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Two Weeks, and Counting

Yumi Terahata Rafah, Gaza Strip 11 July 2006


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. 

Photo of the Day: Entry Denied

Najeeb Al-Anbarri 11 July 2006


Photo of the Day is a BNN feature which offers a photograph on a day, and calls it “Photo of the Day”. This is not to imply that this is a regular feature, nor that this photo is truly the mother of all photos for the day in question. Usual disclaimers apply. In this day’s photo, we hit on the theme of Israel’s recent announcements to ban foreign passport holders from entering the West Bank and Gaza Strip. If it’s not one thing, with these folks, it’s another. 

Reem Kelani: Telling the Palestinian narrative through song

Susannah Tarbush 11 July 2006


The debut CD of Palestinian singer Reem Kelani - “Sprinting Gazelle: Palestinian Songs from the Motherland and the Diaspora” - is a major contribution from this remarkable singer, musical researcher and broadcaster towards reviving and spreading Palestinian culture. In the weeks since “Sprinting Gazelle” was released in the UK it has been acclaimed by critics and journalists, and has received excellent reviews in nearly every serious British newspaper. Critics have praised the quality, range and emotional depth of Kelani’s voice. 

Palestinian injuries suggest Israel is using chemical weapons in Gaza

11 July 2006


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. 

IOF Continue to Target Civilians in the Gaza Strip: 3 Children Killed and another Seriously Injured in an Air Raid on Beit Hanoun

11 July 2006


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. 

Beirut: Protest aims to show support for Palestinians

Stefan Christoff 10 July 2006


As the Israeli military continues its siege in the Gaza Strip, a coalition of Palestinian and Lebanese groups in Beirut is organizing a week-long protest at Martyrs Square to begin on Wednesday. Mohammad Shublaq, a Palestinian activist involved in organizing the protest, said the event was meant to send a message of solidarity. “Palestinian people have been isolated from peoples in the region, so we are attempting to bring the Palestinian cause back to the streets of Lebanon,” he said. “We want to send a message to the people of Gaza and the West Bank and let them know that they are not alone.” 

Editors, journalists and media executives condemn shooting of two Palestinian photographers

10 July 2006


The International Press Institute, the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, strongly condemns the shooting of two Palestinian photographers by Israeli forces in Gaza. Hamdi Al Khur, a photographer with the Turkish-based Ihlas News Agency, was shot twice by Israeli snipers on 7 July in Beit Lahiya. Mohammad Az Zanoun, a photographer with the online news agency Ma’an, was fired upon while photographing two Palestinians who had been killed in the invasion. 

SOS Children's Village in Rafah on the brink of disaster

9 July 2006


SOS Children’s Village in Rafah is suffering from severe food, medication and fuel shortages due to the current bombings and blockade by Israel. The situation is threatening to cause a health crisis if not lifted soon. Since the Israeli bombing and blockade started last month, SOS Children’s Village Rafah has suffered from shortages in many necessities. Lack of essential medicines and food is a main cause of concern at the SOS Children’s Village Rafah. Dr. Kamil El-Shami, project coordinator at SOS Children’s Village Rafah says, “We fear that the continuity of this situation will cause health problems for the children.” 

Ma'ariv: "ISM foreign protestors to be expelled"

Amir Ben David 22 June 2006


The following article was published by the Israeli daily Ma’ariv on 22 June 2006, indicating a formalized policy of expelling witnesses to Israel’s practices in the occupied West Bank. Ma’ariv reported: “According to the plan, the IDF will declare the Judea and Samaria closed to foreign nationals. Denying entry to the activists has been defined as prevention of political subversion and involvement of members of the movement in acts of terrorism, and limitation of friction with Jewish settlers.” 

Al-Mezan's urgent appeal for action regarding Israel's siege on the Gaza Strip

10 July 2006


Due to the further severely deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip since June 25th, 2006 owing to disproportionate military attacks by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip, Al Mezan is highly concerned about the wellbeing of the Palestinian population living in Gaza. Al Mezan is launching this urgent appeal to urge international intervention to place pressure on the Government of Israel to halt its damaging military actions in the Gaza Strip, and lift the imposed siege, in order to avert a deepening humanitarian crisis.