Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Photo story: Gazans live back in the Middle Ages!

Photo story: Gazans live back in the Middle Ages!

The suffering and the torture could be a reason for nation's collapse or fall down. However, it could be a way to achieve victory or some of its commencements. I always gather my ideas to penetrate this suffering to tell the story of my people through my words.

I having nothing but a strong will to write and tell the untold story of my people in the besieged Gaza strip. I truly became addicted on reporting daily sufferings encountered by 1.5 million besieged in Gaza, the New Biggest Concentration Camp!

I was so happy regarding a truce held in Gaza between the Israel and some Palestinians. I reckoned as many Gazans it could be a way out of siege protracted for more than a year. Yet, I was disappointed as Israelis violate what they have promised to do. Now, the truce is going perfectly on our side. So, our reward should have been lifting the siege imposed by Israel. But, unfortunately, siege is tougher now. Israel fools the world by saying she has lifted the siege. Previously and in time of calm, we have had around 400 the vans of various goods daily. But as for now, we are having less than 90 per day restricted on some goods. So, How Could Israel did its obligations?

Israel determines what goods and commodities we should have in Gaza. Therefore, if we need a new commodity we should exchange it by another one! At the end of the day, we will have nothing except what Israel wants.

I visited the southern areas of Gaza strip and in there I discovered that Gazans are back 100 years ago. They started to use fire in cooking due to the severe shortage of Gas. I so many people near some gas stations waiting in a row to get a bottle of Gas. Some awaited for hours, days and even months! I might be exaggerating, but No this is a fact! The reason behinds this crisis is that people are using gas for cars since Israel still declining most of fuel deliveries to Gaza.

"Gaza is largely dependent on Israel for its supply of fuel and electricity. Already there are frequent power outages as a result of Israel's destruction of the main Gaza power plant in 2006 and subsequent damage to electricity transformers. (For instance on 14 November the IDF struck an electricity transformer in Beit Hanoun which knocked out power for 5,000 people in the area.) The supply of water is also affected and there is insufficient power for water pumps. As a result, 210,000 people are able to access drinking water supplies for only 1-2 hours a day. Sewage is also a problem: sewage plants require repairs but materials, such as metal pipes and welding machines, have been prohibited by Israel on the grounds that they may be used for making rockets. At present there is a real danger that sewage plants could overflow. Cutting off fuel and electricity will exacerbate an already dangerous situation. It will endanger the functioning of hospitals, water services and sewage, as well as depriving residents of electricity for refrigerators and household appliances. A humanitarian catastrophe is contemplated if Israel continues to reduce fuel and carries out its threat to reduce electricity supplies." UN General Assembly, 21 January 2008.


A crowd of Palestinians seek to obtain gas jars near closed petrol station mid of Gaza Strip.


A Palestinian smiles after hardly he got a gas jar in ht middle areas of Gaza Strip.


Two men travelling on their bikes in a journey of Gas Discovery in the Gaza Strip.


A victorious man raises his hands in a sign of victory after his brother was able to get a gas jar, Gaza City.


Tea Kettle prepared by an old fashion way! Palestinians are back to the middle ages due to the Israeli measures of collective punishment.



Two Palestinians prepare an old kind of bread by fire.




This is an untold story out of tens we have in Gaza!
A story of innocent civilians living under a severe Israeli collective punishment!



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Sameh A. Habeeb
Freelance Journalist based in the Gaza, Palestine
Mob: 00972599306096
Tel: 0097282802825
E-mail: Sam_hab@hotmail.com
Sameh.habeeb@gmail.com
Web: www.gazatoday.blogspot.com

Thursday, August 7, 2008

A voice from Gaza: All I need is my freedom


A voice from Gaza: All I need is my freedom

Freedom is a broad expression that includes a mosaic of freedoms for humans in all life aspects……………… It's being guaranteed by all laws since ever, adopted by civilized countries and widely acknowledged by the few Democratic nations headed by USA and Israel. I really like and highly respect the Israeli Democracy from the inside. This Democracy accepts the other and allows multiplicity. It gives much freedom that we really miss here in Gaza and the Arab world.

I respect and love that democracy, but unfortunately when it comes to Palestine specifically Gaza, it becomes the most pejorative expression. Around 1.5 million are not allowed to move feely into and out of Gaza. They are being collectively punished for reasons they never committed. If a useless and playing fire homemade rocket is being fired into Israel; it retaliates excessively against not those who fired it but the innocent civilians. Yet, the only looser from this policy is Israel. It grows more hatred and spirit of revenge from those civilians. Not far from Gaza, Israeli settlers in the West Bank have successfully manufactured their homemade rockets. They have shelled many Palestinian villages in the West Bank. I hope this would debunk the pretext of Israel that we fire rockets, now we have Israel and its settlers shelling at Gaza and the West Bank.

Back to the freedom I seek, I really want it and so badly. I want to move freely travel wherever and whenever I want. I want to visit the West Bank travel to London, Washington and Egypt…I want...I want and I really want. Yet, I know I'm dreaming now. I will never be allowed to get what I have just demonstrated. Thus, I will decrease that request to the lowest levels and I will move to the primaries since no luxury in Gaza or the West Bank. Now, all I need is a secure an access of freedom for some (angels) little children and elderly men and women. An access not for fun or tourism abroad but rather to hospitals and medical centers. I will not fabricate lies against Israel since I know it allows patients to travel for treatment. However, this number is so low, illogic and not enough. It has to allow all patients to freely access to hospitals and clinics. I was so shocked when I watched a TV report that tells a story of sick child. The child was appealing to the world to leave for treatment. But, what a pity, he died after a week and this is authenticated.

I was as many as other Gazans so joyous and happy of the ceasefire held in Gaza last June . For a minute I soliloquized and reckoned we are done with the siege. I thought it is the Messiah coming to Gaza to save us. This perspective was highly emphasized when I saw the full commitment of Palestinian factions towards Israel. They didn't breach that ceasefire and they stopped all actions against Israel. I was extremely shocked and disappointed about my much loved Democracy "Israel" It didn't abide by its duties like opening borders, easing life of Palestinians by allowing goods and commodities in.

Couple of days ago, Defense Minister of Israeli Democracy, Ehud Barak said, "anyone who misses the military operations in Gaza mustn't worry, they will come." So, I wonder, why you will launch these operations? Will you liberate me and Gazans? Will you grant me my freedom? Will you end the occupation? Will you end the siege? Will you let all patients out for treatment? Will you allow students travel for study? In view of that, if you coming for so, I will be holding flowers to welcome you!

I beg your pardon?…Don't be planning for other choices! We are fed up! Let us be good neighbors…Give us peace of God.

Note:
My friends, I hope you enjoyed reading this piece. There are many young Gazans who are enthusiastic to publish their writings. All we need is to secure a website for an Elec. Newspaper. It's a little bit expansive. So we aspire your help in any way even spiritually. If you are willing contact me via the following info.

Sameh A. Habeeb
Freelance Journalist based in Gaza, Palestine
Mob: 00972599306096
E-mail: Sam_hab@hotmail.com
Sameh.habeeb@gmail.com
Web: www.gazatoday.blogspot.com