Israeli army to demolish hundreds of homes in Rafah

[Scurrilous]

http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=9984

Palestinians, UN warn of humanitarian catastrophe, Erakat says it is sign of staying not withdrawing

<snip>

"The Israeli army has been authorised to demolish hundreds of houses in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, prompting warnings by the Palestinians and the United Nations of a humanitarian catastrophe.


The army was given the green light by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to destroy "hundreds of houses" and widen the so-called "Philadelphi" route, a buffer zone which runs along the Israeli-controlled border with Egypt, the public radio said."

<snip>

"An official from Sharon's office confirmed that bulldozing would take place to widen the buffer zone after the search for the remains of five soldiers killed in an attack on Wednesday are over."

<snip>

"The Israeli army has been systematically bulldozing the refugee camps of Rafah since the start of the Palestinian uprising in September 2000, making more than 11,000 people homeless, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)."

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. And how is this helping the situation?

Are the Israelis compensating the people for their homes, shops, and land? Are they rebuilding places for them to stay? If they are, good for them. If they are not, how do they expect to stop the violence? People whose homes are destroyed don't usually look kindly on the destroyer.

[dArKeR]

2. Israel to bulldoze hundreds of homes in Rafah

Jerusalem - The Israeli army has been authorised to demolish hundreds of houses in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, prompting warnings by the Palestinians and the United Nations of a humanitarian catastrophe.

The army was given the green light by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to destroy "hundreds of houses" and widen the so-called Philadelphi route, a buffer zone which runs along the Israeli-controlled border with Egypt, the public radio said.

"The first houses to be destroyed will be empty buildings. Then inhabited houses will be demolished. Israel will be responsible for finding new accommodation for the evacuated people," the radio added.

http://iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=3&art_id=qw1084530420740B253&set_id=1

[kysrsoze]

3. Uhhh....what's new? Same bullshit all the time and this does nothing

but instill intense anger. Thanks, Sharon - you fuck.

[phoebe]

5. if only it were that simple. Israel is wary of Bush ties to Arab world

and Arab world is wary of admin. ties to Israel. Neither one is letting up the pressure. Bush is in an untenable position.

[Scurrilous]

4. Palestinians: Three people killed in Gaza house demolitions

http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/427462.html

<snip>

"Palestinian sources said that three people were killed during the demolition of dozens of houses in a refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah over the weekend, including a man whose body was found buried under the rubble of his house as the troops withdrew Saturday.


Israel Defense Forces armored bulldozers knocked down at least 35 buildings, amid heavy fighting, trying to secure the area for soldiers searching for the remains of five others killed in a blast in the area Wednesday.

The European Union and the United Nations on Friday condemned the demolitions, and called on Israel to halt the process.

Witnesses reported that Ashraf Kishtaf, 37, was buried with his wife and sister-in-law, but they were later found to have escaped. The IDF said the house was destroyed during a heavy exchange of fire."

[dArKeR]

6. Over 1 000 homeless in Rafah

Gaza City - More than 1 000 Palestinians have been left homeless in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah after two days of intensive demolition activity by the Israeli army, an UNRWA spokesperson told AFP on Saturday.

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,6119,2-10-1462_1527560,00.html

[newyorican]

7. Disengagement Israeli style...

sounds as if they're pushing Gazans into the sea...