Environment

Bombed Gaza Zoo faces a bleak future

by Amy Judd | February 18, 2009 at 02:45 pm

394 views | 33 Recommendations | 11 comments

The zoo in Gaza, which was badly damaged in the Israeli offensive, now only has about 10 animals left - they used to have about 400. Much of what is left includes Ostrich feathers on the ground and the burnt carcass of a camel lying by its enclosure.

"Some were killed in air strikes," says the zoo's manager, Emad Qassim, "but some of the animals were shot dead."

Two lions survived, but it is thought that most animals died from starvation as the area where the zoo is located was too dangerous to access for about two weeks during the fighting.
In footage released by the Israeli army, it showed a fuse attached to one of the animal cages that led to a school next door that had apparently been booby-trapped by militants.
What will become of the remaining 10 animals is unknown.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

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René

at 16:46 on February 18th, 2009

So you are broadcasting that Israeli soldiers are evil nazis, Amy? and from the reporter whose reports have already been questioned:

BBC Reporter: Genuine Eyewitness or Palestinian Propagandist? Whose version of events does a BBC journalist stand by?

That video that you mentioned, showed the Israeli soldiers escaping from the booby-trapped school and adjacent zoo with relief. They thought it might blow up while they were there and were worried that if it finally did blow up they would be blamed.

Amy Judd

at 17:11 on February 18th, 2009

The story is about the zoo - and animals are casualities in any war. I didn't say anything about Israeli soldiers being evil Nazis - and I can't even see where you are reading that.

René

at 22:31 on February 18th, 2009

You can't see the title of the video you put up? or allowed to stay up... I quote:
"evil nazi Israel IDF slaughters Zoo animals in gaza,more of israels war crimes"

So what about the rest, the questionable reporter, and the stuff you neglected to mention about the booby-trapped zoo and school?

ghosts and insults, must go together. sounds like zichi to me.

Amy Judd

at 08:50 on February 19th, 2009

I took the video down as it seems to be hard to distinguish between the video and the story and I'm tired of focus being put on the video, which is not even the message the story is supposed to portray.

As for the rest, I didn't mention about the booby trapped zoo and school because that's not the angle I wanted to take on the story - and every single journalist that reports on these matters is questioned; this BBC journalist is not the only one. I'm sure this is not surprising to anyone.

jesusandmary (not verified)

at 19:17 on February 18th, 2009

Are you sure they said it was okay for you to be on the Internet unsupervised. Jesus girl go and visit another conspiracy site. Oh lordy, Obama is paying for Hamas to come to NOLA and the immigrants there are already killing the locals. Amy - put her on a delay so you can read her tripe before it gets posted.

Fripouille

at 16:56 on February 18th, 2009

René, that vid was put up by TDH...(Moreover, the title seems to be black humour, not a criticism of Israel).

Apart from that, it's such a shame that cultural activity suffers in this way during war. I mean, one could say "they're only animals", but still, it's very sad in my view.......

René

at 22:34 on February 18th, 2009

Sure is strange to have at least two zoos and a museum in a 'refugee camp'. If you saw that video of the booby-trapped zoo, the soldiers were horrified. and the poor animals' cages were booby-trapped too.

Fripouille

at 23:38 on February 18th, 2009

René, can't you understand that that post was not about the booby-traps! In fact, although I don't know, they seemed to be mentioned to be fair to the Israeli side. The post was about the animals. The video was funny. The guy's attempts to accuse Israeli soldiers of killing a camel were pathetic to say the least!

I honestly think you got it wrong here, in my humble opinion....

René

at 23:52 on February 18th, 2009

No, fripouille, I didn't get it wrong. I realize it's about the animals. and making a joke using those words seems to be like joking about slapping a woman around or saying she deserved it or deserved to get raped. It trivializes truly racist or sexist remarks. Amy could take that down if she chooses, since she doesn't.... well.

jadallah

at 17:10 on February 19th, 2009

Mrs. Jadallah was not allowed to visit the Jerusalem Zoo with us because she is considered Palestinian (even though she holds dual citizenship of the US and Palestine). Palestinians that live/visit in the Westbank and Gaza are restricted traveling within Israel including Jerusalem! The United States calls this the only Democracy in the Middle East????

jadallah has contributed a photo to this story.