Kristen Ess: Israeli Government Disregards International Law

Kristen Ess | 10.04.2003 05:18

After 20 minutes, when a crowd had gathered to see what happened in the densely populated Asqula neighborhood in the al-Zeitun area of Gaza City, Apache helicopters fired two more missiles into the crowd. The bottom half of a thirteen year old boy's face was blown apart.
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Israeli Government Disregards International Law
9 April 2003
Gaza City
by: Kristen Ess

At 8 o'clock last night Israeli flown, US made, F16s swept over Gaza City, shooting more than 40 flares into the night sky as a diversion, while three US donated Apache helicopters fired three missiles into a car, killing Said Arabeed and Ashraf al-Halabi from Hamas. It was a targeted assassination, illegal under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Principles on Effective Prevention and Investigation of the Extra-Legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions, and Article 147 of the 4th Geneva Convention. Will the US demand Israeli 'regime change' for this latest grave breach?

After 20 minutes, when a crowd had gathered to see what happened in the densely populated Asqula neighborhood in the al-Zeitun area of Gaza City, Apache helicopters fired two more missiles into the crowd. The bottom half of a thirteen year old boy's face was blown apart. Many people, standing amidst the ground strewn with shoes and breathing smoke filled air, thought the boy was only eight. Closure of the Gaza Strip and water confiscation interferes with normal development for kids here. A man, looking around in circles, yelled, "I live here!"

Seven Palestinians died from this latest extra-judicial killing and over 50 were injured. Twenty-two of the injured are children. Shifa Hospital's Emergency Room, generally operating over-capacity because there are so many injured due to Israeli shelling, shooting, and home and land demolitions, was packed with blood soaked people and worried families. Some were trying to climb in through the windows to search for loved-ones. Closure also means that supplies are limited, so many were being carried in on lawn furniture when gurneys and stretchers ran out.

The Israeli government has sponsored 25 targeted assassinations, which routinely kill many people at one time, in the Gaza Strip alone in the past two years. (source: Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights) The Israeli Supreme Court dismissed two appeals to cease the Israeli policy of extra-judicial killings of Palestinians.

As of 6am, Israeli Occupation Forces have reinvaded the northern Gaza Strip area of Beit Hanoun, killing three and injuring ten. One of the killed and most of the injured are children.

Kristen Ess
9 April 2003
Gaza City,
Occupied Palestine

Other Resources:

Under Cover of Righteousness, Shulamit Aloni

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=22&ItemID=3202

Threats of Forced Mass Expulsion, Amira Hass

http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?SectionID=22&ItemID=3077

Five-part series advocating ethnic cleansing in the name of a homogenous religious state with the usual, lies, distortions, euphemisms. 'Transfer' of Palestinians has become a common topic in Israeli political and academic discourse.

http://www.gamla.org.il/english/article/2002/july/b1.htm

Native American radio show comparing the struggles of Palestinians and Native Americans posted at

http://www.nativeamericacalling.com/ (February 11 past shows)

For news and analysis from Palestine:

http://www.flashpoints.net/

http://www.zmag.org/meastwatch/meastwat.htm

http://www.between-lines.org

http://www.electronicintifada.net

http://www.ccmep.org

http://www.palestinechronicle.com

http://www.palestinemonitor.org/

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Middle_East/MiddleEastWatch.html

http://www.fsrn.org

To get involved in Palestine solidarity in the US:

http://www.sustaincampaign.org

http://www.justiceinpalestine.org