast Lead", to the Second War on Lebanon in 2006 when Israel failed to defeat Hezbollah and sustained heavy losses in one month of fierce fighting. However, this is not a rerun of that battle. The Israeli army has been less adventurous with its ground troops, and the risk Hamas poses to Israel is far less than the one posed by Hezbollah.
Thousands of Israeli troops entered the Gaza Strip overnight with tanks and helicopters, accompanied by naval support and air strikes. They are mostly in the former settlement of Nitzerim, an open area which enables them to cut off the northern part from the southern part of Gaza. Some soldiers have taken up positions on the rooftops of homes and buildings sniping at anything that moves. A frantic woman reported by cell phone that she along with forty members of her extended family were rounded up in one room of her home while Israeli soldiers took to the roof top. From her window she was able to see several dead people in the street below.
Along the Israeli-Gaza border, numerous reporters have been racing from one position to the other, straining to see events through binoculars and television camera lenses. Exploding shells can be heard, and plumes of smoke are visible in different places. The nightfall is more dramatic as bursts of fire illuminate tank gun barrels after each round of firing into Gaza. Fighter jets screech from above and helicopters and drones come and go. Once in while you could see the smoke trail of Qassam rockets leaving Gaza towards Israel.
Israeli and Western media persist in presenting the Israeli offensive as "surgical strikes"; as surgical as shooting chickens in a coop with a shot gun. Israel cannot miss in mankind's largest prison. Gaza is burning.
Jamal Dajani produces the Mosaic Intelligence Report on Link TV
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Well, the evening news has just answered the question of why western reporters are not allowed in Gaza. The senior NBC correspondent has reported that he was told that Israel does not want any information coming out of Gaza that the IDF does not control. HUH????
That's why, the Katar TV is doing very good job by describing a very balance picture of what happen there...
look what they are doing in the Arab world? they are filtering 80% of the real activities behind results.
look how they hind the fact that the HAMAS uses Palestinians kids as live shields in schools. they also don't say a ward on the fact that the Hamas hind in their hospital and hind their tons of explosive materials. Who is really push the real actions their. The world shouldn'tt forgive the Arabs killing Israeli's children, but even worse shouldn't forgive them because they force the Israelis killing Palestinians kids. There will be chance for world peace only when the Arabs leaders will love their kids more than they hate the Israelis.
How come all the 40+ killed at UNRWA hospital were civilians and children. If Hamas members hide in schools, shouldn't the dead be armed Hamas members?
I find it fascinating that so many people KNOW what is going on in Gaza. There are really only two sources of information available - the IDF pr office, and alJazeera. Probably neither is exactly putting forth objective journalism.
Why is NO one wondering why Israel refuses to allow independent journalists in Gaza? Could it be that there are things Israel does not want us to hear, and assumes that we will discount alJazeera as being nothing but Arab propaganda?
Just a thought - when WE invade countries the journalists get to be on the front lines.
ADC.Org report that israel is now using chemical weapons.
this is madness and the west lets it go on..
Nothing on the site about use of chem weapons...
You may be referring to white phosphorus
It's perfectly legal to use WillyPete as a smokescree
Michale...
Not in civilian areas where bystanders might get exposed to it. and suffer fatal burns. No wonder you're not in the military anymore.
The only smokescreen here is in your comment. White phosphorus munitions are designed to do one thing, that is, to burn flesh and emplacements. It is a way too expensive and volitile munition for use as tactical cover, except in dire circumstances. This was the one munition which truly frightened the hell out of me during my time in the Army.
There is no moral justification for the use of white phosphorus in a civilian environment, nor are cluster bombs, which are also being used. Photographs taken the past two days prove they are being used in urban areas.
When Saddam Hussein used WP the US considered it a chemical weapon. When we decided to use it in Iraq, like we did in Vietnam, we determined it was a conventional weapon.
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Pathetic try ...
Thank you for yet another very informative post. The huge demonstrations taking place not only around the world, but here in the USA illustrate that public opinion has weighed in most notably in protest against the Israeli actions taking place in Gaza. It remains to be seen how the govts of the world will react to this outpouring of sympathy & grief for the Palestinians. Please keep safe & continue to be a voice for the beseiged & desperate in Palestine. Who would think that so many could be so miserable in their own country?
It's the occupation stupid! Does anyone know who lives in Gaza? How come there are 1.5 million people living there?
Most residents in Gaza come from towns and villages now occupied by Israelis since 1948. They come from Jaffa, Haifa, Acre and so on. These refugees were not born Hamas. They were made refugees by gangs like the Irgun, Palmach, and Haganah. Many of them would prefer to return to their old towns and villages rather than live in refugee camps and slums.
You DO realize that Israel has not occupied Gaza since '06, right???
Michale...
Really? And when did Israel turn over control of Gaza's borders, air space and coastal waters?
This is yet another example of AIPAC's talking points. "Israel withdrew from Gaza." Right! then they created a huge jail where they locked in an entire population. They controlled not only all entrances by land, air and sea but also electricity and water and food supplies.
Looks like AIPAC soldiers have been dispatched in full force! Hamas is the product of Israel. Before this illegal invasion against a largely civilian population, Israel has been starving 1.5 million Palestinians, locking them in a small patch of land like caged animals. Before that, settlers wreaked havoc there and built homes with swimming pools while the residents of Gaza drank poluted water. Settlers just recently were attacking Palestinians in Hebron in the West Bank under the watcfhul eyes of the Israeli army. Enough lies and enough Israeli propaganda.
Why is it that Hamas can import "thousands and thousands" of tons of weapons, missiles and military hardware, but can't import foodstuffs to feed the "starving" Palestinians??
Why can't anyone answer this simple question??
Because the answer is one you don't like.
Michale...
How many thousands, huh? Do you think the Palestinians would be fighting with glorified bottle rockets if they had "thousands of tons" of advanced military hardware, like Israel?
Little boys and their little toys.
Yes, Hamas and the Palestinians have tanks, F-16, and nukes all courtesy of the US Taxpayer. Oh wait...tha
I can't seem to remember you posting ANYTHING while the Gaza area was lobbing over Rockets towards Israel. I can't seem to remember you posting ANYTHING when Gaza uses their own civ's to cover their terrorists.
Wow, noting like impartial reporting. Back to school for you.
"Let us not ignore the truth among ourselves .. politically we are the aggressors and they defend themselves
(David Ben-Gurion, 1938)
really? i find that most of the news in america is very pro israel. this blogger can chime in on the situation at any point. he is not an historical documentor and his comments, although you dont like them, are true. israel is slaughtering innocent palestinians and i ashamed of my country for invading iraq and ashamed that we are backing this israeli agression atrocity. no one is speaking up, no american leaders because we have a bunch of people who are afraid of being called anti semitic. i just cant believe that israel hides behind an anti semtic defense everytime - how cowardly is that? israel calls the race card every single time. its that israel believes it is beyond reproach and if you do say anything it means your anti jewish. thats wrong. no one or no government is above criticism and israel is wrong this time out. so terribly and utterly wrong and i applaud this blogger for reporting on the dire situation.
@joz2
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For years Israel has systematically ghettoized Gaza and subjected its entire population (over 1.5 millions) to the most draconian deprivation of the most basic necessities, i.e. food, water, freedom on ingress and egress.
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Two things you are forgetting
1. Egypt ALSO subjects Gaza to " the most draconian deprivation of the most basic necessities, i.e. food, water, freedom on ingress and egress" Why isn't Hamas firing missiles at Egypt? Why aren't you condemning Egypt along with Israel??
2. Hamas has absolutely NO PROBLEM evading the blockade to get "thousands and thousands of tons" of missiles, weapons and other military hardware. Perhaps if Hamas was more interested in taking care of their own people than they are interested in killing Israelis, Gaza would be so "ghettoized"
The simple fact is, Hamas is to blame for the conditions in Gaza, not Israel. After Israel left in '06, it was hoped that a government would step up and take care of the people. But alas, it was simply more of the same.
The Palestinian had a chance to create their state.. They failed miserably and now they are paying the price...
Michale...
Aw, man--you're up and ready to monopolize the threads with your giant posts and b/w proclamations of fact and truth. Time to sign off.
I understand
It's hard to debate fallacy and fantasy against someone who actually knows what they are talking about.... :D
Michale...
You are forgetting that regardless of Egypt's actions, they are not the issue.
Israel is and continues to be. Although they "left" in "06" that has not prevented
them from starving Gazans to death for the past year.
Israel never intended to let the Palestinians create a state. They continue
to illegally grab land and rights on the West Bank and Gaza and will do so
until international law and resolutions are enforced and Israel has to start
paying its own way instead of making the US and the EU subsidize
it indefinitely.
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You are forgetting that regardless of Egypt's actions, they are not the issue.
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And THAT is exactly my point..
Because you refuse to include Egypt in your issue of the Blockade, you show that it is not the blockade that you are against, it is Israel...
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Although they "left" in "06" that has not prevented them from starving Gazans to death for the past year.
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Hamas has the ability to evade the blockade and get in all the food and medicine that Gaza needs... The fact they Hamas doesn't is not Israel's fault..
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Israel never intended to let the Palestinians create a state.
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Assumes facts not in evidence..
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They continue to illegally grab land and rights on the West Bank and Gaza
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Cite your evidence of this...
The simple fact is, Israel has only acquired land after the defeated enemies that attacked them..
Michale...
what are you an israeli pr agent?
No , Israeli PR agents are smarter and more sophisticated.
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They also dropped leaflets asking them to call a special phone number to inform on locations of Hamas operatives launching rockets at Israeli towns.
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You make this sound like a BAD thing??
If it weren't for Hamas places those launchers in crowded civilian areas, the civilian casualty rate would be virtually non-existe
I am sure that you know this to be true..
Michale...
Yeah, and if Gaza wasn't a concentration camp, Palestinians wouldn't be starving.
As said elsewhere, the Israelis are nothing if not good students. Their history has taught them well. Too well. : /
Why do I get the feeling that while innocent civilians are being butchered by US made bombs, helicopters, missiles and jets some are making justifications for this massacre? Hamas is the product of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967.
This is simply not true. Israel left Gaza in '06..
Even if it WERE true, the "occupation" was the result of Israel being attacked by several Arab countries and beating them back.
That's a fact that many in the anti-Israel crowd conveniently forget..
The simple fact is, Israel is justified in it's actions...
"Our thumb is on the scale in favour of the defender", such that the magnitude of the response may exceed the degree of danger created by the initial attack"
" the personal interests of the aggressor are significantly diminished due to the aggressor"s culpability in launching the attack."
International Criminal Court, ROME STATUTE
Michale...
Israel doesnt abide by the Geneva convention. The anti Israeli movement in the US is growing because people are sick of this.
1). Hamas cheerfully uses its own civilian population as cannon fodder by hiding their munitions and armed cowards in mosques, schools and crowded neighborhoods.
2). Hamas thrives on perpetuating refugee camps, long after other peoples moved on with their lives, prpagating an endless misery that suits their political objective of remaining in power, no matter what.
3). Hamas goads the easily manipulated simple-minded people to think that it is acceptable to shoot rockets into their neighbor's cities, and expect *no* backlash.
4.) Hamas fools only the ignorant mobs seen on tv.
Yes, but by this argument, all Gazans should suffer?
Ignorance is not knowing that Gaza in its entirety is a de facto refugee camp crammed
with Palestinians who were forcefully dispossesed of their homes in such places as
Jaffa, Haifa and the rest of Palestine. For years Israel has systematically ghettoized
Gaza and subjected its entire population (over 1.5 millions) to the most draconian
deprivation of the most basic necessities, i.e. food, water, freedom on ingress and
egress.
If anyone premeditatedly uses poplulation as fodder, canon or other, it is Israel,
who planned its incursion into Gaza well over a month ago, and has engaged
in it with reckless disregard for any life.
The "mobs" that are seen on TV are those that care to inform themselves of
the truth of the situation. Israel is a brutal and relentless occupier, that wants
only peace for itself, and continues to grab land and lives all over the West
Bank and Gaze.
Well said....
Michale...
Considering you've made the case, Michale, that Israel has "carte blanche" to savage the Gaza Strip, it doesn't matter if the militants were staging their strikes from the moon, people like you would still see the deaths of Palestinian children as "acceptable collateral damage" because Israel has "every right" to take it out on the whole of the Palestinian people.
This is terrible Jamal! It doesseem though that the way Israel and the US are approaching this is similar to the War on Lebanon. Haven't they learned a lesson that civilians will be the biggest losers?
Civilians? You mean human beings? You mean old people, women, children, innocent men, the sick, mothers, brothers, etc.? No leonard, they aren't called "civilians," they're called "collatera
Let me ask you something.
Seriously, honestly and sincerely.
Does it bother you at all that Hamas uses those "old people, women, children, innocent men, the sick, mothers, brothers, etc." as human shields??
Doesn't the fact that Hamas does this enter into your equation at all??
How can you castigate Israel as evil and wrong and simply ignore what Hamas is doing??
Michale...
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