Massacre In Gaza - Black Saturday

Massacre In Gaza - Black Saturday

Union of Health Work Committees Date : 12-27-2008

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December, 27th 2008
Massacre In Gaza
Black Saturday

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for
good men to do nothing" Edmund Burke
You are probably aware that the Israeli Cabinet has in the last few
days approved the launch of a military operation against Gaza by all
the forces of the Israeli demolishing forces (IDF). The assault was
launched at around 11:30 am and carried out in two separate waves of
attacks, during which over 100 bombs were dropped on dozens of
targets. Some 80 warplanes and helicopters took part in the assault
destroying several civil police compound and civilian homes.
Television footage showed dead bodies scattered on a road and wounded
and dead being carried away by distraught rescuers. There was
widespread damage to buildings. Till now, (17: pm) more than 205
people were killed and at least 750 were wounded, 125 people out of
them with critical injuries, in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip
on this black Saturday, according to Ministry of health and human
rights organizations.

The military operation makes the Palestinian blood fall like rain. As
a consequence, the civilian population in the cities of Rafah, Khan-
Younis, middle camps, Gaza City, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya and in
the refugee camp of Jabaliya is suffering from the most horrible
onslaught of Israeli military power.

According to statistics received Al-Awda hospital (UHWC), in Jabalia
and Beit-lahia, in just 3 hours 18 people were killed . Another 85
people were injured and 16 remain in a critical condition. The number
of deaths and injured and the extent of the damage are increasing by
the minute.

Infrastructure is being destroyed, leaving many areas without power
and water. Military forces curtail all movement, preventing medical
and health workers from reaching the injured, as well as the chronic
and routine cases needing medical services. Al-Awda Hospital in
Jabaliya is very close to the military operation area and medical
teams and health workers attempting to evacuate the injured risk are
being killed themselves. Medical supplies in the hospital are largely
exhausted and already food supplies for in-patients and staff are
dwindling.

Beit Hanoun has been hit the hardest and the people there are facing a
real health crisis. The men and women of UHWC are working around the
clock and at risk to themselves to deal with this humanitarian
disaster. All indications are that this latest assault on Palestinian
civil society is a repeat of the grave and massive violations of
Palestinian human rights by Israel, and, there is no sign of the
military easing their offensive.

Unless the international community puts pressure on Israel to stop the
mass killing of civilians and the willful destruction of property and
infrastructure, the people of Gaza will again be forced to suffer the
humiliating and crippling dictates of Israel's military rule. It could
also lead to the full re-occupation of the entire Gaza Strip.
UHWC asks you, to issue a strong Last Appeal Statement condemning
Israel's human rights violations against the Palestinian people and to
demand a cessation of this military offensive. Israel's persistent
unilateral attempts to change by force the situation of some
1.5 million Palestinians blatantly contravene international
humanitarian law and all human rights conventions. Furthermore, they
are morally reprehensible. There are no political considerations which
can justify the silence of the international community any longer.

Dr. Yousef Mousa, Executive Director
Union of Health Work Committees, Gaza, Palestine