This can't be good for Hamas!

"Hamas tried to hijack ambulances during Gaza war," by Jason Koutsoukis for the Sydney Morning Herald, January 26

PALESTINIAN civilians living in Gaza during the three-week war with Israel have spoken of the challenge of being caught between Hamas and Israeli soldiers as the radical Islamic movement that controls the Gaza strip attempted to hijack ambulances.

Mohammed Shriteh, 30, is an ambulance driver registered with and trained by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society.

His first day of work in the al-Quds neighbourhood was January 1, the sixth day of the war. "Mostly the war was not as fast or as chaotic as I expected," Mr Shriteh told the Herald. "We would co-ordinate with the Israelis before we pick up patients, because they have all our names, and our IDs, so they would not shoot at us."

Mr Shriteh said the more immediate threat was from Hamas, who would lure the ambulances into the heart of a battle to transport fighters to safety.

"After the first week, at night time, there was a call for a house in Jabaliya. I got to the house and there was lots of shooting and explosions all around," he said.

Because of the urgency of the call, Mr Shriteh said there was no time to arrange his movements with the IDF.

"I knew the Israelis were watching me because I could see the red laser beam in the ambulance and on me, on my body," he said.

Getting out of the ambulance and entering the house, he saw there were three Hamas fighters taking cover inside. One half of the building had already been destroyed.

"They were very scared, and very nervous … They dropped their weapons and ordered me to get them out, to put them in the ambulance and take them away. I refused, because if the IDF sees me doing this I am finished, I cannot pick up any more wounded people.

"And then one of the fighters picked up a gun and held it to my head, to force me. I still refused, and then they allowed me to leave."

Mr Shriteh says Hamas made several attempts to hijack the al-Quds Hospital's fleet of ambulances during the war.

"You hear when they are coming. People ring to tell you. So we had to get in all the ambulances and make the illusion of an emergency and only come back when they had gone."...

The Gazans still have people help raising money for their corrupt leaders. I wonder how much of cat stevens money will really go to the children of Gaza?

Yusuf Islam raises money and awareness for the (Palestinian) children

"But tell me, where do the (Palestinian) children play?

As for Israeli children, who cares? "Israeli Official Blasts Cat Stevens' Song for Gaza Children," by Joseph Rhett Miller for Fox News, January 26 (thanks to She-Child):

A new recording by singer-musician Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, to raise funds for the children of Gaza is angering an Israeli official who says all children — not just Palestinians — in the war-battered region should receive the same treatment.

"It is good Mr. Islam is interested in helping the children of Gaza," David Saranga, spokesman for the Consulate General of Israel in New York, said in a statement. "The children on the other side of the border should not be forgotten, as well, and it would have been nice for their situation to also be considered when Mr. Islam decided on the dedication of the song."

Along with former Beatles collaborator Klaus Voorman, the London-born Islam recorded his version of the late Beatle George Harrison's "The Day the World Gets 'Round." Islam said he will donate all proceeds from sales of the song to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, the U.N. agency in charge of Palestinian refugees, and the nonprofit group Save the Children.

According to his Web site, Islam hopes the song "will remind people of the immense legacy of love, peace and happiness we can share when we get round to looking at mankind's futile wars and prejudices and start to change our foolish ways."

And how shall we do that, Mr Islam? By embracing sharia law? After all, the word "sharia" can be literally translated as "way."

But Saranga said Islam's intentions missed the mark.

"Children are children are children, regardless of where they live," Saranga's statement continued. "It is about time that someone saves the children of Gaza from their leaders, Hamas."

UNRWA Senior Liaison Officer Saahir Lone said the agency "strongly agrees" that Palestinian and Israeli children are both victims of the conflict. He did not say whether the agency approached Islam to record the song, or if the recording was Islam's idea. He also declined to say whether any other musicians were considered.[...]

Prior to converting to Islam and changing his name in 1977, Cat Stevens sold 60 million albums and had several hit songs, including "Wild World" and "Peace Train." Israeli authorities have barred Islam twice from entering the country due to his alleged ties to Hamas.

Islam also allegedly supported the Islamic edict calling for the death of author Salman Rushdie in 1989, although he claims his words were misinterpreted.

The bane of Islam, both the religion and the man: perpetual, eternal, and everlasting "misinterpretation."

"I never called for the death of Salman Rushdie," Islam wrote on his Web site.

Islam, who was denied entry into the U.S. along with his daughter in 2004, returned to pop music in 2006 with the released "An Other Cup. He did not reply to requests for comment.

BBC ASSIST IN Israeli attacks on Gazans,and the director of the BBC,Mark Thompson,whose wife is a staunch zionist too,CONDONE, by their REFUSAL of air the DEC relief appeal,the COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT,ETHNIC CLEANSING and torture of Arab/Muslims. There didn't seem to be a problem of "impartiality" when it came to raising money for Congo,Rwanda,Kosovo,and many other disaster areas?
Just the Arab Palestinians,which shows that Mr.Thompson is a racist and TOO BIASED in his political affiliations TO REMAIN IN HIS JOB AT THE BBC.
HE SHOULD BE SACKED IMMEDIATELY,because he has PROVED that he is INCAPABLE of running a MEDIA/BROADCASTING COMPANY WITH IMPARTIALITY.
The British people should stop paying their BBC license fees aswell,in protest.

http://www.prunderground.com/001137/bbcs-mark-thompson-exposed-for-refusing-gaza-aid-appeal/

Yes DISSENT, my bad

gotta:You mean "decent" or DISSENT?

Grassroots at least his voice can be heard. I want to hear the voices of decent in gaza and the west bank about their leadership. I predict this will never happen because those that do will be taken into the street and shot as an example to never go against the leaders. What a shame.

Voice of Israel speaks out AGAINST Israel's attack on Gaza.
This man speaks with the voice of REASON and humanity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA3QzmWTp20

Peace,Salaam,Shalom.

How many Gazans really died in the war?
Pajamasmedia.com/blog/how-many-gazans-really-died-really-died-in-the-war

Let's face it,Israel attacks ANYONE who critises ISRAEL!
Freedom of Speech is only good if you DON'T critise Israel,as Norman Finkelstein has ALREADY found out.
That just about sums up a MILITARY DICTATORSHIP of no "democracy". ISRAEL!
http://www.presstv.com/detail.aspx?id=83350§ionid=3510203

Thank You, always fair and balanced.

By the way I am so impressed by your references gottaloseit.

If you don't acknowledge their rights in their own land, and keep ignoring the real issue the occupation, than sure you won't acknowledge their dead people.
Hey Aaron Klein, have you seen these pictures, or they are fake, and Hamas made them up?

Pictures tell the story of the Palestinian people.
http://www.ziomania.com/nakba/nakba.htm

This could be a reason!
Hamas slammed for 'monstrous' use of civilians
Reports emerging of women, children placed in line of Israeli fire
Posted: January 22, 2009
2:14 pm Eastern

By Aaron Klein
© 2009 WorldNetDaily

HERZLIYA, Israel – In the aftermath of Israel's three-week offensive targeting Hamas in the Gaza Strip, reports are emerging of how the terrorists used civilians during the conflict.

"Entire families in Gaza lived on top of a barrel of explosives for months without knowing," stated Israel Defense Forces Brig. Gen. Eyal Eisenberg.

Eisenberg charged Hamas sent civilians, including women and children, to transfer weapons to gunmen engaged in battles with Israeli forces, and he accused Hamas of booby-trapping many of the civilians' homes. He labeled Hamas' alleged use of civilians as "monstrous" and "inhumane."

(Story continues below)




Similar reports were provided to WND during previous Israeli battles with Hamas. During one battle focusing largely on the Hamas infrastructure in the city of Jabaliya, about one mile into the Gaza Strip, an Israeli commander said Hamas drew Israeli forces into populated civilian areas, shooting at Jewish fighters from occupied civilian homes while women and children were inside.

In another case, Israel's Haaretz daily quoted an Israeli commander describing how Hamas sent a 10-year-old boy into the battlefield in full view of the Israeli military to remove a gun from a felled terrorist and then pass the weapon to another terrorist. The commander at the scene said he ordered his troops to halt their fire as the Israeli military watched.

Another commander speaking to WND said Hamas snipers used the windows of a Jabaliya house that was clearly occupied by women and children to shoot at his unit.

"The aim is to draw us into killing civilians to bring about international pressure to end our operation," the commander said.

The international community and much of the world media constantly berated Israel for purportedly killing more than 1,250 Palestinians during the conflict.

Many media members claimed those numbers were mostly civilians. WND reported the media was parroting Hamas casualty counts with no independent verification.

Now the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera quoted what it said was a Palestinian doctor at Gaza City's main Shifa Hospital disputing the Hamas casualty numbers.

"It's possible that the death toll in Gaza was 500 or 600 at the most, mainly youths aged 17 to 23 who were enlisted by Hamas – who sent them to their deaths," he said.

The IDF's own estimate, which is not based on verification of deaths, puts the toll at about 1,000, two-thirds of which it says were gunmen.

The Gaza doctor continued: "Perhaps it is like Jenin in 2002. At the beginning they (Palestinians) spoke about 1,500 dead, and at the end it turned out to be only 54 – of whom 45 were militants."

The doctor was referring to a 2002 Israeli anti-terror raid in the northern West Bank town of Jenin after which Hamas and the PA claimed hundreds of Palestinian civilians were murdered.

Chief PA negotiator Saeb Erekat claimed on CNN that "more than 500 people" were killed. He repeated the charge on CNN a day later, adding that 300 Palestinians were being buried in mass graves.

It was later determined 54 Palestinians were killed, mostly terrorists, while the IDF lost 23 troops while they engaged in house-to-house combat "instead of massive air raids" in order to limit civilian casualties.

Why would the people of Gaza want to WIPE OUT their "terrible" leadership?
It is the OFFICIAL DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED POLITICAL PARTY OF THE MAJORITY,under free and fair elections.
Hamas should be given the respect,and political recognition they deserve,as an ELECTED PARTY of the Palestinian people.
Israel used to nurture Hamas when it useful to split the PLO up.but Israel just didn't anticipate that the proud,brave resilient Palestinian people would ELECT Hamas,instead of the Zionist puppet Abbas LOL!
End the Israeli ILLEGAL occupation.
End the Israeli ILLEGAL blockade.
Israel should take off its military uniform,put on its CIVILIAN dress and ACT respectfully to others.Only then,can Israel expect mutual respect if any,FROM anyone,instead of STOKING world hatred toward it.
And recognise Hamas as an ELECTED party,whether Israel likes them OR NOT.
ALLOW them to form their official Government,and if Abbas wants to run again in an election(because he is NO LONGER the "President" anyway,he's redundant),then when Hamas's term has expired,so be it.
Hamas are the Freedom Fighters of the Palestinian people.
Israel prefers to call them "terrorists" because they resist Israel's BRUTALITY.
The Stern gangs et al,used to be Israel's "freedom fighters",when to the REST OF THE WORLD they were terrorists.Now many of those Israeli terrorists are in the Knesset or RELATED to members of the Knesset,as official members of Government.
Why is that NOT good enough for HAMAS? LOL!
Hamas are equal to any Israeli Knesset members,and many are better,because they do not slaughter innocent civilians by the THOUSANDS,and injure and maim THOUSANDS more innocents,or use universally illegal weapons,chemical warfare tanks,jets,1 ton bombs,etc etc.
Hamas has ALREADY OFFERED Israel a formal truce,for 10-50 years!
Israel REFUSED!
WONDER WHY?
Palestine will be there,much longer than Israel,because Israel,with its PRESENT zionist policies and brutality is ON A PATH TO SELF-DESTRUCTION,with only its self to blame.Not only is Israel killing thousands of Arab/Muslim/Christian children,it is ALSO killing its own,by subjecting Israels children to this mania and mayhem.
It is destroying its OWN CHILDREN as fast as any others.
How deranged and SELFISH is that?
The PALESTINIAN people,will prevail,and they "will not go down in Gaza" EVER!
Because Palestine is THEIR LAND AND HOME.
Hamas,and the Palestinians have gained MORE GLOBAL support for its cause and struggle to be free,by ALL Nationalities/faiths etc. Israel is RESPONSIBLE for that.
That's why Israels present global/internet/diplomatic P.R. campaign is failing so badly,because Israel DOESN'T have any PUBLIC RELATIONS LEFT,except NEGATIVE ones.
Nobody believes Israel ANYMORE.
It's lost all Global Integrity,and MORAL/ETHICAL standing.
Why? Because it is a TERRORIST,MILITARY DICTATOR STATE,with no democracy OR Constitution,or respect to human rights and dignity.

Peace,Salaam,Shalom.

Your right mizo it was never the intent of Israel to completely wipe the arabs of gaza. It is the people of gaza who need to wipe out their terrible leadership. By the way is their a leader in the Arab world that resembles MLK?