Day 9 of Israeli War On Gaza

by Sameh Habeeb | January 4, 2009 at 10:44 am

1698 views | 107 Recommendations | 26 comments

Breaking News Five Palestinians killed in a bombing targeted Mus'ab Bin Umair mosque northern Gaza Strip.

Breaking News Five Palestinians from one family "Bakr" killed west of Gaza City. The mother was killed along with her 4 children in F16 rocket.

Breaking News Around 17 peoples killed in Al atatra family in Bait lahia town north of Gaza. Amongest them several children, two brothers, 20-year-old and many old men who were all killed by one rocket. Israeli tanks prevents ambulances from reaching wounded people in the same place. Among the recognized victims; Osama sliman, Mueen Abu aljdya, Ahmed Abu sltan, Hamaoda Abu sultan, Ali Al sous, Muhammad Al atar, Ahmed Tantish and one from Al shalfooh family.

Breaking News Three paramedics and ambulance staff killed by an artillery shell and F16 rocket near Shikh Ejlin area. The paramedics were in a mission of rescuing a family hit near Al mahrosa hall. The family still bleeding and no news coming up about them till this moment.

Gaza Strip,4, January, 2oo9- Israeli army started the ground military operation vowed of launching it years ago. Many Palestinian civilians killed and their number is dramatically rising. Meanwhile, a small number of Palestinian militants killed in the ongoing clashes through the Gaza Strip.

The operation started Saturday 8pm accompanied by heavy coverage from Artillery machine, naval gunboats and Air force. Five key access witnessed the advancement of Israeli army. In the north a group of tanks and soldiers advanced from Ertiz crossing and another group from Bait lahia town near the old settlement of Doghit. In east of Gaza City, several tanks advanced from the crossings of Al Muntar and Nahal Oz. Part of these troops advanced south east of Gaza and cut the main street of Slah Al edin. On the south, Israeli troops occupied the airport and set military outposts.

In Bait lahi town, a strike killed 17 people most of them civilians and amongst them children and medical staff of an ambulance vehicle. A number of injured were reported to be on the venue of bombings but medical vehicle were not able to reach them.

Condemnations from EU, Turkey, Arab and foreign countries didn't halt the Israeli military operation in the Strip. Humanitarian and medical conditions still dire. People committed to their houses without water due to power cuts and inability to operate key drinking water wills in Gaza.

Medicine students are being called to the local hospitals to deal with the number of victims which is dramatically going up. In opposition of Israeli key target of thing hamas militants, most of victims are civilians and this is so obvious in Gaza hospitals. Around 10 militant killed today and all the rest are normal people who have nothing to do with firing rockets and militants.

Deadly Outcomes of Israeli Ground Military Operation:

1- Israeli Air forces strike on a water will that provides fresh drinking water for thousands in Jabal Al Kashif east of Gaza City.

2-Air raid bombarded a printing house in Al Nasir area northern west of Gaza Strip. Two Palestinians killed and they are children according to the medical sources.

3-Extensive artillery bombardment on some houses and farms near Jabal Al kashif northern Gaza Strip.

4-More than 30 shells fall down on Al Nusairat Refugee Camp within 10 minutes. Many houses damaged and several people wounded.

5-Four Palestinians killed in Rafah City near the Egyptian borders.

6-Israeli F16s bombed a house in Al Janinai quarter in Rafah City and many people wounded in the strike.

7-Massive popular emigration into some schools in Jabalia Camp. Heavy bombings taking place beside them and a case of panic amongst children and women.

8-A rocket hit a house in Al Shija'ya densly populated quarter killing a child, a woman and an old man. Several people injured and all are civilians.

9-Air strike bombed a house in Al Zaytoun neighborhood. A massive fire set in the place and some adjacent houses.

10-A total house turned to rubbles after F16 rocket hit it in Al Yarmok quarter mid of Gaza City.

11-Artillary shell destroyed Al Yazji Bakary in Al Zaytoun qauarter. One killed and tens injured while buying bread to their families. The strike was followed by fire that totally burned the bakery.

12-Israel uses phosphorous firing bombs against the Gaza Strip. Additionally, more new heavy weapons are being used for the first time.

13- Apache helicopters open heavy machine fire into group of civilians in al Zaytoun area. Many people were killed and others injured.

14-Five Palestinian militants killed in the hottest conformation. Israel says she has killed around 30 militants.

15-Hamas says she has killed 9 Israeli soldiers and injured 28 and captured two soldiers. However, Israel says 3 of its soldiers killed while 28 wounded.

16-Hamas says it she has destroyed many Israeli tanks and injured 9 Israeli soliders in the north of Gaza town of Bait Lahia.

17-Palestininian factions still fire homemade rockets into Israeli settlements despite the ground military operation.

18-Israeli tanks shelled Al shayma' buildings northern Gaza Strip.

19-Bombings in the main busy square of Gaza and near the Main market. Medical sources report that many people killed and injured. Massive damage in the buildings around.

20-Four Palestinian brothers from Barbakh family killed due to a shell hit their house in Kahn Yonis City.

21-F16s raided on building for Ministry of religious affairs mid of Gaza City. Many people injured in that highly populated area.

22-Israel hit a group of innocent civilians sheltered to a school north of Gaza Strip. Medical sources states that around 8 killed and other number wounded.

23-News spread that Israel is asking hundreds of families to leave their houses in Al Moghraqa area. This areas is near the borders where Israelis started the ground military operation south east of Gaza.

24- A woman killed in Al Zaytoun quarter due to a rocket destroyed her house. Many people wounded in the strike.

25-Local Radios: A number of victims in an air strike near a mosque in Al Zaytoun quarter.

26-Israel uses strange smoking bombings on the ground while deadly fighting is taking place across Gaza strip.

27-Israeli tanks and armored vehicles occupied the sole Gaza airport in Rafah City. The airport was totally damaged before and bombed by tens of rockets and shells yesterday.

28-Israeli army bombed house of Al hilo family eastern Gaza City.

29-Palestinian militants they tried to fire an Israeli Apache.

30-A house for Dardona family bombed in Jabalia. One woman killed.

31-Israeli air force targeted city council of Om Al Nasir town in Rafah City.

32-Thousands of People flee their houses in the middle of Gaza Strip into Al Nusairat Refugee Camp.

33-Shalat family hit by an Israeli rocket and many people wounded.

34-Two children from Al Mashrawi family killed in Israeli bombing to their home.

35- Two Palestinians killed and many wounded in an Israeli Air force bombed Salah El din street between Khan Yonis and Rafah City. The bombings caused great damage in Electricity, water and infrastructure network services. Many people are not having water.

36-Israeli army shells Om Al nasir and Al atatra family.

37-Airforce raided on Al Omoor quarter near Rafah City.

38-Israeli Apaches heavily fire Al zaytoun area; many houses were affected.

39-Ambulance and Medical officer killed by an Israeli artliary shell north of Gaza Strip. His mate, khaled Abu sa'da was wounded.

40-Around 17 peoples killed in Al atatra family in Bait lahia town north of Gaza. Amongest them several children, two brothers, 20-year-old and many old men who were all killed by one rocket. Israeli tanks prevents ambulances from reaching wounded people in the same place. Among the recognized victims; Osama sliman, Mueen Abu aljdya, Ahmed Abu sltan, Hamaoda Abu sultan, Ali Al sous, Muhammad Al atar, Ahmed Tantish and one from Al shalfooh family.

41-Artillary shells target Al sorani farm mid of Gaza City, near Al nafaq street. A child was reported to be wounded.

42-Fire exchange between Israeli soldiers and group of Palestinian militants.

43-Israeli army cuts Gaza City and the northern areas by occupying the old settlement of Nitsarim which was evacuated in 2005.

44- Israeli army cut the transmission of Palestinian local radios and broadcast statements of warning asking civilians to leave their houses.

45-Medical sources reported that a Palestinian killed north of Rafah City and many wounded.

46-Five Palestinians from one family "Bakr" killed west of Gaza City. The mother was killed along with her 4 children in F16 rocket.

47-Three paramedics and ambulance staff killed by an artillery shell and F16 rocket near Shikh Ejlin area. The paramedics were in a mission of rescuing a family hit near Al mahrosa hall. The family still bleeding and no news coming up about them till this moment.

48-A family of five members hit by a missile while having dinner in Al Shati' Camp. The family members of Al Amodi are mostly in critical conditions. A child aged 9 in bad health conditions.

49-Medical sources in AL Shifa' hospital; 50 people wounded while bombing their houses in the north of Gaza. Some of them are children and oldmen.

50-A strike destroyed to rubble a house in Rafah Camp. Few people wounded in the nearby houses.

51-Five Palestinians killed in a bombing targeted Mus'ab Bin Umair mosque northern Gaza Strip.

52-Three Palestinians wounded due to a missile of F16 hit their house in Absan town, south of Gaza in Khan Yonis City.

53-Many Palestinian houses are occupied by Israeli soldiers in the mid area. Many explosions are taking place.

The second day of the ground started with heavy presence of air force and loud voice of artillery shells hitting some areas in Gaza Strip.

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Jon Azpiri

flagged this story as Eyewitness Report

at 11:27 on January 4th, 2009

This is an eyewitness report from the NowPublic member Sameh Habeeb who was on the scene.

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Heritage

at 11:40 on January 4th, 2009

The Genocide continues.....

The president of the U.N. General Assembly has called Israel's ground assault into Gaza a "monstrosity".

"I think it's a monstrosity; there's no other way to name it," Miguel D'escoto Brockmann of Nicaragua said Saturday when asked about the Israeli incursion launched just hours before. "Once again, the world is watching in dismay the disfunctionality of the Security Council."

fastback

at 13:44 on January 4th, 2009

I cannot feel sorry for the palistinians who are commited to the destruction of Israel and the jewish race. I also do not feel sorry for a country that will teach their children to hate and kill and will use cartoon characters to indoctrinate that hate. If they truly wanted peace let the palistinians get rid of the obstacle to peace.... HAMAS. As far as the UN is concerned they are nothing but a bunch of despots, what would you expect from them? Could this story be al taqqiya?

I.Neubauer (not verified)

at 02:11 on January 5th, 2009

Iif you look at the map of Palestina 1946 and now, you have the answer for your questions.

Albert Milliron

at 13:51 on January 4th, 2009

Recommended

George Gahooch (not verified)

at 14:52 on January 4th, 2009

Lets be fair, why don't you list Hamas' rocket attacks on Israel. You know, say, between items 42 & 43 insert "Hamas fires a rocket at Israeli civilians". Or between 43 & 44 "Hamas places women & children in buildings used to store rockets".

con10t

at 17:03 on January 4th, 2009

The citizen reporter did list the homemade rockets, that is if one can read this fine photojournalist's reports at http://gazatoday.blogspot.com/ such as:

55-Palestinian factions fired around 10 missiles into Israeli
settlements and military bases.

The 9000 Israeli reservists called up from their civilian life now for the 'revenge' killing of Palestinian people, like their faction militia and Hamas reservist counterparts (teachers, working people) in Palestine, all store weapons and war materials at their homes where women and children also live. The rockets, I guess you would agrue, just don't reach that far, or Hamas and factions would also target those Israeli children as innocent as those you support killing in Gaza out of short-term revenge.

And Thank You Sameh A. Habeeb for your courage and reporting! Please more on the fine art culture in occupied Palestinian territory soon, when of course the killing hopefully stops. Thanks.

BMCWrites

at 15:00 on January 4th, 2009

This is very biased "reporting" that should be dubbed propaganda instead of news, because it omits any mention of the events that brought about the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces. By firing rockets into Israel, by sending homicide bombers into Israel and by electing a terrorist government (i.e., Hamas), the Palestinians brought this mess upon themselves. Now, they are facing the consequences of their shameful actions.

con10t

at 17:08 on January 4th, 2009

As the King of Spain recently said to Hugo Chavez: Just, shut up.

I hope not to have to say that to you and expect a complete and well-documented proof of your allegations of 'propaganda' against Mr. Habeeb. You would otherwise be the sort of inhumane, disrespectful person who ignores the real horror of propaganda. To use such a horrid label casually, is to spit on the graves of millions who have perished with the help of propaganda machinery. Such a term one does not swing around casually, if one cares about the sanctity of human life and liberty. So put up your proof, or??

Terri Potratz

at 15:08 on January 4th, 2009

Sameh is reporting from his own personal perspective; the viewpoints presented here, however biased they may or may not be, should not be considered un-newsworthy simply because you do not agree with it.

It's worth considering that this kind of first-hand perspective is exactly what makes NowPublic a valuable resource. You are getting the unique opinion of someone on the scene. It's up to you how you process that information.

Please don't degrade the perspectives of others by labeling it propaganda. It's up to all of us to keep this a place for constructive discussion.

Karen Hatter

at 15:39 on January 4th, 2009

Thank you for addressing the attempted dismissal of Sameh's efforts as propaganda, Terri.

Uwe Paschen

at 15:29 on January 4th, 2009

Well, with Obama now backing Israel, this will most likely get worth.

158

at 15:40 on January 4th, 2009

Obama's commitment to the "special relationship between the United States and Israel" in a way that suggested general sympathy for the Jewish state's actions.

Last July, Obama visited Sderot, a southern Israel town on the border of the Gaza Strip that has taken the brunt of Hamas attacks, Axelrod reminded host Chip Reid. "He said then that when bombs are raining down on your citizens, there is an urge to respond and act to try to put an end to that. That's what he said then. I think that's what he believes."

Obama offered deliberately strong lines of disapproval.

Hamas is a "terrorist organization," he opined, "responsible for the deaths of many innocents, and dedicated to Israel's destruction, as evidenced by their bombarding of Sderot in recent months. I support requiring Hamas to meet the international community's conditions of recognizing Israel, renouncing violence, and abiding by past agreements before they are treated as a legitimate actor.---Huffington post.

Uwe Paschen

at 16:04 on January 4th, 2009

If Hamas are terrorist then so are Israeli, since 1948 they have caused the Palestinian nothing but trouble. Israel has expelled UN observers month ago and refused EU mediation, Further Israel has categorically refused UN peace keeper in Occupied Gaza as well as any where else in Palestine. Prime Minister Aso of Japan has just made the first rift in the post war history of Japan by opposing and strongly condemned Israel as well as the US for the support of this Apartheid state. China and Russia as well as the EU are all strongly condemning Israel by now as well as the US. Obama just lost a lot of support and sympathy around the World. Iran just won most of Asia as ally and this thanks to Israeli madness and US Political stupidity. Obama just made more enemies than he can handle.

George Gahooch (not verified)

at 16:37 on January 4th, 2009

Excuse me, but Egypt controlled Gaza and Jordon controlled the West Bank until 1967. Why didn't they do anything for the so-called refugees? Why did they let them live in squalor?

When Israel controlled Gaza they opened it up for business. The farmers and the manufacturers had contracts with Israeli firms which created wealth and jobs and they let Gazians take jobs in Israel. They also gave Gazians access to the Israeli courts.

Hamas worsened the lives of Gazians by using the border crossings to send in suicide bombers and by taking raw materials destined for farms and industry and using them to build rockets. Gazians have only Hamas to blame for their plight.

Uwe Paschen

at 16:45 on January 4th, 2009

Israel was build on the territory where the Palestinian lived for over 2000 years, why did they expropriated them and forced them out? Could they not have let them keep their homes and farm in what is today Israel? You may want to read what Fact book says. Hamas was elected and Israel pushed them out. Neither is innocent here. However why did Israel expel UN observer, refused UN intervention and EU mediation? This massacre was planned a long time ago already and Israel has no intention of giving Palestinian their territories back nor making peace or giving justice.

Karen Hatter

at 15:47 on January 4th, 2009

From Palestinian Refugees: Facts and Figures:

Available data on the Palestinian refugee and displaced population is characterized by uneven quality and uncertainty primarily due to the absence of a comprehensive registration system, frequent migration for political and economic reasons, and the lack of a uniform definition of a Palestine refugee. Generally, most Palestinian refugees are considered to be prima facie refugees (i.e., in the absence of evidence to the contrary).

The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) administers the only registration system for Palestinian refugees. UNRWA records, however, only include those refugees displaced in 1948 (and their descendents) in need of assistance and located in UNRWA areas of operation - West Bank, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Estimates of the refugee and displaced population may also be derived from statistics maintained by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR); census data from host countries and Israel; and, population growth projections.

It is estimated that there were more than 7 million Palestinian refugees and displaced persons at the beginning of 2003. This includes Palestinian refugees displaced in 1948 and registered for assistance with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) (3.97 million); Palestinian refugees displaced in 1948 but not registered for assistance (1.54 million); Palestinian refugees displaced for the first time in 1967 (753,000); 1948 internally displaced Palestinians (274,000); and, 1967 internally displaced Palestinians (150,000).

George Gahooch (not verified)

at 17:15 on January 4th, 2009

Refugees? In 1948 the Arab states told the Arab residents of Israel to leave and they would push the Jews into the sea. Then the residents could return and regain their property as well as the Jewish property. Looks like things didn't go according to plan.

Why can't the Arab states absorb their so-called refugees? When the Arabs controlled the West Bank and Gaza why didn't they help their so-called "Arab brothers"? Why are their still "refugee" camps in Lebanon? Why won't the Lebanese absorb them? Aftfer all, if Israel can absorb millions of their people why can't the Arabs do the same for their "brothers"?

Why can't their "Arab brothers" use their oil wealth to help them? I guess they'd rather invest in Las Vegas casinos (sex, alcohol, and gambling -- they're such good Muslims), New York banks, and Colorado ski resorts then aid their "brothers". And why won't Egypt help them now?

It looks like other Arabs simply don't like these people....perhaps someone can tell us why.

The Palestinians are the only people with a UN agency to support them. What makes them so special, why not an agency to help the Darfur refugees? Oh wait, their being slaughtered by an Arab government, Sudan. I don't hear Hamas and others condemning Sudan over that.

Do Arabs think they have a special right to kill others who are of a different color or religion? And to do so without retaliation? Jeez.

mtippett

at 16:47 on January 4th, 2009

NOTE: According to Gazamom, there was a strike near Sameh Habeeb's residence in Gaza City.

gerrypopplestone

at 18:10 on January 4th, 2009

We need more detailed listings like this to get a sense of how awful it is for the Palestinians. And worse is to come.

Karen Hatter

at 19:21 on January 4th, 2009

A link to Gazamom's blog, A Mother from Gaza, who has been in contact with her father in Gaza as the Israeli attacks are occurring.

donkylemore

at 08:02 on January 5th, 2009

The vengeful nature of this attach on Gaza should not be ignored . Israeal has many reasons to perpetrate this affliction on the Palestinians in retribution for the humiliation the Isrealis suffered at the hands of the Hezbollah in 2006.

It doesn't matter that Israeli makes no differentiation between Arabs , Palestinians , Hamas , Hezbollah.

They are all enemies of the Isreali State as far as the leaders are concerned and despite the weasel words Omert and Barrak enunciate to the contrary.

There is no soaring oratory from across the Atlantic- indeed no utterance from the New Hope - Barrak Obama.

His country are not without direct responsibitity who coupled with the British "donated " the initial territory to the Israelis , thinking it would be a noble thing to do after the monttrous Hollocost- mind you they did'nt consider donating Sommerset or New Hampshire.

Having given the Isrealis what was not theirs to give they are vicariously responsible fro the subsequent land grab by the Isreaalis .

- but do I hear that call catch - Yes We Can !

Not a word of it.

So we shall see how Sarkosi manages ; then maybe Hillary ; but this will not happen.

Neither have any responsibility until after the inaugeration.

This was planned to coincide with this interregnim period.

It also serves to get the spotlight off Omert for the bribery investigation charges he faces.

It also gives his wriggle room to prove his worth and stave off a challange from Netenyahu.

and of secure his place in the pantheon of great Israeli patriots.

mtippett

at 11:33 on January 5th, 2009

Just got this email from Habeeb:

"Note: I migt stop reporting either if I die or I flee my home. Shells rain down beside my house now. Pray for me…Pray for Me…."

wbsfr8 (not verified)

at 12:13 on January 5th, 2009

Israel’s military actions in Gaza are entirely justified under international law, and Israel should be commended for its act of self-defense against international terrorism. Article 51 of the United Nations Charter reserves to every nation the right to engage in self-defense against armed attacks. The only limitation international law places on a democracy is that its actions must satisfy the principle of proportionality. Israel’s actions certainly satisfy that principles.
Over the last four years, Palestinian terrorists—in particular, Hamas and Islamic Jihad—have fired more than two thousand rockets at this civilian area, which is home to mostly poor and working-class people. The rockets are designed exclusively to maximize civilian deaths, and some have barely missed schoolyards, kindergartens, hospitals, and school buses. But others hit their targets, killing more than a dozen civilians since 2001, including in February 2008 a father of four who had been studying at the local university. These anticivilian rockets have also injured and traumatized countless children.
Barack Obama reacted to what he had seen in Sderot by saying that if his two daughters were exposed to rocket attacks in their own homes, he would do everything in his power to stop such attacks. I hope and believe that President Obama will take the same position he did as candidate Obama.

con10t

at 12:47 on January 5th, 2009

Terrorist is becoming more of a hook than a word, not unlike what has happened in the USA since Watergate with the words democracy and freedom.

It is equally the case if one views things from the opposition point of view that Menachim Begin took part in terrorism for his Israeli cause in the 1940s - the attack on the King David Hotel which killed 91 persons.

It's just too consumable, quick and easy to use the term terrorist. I would even propose that any hard-bodied, goggle-eyed toter of a machine gun and other weapons in a civilian urban setting strikes terror in the hearts of children and just about any civilian. Does that mean every soldier is by definition a terrorist?

Try to be more specific and enrich language instead of terrorizing it for a quick judgement. Israel needs to guarantee and move within a few days toward a meaningful and fair peace with Gazans. That way, the Fatah movement's ex-security chief stated today on al Jazeera, Hamas will be ousted, hopefully by the Palestinain people.

wbsfr8 (not verified)

at 06:35 on January 7th, 2009

the Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center happened to release an 81-page report on “Hamas Exploitation of Civilians as Human Shields.” It describes such Hamas practices as:

firing projectiles “at Israeli population centers from inside or close to private Palestinian residences and sometimes from educational institutions and mosques”;
“exploit[ing] IDF warnings to civilians to evacuate their residences…to send children and adolescents to the relevant locations”; and
“repeatedly attack[ing]” the crossings into Gaza “with rocket and mortar shell fire as well as attempted mass-casualty and suicide bombing attacks.”

Detailed reports, though, have little power compared to the graphic images projected to the world by the media-terrorism complex. Although the Associated Press reported that “Area residents confirmed the [IDF] account [of the school incident], saying militants were seen staging attacks from the area,” it also described the growing agitation against Israel including a top UN official “call[ing] for an investigation into the mounting civilian death toll.”

M.Calvert (not verified)

at 10:38 on January 8th, 2009

Isreal is just another killing machine...... they have held Gaza as a prison just like the Nazis did to the Jews, they have learnt nothing since then . Many times they have been told to stop the settlements on land that does not belong to them . As long as America who knows nothing about anything and does nothing [ They said that the IRA were freedom fighters] this will go on for ever . the only way to solve these problems is to talk first , and then agree to remove settlementss, and return the land they took during the 6 day war . It has been horrifying to see Palistinian children as young as 6 years having been shot by snipers, the damage inflicted just to justify a response to big firework rockets. We didnt bomb the Bogside during our battle against the IRA.. We talked