Some people are asking so whats so different about this conflict? given so many are happening in the world. All conflicts are horrendous. Its not a competition. In THIS situation, however, the Palestinians have no way to defend themselves. Israel is meant to be their defence. The people fighting back - Hamas - are considered terrorists. The Palestinians also have nowhere to flee to. Israel controls all borders. Even during periods of ceasefire, Israel controls power, food and resources into the territories and even restricts fishing to a small stretch of water. The Palestinians - Gazans in particular - live or die according to the will of the Israeli government. Its been described as the worlds biggest open air prison. Israel says its defending itself. Heres a summary of how its done so over the past 8 years. (Dont you love the cutesy names for the attacks?) Since 2006 Israel has carried out 6 major bombing attacks on Gaza: Summer Rain in 2006 – 152 killed; Autumn Clouds in 2006 – 400 killed; Warm Winter in 2008 – 119 killed; Cast Lead in 2008/9 -1,417 killed; Pillar of Defence 2012 – 171 killed and now Operation Protective Edge (174 killed and counting). The UN has reported that 80% of those killed so far were civilians. (foa.org.uk/page/10-facts-about-gaza) Note that the number of 174 has risen to almost 400 since Thursday. Oxfam reports that: An estimated 1,800,000 people in the Gaza Strip are affected by the escalating violence in the region. Civilians make up the majority of casualties - around 75%. Since 7 July over 200 people have died and over 1400 have been injured. Tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced, with over 17,000 sheltering in UNRWA schools. The water supply to 600,000 people is at risk as the Gaza water utility has had to suspend work after two of its staff were killed. Over 1200 homes have been destroyed or severely damaged. Over 20 health facilities have been damaged, including 2 hospitals, 4 clinics, 1 care facility for the disabled, and 4 ambulances Over 70 schools have been damaged by shelling. (oxfam.org.uk/what-we-do/emergency-response/gaza-crisis)
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 11:40:14 +0000
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