Sameh Habib* witnesses Israel's crimes against humanity first-hand Following Israeli raids that killed around 15 Palestinians within one week, many rockets were fired into Israel in a reprisal against Israeli provocations. As usual Israel blamed Palestinians despite it being the one who initiated the violence. The Israeli assault was an obvious breach of an agreed calm held with Palestinian fighting groups five months ago. It has provoked some Palestinians to fire some light rockets into Israel. Afterwards, Israel started a new phase of collective punishment. With the latest Israeli manoeuvres to tighten the siege imposed on Gaza, more life necessities vanished. The key power plant shut down eight days ago and more than 75 per cent of the Gaza Strip faces severe power cuts and some other areas are completely plunged into darkness. The remaining power shares provided by Israel and Egypt are not enough to cover the whole coastal strip. Pumped fresh water is not reaching all cities, farms and central water wells. Sewage and treatment water machines are halted. Additionally around 40 million tonnes of sewage water leaked into the Mediterranean contaminating it and damaging fish resources. Israel was obliged to open commercial crossings completely during the calm, but didn't abide by that condition, only partially opening them. But in the last week, Israel totally closed them causing a huge humanitarian crisis. According to UNRWA, around 750,000 people are being deprived of food parcels. With the Israeli ban on UNRWA aid, it is ensuring that a dire humanitarian crisis will occur within days. Long-term humanitarian projects such as housing worth $350 million have also been halted. Yesterday, wheat and flour mills in Gaza ceased work and fears now are that starvation will result. Today, some hospitals partially stopped working due to power cuts and medical shortages. Tomorrow for sure will bring another crisis if closure lasts any longer. The people of Gaza are outraged by the Israeli collective punishment. I spoke to some Gazan residents and I observed some differences amongst them. Mohamed who refuses to identity his full name said that this siege is unjust and is a way to put pressure on people to give up their rights. "We have been patient for 60 years now. We have survived more cruel times than this. So, why to give up now? We have to be adamant and patient and the siege will be lifted eventually," Mohamed said. A jobless resident from Al-Shati refugee camp, Khalil Barakat, who is in his mid-50s, says he is outraged by this siege. "I'm fed up, bored. I feel we are caged like animals in Gaza. If I could get a chance to immigrate to live my remaining years in peace, then I would love to," he said with anger. Accidentally, I met an old friend of mine, Um Mohamed Abu Ouf; a mother in her 20s. It was a good chance for me to explore her views about the siege as well. As a mother and a woman, her perspective is most important. We met at 6pm at Omar Al-Mokhtar Street which was in total darkness. I asked, "How badly are you affected by the siege?" "Well, the siege has become a daily nightmare. Electricity cuts off and that frightens my 11-month-old infant. It makes conditions unsafe for him. Further, I'm trying to get some fortified food for him. I went to many stores and shops but in vain. I could not find any food for my son as there is a shortage in a lot of the basic products needed to care for infants such as milk, diapers and so forth." I spoke to Hatem Shurab, an International Relief Worker. Hatem is a siege victim who lost a scholarship in the US due to the siege. Despite that, he seemed to be optimistic in contrast to the majority here. Hatem is currently preparing a music concert along with his friends. His view was quite interesting and brand new: "I'm trying to relieve people's suffering through music. We try to end the siege through our voices to tell those who don't like to watch news what's going on. On 27 November they might know the suffering of Gazans through songs, as we are doing a concert. Regardless of pain, we will sing for Gaza," Hatem said with a brave smile. However, Hatem is somewhat worried about the current status of Gaza. He needs to have his concert on time and to give Gazans a glimpse of hope and some fun. The Israeli Defence Ministry announced today that the Gaza crossings would remain closed until further notice. Gazans are to expect more mayhem as time advances. Meanwhile, Um Mohamed is still desperate to have food for her baby, while Hatem is determined to have his music concert on time. But they are helpless before the cruel siege. * The writer is a peace activist and child relief worker.
