Day 4 of Israeli aggression on Gaza: 124 killed, 925 injured

Day 4 of Israeli aggression on Gaza: 124 killed, 925 injured

Gaza, July 12, Israel launched a new aggression\operation\offensive against Gaza and decided to name “Protective Edge” also known as “Solid Rock”. Israeli warplanes, tanks, drones and warships participated in bombing places across Gaza all day long. This makes it the third Israeli open war against Gaza in 5 years or less. This isn’t a report, this is a personal account of what I lived today through the fourth day of Israel’s new aggression on Gaza.

I wanted to write this blog earlier, since we are half way through day five but the power was out and I had no battery. Another intense night in Gaza under the nonstop bombings of Israel. What a day. Actually what a week. Also, since we are at it, what a night.

I will sound like a repeated record for a minute when I saw Israel bombed everywhere across Gaza and the targets were mainly houses, although the targets did expand to include new things, but that’s the reality of daily life here through this barbaric Israeli war or offensive (call it whatever makes you happy) against Gaza.

The Israeli targets in Gaza remained the same but expanded to include a handicap association Northern Gaza, which caused the death of two or more handicapped females. Mosques and houses were bombed as usual, also cars and motorbikes and all the usual targets. Oh and humans ofcourse. Another cemetery was bombed, and the old cemetery was bombed again. Basically, everything in Gaza is a potential target.

Latest official statistics from different official governmental and media sources say: 124 Palestinians have been killed, 935+ others got injured. Israel carried out 2025 bombings across Gaza so far, or even more, using 400 tons of explosives every day, give and take. Yesterday, people noticed a fog covering due to smoke bombs fired from Israeli tanks. It might contain poisonous gas, cast lead flashbacks. Most casualties (dead and injured) are women and children, as usual, and dare to tell me they aren’t civilians.

I will not lie and say life here is normal, but it hasn’t stopped either. People do be careful and stay homebound (not that it saves you or anything, no place here is safe) but also go to work and buy groceries and the usual stuff. Its Ramadan, although its hard to feel the blessings and magic of this holy month through all this madness. We went through similar situations to the extent that each one of us become a walking guide book on how to survive though war, and also sound experts. You know to immediately stalk medicine and all the basic needs like water, bread and canned food when such things occur (they usually occur out of nowhere) but during times like this, even basic needs become trivial.

Many explosions were nearby to where I live, but one explosion was so nearby that I lost hearing for a few minutes. But it came back, thankfully.

Israel didn’t start a ground invasion yet despite the media declarations.

Oh, an explosion just happened nearby, ok, back to writing.

800 foreign passport holders issued requests of departure to leave Gaza through Erez. I guess some people just cant handle it.

Egypt opened Rafah, let some bad injuries through but their priority was letting through Egyptian citizens in Gaza. Despite some bad Egyptian media, celebrities, public figures and people who actually support Israel’s war on Gaza, many others actually support Gaza and are highly criticizing those who don’t.

Arab leadership and governments are disappointing as usual. No reaction. In some Arab countries, regimes oppress protests in support of Gaza even.

Heartwarming protests across the world held Palestine flags and protested for Gaza, which is always heartwarming. We are so grateful. But perhaps my favorites are London, Yemen and Japan.

Britain’s “Blair” will arrive to Egypt to discuss a potential ceasefire, Obama is also working hard on obtaining one by pushing Qatar and Jordan and Turkey into extensive talks of forming a solid ceasefire.

Mainstream media remain either silent or biased towards Israel’s massacres in Gaza, which isn’t new at all, but some media and journalists are doing a great job.

Another huge shout out to medics, doctors and journalists on the ground who risk their lives to shed a light on others.

Do I wonder about the time frame of this aggression or when will it end? Maybe I do. But when you are in it, you are caught up into living the moment. Its puts you in a certain mode. I don’t know how to explain it.

Last night and during the first hours of this morning the Israeli bombing intensified. Israeli warplanes, warships and tanks were all bombing Gaza at once. It was kind of surreal, like you are watching an action movie, except you are actually living inside it, or living it.

I will post below some useful links regarding most of the things I mentioned here, feel free to check them out.

From Gaza, survived another day,


Omar

GRAPHIC VIDEO: WARNING: Not for those with weak herts: Heart shattering video of a Palestinian father in Gaza trying to wake up his dead child, he tells him to wake up and see the doll he brought him:

http://www.alwatanvoice.com/arabic/news/2014/07/11/565748.html

Names of those who got killed by Israel bombing so far (English):

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/07/gaza-under-seige-naming-dead-2014710105846549528.html

Names of those who got killed by Israel bombing so far (Arabic):

http://www.alwatanvoice.com/arabic/news/2014/07/10/564909.html

Pictures of some of the worldwide protests in support of Gaza:

http://www.dawn.com/news/1118609/view-of-worldwide-protests-against-gaza-assault

Day 3 of Israeli aggression on Gaza: 98 killed, 675 injured

Day 3 of Israeli aggression on Gaza: 98 killed, 675 injured

Gaza, July 11, Israel launched a new aggression\operation\offensive against Gaza and decided to name “Protective Edge” also known as “Solid Rock”. Israeli warplanes, tanks, drones and warships participated in bombing places across Gaza all day long. This makes it the third Israeli open war against Gaza in 5 years or less. This isn’t a report, this is a personal account of what I lived today through the third day of Israel’s new aggression on Gaza.

Third day is over, it was yet more intense than the second day. Israel didn’t stop bombing Gaza for a second, consecutive explosions spread across Gaza shaking the ground under us. Israel used Apaches, drones, F16s, warships and tanks against Gaza. Israel expanded its targets in Gaza and bombed houses, school, university, hospitals, cars, media, motorbikes, bus, mosques, A CEMETERY, humans and pretty much anything and everything.

Its getting a little boring to stay homebound and depressing to watch Israel commit repeated massacres like Kaware’ family (bombed a house while people where around it forming a human shield to protect it), Khan Younis beach Café, Ghannam houses and others. Five to eight people were killed, or even more, due to every massacre and many others injured.

What bewilders me is those illogic bombings on ex-Gaza international airport that Israel already flattened to the ground so many years ago, yet this airport, in Rafah, Southern Gaza, got hit so many times between shelling and bombing the past few days. Why? Its already destroyed.

Also, bombing a cemetery? Seriously? Cant the dead have some peace?

And then comes those double and triple bombing of houses that were already bombed. Why use six+ F16 rockets on a house when the first rocket already blew up the hell out of it? Well, my dear Americans, that’s your tax dollars at work.

Israel bombed everywhere across Gaza. The northern and southern parts took all the heat as usual but also the eastern and western parts weren’t left alone.

Israeli warships bombed Gaza’s coastline which set Gaza Ark and other boats on fire.

Diane Sawyer, of ABC news, made a stupid mistake by airing photos of Palestinian war victims claiming they were Israelis, but thanks to alerted Palestinians and pro Palestinians who immediately pressured an apology out of them on air.

Allot of news was spreading about a possible ground invasion. Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbass, said a ground invasion will happen in the matter of hours, while Israeli defense minister, Moshe Yaalon, went out and announced the start of a ground invasion against Gaza, but then Israeli news said it will happen on Friday (Today) without mentioning a certain time.

Israel also threatened to cut water, electricity and internet in Gaza to isolate it from the world, not like they haven’t done it before.

In times of this, you try to hold onto the last once of your humanity because its very easy to lose it and become inhuman. Its an inner conflict that goes on every day.

I am a civilian, yes, but where are my civil rights? Hell, where are my human rights?

Palestinian life matter, even if the world wants to turn its head to the other side and act like nothing is happening.

It hurts more when you see children dying, or elderly people, or mothers. This war is witnessing family love even in death. Many mothers were killed with their children, a pregnant woman and her infant were killed, a mom died shielding her children who died with her too. Siblings were bombed while they are holding each other or sleeping next to each other, twins too. Dr. Anas Abu AlKas, owns a pharmacy, was killed yesterday after his house was bombed. Anas was an only child, his mom and dad were killed by Israel during cast lead, and he was killed yesterday.

Again, when I choose not to sleep and track the news instead since its too noisy to sleep anyway, I start thinking about life and wondering about humanity.

Egypt opened Rafah border to let Egyptian-nationality holders pass before the wounded. And decided to extend Rafah border’s opening till today to let them pass, but not let the wounded pass. Also, some Egyptian media are actually supporting Israel’s aggression on Gaza.

Not that we ever had hope in Arabs, but the lack of reaction or media coverage is shameful. Some Arabic hotshots on twitter choose to tweet about random stuff instead of covering Gaza news.

We are nearly half way through Ramadan, the first few days were actually amazing until Israel began this new aggression in Gaza. We got so busy with tracking the news that Ramadan is down to fasting for us, it makes me sad because I was enjoying Ramadan this year.

Living through this war is like living through multiple dimensions at once. Life here is normal but not normal at the same time, if you get what I mean (you probably wont unless you live in Palestine or somewhere similar). There is a point where you go through a normal life but then it clashes with the point that you are actually living through a full blown war. Yeah war. Such an easy word to say if you lived through old wars before, but nonetheless a war is a war with all the ugliness and darkness it brings.

US consulate in Jerusalem sent emails and text messages to American citizens in Gaza asking them to immediately depart and offered them assistance but didnt comment yet on Twitter regarding Israel's aggression against Gaza.

Day four has started. If you look at how sunny and beautiful Gaza is this morning, with the birds chirping, you wouldn’t think it’s a wounded city that is being bombed viciously and actually bleeding.

Shout outs: To medics (several got injured), to doctors, journalists on the ground, Palestinians inside and out of Palestine and also occupied Lands of 1948, Pro Palestinians everywhere and to the special friends and people who send their daily support, love, compassion and prayers.

Will we witness an Israeli ground invasion in Gaza today or not? I don’t know. Time will tell so stay tuned.

From a beautiful but wounded Gaza,

Omar (@Omar_Gaza) #GazaUnderAttack #GazaUnderFire #ProtectiveEgde 

Day 2 of Israeli aggression on Gaza: 72 killed, 550 injured

Day 2 of Israeli aggression on Gaza: 72 killed, 550 injured

Gaza, July 10, Israel launched a new aggression\operation\offensive against Gaza and decided to name “Protective Edge” also known as “Solid Rock”. Israeli warplanes, tanks, drones and warships participated in bombing places across Gaza all day long. This makes it the third Israeli open war against Gaza in 5 years or less. This isn’t a report, this is a personal account of what I lived today through the second day of Israel’s new aggression on Gaza.

I am writing this blog at 5 30 am, as the house shakes repeatedly from Israeli bombings nearby. I wish I was making this up, but I am not.

Israel said they bombed Gaza with 400 tons of explosives the first day, you don’t need to be an expert to know that this is too much. They also said they bombed over 550 targets across Gaza, might I remind you it was just the first day. The second day was much more intense.

Israel amped up their policy of targeting houses. They targeted 50 houses the first day. Maybe 50 more yesterday. Hence, the death toll kept increasing by the minute, too much deaths and injuries. What was weird is how Israel would bomb again houses that got already bombed earlier or the day before, also the repeated bombing of Gaza International Airport that Israel bombed\destroyed\flattened years and years ago.

Israel bombed a media car in Rimal, Gaza’s downtown, also bombed Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s ambulance center Northern Gaza, three medics got injured. A medic died due to an Israeli bombing that targeted Northern Gaza as well. Yeah, it was a hell of a day, and it wasn’t over yet.

Israeli targets in Gaza: Houses, cars, media, hospital, university, rests, motorbikes, medics, humans and pretty much everything.

Israel’s bombings spread across Gaza. From North till South, from West till East. Nonstop. No breaks.

A pregnant woman, the child in her belly and her two year old were killed in one of Israeli bombings on a house in Gaza. New massacres were committed by Israel yesterday in a few of the targeted houses and also a rest in Khan Younis Southern Gaza.

Israel used\uses tanks, warships, drones and warplanes against Gaza, it’s a full-fledged open war. Most of the killed and injured are women and children, which is personally heart breaking for me and obviously children and women are civilian.

It sucks to be homebound. I miss sleeping, going to my favorite places here, OFCOURSE THE BEACH and just touring around Gaza. It also sucks to see all this human loss and damage. Your humanity starts shrinking and you struggle to keep it intact.

It also bewilders me how people assume that all Palestinians who live in Gaza are militants, when most of us are actually civilians. Its depressing to try to prove to the world that your life matters and that you are a civilian even though they already cast their judgment on you.

When you hear that 72 Palestinians were killed and 550 injured in two days, its tough and horrifying imagine living it. New bloody memories in Gaza, something none of us signed for, especially the kids who always pay the price.

I will try to write more details and post more pictures and the name of the dead and injured but the information is just too much and I am trying my best to keep up.

I am holding onto my last threads of humor, which shows in my tweets, but its more like dark humor. Like smiling when you are sad. After all, we are all trying to survive.

It was heart shattering to see the pictures of little boys and girls viciously killed. Also how an elderly woman was killed while she was having her iftar at Maghreb prayer by bombing her house. She died holding the spoon in her hand, an image that will need allot of time to leave my head. I kept feeling like this Ramadan is like no other, but I didn’t expect it to happen during such mad times.

I feel guilty because I should be posting pictures, more statistics and being more professional, offering a report at the end. But, when I sat down to write this while Gaza is still being bombed, I felt like its ok to show emotions and humanity even though some will way all I am saying isn’t true, all you need to do is google it.

From a Gaza that is drenched in blood,



Omar

Israel bombs Gaza leaving 11 killed, 16 injured

Israel bombs Gaza leaving 11 killed, 16 injured

What mainstream media wouldn’t tell you or give you details about:

Gaza, March 10, Gaza witnessed a sleepless night after a continuous series of air-raids performed by Israel’s different warplanes (Apache, Drones, and F16s). It started on March 9, 5:00 pm, when Israeli warplanes targeted a blue car in a populated area. The blue Opel became a little box of steel, completely burned and blown into little shrapnel. It happened in Tal Al Hawa, Western Gaza, and caused the death of Zuheir Qaisy, Secretary-General of the Popular Resistance Committees and Mahmoud Hanini, freed prisoner in Shalit swap deal, originally from Nablus. A third passer-by was critically injured.

Later that night, 8:30 pm, March 9, medics announced the death of Khaled Harara, 22, and Obaid Al Gharabli, 23, both belong to Saraya Al Quds, armed wing of Islamic Jihad after being targeted by Israeli warplanes. Medics announced the discovery of a third body in the same place, Hazem Qureqe’.

Israeli warplanes continued bombarding Gaza heavily till 2:30 am, March 10. No place in Gaza was safe, Israeli warplanes raided Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern Gaza, civilian houses, highly populated areas and highly trafficked crossroads.

Another 6 Gazans were killed by Israeli warplanes in different areas across Gaza:

Shady Sieqali, Fayeq Sa’d, Mo’tasem Hajjaj, Ahmed Hajjaj, Mohamed Al Mughari and Mahmoud Nejem. Most martyrs were members of Saraya Al Quds, Islamic Jihad. Local resistance in Gaza retaliated and showered nearby Israeli settlements with homemade rockets.

Some of the areas that were targeted by Israeli warplanes: Beit Lahyah, Shuja’yah, Sudaneyah, Maqousi Towers, Palestinian Legislative Council, Rimal Area, Tal Al Hawa, Yarmouk Street, Rafah, Khan Younis and other different areas.

Israel and armed Palestinian factions in Gaza, all denied the news about a cease fire so escalation is in the air.

Stay tuned….

Omar from Gaza