A Humanitarian Truce or Farce?

After thirteen days of shelling Gaza in attacks that have killed over 683 Palestinians, the Israeli government has agreed to a daily three hour truce to allow for humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza.

But is this sufficient? Consider the following:

1. Historical blockade of Gaza

Avi Shlaim, a professor of international relations at the University of Oxford and a former Israeli soldier, writes in his Guardian article, How Israel brought Gaza to the brink of a humanitarian crisis:  “Four decades of Israeli control did incalculable damage to the economy of the Gaza Strip.  With a large population of 1948 refugees crammed into a tiny strip of land, with no infrastructure or natural resources, Gaza’s prospects were never bright. Gaza, however, is not simply a case of economic under-development but a uniquely cruel case of deliberate de-development.”

Since the Hamas electoral victory in 2007, Israel has gradually blockaded humanitarian assistance from entering Gaza, creating unlivable conditions.  I blogged about the effect of this in an earlier posting called “Gaza by the Numbers.”

2. Recent Violence Wrecking Havoc on Civilians in Gaza

In the bloodiest day of fighting since the violence broke out on December 27, 2008, the Israeli government fired at a UN sponsored school, killing 40, including an entire family of seven with young children.  In an article in Time magazine, UN investigators found that no Hamas fighters were present at the school at the time of the attack.

The Israeli government has yet to apologize.

Often Israeli leaders say civilians are properly warned and that leaflets dropped by Israeli aircraft over Gaza have warned residents to leave the area.  However Gazans are physically prevented from doing so, causing panic and confusion among the population.  One Gaza resident, a supporter of the Fatah party led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, told Amnesty International: “My children see the leaflets and go crazy with fear, they want to leave home; but we have nowhere to go.  My family and my wife’s family live close to the border, in even more dangerous areas; and we can’t just stay outside, it is equally dangerous, children have been killed walking or playing in the street.  There is no electricity, we can’t even find food, and we are not safe even in our homes.  We have nothing to do with Hamas, I’ve been detained and harassed by Hamas, but the Israeli bombardments are indiscriminate. No one is safe.”

Speaking of the recent violence, John Ging, a UN official, said: “I want to tell the world’s leaders something: You are not to sleep, eat or drink until you stop the killing of innocent people in the Gaza Strip.  There’s nowhere safe in Gaza. Everyone is terrorized and traumatized.” He added that 1 million Palestinians were without electricity and 700,000 were without water.

3. Three hour time frame for truce not enough

A statement released by Amnesty International on Friday said that “in the absence of a ceasefire, an immediate humanitarian truce is urgently needed to protect the civilian population. The fighting must stop long enough so that humanitarian assistance can reach those in need and so that those who want to leave can be evacuated.”

Christopher Gunness, a spokesman for the UN relief agency Unwra, said given the scale of the crisis, more time is needed: “When you are trying to feed 750,000 people a day in Gaza as we are, you need a permanent ceasefire. You can’t do that in a three-hour window.”

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19 thoughts on “A Humanitarian Truce or Farce?

  1. The cease fire on the part of the Israelis reminds me of the story of Hansel and Gretel, the witch wanted to fatten up the children so she could eat them. In the case of Israel, it will allow the children of Gaza to be fattened up so the Israeli army can kill them. Unfortunately, this is the stark truth, not a fairy tale.
    On another note, I am greatly ashamed that the US Senate passed by a voice vote the resolution put forth by the Jewish lobby to blame Hamas for the slaughter in Gaza of civilians. This was done just a while ago, before the opponents could have their say.
    Shame on the US Senate hiding in their chamber while the people of Gaza are being bombarded by the Israelis.
    These remarks are very angry, and I do not expect that you will be pleased with this Amnesty International member who is flat out furious!

  2. 10 to 15 days ago, the Israeli bobing and invasion of Gaza did not make front page news here in Cincinnati, OH. It got a write-up on page 14 in the local newspaper. What kind of newscoverage is this??

    I guess we have to live with this and not wonder about why so many Americans are ill informed about what is going on in the world.

    I could mention a number of such "lack of news information" in other parts of the world and with tragic and embarrasing results. (and afterwards when the sad results are showing up, people question –why did nobody question what was/is going on)

    It is good that somebody tries to keep people informed over what is going on in
    the world. KEEP IT UP!

  3. Israelis have also killed a UN Driver halting UN relief into Gaza.
    They target hospitals, schools, homes, civilians, they even targeted a Median Building housing Media like Reuters
    Egypt has bared Volunteer Doctors from entering Gaza.
    Israel has banned International media from entering Gaza.

    "In the ongoing chaos of Gaza, it's difficult to get exact casualty figures. Since Dec. 27, at least 750 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza Health Ministry official Dr. Moawiya Hassanain.

    Of those, at least 169 were 17 and younger, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, which posts staffers at hospitals to track casualties. The United Nations, citing Ministry of Health figures, said 257 children have been killed—about a third of the total fatalities. UNICEF said at least 100 children and minors were killed in the first 10 days of fighting."
    A Picture is worth a thousand Words. http://rainbowwarrior2005.wordpress.com/2009/01/0

  4. The cease fire on the part of the Israelis reminds me of the story of Hansel and Gretel, the witch wanted to fatten up the children so she could eat them. In the case of Israel, it will allow the children of Gaza to be fattened up so the Israeli army can kill them. Unfortunately, this is the stark truth, not a fairy tale.
    On another note, I am greatly ashamed that the US Senate passed by a voice vote the resolution put forth by the Jewish lobby to blame Hamas for the slaughter in Gaza of civilians. This was done just a while ago, before the opponents could have their say.
    Shame on the US Senate hiding in their chamber while the people of Gaza are being bombarded by the Israelis.
    These remarks are very angry, and I do not expect that you will be pleased with this Amnesty International member who is flat out furious!

  5. Israelis have also killed a UN Driver halting UN relief into Gaza.
    They target hospitals, schools, homes, civilians, they even targeted a Median Building housing Media like Reuters
    Egypt has bared Volunteer Doctors from entering Gaza.
    Israel has banned International media from entering Gaza.

    "In the ongoing chaos of Gaza, it's difficult to get exact casualty figures. Since Dec. 27, at least 750 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza Health Ministry official Dr. Moawiya Hassanain.

    Of those, at least 169 were 17 and younger, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, which posts staffers at hospitals to track casualties. The United Nations, citing Ministry of Health figures, said 257 children have been killed—about a third of the total fatalities. UNICEF said at least 100 children and minors were killed in the first 10 days of fighting."
    A Picture is worth a thousand Words. http://rainbowwarrior2005.wordpress.com/2009/01/0

  6. Israelis have also killed a UN Driver halting UN relief into Gaza.
    They target hospitals, schools, homes, civilians, they even targeted a Median Building housing Media like Reuters
    Egypt has bared Volunteer Doctors from entering Gaza.
    Israel has banned International media from entering Gaza.

    "In the ongoing chaos of Gaza, it's difficult to get exact casualty figures. Since Dec. 27, at least 750 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza Health Ministry official Dr. Moawiya Hassanain.

    Of those, at least 169 were 17 and younger, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, which posts staffers at hospitals to track casualties. The United Nations, citing Ministry of Health figures, said 257 children have been killed—about a third of the total fatalities. UNICEF said at least 100 children and minors were killed in the first 10 days of fighting."
    A Picture is worth a thousand Words. http://rainbowwarrior2005.wordpress.com/2009/01/0

  7. 10 to 15 days ago, the Israeli bobing and invasion of Gaza did not make front page news here in Cincinnati, OH. It got a write-up on page 14 in the local newspaper. What kind of newscoverage is this??

    I guess we have to live with this and not wonder about why so many Americans are ill informed about what is going on in the world.

    I could mention a number of such “lack of news information” in other parts of the world and with tragic and embarrasing results. (and afterwards when the sad results are showing up, people question –why did nobody question what was/is going on)

    It is good that somebody tries to keep people informed over what is going on in
    the world. KEEP IT UP!

  8. Israelis have also killed a UN Driver halting UN relief into Gaza.
    They target hospitals, schools, homes, civilians, they even targeted a Median Building housing Media like Reuters
    Egypt has bared Volunteer Doctors from entering Gaza.
    Israel has banned International media from entering Gaza.

    “In the ongoing chaos of Gaza, it’s difficult to get exact casualty figures. Since Dec. 27, at least 750 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza Health Ministry official Dr. Moawiya Hassanain.

    Of those, at least 169 were 17 and younger, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights, which posts staffers at hospitals to track casualties. The United Nations, citing Ministry of Health figures, said 257 children have been killed—about a third of the total fatalities. UNICEF said at least 100 children and minors were killed in the first 10 days of fighting.”
    A Picture is worth a thousand Words.
    http://rainbowwarrior2005.wordpress.com/2009/01/06/gaza-1-a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words/

  9. Dear friend

    I'm sorry I can not leave a message for a long time
    ONE of our friends around the world and I am friends with my friends around the world green for green growth and also to international human rights minjuju economic banks around the world with our friends and our best Barack Obama President of the United States you always, always made to the town as an international fundraising campaign Once again, we hope our American friends in the power of this woman could have made a new star
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    Saebaram open the door of a green economy, make them give up the world to the network to DNI
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    Government warns South Korea against the world daehanmin lead to destruction of property rights, bankruptcy will destroy all gukmindeung Republic of Korea South Korean government and the assassination of Christian psycho beogeulreo River, houses the brake nyeonneomge All rights gaengseuteodeung assault force 30 Christian South Korean government psycho galchihan Republic of Korea and religious groups around the world being destroyed, and destroy everything geumyungdeung economy, stop corruption and international fraud International Exchanges jeongbudeung gang Christianity is a psychopath and international fraud
    I must warn the world's top asylum request member states to all countries
    Galchihan force property 44 years imprisonment in England or the United States to the Republic of Korea to force the South Korean national security has to request asylum
    Republic of Korea South Korean government to destroy national bankruptcy sincheongha international financial institutions to request
    IMF warning to the request to destroy the Republic of Korea South Korean government request gamchalbu Kill

    Mr Shin heung Jin -South korea (501) 9018 -1111

    -101, 735-12 Bupyeong-6-dong Bupyeong-gu,incheon City South korea

  10. Dear friend

    I’m sorry I can not leave a message for a long time
    ONE of our friends around the world and I am friends with my friends around the world green for green growth and also to international human rights minjuju economic banks around the world with our friends and our best Barack Obama President of the United States you always, always made to the town as an international fundraising campaign Once again, we hope our American friends in the power of this woman could have made a new star
    You can not end my life, I have a friend in another neowana we should create a professional jet beorakohbama president to help us open the way to a new friend in the world economy, we can do together as a friend of a friend has been the way I I’m glad you have created the following steps should you want me to enforce
    Saebaram open the door of a green economy, make them give up the world to the network to DNI
    I have to warn the world I’m friends with your friends around the world of nature bingontoechideung sought permission to grow
    Government warns South Korea against the world daehanmin lead to destruction of property rights, bankruptcy will destroy all gukmindeung Republic of Korea South Korean government and the assassination of Christian psycho beogeulreo River, houses the brake nyeonneomge All rights gaengseuteodeung assault force 30 Christian South Korean government psycho galchihan Republic of Korea and religious groups around the world being destroyed, and destroy everything geumyungdeung economy, stop corruption and international fraud International Exchanges jeongbudeung gang Christianity is a psychopath and international fraud
    I must warn the world’s top asylum request member states to all countries
    Galchihan force property 44 years imprisonment in England or the United States to the Republic of Korea to force the South Korean national security has to request asylum
    Republic of Korea South Korean government to destroy national bankruptcy sincheongha international financial institutions to request
    IMF warning to the request to destroy the Republic of Korea South Korean government request gamchalbu Kill

    Mr Shin heung Jin -South korea (501) 9018 -1111

    -101, 735-12 Bupyeong-6-dong Bupyeong-gu,incheon City South korea

  11. Dear friend

    I’m sorry I can not leave a message for a long time
    ONE of our friends around the world and I am friends with my friends around the world green for green growth and also to international human rights minjuju economic banks around the world with our friends and our best Barack Obama President of the United States you always, always made to the town as an international fundraising campaign Once again, we hope our American friends in the power of this woman could have made a new star
    You can not end my life, I have a friend in another neowana we should create a professional jet beorakohbama president to help us open the way to a new friend in the world economy, we can do together as a friend of a friend has been the way I I’m glad you have created the following steps should you want me to enforce
    Saebaram open the door of a green economy, make them give up the world to the network to DNI
    I have to warn the world I’m friends with your friends around the world of nature bingontoechideung sought permission to grow
    Government warns South Korea against the world daehanmin lead to destruction of property rights, bankruptcy will destroy all gukmindeung Republic of Korea South Korean government and the assassination of Christian psycho beogeulreo River, houses the brake nyeonneomge All rights gaengseuteodeung assault force 30 Christian South Korean government psycho galchihan Republic of Korea and religious groups around the world being destroyed, and destroy everything geumyungdeung economy, stop corruption and international fraud International Exchanges jeongbudeung gang Christianity is a psychopath and international fraud
    I must warn the world’s top asylum request member states to all countries
    Galchihan force property 44 years imprisonment in England or the United States to the Republic of Korea to force the South Korean national security has to request asylum
    Republic of Korea South Korean government to destroy national bankruptcy sincheongha international financial institutions to request
    IMF warning to the request to destroy the Republic of Korea South Korean government request gamchalbu Kill

    Mr Shin heung Jin -South korea (501) 9018 -1111

    -101, 735-12 Bupyeong-6-dong Bupyeong-gu,incheon City South korea

  12. Dear friend

    I’m sorry I can not leave a message for a long time
    ONE of our friends around the world and I am friends with my friends around the world green for green growth and also to international human rights minjuju economic banks around the world with our friends and our best Barack Obama President of the United States you always, always made to the town as an international fundraising campaign Once again, we hope our American friends in the power of this woman could have made a new star
    You can not end my life, I have a friend in another neowana we should create a professional jet beorakohbama president to help us open the way to a new friend in the world economy, we can do together as a friend of a friend has been the way I I’m glad you have created the following steps should you want me to enforce
    Saebaram open the door of a green economy, make them give up the world to the network to DNI
    I have to warn the world I’m friends with your friends around the world of nature bingontoechideung sought permission to grow
    Government warns South Korea against the world daehanmin lead to destruction of property rights, bankruptcy will destroy all gukmindeung Republic of Korea South Korean government and the assassination of Christian psycho beogeulreo River, houses the brake nyeonneomge All rights gaengseuteodeung assault force 30 Christian South Korean government psycho galchihan Republic of Korea and religious groups around the world being destroyed, and destroy everything geumyungdeung economy, stop corruption and international fraud International Exchanges jeongbudeung gang Christianity is a psychopath and international fraud
    I must warn the world’s top asylum request member states to all countries
    Galchihan force property 44 years imprisonment in England or the United States to the Republic of Korea to force the South Korean national security has to request asylum
    Republic of Korea South Korean government to destroy national bankruptcy sincheongha international financial institutions to request
    IMF warning to the request to destroy the Republic of Korea South Korean government request gamchalbu Kill

    Mr Shin heung Jin -South korea (501) 9018 -1111

    -101, 735-12 Bupyeong-6-dong Bupyeong-gu,incheon City South korea

  13. Dear friend

    I’m sorry I can not leave a message for a long time
    ONE of our friends around the world and I am friends with my friends around the world green for green growth and also to international human rights minjuju economic banks around the world with our friends and our best Barack Obama President of the United States you always, always made to the town as an international fundraising campaign Once again, we hope our American friends in the power of this woman could have made a new star
    You can not end my life, I have a friend in another neowana we should create a professional jet beorakohbama president to help us open the way to a new friend in the world economy, we can do together as a friend of a friend has been the way I I’m glad you have created the following steps should you want me to enforce
    Saebaram open the door of a green economy, make them give up the world to the network to DNI
    I have to warn the world I’m friends with your friends around the world of nature bingontoechideung sought permission to grow
    Government warns South Korea against the world daehanmin lead to destruction of property rights, bankruptcy will destroy all gukmindeung Republic of Korea South Korean government and the assassination of Christian psycho beogeulreo River, houses the brake nyeonneomge All rights gaengseuteodeung assault force 30 Christian South Korean government psycho galchihan Republic of Korea and religious groups around the world being destroyed, and destroy everything geumyungdeung economy, stop corruption and international fraud International Exchanges jeongbudeung gang Christianity is a psychopath and international fraud
    I must warn the world’s top asylum request member states to all countries
    Galchihan force property 44 years imprisonment in England or the United States to the Republic of Korea to force the South Korean national security has to request asylum
    Republic of Korea South Korean government to destroy national bankruptcy sincheongha international financial institutions to request
    IMF warning to the request to destroy the Republic of Korea South Korean government request gamchalbu Kill

    Mr Shin heung Jin -South korea (501) 9018 -1111

    -101, 735-12 Bupyeong-6-dong Bupyeong-gu,incheon City South korea

  14. I've personally dealt with anxiety attacks my whole life. It started when I was just a child and I've had to cope with them since then. I found a solution that has helped me get them done once and for all. I will tell you that it wasn't quick or easy, but after a while I was able to finally get rid of them. I'm back on track and its like I've started a new life not dealing with panic attacks. I also saw a Dr. Oz special a few days ago, sometimes it isn't a panic attack that is the root of the problem, I'd also recommend talking to your doctor. I wish you the best!

  15. I’ve personally dealt with anxiety attacks my whole life. It started when I was just a child and I’ve had to cope with them since then. I found a solution that has helped me get them done once and for all. I will tell you that it wasn’t quick or easy, but after a while I was able to finally get rid of them. I’m back on track and its like I’ve started a new life not dealing with panic attacks. I also saw a Dr. Oz special a few days ago, sometimes it isn’t a panic attack that is the root of the problem, I’d also recommend talking to your doctor. I wish you the best!

Comments are closed.