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Israeli soldiers use civilians as human shields in Beit Hanun

20 July 2006


B’Tselem’s initial investigation indicates that, during an incursion by Israeli forces into Beit Hanun, in the northern Gaza Strip, on 17 July 2006, soldiers seized control of two buildings in the town and used residents as human shield. After seizing control of the buildings, the soldiers held six residents, two of them minors, on the staircases of the two buildings, at the entrance to rooms in which the soldiers positioned themselves, for some twelve hours. During this time, there were intense exchanges of gunfire between the soldiers and armed Palestinians. 

"Every night the bombing starts at ten past one"

Hanady Salman Beirut 21 July 2006


“The Israelis love to start their raids at ten past one, sometimes at five past one. That’s when I’m in bed. Every night, when they start, I rush out to the balcony to see where the smoke comes from. I live on the twelfth floor. Every night, when I go out, I see the moon, my lovely moon, shyly hiding behind the clouds caused by the fires that are surrounding my Beirut.” Hanady Salman recounts her experiences and thoughts as her family from the south arrive in Beirut after a harrowing escape from the Israeli offensive. As the bombardment of Lebanon continues, villages in the south are without electricity, food, water or contact with the outside world. 

OCHA: Lebanon Response Update (1)

20 July 2006


One week after the start of the hostilities, the humanitarian situation in Lebanon is worsening with the civilian population particularly affected, notably in southern Lebanon, Beirut and the Beqaa Valley. Over 300 people have reportedly been killed (30% of which are children, according to UNICEF), and over 860 wounded. Current planning figures suggest that there may be 500,000 conflict-affected people (including IDPs and those unable to relocate). 

Radio Tadamon! Israel Attacks Gaza & Lebanon

Tadamon! 20 July 2006


As the Israeli military launched a major military assault on Lebanon and the ongoing siege of the Gaza Strip Radio Tadamon! visited the Palestinian refugee camps of Beirut. Voices featured in this episode of Radio Tadamon! draw parallels between the escalating military attacks on Lebanon and the ongoing Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Over 300 civilians have lost their lives in the Israeli assault on Lebanon which has targeted the national infrastructure of the country including all major highways and bridges throughout the south of the country. 

Dovetailing violence

Zachary Wales 20 July 2006


As Israel destroys Lebanon, the words of right-wing pundits, however indicting, crude or inhumane, do not necessarily warrant the most concern. They hail from a realm intellectual poverty, hatred and from the most unimaginative strain of racism. What is more concerning are those who purport to represent a liberal pacifist left, but who exploit catastrophes to advance subtle agendas; those who recoil at the words of Likud party hawks, then meet them for lunch an hour later. If the name Yossi Beilin comes to mind, then read no further. 

Another Update from Beirut

Zena El-Khalil Beirut 20 July 2006


Evacuation is not the solution. Just stop the bombing and then no one has to go. I would say that the biggest issues on my mind today is what is going to happen to Beirut after all the foreigners are shipped out? On tv and online, I’m seeing thousands of people fleeing the country. Where are you all going? I have been helping foreigners leave. Two already gone. One tomorrow. And one that keeps postponing her departure… She doesn’t want to leave. Her parents have pleaded for her to leave, but she loves Beirut as much as I do…What happens when they are gone? Will they then finally go for the all out Beirut attack? Beirut is nothing without her foreigners. Please don’t leave. 

Aid agencies hampered by Israeli strikes

20 July 2006


Humanitarian agencies working in Lebanon say their work is being hampered by continued Israeli attacks on aid convoys and access routes. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) yesterday reiterated its 13 July appeal to both parties involved in the conflict in Lebanon to “respect humanitarian volunteers and workers and the Red Cross and Red Crescent symbols”. This call follows an attack on Tuesday by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on a convoy of ambulances and trucks, sent by the United Arab Emirates Red Crescent (UAERC), on the road between Damascus and Beirut. 

Humanitarian crisis unfolds in south

20 July 2006


Relief agencies working in the south of Lebanon say there is a shortage of medical supplies, particularly for infants and children. Hisham Hassan, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) spokesman in Lebanon, told IRIN: “The problem is not whether we are facing a shortage in ambulances or not. It is in getting help through to the victims.” He said that in the southern town of Srifa, where more than 40 civilians had been killed by Israeli bombs, “the Civil Defence cars couldn’t get near the town to rescue any survivors because the Israelis attacked all the town’s entrances and exits throughout the day”. 

PRCS condemns attacks on health organizations and PRCS staff

19 July 2006


PRCS condemns the Israeli targeting of the health organizations and medical staff as well as the series of Israelis attacks at medical staff and particularly at PRCS staff. PRCS confirmed that Israeli Army attacked the medical center in Al-Maghazi camp in Gaza and wounded a PRCS Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Mr. Anwar Juma Abu Huli. In addition, a PRCS ambulance was shot in Bet Lehya receiving two bullets causing damage to the vehicle. PRCS EMT Anwar Juma Abu Huli, 40 years old, was wounded today by the Israeli Army while he was on duty. 

UN Secretary-General briefs Security Council to mixed reaction

20 July 2006


United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan made a strong call for an immediate cessation of hostilities to preserve lives with a broad, negotiated political solution between Israel and Lebanon in his briefing to the Security Council Thursday, prompting a mixed reaction from members of the Council and regional actors. “We are not going to desert the Lebanese people in their hour of need,” Annan told Council members. “But we have to proceed with caution … most people in the region rightly reject a simple return to the status quo ante, since any truce based on such a limited outcome would not be expected to last,” he added.