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A Dark Night in Gaza - photo essay
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by Sameh Habeeb | November 25, 2008 at 10:56 am
698 views | 86 Recommendations | 11 comments
Photos
Protest against Israel's blockade of Gaza, at the Erez crossing just outside the northern Gaza Strip, Israel, 26/1/2008.
uploaded by activestills
The recent power blackout has pervaded every Palestinian house. Several hospitals have been forced to suspended surgeries and medical treatment. Today, at Shifa hospital, Gaza's largest medical center, one of the generators stopped working leaving parts of the hospital without power. In addition, prices of alternative sources of fuel have increased dramatically and are unaffordable to most in the impoverished Strip.
Without power, Palestinian homes and farms do not have access to fresh water, forcing Gazans to travel long distances for potable water. Moreover, sewage water is not being treated and officials fear that it will leak into and contaminate groundwater wells, spreading disease across Gaza.
On Saturday, 22 November, I toured Gaza City and authenticated the bleak reality of people through my camera. The dark streets further demonstrating the physical and spiritual fatigue experienced by Palestinians, now enduring the 18th month of Israel's siege while the world remains indifferent to their suffering.
Sameh A. Habeeb is a photojournalist, humanitarian and peaceactivist based in Gaza, Palestine. He writes for several news websites on a freelance basis.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (11)
at 11:01 on November 25th, 2008
Amazing photos - excellent work
at 11:13 on November 25th, 2008
Thanks for this post and these photos. What is the mood there? How are people holding up during the siege? And what are people saying about when it will end?
at 14:19 on November 25th, 2008
It will end when Hamas stops sending rockets into Israeli towns and villages. It is also known that in spite of the PR campaign and photos, see previous reports, were proven to have been faked to look like there was a black out when in fact they covered up the windows to make it appear that they were holding their meeting under candle light. Food and fuel have been leaving Israel for Gaza. There is also a connection to Egypt but they don't want to cooperate at all.
It will end when Hamas decides they want it to end. The ball is in their court and they find every opportunity not to care one bit about their people. All the money they need they get through the tunnels from Egypt in order to make there payroll to their loyalists. The rest of the population can go to hell as far as their concerned.
at 15:40 on November 25th, 2008
It is ridiculous to expect the citizens of Gaza to emerge from this situation without deep trauma and rage. This will lead to more - and not less - bloodshed. And as for the assertion that this is all made up -- please. If Israel wants the truth to emerge then why are they not letting journalists into the area?
at 18:56 on November 25th, 2008
That may or may not have been the case in one incident. But we also know that there is not enough fuel for the power plant and power occur every day. That is because of the Israeli blockage. I find it curious that Israelis want to blame Gaza for the blockades when the decision and the physical; closing of the gates is done - not by people in Gaza!
at 14:53 on November 25th, 2008
Great post. Thanks for this.
at 17:18 on November 25th, 2008
what's being done to Palestine is criminal, it's a real shame that the world isn't more fierecly advocating peace between Israel. It's like a schoolyard fight, all the countries are gathering around Israel and Palestine and egging them on to fight. No one wants to do anything, because it serves their interests to just let it happen and profit from it (in the school yard it's for entertainment, in the real world it's for money, support, power).
Israeli government is using Palestine and its neighbors as fodder to test weapons on and to increasingly take away the land. They're very much occupying Palestine and the Israeli people can't do anything about it because their government is just as rogue as Palestine.
at 17:59 on November 25th, 2008
"Food and fuel have been leaving Israel for Gaza."
yes, but not arriving there, because Israel is blocking the border.
Hamas is a problem, but Israel is starving civilians.
at 18:03 on November 25th, 2008
tikun: re the rockets. The LA Times reports that they stopped Thursday, November 20th. it is now Tuesday, November 25th, and still no food or water or electricity.
link to story
at 18:16 on November 25th, 2008
Great reporting!
at 18:52 on November 25th, 2008
The treatment of people in Gaza by the Israelis is unbelievable! Whether Gaza is governed by Hamas or notb isnothing to do with the Israelis and, as the Financial Times always points out, recognising Israel should be a negotiating tactic for Hamas!