‘Every rule of war broken’
THE continued Israeli aggression against the people of Palestine is not a war, it’s a massacre and genocide to obliterate a people that have been subjected to 75 years of injustice, oppression, torture, deprivation, dispossession and prevented entry into the land of their birth.
Their olive plantations and crops destroyed, their houses demolished, their children beaten and imprisoned, while marauding settlers illegally occupy their land. They have been blockaded in the largest open air prison in the world, affecting 2.3 million people, preventing economic progress and development. They suffer physical and emotional trauma, and compromised mental well-being.
The Israeli army has shown immense “bravery” over the years attacking unarmed women, children, elderly, the ill and physically challenged. They walk with impunity in their military boots into places of worship desecrating holy sites, attacking unarmed, defenceless worshippers in a state of prayer, and drag women out by their hair. So much for gender respect.
Their “bravery” needs special mention. They need the support of $3 billion (about R56bn), a naval aircraft carrier from the US, the support of Europe and the dishonesty of international media to sing their propaganda hymns and conceal the truth and their atrocities. The Palestinians, on the other hand, survive on faith and olives.
The Israelis have broken every rule of war, directly targeting hospitals, schools, refugee camps, civilian apartments, water plants, ambulances and aid convoys, even using white phosphorous, banned in war. They have cut off water, electricity, internet, food, fuel and medical supplies to civilian populations. They are in infringement of the rules of war and have committed war crimes.
As at Monday, 8 306 Palestinians, including 3 457 children and 2 136 women have been killed and 21 048 injured in ongoing Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip. The real death toll and injuries are far higher as thousands are trapped under rubble. The lack of equipment and ongoing bombing seriously impedes search and recovery. 679 Palestinians, including 304 children, have been killed since communications blackout.
881 Palestinian families have been massacred, meaning wiped out. 70% of the victims of the Israeli aggression are children, women and the elderly.
116 health personnel have been killed and over 100 others have been injured.
12 hospitals and 32 health centres have gone out of service due to targeting and fuel depletion. 48 schools, 10 bakeries and thousands of civilian homes have been deliberately targeted and severely damaged or destroyed. The lives of more than 130 Palestinian babies in incubators are at risk as Israel continues to cut off fuel. Fuel, electricity, water, food and communication systems have been cut off by Israel.