Tuesday, October 05, 2004

Open Ended Days of Penitence

From here:

Israeli occupying troops have continued their wide scale offensive on the northern Gaza Strip. In the last two days, 15 Palestinians were killed by Israeli troops. Thus, the number of Palestinians killed since the beginning of this latest offensive has mounted to 60, including 27 civilians, 18 of whom are children. In addition, at least 280 others, mostly civilians, including a number of children, have been injured, and a number of them have been rendered permanently handicapped. Israeli troops have also continued to destroy houses, agricultural land, civilian facilities and historical sites. In the meantime, Israeli troops have continued to impose a tightened siege on the area, and electricity and water supplies have been cut. They have continued to obstruct the work of medical crews.

('Israel's military assault "Days of Penitence", was launched in northern parts of the Gaza Strip on 28 September, resulting in one of Gaza's bloodiest days since the start of the Intifada on 30 September with 28 Palestinians killed and over 130 wounded. Israeli officials have described this military operation as "open ended". The assault is directed at Jabaliya refugee camp, home to more than 100,000 Palestinian refugees. Israel intends to creat a 9-km "buffer zone" around the refugee camp, continuing its scorched earth policy in the Gaza Strip ahead of its "disengagement".')