Limerick Demo for Gaza

by Edward Horgan Sat Jan 03, 2009 20:25

The following it the latest BBC news report from Gaza:
The town attacked by the tanks tonight is the same Beit Lahiya where Israeli war planes bombed a Mosque this afternoon killing over a dozen people. This is the Israeli way of "softening up" its target areas in preparation for a military ground attack.
Statements by George W Bush falsely implicating Iran as justification for Israeli attacks on Gaza, may be an indication that Israel with George Bush's approval may be using this attack of Gaza as a way of provoking a response from Iran, thereby justifying an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Given the timescale between now and the Obama inauguration on 20 Jan, the next two weekends could be the only "windows" for an Israeli air attack on Iran.
I fear that much worse is yet to come, and that thousands of innocent people will die.

Latest BBC report:

Israeli troops 'move into Gaza'
Hamas leaders have warned Israel against launching a ground offensive
Israeli ground troops have started to enter the Gaza Strip, Israeli military officials have confirmed, a week after the offensive against Hamas began.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said the intention was to take control of areas from which Palestinian militants have been firing rockets into Israel.
A BBC reporter in Gaza says it appears to be a limited operation with 10 to 15 vehicles crossing the northern border.
Earlier, Israel intensified air and artillery attacks on the territory.
In one raid, at least 13 people were killed when a missile struck a crowded mosque in Beit Lahiya, Palestinian medics said.
If you commit the stupidity of launching a ground offensive then a black destiny awaits you
Khalid Meshaal Political leader of Hamas
Witnesses said more than 200 people had been inside the Ibrahim al-Maqadna mosque for evening prayers when it was struck.
Militants in Gaza meanwhile fired more rockets into southern Israel on Saturday, one of which hit the port of Ashdod, injuring two people.
Israel has carried out more than 800 strikes on the Gaza Strip since launching the offensive eight days ago, including 40 on Saturday.
The UN has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis, and believes 25% of more than 400 Palestinians killed by Israel so far were civilians. Israel says about 80% of those killed were Hamas militants. Four Israelis have been killed by rocket fire from Gaza.

'Long days'

A small column of Israeli military vehicles, backed by attack helicopters, were seen crossing the border into the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday evening.
Earlier, Israel intensified air and artillery attacks on the territory
An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed the incursion had begun and said the objective was "to destroy the Hamas terror infrastructure in the area of operations".
"We are going to take some of the launch areas used by Hamas," Maj Avital Leibovitch told reporters.
Another Israeli military spokesman warned that the operation would take "many long days".
"This won't be a school outing," Brig Avi Benayahu told Israel's Channel Two television.
The BBC's Paul Wood in Jerusalem says this is probably just the first wave of the assault, since there are said to be some 10,000 Israeli troops and hundreds of tanks massed on the border with Gaza.
The office of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has also announced that the government has ordered the urgent call-up of "tens of thousands" of extra military reservists.
Just before the ground offensive began, Hamas issued a statement promising that Palestinian children would be picking over the ruins of Israeli tanks and the body parts of Israeli soldiers.
The militant group's exiled political leader, Khalid Meshaal, meanwhile warned Israel against a ground offensive, saying that a "black destiny" awaited Israeli forces if the entered Gaza.

Our correspondent says this promises to be a very bloody encounter.

by Gerry Sat Jan 03, 2009 16:37

Out of the many invited, only one TD showed - shame on the bastards, at least Richard Falk doesn't have his conscience anesthetized: "The magnitude, the deliberateness, the violations of international humanitarian law, the impact on the health, lives and survival and the overall conditions warrant the characterization of a crime against humanity. This occupation is the direct intention by the Israeli military and civilian authorities. They are responsible and should be held accountable."

by Zoe Lawlor - Limerick branch Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign Sat Jan 03, 2009 16:06

Some pictures from today.