- Israel kills senior Hamas figure in air attack - 01 Jan 09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3lE2EQdieU
Israel destroys the home of Nizar Rayyan, a senior Hamas figure, killing him and 13 members of his family in the Jabaliya camp in Gaza.
In the most high-level assassination of a Hamas official since Israel's operations began, the direct targeting of Rayyan's house prompts criticism that Israel is violating international law.
28 apr 2012, 14:15 , Respect -
Maria 1 jan 2009
Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Muhammad Rian, 50Ass'ad Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Rayan, 1
The killing of Nizar Rayan and 15 members of his family
On Thursday, 1 Jan. '09, the Israeli air force bombed the house of Nizar Rayan, a senior Hamas official, in the Jabalya refugee camp. The blast killed Rayan, his four wives, and their eleven children, ranging in age from 1-12 years old. According to the army spokesperson, "the house served as a large munitions warehouse and as a war room. Under the house was an escape tunnel for terrorist members of Hamas's military wing."
Even if the army spokesperson's statement is accurate, the large toll of civilian lives renders the attack a grave breach of international humanitarian law. In the current situation in the Gaza Strip, it is hard to think of a definite military advantage that could have been achieved by bombing the house and killing Rayan, that can justify the killing of 13 women and children
According to the media, official sources indicated that the army had warned the family members of their intention to bomb the house, but they refused to leave.
Even if true, this does not exempt the army from responsibility for the killing of civilians, given that it knew or should have known that the residents had not left the house and that they would be injured in the blast.
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Maria 1 jan 2009
'Ayesha Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Rayan, 2Osamah Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Rayan, 2
Victim’s Name: As`ad Nizar Rayyan
Details of the Last Hours:
At around 2 am, while the martyr’s father was entering his house, Israeli f-16 aircrafts aimed at their house with a raid of 3 missiles. This totally destroyed the house that tumbled over the heads of its inhabitants. The martyr – 1 year old – died with 16 members of the family that was comprised of a father, four wives, and seven brother and sisters. Only three brothers, who were not at the house during the raid, survived the bombing. The martyr and his family were picked up from under the rubble. Dr. Mu`awiya Hassanein said that most of the family members were in fragments due to the violence of the raid. More than ten thousand people joined the funeral of the martyr and his family the following day.
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Name of Victim: Osama Bin Zaid Nizar Rayan: Details of the last hours:
“Where are you Osma?”, “I am here with Papa”, the kid used to answer his mother wherever he was. He had never known that his last words would delineate his end exactly like he pronounced them. In the afternoon of January 2009, Osama lay down between his father’s arms dead when the Israeli F16 planes pounded the Rayans house murdering 14 members of the Rayyans, as Belal, Rayan’s brother, put it.
Belal’s wife said “Osma was loved by everyone and we were so pleased to hear him pronounce his first words which his mother had taught him. His mother herself enjoyed that sense of innocent childhood with its fun and joy to the extent that it was reflected on her children.”
Belal’s wife added “I pity Osama's half sister, Saja, a lot; she used to live with her mother, sister,Reem, and Osama three days a week, but now they have gone forever. Absolutely, she suffered a lot by the death of her brothers and sisters and she is left alone now, but she is tormented especially by the death of Osama who played with her a lot. As for Aisha, Osama’s half sister who was as old as him, she loved him a lot. Both enjoyed their time playing in the absence of the rest of the brothers and sisters or in the kindergarten, but she passed away with Osama and would not bear the deep sorrow of his death like Saja.”
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Name of Victim: ‘Aisha Nizar Rayan: Details of the last hours:
Driven by her deep fear and terror because of the brutal Israeli war against Gaza, Young ‘Aisha sought refuge in her mother’s arms. She was with her mother watching her siblings playing on the roof of the house when an Israeli F16 jets heavily bombed their home turning it into a heap of rubble. As a result, all her family members were killed including the three-year old ‘Aisha. The Israeli F16 jets targeted her small body while she was searching for a sense of safety in her mother's arms. The three-year old ‘Aisha rested in peace beside her parents.
Whenever ‘Aishah’s father came home after a long and tiring day seeking some rest in his four-floor home where his four wives were living, `Aisha was the first one to open the door to hug him. So, whenever her mother missed her, she knew where to find her; beside her father.
The loving father dearly cared for his little angel. He was the one who named her after the prophet’s wife, ‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her). He used to call her by her nickname “Sho-Sho”. She was so, close to him, so she was his dearest child. He always saw her as the most beautiful daughter he has ever had. He used to say:” ‘Aisha was so little yet really intelligent and funny. It was not hard for anyone to notice her big admiration and deep love for her older brothers. She would come and say hello to us all the time. May Allah rest her innocent soul in peace.”
Her brother's wife, Um Ibrahim, said: "‘Aisha was our beautiful flower. She always played and had fun with her brothers, nephews and neighbors. One could see her tenderly holding her doll and playing here and there.” She added: "I still remember dear ‘Aisha when she asked one of us to give her a push on the swing and she would happily coo and hum like she'd been swinging all her life” Her brother, Belal said: "‘Aisha was a beautiful child. She loved playing with everybody. We used to arouse her jealousy of her brother As‘ad, and we would laugh at her. However, I never saw her so happy as she was in her father’s lap as a queen sitting on her throne”.
Her twelve-year old sister, Ayah, enjoyed ‘Aisha’s deep and great love. She could not stand a moment away from her elder sister. Her mother used to say that ‘Aisha needed Ayah even more than Ayah needed her. Ayah took good care of her young siblings, especially As‘ad and ‘Aisha. She used to feed them, quench their thirst, and change their diapers.
Belal’s little child, “Lolo”, misses her aunt, ‘Aisha, a lot. Although she had moved out with her parents to a rented house, the memory of the old family house remained alive in her heart. She always kept looking for her loving aunt to come and play with her. Getting tired of hearing her young girl’s unanswered question: "Where is Sho-Sho, Mom?", the mother answered: "She is in Paradise, darling”
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Maria 1 jan 2009
Halimah Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Rayan, 4Rim Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Rayan, 4
Name of Victim: Halimah Nizar Rayyan: Details of the Last Hours:
At around 2 am, while the martyr’s father was entering his house, Israeli f-16 aircrafts aimed at their house with a raid of 3 missiles. This totally destroyed the house that tumbled over the heads of its inhabitants. The martyr – 4 years old – died with 13 members of the family that was comprised of a father, four wives, and seven brother and sisters. Only three brothers, who were not at the house during the raid, survived the bombing. The martyr and his family were picked up from under the rubble. Dr. Mu`awiya Hassanein said that most of the family members were in fragments due to the violence of the raid. More than ten thousand people joined the funeral of the martyr and his family the following day.
Other Information:
At approximately 11:35 pm on the same day, Israeli aircraft raided the al-Khulafa Mosque, which is located near Rayyans' house, destroying the mosque completely and damaging tens of houses in the area, some for the second time on the same day.
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Name of Victim: Reem Nizar Rayan: Details of the last hours:
On the first day of the New Year 2009, Reem and her brother Zayd went with their mothers up to the roof to be with their father, Shaykh Nizar Rayan with his other three wives and children. It was just a few moments when the family gathering was forcibly ended when an Israeli F16 jets launched their cruel missiles at them, demolishing their home and tearing their bodies to shreds.
The five-year-old Reem, her siblings; Halimah and Abdul-Rahman, and their nephew; Ibrahim, were close friends. The whole neighborhood will not forget them carrying their bags happily to "Al-Khulafa' Al-Rashidin" nursery as Belal said. He also added: "My brother, `Abdul-Rahman, my beautiful sister Reem, and Halimah used to go together to the nursery. I could not forget their lovely faces. They were three beautiful flowers which the barbaric Zionist Mass Destruction Machine has picked off. Their innocence did not appeal for them because the hearts of their enemies are harder than stones. Indeed Allah the Exalted is Sufficient for us, and [He is] the best Disposer of affairs.”
Reem was so peachy and attracted everyone saw or dealt with her. Iman, her sister-in-law said: "It would take you only a glance at her innocent face to fall immediately in love with that little angel. One can not wait to see her innocent and beautiful features all the time. Her father had revealed secretly to his wives and older children how much he loved his young princess.”
Young Saja, Reem’s maternal half-sister, who used to share Reem’s small bed three days a week missed those lovely nights as much as she deeply missed her dear sister. Reem had always took good care of her siblings and showered them with her unconditioned and innocent love. She also took good care of her only brother, Osamah, with whom she used to play and tend. She would not leave him a moment, especially, if their mother is not around.
Her sister-in-law, Om Ibrahim, said: "Reem was an exceptionally pretty, quite, and calm little girl. She had a very tender and loving voice that makes you want to listen to her sweet voice all the time. You would like her when she was talking politely and smartly. When the children quarrel with one another, she would keep silent and respond shyly.
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Maria 1 jan 2009
'Abd a-Rahman Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Rayan, 5
Zeinab Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Rayan, 8
Name of Victim: Abdel Rahman Nizar Rayyan
Age: 5 years old
Sex: Male
Date of Injury or Death: January 1, 2009
Place of Injury or Death: At home, Jabaliya camp, northern Gaza.
Cause of Injury or Death: An Israeli missile from an F-16 aircraft destroyed his home
Details of the last hours:
It was a new day in a new year, supposed to be full of new dreams.
5-year-old Abdel Rahman – son of Nezar Rayyan – could hardly wait for the remaining five months of his preschool to be over. He wanted to start going to school to be a distinctive pupil like all his elder brothers.
But on that first day of the year 2009, Israeli air force bombed the whole neighborhood including his home. The F-16 fighter planes launched their missiles. No one was left alive after that air raid. All the people in this house died along with their dreams.
It was always a special time when all the young relatives; Halima, Reem, Abdel Rahman and Ibrahim, walked together in the early morning on their way to their preschool "El Kholafaa’ El Rashdeen". The whole family and neighborhood were very pleased with the group.
Ibrahim’s mother said “Today, Ibrahim is walking alone to preschool. He was so used to with the company of Abdel Rahman, Reem and Halima. I can feel how much he is suffering from such pain and loss. Sufficient unto us is God. The Israeli hostility killed them in their first tiny steps in life.”
Ibrahim asked his mother daily about Abdel Rahman. “Was he martyred? When will I visit him? When I visit his grave, I will talk to him.”
Ibrahim’s mother continued “My aunt, Nawal [Abdel Rahman’s mother], loved Abdel Rahman so much. To her, Abdel Rahman was all she had in the world.”
Abdel Rahman’s mother has always wished that he would be well educated like his father. She did her best to help him reach that goal. She cared about his education so much, even though he hadn’t started school yet. She chose the best preschool in Jabaliya camp for him.
Abdel Rahman’s brother, Belal, said “My mother was so proud of him, as he was young and faithful. She always mentioned how much Abdel Rahman is merciful, tender, and kind.”
Even when she had her second child Asaad, Abdel Rahman remained on top. She was telling everybody that she hopes Abdel Rahman would be like his father.
Abdel Rahman was very often sitting with his father, whispering about his dreams in the future “When I grow up, I will be a great warrior. I will do many things to fight against the Israeli occupation”.
He was handling his nephews, who were all in his age, as if he is responsible for them. The daughter of his brother Belal said “My Uncle Abdel Rahman always cared for us, played with us, and fed us from his own sweets.”
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Name of Victim: Zainab Nizar Rayan; Details of the last hours:
On January 1, 2009 the Israeli F-16s targeted the home of Nizar Rayan. The father, his four wives, and his sons were on the roof of his home. Only his daughter Zainab, nine-year old, was playing in the courtyard. That is why it was so difficult to find the parts of her body after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had struck the house. The house of three floors was completely razed; Zainab and her family were smashed.
Zainab suffered from an average mental inertia. The father visited every hospital and rehabilitation institution trying to find a cure for his little daughter's disease. Later on, Zainab's mental status witnessed some improvement so doctors allowed her to go to school. Zainab was a third-grade student at a primary school when died.
Her sister-in-law recalls Zainab's face saying, "Every feature in her face would tell how innocent and tender she was. I remember how she sympathized with me when I was pregnant and prayed for me to have a beautiful baby like her brother Asaad."
Zainab's brother, Belal, says: "Zainab knew nothing about this world but being innocent. That's why she attracted the attention of everyone who knew her. Even the wheel of Israeli vicious war did not stop my innocent sister Zainab from playing with her toys and that might have been her only way out of fear and terror."
On January 4, 2009, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B'Tselem) issued a statement in which it expressed its condemnation for the crime inflicted on the Rayans, confirming that the IDF action in that accident contradicted the International Humanitarian Law.
http://fwd4.me/0j1x 28 apr 2012, 14:15 , Respect -
Maria 1 jan 2009
Maryam Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Rayan, 9'Abd al-Qader Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Rayan, 11
Name of Victim: Maryam Nizar Rayan: Details of the last hours:
Under a blue sky, Maryam Nizar Rayyan, 9 years old, played with her eleven brothers and sisters on the roof of their house, in the company of her father and his four wives. On the 4th day of the Israeli assault on Gaza, innocent Maryam heard the sound of the Israeli F16 planes and looked at the sky, but never expected that those planes came to put an end to her childhood as well as to the lives of many members of her family who were at home at that time.
On the 1st day of the New Year 2009, at 02:00 pm, Israeli F16 planes targeted the Rayyans's house with three missiles. The whole house was ruined and collapsed on the heads of its residents. Maryam was killed along with 13 members of her family; the father and his four wives in addition to 7 of her sisters and brothers. No one of the family had survived but 3 brothers who were not at the house then.
Maryyam and the other family bodies were picked up from under the rubble. Dr. Mu`awiya Hassanein (the manager of ambulance and emergency in Gaza) says, “Most of the bodies of the Rayyans were found distorted, which indicates how much violent the bomb was.” More than 10 thousands mourners attended the funeral of the Rayyans the following day.”
Maryam was loved a lot by her father who asked her mother to sew a beautiful dress especially for her. Maryam was over the moon with her new dress; she wore it every time she went to play outside her home. Amid all the girls of the district, Maryam attracted the attention of everybody by her innocence and beauty in that dress.
Her Dreams:
Belal, Maryam’s Brother, remembers “Maryam was very polite; she called my wife as aunt and addressed the old with titles. She was very hard worker who taught her class mates some subjects, especially English, upon the request of her teachers. Maryam spoke a lot with everybody, but I loved her talking about the big dream of gaining her postgraduate studies she was the only one of the Rayyans' who wished to study medicine.”
Belal adds “Maryam, the promising pupil of the fourth grade, dreamt of a better tomorrow and future and eagerly awaited the moment she can go back to her school and kept saying “when I come back to school, I will do this and that”. Yet, the occupation forces deprived her of her dream and from a peaceful life like all other children across the world.”
Mona, Belal’s daughter, misses Maryam a lot; she talks to her mother about Maryam “May Allah rest her soul; she was so kind and patiently taught her friends. Maryam observed all prayers in the mosque of her district. After Al-Asr (Afternoon prayer) she used to memorize the Noble Quran with her friends.”
When the assault on Gaza came to an end, Mona went to the school for the first time after the death of Maryam and all her uncles. Standing before the pupils in the class, Maryam’s teacher could not control her tears and mourned her most promising pupil, Maryam.
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1 jan 2009
Aya Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Rayan, 11
Ghassan Nizar 'Abd al-Qader Rayan, 16
Name of Victim: Ghasaan Nizar Rayan: Details of the last hours:
The first day of the New Year 2009, the Israeli Air Force launched its cruel onslaught on Gaza Strip and heavily bombed the house of the renowned Palestine leader, Nizar Rayan. Israeli jet fighters fired an F-16 missile at his house, ripping him along with other thirteen members of his family to shreds.
Sixteen-year-old Ghasaan, was hanging out with his siblings on the roof of their home When an Israeli jet fighter fired numerous missiles at their home tearing all the residents apart and turning the house into a heap of rubble. All the family members were buried under the ruins of their home which was once full of love and joy, including Ghasaan, the second-grade student in high school.
Ghassan was about to graduate from High school. He studied harder that year. He asked his father to get him a tutor to help him with his studies. Both Ghasaan and his father were happy that Ghassan was getting better at school. Ghasaan tried to be an excellent student to follow his dear father’s steps and accomplish success in both studying and building a good career.
His brother Belal said: "We have seen both innocence and responsibility in Ghassan as young man. The spirit of childhood never abandoned his character, yet he was very responsible and reasonable in all his actions. He was a diligent young man and he did his best to lead the life his father wished for him."
Ghasaan was fond of playing with young children all the time; his name was the first word that almost all the children of his family uttered. One could hardly see him at home without tenderly holding a child here and there. Belal’s little girl, Mona, enjoyed a great deal of her uncle’s love, and his name was her first words. When asked about her uncle, Ghasaan, young Mona would innocently answer: "My dear uncle is in Paradise”. Ghasaan’s sister-in-law described him: "Ghasaan was really fond of children, he used to tend, play, and take them to buy grocery. He used to keep some candy in his pocket to give his little dear friends."
Sixteen-year-old Ghasaan, lost sight in one of his eyes during the last agonizing events in the village of Beit Hanoun. His brother, Belal, said, after the horrific accident that caused blindness to Ghassan's eye: "Our parents felt awfully sorry for him as he was too young to face just a tragedy. He was only a sixteen-year-old kid. Courageous, Ghasaan endured his calamity with a brave heart. The first thing he did was thanking Allah for sparing him the other eye so that he could see the criminals who had done this to him and he would take his avenge”.
“May Allah be pleased with you, words that Ghasaan insisted to hear from his mother, bearing in mind the importance of filial obedience. The loving mother used to invoke Allah to be pleased with her children and to grant them deep-knowledge and to be righteous Muslims.
Ghasaan was an obedient child who loved helping others, he was the only one who would rush to buy to his father’s wives or his sisters-in-law anything they wanted without complaining. His sister-in-law said: "He had taken burdens or responsibilities over his shoulders. I will miss him so much!”
Ghassan was a good friend and always he had time to spend with his dear friends. After Fajr prayer, he used to hang out with them in the mosque until school time. They would attend religious lessons in the mosque next-door after Fajr prayer and between Maghrib and ‘Isha’s prayers. Ghasaan’s sister-in-law said: “He was so close to his mosque-mates, he used to spend as much time as he could in various activities and in studying as well."
http://fwd4.me/0j5E 28 apr 2012, 14:16 , Respect
Maria 1 jan 2009
Nawal Isma'il Rayan, 40
Hiyam 'Abd a-Rahman Rayan, 45
Iman Khalil Rayan, 45