After bombing a UN hospital, Israel fires at a UN aid truck during a ceasefire?

United States
January 8, 2009 11:52am CST
[b]"The UN has said it is suspending aid operations in Gaza because its staff have been hit by Israeli attacks. The suspension would continue "until the Israeli authorities can guarantee our safety and security", the UN said. The international Red Cross has also accused Israel of failing to fulfil its duty to help wounded civilians in Gaza. The UN's suspension of aid efforts came shortly after it said one person had been killed and two hurt when a fork-lift truck on a UN aid mission came under Israeli tank fire at Gaza's Erez crossing. The UN's relief agency Unwra said it was "with great regret" that it had been forced to make a difficult decision. "Our installations have been hit, our workers have been killed in spite of the fact that the Israeli authorities have the co-ordinates of our facilities and that all our movements are co-ordinated with the Israeli army." The Israeli military has not yet responded to the accusation, but said it worked closely with aid groups so that civilians could get assistance. Meanwhile, Amnesty International accused both Israel and Hamas of using civilians as human shields. [/b] Is it just me or is something very wrong with this picture? How is this justified?? I am so outraged right now... not only because of the death of UN aid worker but because this means that even MORE people of Gaza are going to starve and die of preventable diseases and injuries. It seems more obvious to me every day that this is not a war on Hamas, it is genocide.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
9 Jan 09
It's not justified, of course, and I pray that cooler heads prevail and peace is soon restored...yet again...so that aid can get to the innocent civilians. As much as you hate this, murderistic...and I know that you do...why has no one mentioned that the boarder crossings into Jordon remain closed and that the refugees are not permitted to travel to the relative safety of that country?
1 person likes this
• United States
9 Jan 09
Egypt, not Jordan. In addition, while we are at it, let us also be outraged that for many months Hamas has been sending rockets into Israel; that Hamas denies the right of Israel to exist and will go to any lengths to see it destroyed; and that in doing that, Hamas is quite ready to hide among women and children--and UN facilities for that matter.
• United States
9 Jan 09
I'm assuming that you mean Egypt... well, I am very outraged by what's going on in Egypt as well. But let me put it this way - 1/3 of all US foreign "aid" goes to Israel and Egypt. Egypt has agreed to cooperate with the US against "fighting terrorism," and they have their own problems with Hamas as well. That being said, Egypt's president HAS condemned the attacks. That being said, Egypt has a lot resting on it's shoulders in this (mainly the billions of dollars it gets from the US and the US as an ally). Of course I am angry that Egypt won't allow refugees in and a sufficient amount of food, water, and fuel. But Egypt is not the REASON why Hamas is in power, Israel's oppression is. Israel controls 7/8ths of the Gaza border - which is being blockaded. And Israel is the one killing them off by the hundreds each day. Once that stops, I will worry about Egypt.
• United States
9 Jan 09
Lovestravel, I'm saddened by the violence of Hamas. Not outraged. But let's make it clear, Israel's been oppressing the people of Gaza with poverty and bloodshed since 1967. What exactly do you expect them to do? The only reason why Israel stopped their occupation in the first place was because of these rockets going over the border and attacking occupying Israelis. The people of Gaza said hey, after 38 years, we finally found a way to defend ourselves! Israel pushed for a free election in Gaza, and they essentially put Hamas into power by doing that, only later to condemn the election results and tighten their blockade and their constant attacks on Gaza. Hamas fights the only way it can. It denies the right for Israel to exist because Israel is controlling it's borders and inflicting poverty on them. That being said - I don't think that Hamas should not be in power, Gaza needs a government interested in peacebuilding. But that's only going to come through a diplomatic approach. This war is not going to stop Hamas or Islamic militants in Gaza - it's only going to strengthen their cause in the long run. More suffering = more terrorism: give the people of Gaza hope in living normal, healthy lives and having a normal economy and I think we'll be very surprised at the result. As for hiding in UN buildings, that was Israel's first statement, Hamas never hid in the UN building that was attacked. They were somewhere close by firing and Israel assumed that they were in the hospital and made no hesitation to attack it. Can't you see what is going on here? Yesterday Israel killed 30 people that were taking refuge in a house that the army TOLD them to take refuge in. http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKTRE5082A820090109
@060157 (1059)
• Pakistan
9 Jan 09
it is done by israel so it is justifiable. no reasons needed. u ll see that this event won't be discussed on a higher level of politics, or even if it is, they ll surely be making up excuses to defend israel. people are dumb, deaf and blind when it comes to the situation in the middle east. whatever israel does is alright... whatever comes from palestine deserves that even their women and children be killed along with the miscreants.