4 jan 2009
Israeli Army T-Shirts Mock Gaza Killings
The Israeli army is at the centre of a second controversy over the moral conduct of its soldiers in as many days.
Printed t-shirts were discovered by an Israeli newspaper. The revelations centre on t-shirt designs made for soldiers that make light of shooting pregnant Palestinian mothers and children and include images of dead babies and destroyed mosques.
The t-shirts were printed for Israeli soldiers at the end of periods of deployment or training courses and were discovered by Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
"1 shot 2-kills"
One, printed for a platoon of Israeli snipers depicts an armed Palestinian pregnant women caught in the crosshairs of a rifle, with the disturbing caption in English: “1 shot 2 kills”.
"The Smaller They Are The Harder It Is"
Another depicts a child carrying a gun also in the centre of a target. “The smaller, the harder,” read the words on the t-shirt. According to a soldier interviewed by the newspaper, the message has a double meaning:
“It’s a kid, so you’ve got a little more of a problem, morally and also the target is smaller.”
"Let Every Arab Mother Know That Her Sons Fate Is In My Hands"
"Only god forgives"
Another shows an Israeli soldier blowing up a mosque and reads “Only God forgives”.
Israeli Army T-Shirt Furore. T-shirts printed for Israeli soldiers mocking the shooting of Palestinian women and children are revealed by an Israeli newspaper.
"We Wont Chill Till We Confirm The Kill"
Above a ninja figure, yet another shirt bears the slogan “Won’t chill until I confirm a kill”. The revelations, coming so soon after Israel’s offensive in Gaza in which hundreds of civilians were killed – many of them women and children – are causing outrage.
"Better Use Durex"
Perhaps the most shocking design shows a Palestinian mother weeping next to her dead baby’s grave, also in the crosshairs of a rifle. It suggests it would have been better if the child had never been born, with the slogan “Better use Durex”.
"If You Believe It Can Be Fixed Then Believe It Can Be Destroyed"
The controversy follows more revelations by other soldiers about abuses and the shooting of civilians during Israel’s offensive during the Gaza offensive.
Ex-soldier and campaigner with Breaking The Silence, Michael Maniken, told Sky News Online this week’s revelations suggest a pattern of immoral conduct in the army.
The army keeps on saying we’re talking about a few rotten apples but it seems the army doesn’t understand there’s a norm in this kind of action,” he explained. “We’re hearing about this time and time again and the army seems disconnected from reality.”
A spokesman for the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) told Sky News Online, the t-shirts were printed on the private initiative of the soldiers and their designs “are not in accordance with IDF values and are simply tasteless.
This type of humour is unacceptable and should be condemned”.
http://fwd4.me/0yDz
IDF raps soldiers for images of dead Palestinian babies on t-shirts
In wake of Haaretz expose, Brig. Gen. Shermeister says soldiers' civilian clothes should match IDF values.
The IDF's chief education officer Brig. Gen. Eli Shermeister issued a letter to a number of military units Tuesday, commenting on T-shirts printed by soldiers, as exposed by Haaretz two weeks ago. Haaretz found that dead babies, mothers weeping on their children's grave, a child in the crosshairs of a sniper's rifle and blown-up mosques are just a few of the images with which IDF soldiers decided to mark their graduation from a training course or tour of duty.
Shermeister's letter described some of the shirts depicted in the Haaretz story, and included pictures published in the feature. The chief education officer called on commanders to "increase vigilance and rule out any such phenomena, which stem from group culture and might affect it."
The Haaretz inquiry brought several examples of such prints: An infantry snipers' T-shirt with the writing "better use Durex" running alongside a dead Palestinian child, a weeping mother and a teddy bear; another sniper course shirt showing an aim taken at the belly of a pregnant woman, with the slogan "One shot, two kills;" a T-shirt depicting a Palestinian baby becoming an angry youth and then an armed man, with the slogan "no matter how it starts, we'll end it;" a shirt from the Haruv battalion with the picture of a Samurai and the caption "we won't chill before we verify the kill," and many more.
Some of the captions and images emphasize actions the army vigorously denies, such as coups de grace or deliberate attacks on women, children and religious sites.
Commenting on the inquiry at the time, the IDF spokesperson's office said that "military orders do not refer to civilian clothing, including shirts printed at the end of various training courses. The shirts are printed at the personal initiative of the soldiers, and are not army property," the statement read.
However, Shermeister's letter, titled "The boundaries of humor," appears to indicate that the chief education officer disagrees. "Some would say the printing of the shirts is a local matter, done at the personal initiative and often at the private expense of the soldiers with the aim of bonding through humor," he writes. "[However,] printing shirts for IDF soldiers, even if not initiated by the commander, is not a private action. It is an action carried out in the context of military service and should match the values of the IDF."
"We are not exempt from this duty even when dealing with writings on civilian shirts, organized independently by the soldiers. Even humor, which is an important instrument of coping with the stress and exhaustion of military service, has its boundaries. We do not teach hatred for our enemy, and we must not mock or belittle the lives of a pregnant woman or a small child," Shermeister said.
http://fwd4.me/0yDt
Israeli Army T-Shirts Mock Gaza Killings
The Israeli army is at the centre of a second controversy over the moral conduct of its soldiers in as many days.
Printed t-shirts were discovered by an Israeli newspaper. The revelations centre on t-shirt designs made for soldiers that make light of shooting pregnant Palestinian mothers and children and include images of dead babies and destroyed mosques.
The t-shirts were printed for Israeli soldiers at the end of periods of deployment or training courses and were discovered by Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
"1 shot 2-kills"
One, printed for a platoon of Israeli snipers depicts an armed Palestinian pregnant women caught in the crosshairs of a rifle, with the disturbing caption in English: “1 shot 2 kills”.
"The Smaller They Are The Harder It Is"
Another depicts a child carrying a gun also in the centre of a target. “The smaller, the harder,” read the words on the t-shirt. According to a soldier interviewed by the newspaper, the message has a double meaning:
“It’s a kid, so you’ve got a little more of a problem, morally and also the target is smaller.”
"Let Every Arab Mother Know That Her Sons Fate Is In My Hands"
"Only god forgives"
Another shows an Israeli soldier blowing up a mosque and reads “Only God forgives”.
Israeli Army T-Shirt Furore. T-shirts printed for Israeli soldiers mocking the shooting of Palestinian women and children are revealed by an Israeli newspaper.
"We Wont Chill Till We Confirm The Kill"
Above a ninja figure, yet another shirt bears the slogan “Won’t chill until I confirm a kill”. The revelations, coming so soon after Israel’s offensive in Gaza in which hundreds of civilians were killed – many of them women and children – are causing outrage.
"Better Use Durex"
Perhaps the most shocking design shows a Palestinian mother weeping next to her dead baby’s grave, also in the crosshairs of a rifle. It suggests it would have been better if the child had never been born, with the slogan “Better use Durex”.
"If You Believe It Can Be Fixed Then Believe It Can Be Destroyed"
The controversy follows more revelations by other soldiers about abuses and the shooting of civilians during Israel’s offensive during the Gaza offensive.
Ex-soldier and campaigner with Breaking The Silence, Michael Maniken, told Sky News Online this week’s revelations suggest a pattern of immoral conduct in the army.
The army keeps on saying we’re talking about a few rotten apples but it seems the army doesn’t understand there’s a norm in this kind of action,” he explained. “We’re hearing about this time and time again and the army seems disconnected from reality.”
A spokesman for the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) told Sky News Online, the t-shirts were printed on the private initiative of the soldiers and their designs “are not in accordance with IDF values and are simply tasteless.
This type of humour is unacceptable and should be condemned”.
http://fwd4.me/0yDz
IDF raps soldiers for images of dead Palestinian babies on t-shirts
In wake of Haaretz expose, Brig. Gen. Shermeister says soldiers' civilian clothes should match IDF values.
The IDF's chief education officer Brig. Gen. Eli Shermeister issued a letter to a number of military units Tuesday, commenting on T-shirts printed by soldiers, as exposed by Haaretz two weeks ago. Haaretz found that dead babies, mothers weeping on their children's grave, a child in the crosshairs of a sniper's rifle and blown-up mosques are just a few of the images with which IDF soldiers decided to mark their graduation from a training course or tour of duty.
Shermeister's letter described some of the shirts depicted in the Haaretz story, and included pictures published in the feature. The chief education officer called on commanders to "increase vigilance and rule out any such phenomena, which stem from group culture and might affect it."
The Haaretz inquiry brought several examples of such prints: An infantry snipers' T-shirt with the writing "better use Durex" running alongside a dead Palestinian child, a weeping mother and a teddy bear; another sniper course shirt showing an aim taken at the belly of a pregnant woman, with the slogan "One shot, two kills;" a T-shirt depicting a Palestinian baby becoming an angry youth and then an armed man, with the slogan "no matter how it starts, we'll end it;" a shirt from the Haruv battalion with the picture of a Samurai and the caption "we won't chill before we verify the kill," and many more.
Some of the captions and images emphasize actions the army vigorously denies, such as coups de grace or deliberate attacks on women, children and religious sites.
Commenting on the inquiry at the time, the IDF spokesperson's office said that "military orders do not refer to civilian clothing, including shirts printed at the end of various training courses. The shirts are printed at the personal initiative of the soldiers, and are not army property," the statement read.
However, Shermeister's letter, titled "The boundaries of humor," appears to indicate that the chief education officer disagrees. "Some would say the printing of the shirts is a local matter, done at the personal initiative and often at the private expense of the soldiers with the aim of bonding through humor," he writes. "[However,] printing shirts for IDF soldiers, even if not initiated by the commander, is not a private action. It is an action carried out in the context of military service and should match the values of the IDF."
"We are not exempt from this duty even when dealing with writings on civilian shirts, organized independently by the soldiers. Even humor, which is an important instrument of coping with the stress and exhaustion of military service, has its boundaries. We do not teach hatred for our enemy, and we must not mock or belittle the lives of a pregnant woman or a small child," Shermeister said.
http://fwd4.me/0yDt
- 4 jan 2009
Zakariya Hamed Khamis As-Sammuny, 7
Anas 'Aref 'Aref Barakeh, 7
Zakariya: Details of Last Hours
On 4th of January 2009, Zakariya felt safe beside his father and grandmother; therefore he went out to the street with them to watch the fire which the boys lit in the street as a protest against the war on Gaza. The occupation warplanes bombed those boys and Zakariya received shrapnel in his head to smash it. Remaining still alive, Zakariya's father hurried carrying him to Al-Shifa' Hospital- he had carried him for 400 meters because it was hard for the ambulance cars to get there.
In the hospital, Zakariya was in a coma for three days; later on he was transferred to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Despite the operations he underwent, he did not get out of the coma and stayed five days in the state of clinical death until he breathed his last breath. His body was buried in An-Nasim cemetery in Riyadh.
Other Information:
Days before his death, the school had announced for a competition for the boys who memorize parts of the Qur'an. Zakariya prepared for that occasion by revising what he had memorized. He was longing for the competition to prove his excellence. His mother said: "Zakariya asked me what would be the prize if I won the competition. I hope it would be a copy of the Qur'an to encourage me to memorize the whole volume."
Zakaria was the eldest of his siblings. He was kind-hearted and compassionate, especially to his mother. When he found his mum exhausted because of the housework, he begged to help polishing the floors, cleaning the dishes, and taking the clothes to laundry. Sometimes, Zakariya helped her in the morning before going to school.
She recalled when was pregnant, Zakariya always spoke to me: 'Mummy, I hope that you beget a girl so that we would become two boys and two girls. I have a brother to play with, but my sister does not have anyone to play with her,"
His Dreams:
"I would like to grew up and become a doctor so that I could treat you and alleviate your pains, mother." Mother tells about her lost son's dream. When she heard her little boy saying that, she hugged him and supplicated God to grant her life till she sees him a doctor.
Education was not the only dream of Zakariya. His innocent dreams were many and all were focused on his mother, father, and his grandmother. He dreamt to build a house of several floors; the first for his parents and the other floors for his siblings so that they could be together.
He always said to his mother: "I wish I could build a compound for you from the money I saved and every Friday I shall feed you Fattah with chicken or Maqlubah [Palestinian cuisines]"
The dreams of Zakariya were not far to reach…But they seemed so according to Israel!
http://fwd4.me/0j1m
28 apr 2012, 16:23 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Baha Muayad Kamal abu-Wadi, 8
Jihad Samir Faiz Erhim, 8
Baha of Gaza City, Gaza, killed by the IDF in Gaza City's al-Zaytoun neighborhood.
28 apr 2012, 16:23 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Ibrahim Kamal Subhi Awaja, 9
Ibrahimof Beit Lahya, Gaza, killed by the IDF in Beit Lahya.
Jihad of Gaza City, Gaza, killed by the IDF in Gaza City's al-Zaytoun neighborhood.
28 apr 2012, 16:23 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Ziad Muhammad Salma Abu Sanimah, 9Isma'il 'Abdallah Suliman Abu Sanimah, 14
Name of Victim: Isma`il Abdullah Abu Sanimah: Details of the last hours:
Like other inhabitants of the neighborhood, the family of martyr Isma`il Abu Sanimah evacuated setting to 'Mirage' area until things come right; yet they ever did!
Marzuqah `Attiyah Abu Sanimah, the martyr's mother, says that some days after evacuation Isma`il felt nostalgic and yearned to see his beloved sister and her children. So he went, on Sunday, January 4, 2009, to visit the family of his sister, whose house is just some hundred meters away from his family's house. Isma`il responded to the call of his predestined fate and set out to meet it. He asked his younger brother to accompany him, but he refused and hid himself in a neighbors' house.
Isma`il, on the other hand, spurred his horse to go faster so that he could see his sister and children and then go back home to see his friends. Yet, he could not! His mother narrates that on his way back from his sister's house, Isma`il was shot by an Israeli tank shell while he was doing nothing but riding his horse. She added that the tank shell shattered his entire body and burnt it.
She added that Isma`il bled for an hour till he lost a lot of blood and no one could rescue him, so he died on the ground along with his horse.
In the meanwhile, the Israeli occupying forces shot another tank shell into his sister's house, from where he had just come out, killing his nephew as well.
Other Information:
Although Isma`il was a teenager, he was not as reckless as his fellows. He was calm, kind, lovable to all. He was preoccupied, on one hand, with his study at the school of industrial technicians to learn a craft that could enable him to improve the family's living conditions, and on the other hand, kept going to the mosque to listen to the Qur`an and religious lessons.
His friend `Abdullah Fawzy Abu Sanimah holds the same impression about Isma`il, adding that he was noble-minded and not aggressive to anybody. He had a good character and never said bad words even in his worst conditions.
According to his mother's narration, Isma`il always wished to be martyred. He used to talk to his mother about that and few days before his death, he told her that he wished to die for Allah's Cause and wanted his photo to be published at streets along with those of the martyr.
His last words to his mother were about their hard life at 'Al-Yahudyah' area on the borderlines with the occupiers.
He described it "our life is torture", because with every hostile raid the occupying forces take his father and elder brothers, devastating the house, terrifying children, questioning the all without a reason. Doing so, they imbue people's hearts with terror and pain. "All people at 'Al-Yahudyah' area are exposed to killing anytime without a guilt" said Isma`il who met the same fate.
http://fwd4.me/0j1K 28 apr 2012, 16:23 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Ziad Abu Mohammed Snema 10
Ismail Abdullah Suleiman abu-Snaima, 15
Ziad Muhammad Selmi abu-Snaima
28 apr 2012, 16:24 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Gaza al-Habbash family torn apart by war
The report contains very graphic images - viewers may find the contents disturbing.
(1:32) Gaza family torn apart by war - 04 Jan 09 2 x viewed
Shifa hospital is Gaza's main hospital - it's at breaking point with the amount of casualties being brought in.
Nick Walshe has the story of one family torn apart by this war.
28 apr 2012, 16:24 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Shatha al-Abed Muhammad al-Habbash, 10Isra Qusay Muhammad al-Habbash, 13
Shatha of Gaza City, Gaza, killed, with her cousin, by an IDF missile while at home in Gaza City's al-Tufah neighborhood.
Name of Victim: Esraa' Qusay Al-Habash: Details of the last hours:
The Al-Habashs remained indoors seeking refuge in their small home in Al-Tufah neighborhood that was very close to the Israeli fires. Like other Palestinian families, the Al-Habashs thought that the restless Israeli missiles might mercifully spare their precious lives. On January 4, the 12-year-old Esraa' was fed up with the continuous Israeli onslaught that forced her to abide in her home. Young Esraa' missed going outdoors, going to school, and meeting her dear friends.
Bored to death as she felt, Esraa' gathered her cousins and went on the roof of their house to play and have fun. These happy moments faded so fast as cruel Israeli aircrafts, spread all over the Palestinian sky, ruthlessly fired its missiles into their tiny bodies to tear them to shreds. Some of them dropped dead while others were severely injured.
Esraa's tiny body could not bear the brutal fragments and she died right away. The bodies of Esraa', her cousin, and her best friend Shadha, or what remained of them, were mixed. Esraa's father tried to gather up the remains of his little angel while his wife, full of hope, was looking for her little girl among the injured children.
Her mother says, "I thought that the bombing targeted the house next door. But in fact these vicious criminals were robbing my little angel of her life." After a sad pause, the mother recalls her sweet memories of her sweetheart; she recalls her short yet precious 12-year-length life.
She remembers her very first steps, her first sweet words, and how her little angel used to stick her tiny body to her mother's in her various social visits. The heart-broken mother recalls Esraa's compassion and affection for her aunt Mariam; as she used to help her all the time.
The unforgettable memories of her stubborn little girl and how her mother used to gently persuade her to do what she wants and how her child would courteously listen to her are well preserved in the mother's broken heart. Her mother holds on the memories of her encouraging Esraa' to study harder and how she used to shower her little angel with her unconditional love.
The memories of her complaining 12-year old angel before `Eid Al-Adha are still fresh in her mind. "Esraa' came to me crying before `Eid Al-Adha complaining that her Aunt, Mariam, was buying her son, Eslam, new cloths for `Eid. I took her between my arms and assured her that I would do my best to buy her new clothes regardless of our financial difficulties. My little angel was thrilled. Esraa' looked extremely happy when she found exactly what she was looking for: a long blouse and similar trousers like her sister's. My dear child was incredibly happy at that `Eid as if she knew it was her last," said the grief-stricken mother.
Her three-year old sister, Hanadi, is still waiting for her beloved sister to come back so that she would reprimand her for leaving her alone all that time. Poor Hanadi is still waiting but Esraa' will never show up as she had gone for ever. She dreams of her dear sister every now and then.
The mother tells her little girl that her sister Esraa' is in Paradise, still-innocent Hanadi believes that her beloved sister is in a short trip and will come back soon to play with her and take her to the supermarket to buy what she needs as they used to do. Twelve-year old Esraa' always dreamed of growing up and finishing her study in the university so that she can work and provide for her poor family. She dreamed of being a teacher so that she could teach young children and help them have a better life. The 12-year old angel is gone for ever leaving behind her unfulfilled dreams.
http://fwd4.me/0j5A 28 apr 2012, 16:24 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Suhair Ziad Ramadan a-Nimer, 10'Abd al-Karim Ziad Ramadan a-Nimer, 13
Ibrahim Ziad Ramadan a-Nimer, 19
Killed while standing on the roof of his house with members of his/her family.
28 apr 2012, 16:24 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Hamzah Zuheir Rizeq Tantish, 11
Mahmoud Zaher Rizeq Tantish, 17
Name of Victim: Mahmoud Zahir Tanteesh: Details of the last hours:
The fourth of January marked the launch of the ground invasion of the operation of “Cast Lead” on Gaza Strip. The Palestine sky seemed quite clear, yet Israeli tanks crowded the Gaza Stripe firing its ruthless cannonballs every where; hundreds of Palestinians were murdered. Driven by his curiosity, seventeen-year old Mahmoud Zahir Tanteesh, who heard the horrible sound of the bombing, went up on his roof to locate where the bombing was. The brave young mane thought he could help injured people. Unfortunately, and in a twinkling of an eye, a ruthless Israeli cannonball tore him to shreds.
Seventeen-year old Mahmoud was gone leaving behind a severe agony within the broken hearts of his grieving family; his father ‘s dreams of his son growing up, graduating from High School, and joining university, were utterly shattered. The grieving mother’s dreams of seeing her son in his wedding was crushed by the merciless Israeli cannonball.
It was a biting cold few days before his death; seventeen-year old Mahmud had no coat to wrap his body in it. Shyly, the dutiful son approached his father asking him to buy him a coat. The caring father did not say no to his precious child but the stores were closed that day. His father says: “Buying him a coat really softened the burden of my tragedy; had not I bought him that coat then, I would not have ever forgiven myself for that.”
Mahmud’s father promised his dear son to send him abroad to finish his education in any country he wishes after successfully finishing his High School. He says: “I used to encourage him to study harder and urged him not to do anything else at home except studying … I wanted him to have the highest scores.”
The dutiful son obeyed his loving father and studied really hard but still helped his family with their needs every now and then. Once Mahmud came to his grandmother with sadness written all over his face, and when she asked him about the reason behind this, he told her that he got sad when some younger kids refused to let an old man step before them in the row to buy some bread … The tender-hearted young man could not believe how rude and selfish their act was!
Young Mahmud was a very kind Youngman; he could not see a man in need without helping him out.
Over twenty days, Mahmoud used to went for Fajr prayer in the mosque at 4 in the morning, and on his way home he would buy some bread for his family who became trapped in their house due to the vicious Israeli onslaught on Gaza Strip. His broken-hearted grandmother says: “We were terrified even to use our clay oven that the Israeli jets would bomb our home smashing it over our heads … During the long and hard days of the cruel siege, my beloved grandson used to bring us bread … Alas, I am going to miss my precious grandson … May Allaah be pleased with him and admit him to Paradise.
http://fwd4.me/0j54 28 apr 2012, 16:24 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Asmaa Ibrahim Hussein 'Afaneh, 12
Omar Mahmoud al-Baradei, 12
Omar of Gaza City, Gaza, killed by the IDF in Gaza City's Tal al-Hawa neighborhood.
Asmaa Killed while standing on the roof of a house with members of her family.
28 apr 2012, 16:24 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Mahmoud Khaled Eleyan al-Mashharawi, 13Ruba Muhammad Fadel abu-Ras, 14,
Ruba of Gaza City, Gaza, killed by the IDF in Gaza City's al-Zaytoun neighborhood.
28 apr 2012, 16:24 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
'Ayed 'Imad Jamal Khairah, 14Iyad Nabil 'Abd a-Rahman Saleh, 16
Ayad of Gaza City, Gaza, killed by the IDF in al-Shejaya, near Gaza City.
Iyad of Beit Layha, Gaza, killed by the IDF in the Al-Awda apartment complex where he lived.
28 apr 2012, 16:24 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Yusef 'Abed Muhsein Barbakh, 14
Musa Yusef Hassan Barbakh, 16
of al-Shouka, near Rafah, Gaza, killed, with his uncle and three cousins, by an IDF missile while in front of his home in al-Shouka.
- 4 jan 2009
Muhammad 'Abed Hassan Barbakh, 19Mahdi 'Abed Hassan Barbakh, 20'Abed Hassan Muhammad Barbakh, 44
28 apr 2012, 16:24 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Muhammad Faraj Ismail Hasouna, 16'Atiyyah Rushdi Khalil al-Khuli, 16
Muhammad of Gaza City, Gaza, killed by the IDF on Jaffa Street in Gaza City.
28 apr 2012, 16:25 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Jihan Sami Sadi al-Helu, 17 Thaer Shakr Shaban Qarmout, 17
Jihan of Gaza City, Gaza, killed by the IDF in Gaza City's al-Mina neighborhood.
Thaerof Jabalya refugee camp, died of wounds sustained Dec. 29, 2008 in an IDF attack on Jabalya refugee camp, Gaza.
28 apr 2012, 16:51 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Sabih Ahmed Khadr 17
Jihad Kamal Hassan Ahmad, 17
28 apr 2012, 16:51 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Adham Naim Muhammad Abdul-Malik, 17
Hashem 'Awani 'Abd al-Fatah Jadu', 17
Adham of Beit Lahya, Gaza, killed by the IDF in the al-Isra neighborhood of Beit Lahya.
28 apr 2012, 16:51 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Lutfi 'Awani 'Abd al-Fatah Jadu', 18
Ghazi 'Awani 'Abd al-Fatah Jadu', 23
28 apr 2012, 16:51 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
'Omar Ahmad Mahmoud al-Bard'I, 11
Anas Fadel Na'im, 23 paramedic
Four medics killed by Israeli forces in Gaza
'Omar: Details of the last hours:
On January 4, El-Dahadeeh neighborhood at Agleen, North Gaza, had a difficult time when Israeli tanks entered the region. On that day, an ambulance came to this isolated agricultural region to save the lives of some wounded people. The ambulance stopped before El-Bardei house asking about the address. Om-Mahmoud had no choice but to send her son to show the ambulance team the way to their destination.
Few meters after Omar walked with the ambulance team, the Israeli tanks deployed at the place bombarded the ambulance with a stream of heavy gun fires and put an end to Omar’s little steps. The ambulance team and Omar’s bodies were mangled and scattered in the agricultural fields.
Hearing about the ruthless massacre, the region’s residents were terrified and moved to some other place that might be safer. But, Om-Mahmoud conceded to the voice of her heart and stayed to collect her son’s torn parts scattered everywhere. After Omar’s brothers had left the house, the mother started to search for Omar’s remains, but in vain. Twenty four hours later, the Red Cross came to pick up the causalities and at the same time Om-Mahmoud returned to look again for her dead son’s remains. The scene was shocking and excruciating. He was a kid who went to show an ambulance the way to get to the wounded, but why were they killed?!
More Information:
Omar, 11 years old, was a six grade student in a primary school. There were many characteristics that distinguished him from his peers. The mother said “Omar was so content with his life. If his pocket money was available, he took it and went to school, if not; he contented himself with the situation. If he wanted to go on a school trip, I gave him a part of the fees required and he tried to provide the remaining sum on his own.”, the mother added “He was calm and obedient, I never felt tired of his bringing up…he memorized two parts of the Noble Quran and divided his time between two mosques, Al-Sabreen and Omar-Ibn-Elkhatab”
His Dreams:
Omar’s dream was not impossible; he wished to be a teacher in one of Gaza’s schools. In fact, it was more than a dream; Omar exerted much effort to achieve his goal since he gathered his nephews in his own house and played the role of a teacher. He, also, spared no effort to get full marks in all his school subjects.
Missing Omar and yearning to see him once more tormented the mother who failed to erase Omar’s picture coming from school from her memory; she imagined him open the house door, step towards her, kiss her hand and help her prepare lunch. “Owing to my grief at the death of my two murdered sons Musab and Zaid, I have been suffering from some diseases. Omar felt sorry for me and used to share in the housework; he cooked the food for me, handed me the medicines…he was my right arm. …Oh! Allah…they killed him coldbloodedly.”
Omar adored the school activities and was a scout. He took part in the healthy school activities and had a white uniform which he cared much for and washed by himself. Omar’s mother said “whenever I saw him in that white uniform, I felt as if he were a real doctor and I prayed he would be. Everyone who knew Omar felt deep sorrow and pain after the death of such a distinguished child. Not only are Omar’s mother and brothers deeply tormented by his death, but his teachers, school headmaster and school mates as well.
http://fwd4.me/0j6C 28 apr 2012, 16:51 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Yasser Kamal Shbeir, 25 paramedic'Arfah Hani 'Arafat 'Abd a-Dayem, 41 paramedic
Arafa a paramedic who was killed in the line of duty by the IDF, father off this little girl
'Arfah (photo Arafa's Family)
Arafa Abdel Dayem, thirty-four, was killed on 4 January 2009, during Israel’s 23 day offensive on the Gaza Strip, codenamed “Operation Cast Lead”. Arafa, a medic, was responding to a missile attack on a group of five unarmed men when an Israeli tank fired a shell filled with flechettes directly at the group.
Meeting the al Dayem family one can’t help but notice the quiet and composed nature of the whole group. It is obvious that the four boys: Hani, eleven, Hamed, nine, Abdel Rahman, six, and Ahmed, four, have been impeccably taught by their mother, Imtihan al Dayem, thirty-five, in the ways of politeness and good behaviour. The boys remain quiet and seated next to Imtihan at all times during the interview.
Imtihan recalls the events of that day, three years ago: “I was told initially that Arafa had been injured in an Israeli strike. Of course I was concerned, but many people get injured in his line of work and what was important is that he was still alive. I learnt only fifteen minutes before Arafa’s body arrived back at the family home that he had died. The shock was unbearable”. Imtihan’s voice breaks a little as she retells the moment she learnt of her husband’s death, but it is only a glancing moment of vulnerability in what is otherwise a strong face put on “for the sake of the children and their future.”
The family have faced challenges since the loss of Arafa. Due to a dispute with Arafa’s family, with whom they lived prior to the incident, Imtihan was forced to move out and into the unfinished house started by Arafa before he died. “When we moved in there was nothing, no furniture, no windows, no carpets, we only had the house painted ten days ago,” says Imtihan. Using Arafa’s savings she was able to pay off previous loans used to start construction on the house but did not have enough to finish it.
Reflecting on Arafa’s life before he was killed Imtihan talks of Arafa’s courage and popularity amongst Palestinians. “During the war, Arafa would only come home to deliver food to the family and then go out to volunteer with the medics again. If one medical crew was full he would look for others” says Imtihan. “We received condolences from all over the world when he died.” Unsurprisingly, “the importance of being strong” is something that Imtihan reiterates in her discussion of the family’s lives since the death of her husband.
The effect on the children on the loss of their father was particularly traumatic, especially Hani who, given his and his Dad’s close relationship, displayed physical and mental symptoms of extreme trauma in the year following the event. “But I have been upfront with the children that they will behave as their father would wish them to,” says Imtihan, and daily talking sessions with UNRWA staff in the period following the death of his father has meant Hani is now doing well in school and excelling in science, a field his father taught in the local UNRWA school. It is clear that Hani is filling the position of man of the house as he sits quietly with his mother and watches over his younger brothers. Ahmed, the youngest, was four months when Arafa died, “he did not have a chance to know or to love his father” says Imtihan.
Speaking of the future Imtihan is hopeful, “I have four young boys whom I hope to see graduate from college and get married, but I am only one, it is a huge responsibility and I must be strong.” She is also hopeful for prospects regarding legal proceedings in Israel concerning compensation for her husband’s killing given that Arafa was clearly not a military target at the time of his killing at the hands of Israeli occupation forces.
4 jan 2012 PCHR submitted a criminal complaint on behalf of the Abdel Dayem Family on 21 August 2009. To-date, no response has been received.
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Maria 4 jan 2009
'Abdallah Haydar Khalil Abu 'Odeh, 19
Muhammad Mu'in 'Atiyyah Abu al-Jidyan, 19
Ahmad Yusef Ibrahim al-Batsh, 19
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Mohamed Nasr Hamdouna 19Muhammad Khader Yusef Hamuda, 19
'Abd a-Sayed Yusef Khamis 'Omar, 19
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Isma'il 'Abd a-Rahim Suliman, 19Osamah Muhammad "Mesleh" Rajab Suliman, 20
Hassan 'Issam Hassan al-Jamasi, 20Muhammad Suliman Khalil al-Jamasi, 22 28 apr 2012, 16:52 , Respect -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Nuh Hamuda Shhadeh Abu Sultan, 19
'Abed Samir 'Ali a-Sultan, 20
Hussein Mahmoud 'Abd al-Malek a-Sultan, 23
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Hamouda Khader Abu Shehadeh Sultan 26
Rawhi Jamal Ramadan a-Sultan, 28Hamouda Khader Abu Shehadeh Sultan 53
killed in Gaza city, by a missile fired from a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), in the yard of the UNRWA Asma'a school, where his family had found refuge.
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Qusai Riad Muhammad al-Batrikhi, 20
Ra'fat Sami Ibrahim Muharam, 20Khalil Ibrahim Mohamed Mokdad 20
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Muhammad Ibrahim Hussein Abu Sh'ar, 21
Mufid Saleh Muhammad Wleiwel, 21
Wael Yusef Matar Abu Jarad, 21
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Hamzah 'Awani Muhammad a-Shaghnubi, 21'Adnan Muhammad 'Abd a-Latif a-Shalfouh, 21Muhammad 'Abd a-Razeq al-Hileh, 21
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Ghassan 'Ali 'Ali Abu al-'Imrin, 22
Mustafa Zuhdi Mustafa Erhim, 22 -
Maria 4 jan 2009
Muhammad Ahmad Sa'id al-Hashim, 22Muhammad Muti'a Muhammad a-Sharafi, 22
Muhammad 'Abd al-Hadi Muhammad Daher, 23
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Maria 4 jan 2009
'Abd al-'Aziz Muhammad Mustafa Najar, 23Ata Samir Ata Bahar, 23
Bassam 'Azmi Muhammad al-Hatab, 24
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Muhammad Khamis Suliman 'Awad, 24
Ahmad Muhammad Msalam Abu Hatab, 25Muhammad Bassam Muhammad 'Anan, 25
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Maria 4 jan 2009
'Issa Ahmad Muhammad, 25Bilal 'Abd Rabo Muhammad Shahab, 25
Sa'id Ahmad Rashad al-'Asli, 25
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Muhammad Fuad Mahmoud al-Helu, 26Mustafa Abdullah Albel 26Ayman Muhammad Muhammad 'Afaneh, 26
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Mohamed Abdel-Hamid Abu Kamil
Bilal Muhammad Ghiben, 27
Ahmad Hussein 'Abd Rabo al-Mabhuh, 28
Bassam Muhammad Faruk Abu 'Ajwah, 31
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Mazen Assad Aldash
Nidal Ahmad Mahmoud a-Samuni, 32Mohamed Ahmed Mohamed Daour 32Jamileh 'Abd al-'Aziz Salem a-Da'ur, 61
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Maria 4 jan 2009
'Alaa a-Din Yihya Muhammad Zaqut, 32
Muhammad Hassan Ahmad al-Baba, 33Ramadan Maher Younis Abdel-Dayem 34
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Majedah 'Abd al-Karim Abu Hajaj, 35
Rayah Salameh Salman Abu Hajaj, 56
Hisham Hamdan al-'Abed al-Fiyumi, 36
Hajhaj Killed with her daughter by a soldier who fired from a tank as she walked with a group of persons carrying a white flag. Their bodies were left in the street until the army withdrew because ambulances were not allowed to reach the site. Previously , the family had to leave their house, which was shelled.
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Adham Khamis Mohamed Naseer 37Ahmad Khalil Saleh Abu Daf, 38Salman Abu Hammad Mrazik Khammash 39
Salman Killed while on his way to buy flour.
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Ibtesam Ahmad Muhammad al-Qanu', 40
'Aead 'Abd al-Hadi 'Abd al-Khaleq Abu Nada, 40
Mu'in 'Ata Hussein, 40
Ibtesam Soldiers demolished her house with a bulldozer and shot and killed her when she exited the house with her mother-in-law, waving a white flag.
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Maria 4 jan 2009
No name 40
Rida Khalil Hassan 'Ali, 42Shawki Abdel-Gawad Attar 45
Shawki's familyKilled at the entrance to his house while waiting for his mother, who had gone onto the roof to wave a white flag.
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Maria 4 jan 2009
Samir 'Aiyadah Yusef a-Sharafi, 47Sami Khalil Sa'id Lazan, 49Isma'il Musa Isma'il a-Susi, 49
Ismail