Ramallah, 28-04-08: "A sickening tragedy" was how Dr. Mustafa
Barghouthi MP, Secretary General of the PNI described the killing of a
mother and her 4 children in an Israeli military attack on the Gaza
Strip this morning. The deaths have brought the number of
Palestinians killed by the Israeli military since Annapolis to 418,
including 59 children.
Khadra Abu Moatiq and her children Musab (1), Hana' (3), Saleh (4),
and Rudaina (6) were killed when an Israeli military artillery shell
tore through their home near Beit Hanoun. Two other Palestinians were
also killed in the attack, including 17 year-old Ayoub Atallah.
"The killing of innocent women and children in their homes is one of
the most shocking consequences of the siege and attacks on the Gaza
Strip, which the Israeli government is carrying out under the pretext
of security,? said Dr. Barghouthi. "But tell me who is safer now that
Khadra Abu Moatiq and her 4 young children are dead??
Dr. Barghouthi also underlined that Gaza is one of the most densely
populated areas on earth, with 1.5 million people crammed into a space
of just 365 square kilometers, adding that any military attack on the
Strip was almost certain to kill and/or injure civilians.
Coming just days after Israel's rejection of a comprehensive,
reciprocal and simultaneous ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and after a
litany of Israeli human rights violations against Palestinians since
Annapolis, Dr. Barghouthi concluded that that attack was yet further
proof of the Israeli government's fundamental lack of disregard for
Palestinian lives and the absences of an Israeli partner for peace,
and that is was the outcome of an aggressive Apartheid system of
oppression.
Israeli violations since Annapolis in figures
Since Annapolis (28 November 2007-27 April 2008)
Number of of Israeli attacks
Total: 1,829
West Bank: 834
Gaza Strip: 995
# of Palestinians killed
Total: 418 (59 children)
West Bank: 42
Gaza Strip: 376
# of Palestinians injured
Total: 1,436 (76 children)
West Bank: 447
Gaza Strip: 989
Number of Palestinians arrested
Total: 2,671 (24 children)
West Bank: 2,256
Gaza Strip: 415
1 January-27 April 2008
Number of Israeli attacks
Total: 1,415
West Bank: 661
Gaza Strip: 754
# of Palestinians killed
Total: 349 (59 children)
West Bank: 37
Gaza Strip: 312
Number of Palestinians injured
Total: 1,259 (71 children)
West Bank: 386
Gaza Strip: 873
Number of Palestinians arrested
Total: 2,167 (21 children)
West Bank: 1,818
Gaza Strip: 349