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Photostory: Israel invades Gaza, 27 June 2006

30 June 2006


At 11:51PM* (Palestine time) on June 27th, Israel launched a large scale military assault on Gaza, as Israeli fighter planes carried out three airstrikes on Gazan bridges. Further strikes against Gazan power plants took place at 1:42AM, sending most of Gaza into darkness. At 2:24AM, Israeli forces began moving into Gaza to take control of the open areas east of Rafah. At 5:08AM Israeli fighter planes began flying low over Gaza, causing intentional sonic booms. Yet there has been massive destruction of the civilian infrastructure, leaving one million Gazans without power, a situation that some estimate will take as long as seven months to rectify. Meanwhile, Israeli shelling continues. 

Palestinian Killed and Five Injured, including Two Children, in an Explosion in Gaza City

27 June 2006


Hamza Ahmad Muharib, a 19-year-old resident of Khan Yunis, was killed and five others were injured, including two children, when an explosive device in Muharib’s car detonated prematurely. PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 18:00 on Tuesday, 27 June 2006, an explosive device detonated prematurely in a vehicle in the Southern Rimal area of Gaza City. The driver of the car, Hamza Muharib, was killed in the explosion. In addition, five Palestinian bystanders were injured, including two children. 

When will Israel learn? (1/2)

Rifat Odeh Kassis Palestine 28 June 2006


When I first heard about the Israeli soldier who was “kidnapped” by Palestinians and heard the appeal of Abu Mazen to the Palestinian factions, followed by many other Arab and foreign leaders, calling for his release, I thought that the soldier was kidnapped from a coffee shop in Tel Aviv. This feeling was emphasised when I heard the Israeli army spokesman talking to Al-Jazeera, calling upon the kidnappers to save his life and send him back to his family and parents. The BBC called him “the missing man.” Calling him a “man” and not a “soldier”, however, confused me a bit. I learned that this soldier/man (not to upset the BBC) was kidnapped in a battle at a military checkpoint inside the green line. 

Bracing for the worst: Electricity cut off, bridges bombed, sonic boom attacks resume

Laila El-Haddad North Carolina 28 June 2006


Friends and family in Gaza have told me they are bracing themselves for the worst, while praying for the best. In Rafah, the refugee camp that has not been spared the wrath of the Israeli Army on so many occasions in the past, where 16, 000 Palestinians lost their homes to armoured bulldozers, families have holed themselves indoors, fearing for their lives. Israel has taken control of the border area, including Rafah Crossing, and the Airport. Journalist colleagues have told me that CNN and BBC crews from Jerusalem were also not allowed through the Erez Crossing into Gaza yesterday. 

Gaza under large-scale attack

Mona El-Farra Gaza 28 June 2006


I am writing while the jet fighters are in the sky with their horrible sounds, bringing death and horror. It is 10:30 pm and I am still waiting, like everyone. I hope they will not go ahead with their operation into Gaza; the outcome could be horrible. The resistance movements are going ahead with their preparations too, but it is obvious which side holds the balance of power. Anyway, Israel - resistance or no resistance - is attacking us all the time, but this time will be different, and in the process many civilian lives will be lost. 

Gaza Invasion: EI co-founder and Shlomo Ben Ami on Democracy Now

28 June 2006


Israeli forces have invaded the Gaza Strip for the first time since withdrawing ten months ago. Israel says it launched the raid to recover a soldier captured by Palestinian militants. The strikes came just hours after Fatah and Hamas agreed on a document to implicitly recognize Israel within its 1967 borders. We go to Gaza to speak with Palestinian physician Dr. Mona El-Farra and we get comment from former Israeli foreign minister Shlomo Ben Ami and Palestinian activist Ali Abunimah. 

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Punish Palestinian Civilians in the Gaza Strip

28 June 2006


PCHR strongly condemns IOF retaliatory measures targeting Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, including the destruction of properties that are not classified as a legitimate military targets. The Centre calls upon the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention, to force IOF to respect the convention, which prohibits reprisals against protected persons, as stipulated in article 33. In addition, the convention prohibits the destruction of private properties belonging to individuals, groups, organizations or official bodies. 

Entry denied: Deporting witnesses of Israeli occupation and unilateralism

Maureen Clare Murphy 11 July 2006


In another Israeli move designed to further isolate Palestinians from the rest of the world community, it is being reported that the Israeli army will be declaring the West Bank closed to foreign nationals. The Gaza Strip has already been made virtually inaccessible to foreign nationals; those who wish to enter must apply to the Israeli authorities, weeks in advance, to receive elusive permits. The effect is that the plight of the Palestinian civilian population living under Israeli occupation becomes all the more invisible to the international community. 

A Welcome Spotlight on Palestinian Child Prisoners

Catherine Hunter 27 June 2006


The plight of Palestinian children arrested by the Israeli army has long been one of the neglected aspects of Israeli occupation, involving some 600 minors a year since the outbreak of the second Intifada in September 2000. Nearly all are held without access to legal support during questioning, often compelled to sign confessions in Hebrew, a language they don’t understand, while subjected to intimidation and mistreatment as a matter of routine course. It starts with the arrest itself, which can take place during night-time incursions or mass arrest campaigns, or at military checkpoints. 

Fatah-Hamas Armed Clashes Continue

27 June 2006


Over the past week, armed clashes between armed groups and security forces have escalated, leaving seventeen Palestinians injured, one injured seriously. Five people were also kidnapped and three vehicles were blown up. PCHR is gravely concerned over the continued escalation in the use of arms by armed Palestinian groups and individuals, which is part of the security chaos plaguing the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT). The Centre calls upon the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), represented by the Attorney-General, to seriously investigate these crimes and to bring the perpetrators to justice.