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Hamas stealing aid supplies to sell to residents a report emerges
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by tikun | January 6, 2009 at 01:28 pm
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Excuse the unusual step at tagging the entire story but I thought it important to let it speak for itself.
Grim picture of Gazans' lives painted by reports emerging from Strip, claiming gunmen hiding in civilian homes, using residents as human shields, and hijacking trucks of humanitarian aid Roee Nahmias href="http://www.ynetnews.com/home/0,7340,L-3082,00.html">Israel News < A government or a gang? As the Israeli operation in Gaza wears on it appears Hamas has relinquished any visage of a socio-political party, abandoning its claim to govern the residents of Gaza in favor of engaging in open war at their expense.
Case In Point
IDF: Mortars fired from bombed school / Hanan Greenberg While UN spokesman reports at least 30 casualties from attack near UNRWA school in Jabalya, army claims strike targeted terrorists firing mortar shells from structure moments earlier Full Story A number of reports from the Strip paint a picture of very difficult humanitarian conditions, not least because of Hamas itself. The suspicion is that the group's operatives have seized control of any supplies passing through the crossings – including those sent by Israel and international organizations.
Reports say Hamas takes a cut out of all aid that arrives, including flour and medicine. Supplies intended to be distributed without gain among the population is seized by the group and sold to the residents, at a profit to the Hamas government.
One such incident was recorded Monday, when a convoy of trucks carrying supplies through the Kerem Shalom crossing was opened fire upon and seized by Hamas gunmen. Similar incidents occurred with trucks carrying fuel.
Forced to flee. Residents of Gaza (Photo: AP)
In other cases, civilians are simply used as cannon fodder or human shields. Reports out of Gaza say residents who attempted to flee their homes in the northern area of the Strip were forced to go back at gunpoint, by Hamas men.
The organization is presumably interested in increasing civilian casualties in order to give rise to international pressure against Israel. Arab media reported that in an IDF strike on a UN school 30 civilians were killed, but there is no legitimate way to prove gunmen were among those killed as Hamas tends to bury these bodies quickly, thus eliminating evidence in Israel's favor.
Other civilian complaints state that Hamas gunmen pull children along with them "by the ears" from place to place, fearing that if they don't have a child with them they will be fair game to the IDF. Others hide in civilian homes and stairwells, UNRWA ambulances, and mosques.
In other reported cases Hamas gunmen hold civilians hostage in alleyways in order to provide themselves with a living barricade to ward off IDF forces. Reports somewhat more difficult to verify say the group's men shot Fatah operatives in the feet to make sure the latter would not attempt a coup.
No one to turn to
These reports lead to the assumption that Hamas is attempting to exacerbate the atmosphere of a humanitarian crisis in the Strip, as this may promote an international ceasefire initiative. In any case the reports clearly show that the residents of Gaza have fallen prey to Hamas as well as the IDF.
Reports of alarming shortages are also forthcoming, as residents appear to lack water, flour, electricity, and any sign of a capable government. Chaos reigns as no one appears to know when electricity will be available, how to obtain water or food, or whom to address in order to evacuate the injured.
The "emergency numbers" given to residents have ceased to function, and citizens in need of assistance have only international organizations, the Red Crescent, and the hospitals themselves to turn to.
Advertisement The Hamas leaders, aside from two addresses, have not been heard from. Their speeches were broadcast a number of times, but in any case many in the Strip can no longer access televisions, radios, or internet without electricity.
Despite this, no authoritative anti-Hamas sentiments have been heard from the Gazans. However Palestinian sources claim that grievances against the group are voiced in secret. The animosity towards Israel has not disappeared, say the sources, but it is now accompanied by bitterness towards the organization many are dubbing Iranian in its extremism.
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tikun
Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (13)
at 13:51 on January 6th, 2009
I have followed the links within this highlighted story, looking for the persons or agencies that have witnessed or uncovered evidence of the actions mentioned in the title of this post.
Would you please direct me to the source of these reports? If I missed the source(s), aside from the author referring to the report named within this post, please direct me to the appropriate link.
My thanks in advance for any assistance rendered.
at 21:26 on January 6th, 2009
Thank you for responding, Tikun. I don't believe an Opinion tag is necessary although maybe, changing the title to reflect 'It is being reported ....'.
As the title is currently written, I was of the impression there had been an official report of some type issued by an agency or group of individuals that detailed the incidents in the form of some specific document, a report.
at 14:27 on January 6th, 2009
Ynet is the reporting newspaper. It is the largest daily newspaper in Israel. It is my understanding that no names are presented for the safety of the individuals speaking out. Around this neighborhood you get killed for speaking about Hamas negatively. If you want I have no problem changing it to an opinion piece. Do you feel more comfortable with that?
at 15:15 on January 6th, 2009
The real face of Hamas.
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=bkZebJAd_68
http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyI7soTsjEQ
The world need to understand Hamas is a terror organization, just like Al Kaida and Taliban. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Israel is fighting against Hamas only. It's not a war of Israel vs. Gaza, it's a war of Israel defending itself against the terror. Hamas uses the Gaza citizens as human shield, and it has to be stop. Support Israel for its right defending itself against terror!
at 10:58 on January 8th, 2009
Hamas may well be a terrorist organisation but that does not make it okay to bomb a school. Your piece says that Hamas members hide in ambulances, does that make it okay to bomb those too ? Is it anti semetic to be against the state of Israel ? The Hasidic Jewish community are against the jewish nation in that they dont believe it should have been created in the manner it was - not as a fulfilment of prophesy
at 22:04 on January 6th, 2009
Another perspective, provided in a book review of Hamas: A History from Within.
It is unfathomable to imagine the sense of total hopelessness and frustration that would compel many Palestinian youth, during the Infitada, armed with rocks, to try to fight and stone Israeli tanks.
Someone needs to listen and attempt to understand those who feel the need to resort to such a lopsided act, knowing the likelihood could be their deaths, as they feel they have no other options.
Mindless violence is always an act of supreme desperation.
at 22:46 on January 6th, 2009
Thanks for the comments. While the on again off again hope of a peace agreement over the years between Israel and the various factions of the Palestinian authority, the educational system has been brutal in raising this generation to HATE. The reasons are not sufficient to justify the results that have created a generation that suckled on the need to destroy the Jewish State. Regardless how you feel it is a sad thing to do to your children and their capacity for outreach. Please search the net and you will find tons of support for this statement. If two parties believe the other has a position and desires to solve it with a solution then we may have a peace in the Middle East. Until terrorist groups like Hamas are eliminated there will be no chance for a solution. the Israeli Army is finding tunnels through out Gaza with booby traps and tons of weapons, rockets, etc. All of which is under schools, homes, hospitals and other public institutions knowing that in the past Israel and public opinion would prevent the IDF from destroying them. This time they miscalculated. I pray for peace.
at 11:34 on January 8th, 2009
If that ambulance is hiding or transporting terrorists, yes it is ok to bomb it, Also, the Hasdic sect that is against the Jewish state is a small portion of the Hasidic community and even smaller portion of the Jewish population.
at 21:38 on January 10th, 2009
Let us pray for the safety of Palestinian civilians who held hostages by Hamas and the safety of Israeli soldiers. May this campaign end swiftly and may Hamas be annihilated. May moderate Muslims emerge victorious in the struggle for Gaza!
<a href="http://muslimsagainstsharia.blogspot.com/2009/01/israel-invades-gaza-in-attempt-to.html">http://muslimsagainstsharia.blogspot.com/2009/01/israel-invades-gaza-in-attempt-to.html</a>
at 00:36 on January 14th, 2009
The schools in Hamas controlled territory are teaching sharia law. The remnants of the Hamas led legislature had voted for Sharia law to be instilled as of January 1, 2009. I know of no opinion poll taken on this subject. .
Children are taught they have no other option. In all my years the young of the world has represented its flaws. We are at fault. The children only know what we have taught them. Teaching children that it is a high and honored act todo something which might get them killed is a cultural divide that I cannot understand. All cultures do this. If human children grew to adulthood in four years do you think you would see all of the buildings and streets. Civilization is only built for raising our young as it takes 18 years. All you see around you is supposed to be to support them. Nearly all of it should be for them. We give them NOTHING.
There is a shame on us for how we treat children. Let's not blame or forget them. Or put them in harms way.
at 15:07 on January 8th, 2009
Unless you believe the jewish scriptures how are you jewish ? Is Israel Jewish or a big US military base ?
at 21:42 on January 22nd, 2009
These children act with great joy and enthusiasm, at least some of them do, for they have been taught to Ask for Death from infanthood. But watching the videos, I have come to the conclusion that the children have no idea what they're really into. It's like a fantasy, that turns into a nightmare.
at 01:02 on February 27th, 2009
Karen,
As I reported at http://dfrankfurter.livejournal.com/115293.html , even the Jordanian governmental news agencies are reporting on stolen aid. There are other reports around the net. It's not a new phenomena.
If you follow the links in my story here http://dfrankfurter.livejournal.com/116744.html you will find independant reports from 2004 that show that diversion of international aid to corruption & violence is far from new to the Palestinian kleptoctracy.
David