‘we are not going to show restraint anymore’


Last time:

The indiscriminate attacks of the Israeli occupying forces resulted in a high fatality rate of 1325 Palestinians and 5320 injured.

According to the PRCS most updated statistics the fatalities included 446 children, 110 women and 108 elderly while the injured consisted of 1855 children and 795 women.

According to the main three Palestinian military factions’ brigades (Al Qasam Brigades, Saraya Al Quds brigades and Al Aqsa Martyrs brigades) the total number of deaths among their fighter reached 118, (49, 34, and 35 respectively). This means that the percentage of innocent civilians’ deaths is 85% – 90% of the total number.

Moreover, the Israeli military operation with all its phases resulted in a mass destruction of private properties. At least 4,000 houses were completely destroyed while 16,000 houses were partially damaged. According to the preliminary report done by the Ministry of health on the effect of the Israeli aggression on the health institutions in Gaza Strip, since 27 December, 21 health facilities (4 hospitals and 17 PHC clinics) have been totally or partially damaged in a direct or indirect shelling.

In addition approximately 1500 factories, shops and markets were damaged by the Israeli army air, land, and sea bombardment. The UN estimates that 35,500 civilians are now being housed in shelters for internally displaced civilians across the Gaza Strip. According to Palestinian sources the losses in the Palestinian economy reached approximately 2 billion USD.

Next time:

“Israel is going to act according to a new equation. We are not going to show restraint anymore,” said Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. “We need to change the rules of the game until they learn that the rules have changed and the equation has changed.”

Jeff Sparrow

Jeff Sparrow is a Walkley Award-winning writer, broadcaster and former editor of Overland.

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