posted
I want to write here about our afternoon but as yet am still in a bit of a daze. Forgive any errors please. I can't really put into words how I feel so I will stick to the facts.
Out in 6th October there is a group of foreign women living here in Egypt. We meet up for coffee and yesterday I asked if any would like to make a visit to the Sheikh Zayid hospital after coffee. My hubby as you know was there a few days ago visiting the Palestinians.
Our group included 1 swede, 1 icelander, 3 pakistani's, 1 indian, 2 americans, 1 iranian, 1 US/Egyptian and me of course a Scot. Our own UN delegation. Jean Bean was one of the Americans We wanted to make a visit to show that even though our governments may support this holocaust, we the citizens and ordinary people do not. My husband agreed to translate for us and to tell us their stories. The Icelandic lady jotted in a notebook brief details and she will correct me if I make any mistakes I hope
2 of the ladies brought bags of clothing, and really this was a mission to see what if anything the patients wanted or needed. First we met the director of the hospital. He welcomed us all and explained the various ways that the public can help. He told us of casualties and age and gender. He allowed us unrestricted access to the hospital wards and ICU. His only stipulation was that no photos to be taken in ICU but we could in the wards. We took them there.
The casualties have gone up to 19. 4 female, 15 male of which 5 are children.
Firstly we were taken to the ICU. The ICU doctor gave us each patients history, diagnosis and probable outcome. He was Egyptian and from his heart so thankful that we had decided to make that visit. He wanted us to explain to the media the real horror of this war. We made him that promise. In the first cubicle was a 10 year old girl. That day weaned from life support, bullet lodged in her mid brain. Frontal lobectomy performed to stop cranial haemorrhaging and now on conservative treatment. Bad prognosis. Second bed patient was in theatre. Double amputee, going today to have debridement of orbits. That means his eyes were blown from the sockets and the tissue necrosed because of unknown substance ( phosphorus) and had to have dead tissue removed from eye sockets. He was 9 years old. 2 other patients were being transferred to the eye specialist hospital in Cairo. Both eyes removed due to shelling. Next cubicle was a lady in her 30's. Mother of 3 children all killed in a blast. Massive head and spinal injuries, quadriplegic unconscious and bad prognosis, as you might expect. Next was a young man bilateral amputee. All patients has extensive shrapnel wounds to face and body. The last patient had coin sized deep burns to his body consistent with boiling tar like substance dropped on it which has rotted the skin. Again most likely phosphorus but this has been denied by Israeli's. The ICU team were phenomenal. Grateful to see us and eager to tell the world what they are dealing with.
Next we were taken to a 2 bedroom ward. Ahmed's father spent an hour telling us his story. I have a feeling this man was on Al Jazeera. The man looking in the freezer for a daughter? His children were on the roof of the house. Playing there because he wanted them close by the home. 9 year old Ahmed was massive fractures to his right arm which have been stabilized at Al Shifa in Gaza. They needed the bed so he was transferred here. Ahmed's sister aged 14 was hit on the roof as she hid behind a water storage tank ( father said it has been empty of water for 3 weeks). She was blown apart by the rocket and Ahmed's brother sustained injuries from 3 shells that landed. He was taken tho the freezer as he called it to see if his daughter was there. His relatives told him it was her before they opened the door of the freezer. There was no shroud to bury as the Shifa had run out of shrouds and coverings for the dead. She lay cold in the freezer till they arranged a truck and a sheet ( the hospital washed her for burial). She was put in the back of the truck and driven through the rockets to her bombed home for her mother to say goodbye to her. They then tried to bury her but Israeli soldiers would not let them enter the cemetery. They had to drive to another town. Dig up a 30 year old grave of her grandmother who was buried there and placed her body beside her grandmother. Ahmed has as I said arm injury. He also has lost half of his ear, slash to the back of his head, chest had metal fragments down to bone. Left arm injury to bone, and leg injury to bone. Shrapnel wounds to body and face. He is conscious and throughout lay and watched the TV on Al Jazeera watching his city being destroyed. Ahmed's father has not heard of his wife and 3 other children in 3 weeks. He hopes they are not dead. The mobile calls are being monitored and any calls into Gaza lead to reprisals on families. They cannot even check to see if they are alive or dead. His other son was in another ward.
In the next bed was another Ahmed. 17 year old boy. Walking from university to the mosque to pray and hit by rocket, friends killed. When he was picked up by ambulance and taken to the Nasser Hospital in Gaza his intestines were outside his body. His index and middle finger of the left hand blown off and the right arm in external fixation due to massive comminuted fractures ie blown to pieces so cannot join together to make whole. Deep burns to legs and abdomen from ( Phos)? left eye blinded. The surgeons took him straight to theatre and put intestines back into his abdomen and did what they could. His father has not spoken to his wife and children in 4 days. The 2 men console each other but when we were there it seemed that they just wanted to talk, almost to let go a bit. Therapy in a way. My husband did as best he could to convey our feelings and to speak of the group and members here who offered help. They agreed that help is a huge effort because not only psychologically but a lifetime of rehab was needed. The hospital director told us of a business man for the Rotary Club in 6th october city. He has donated 2 flats for relatives. Money was collected to buy 20 matresses. 19 men and one woman use this facility close to the hospital for sleeping and washing. Both Ahmed's fathers will not leave their sons as they are in such a bad state and sleep there in chairs in the room. No blankets or mattresses. They sit in the chairs 24/7. To shave they go to the public toilets. We asked them what could we provide to make them a bit more comfortable. It was simple. A burner, a teapot was all they wanted. They speak of medicine for when they return. They are afraid they cannot get medicines into Gaza. The clothing will be handed out so they can change clothes at least. The 3 Pakistani ladies are going back tonight with their husbands with clothes and food for the men. As we left they begged us to tell the world of their children. I asked why they did not seem angry after losing children and they smiled. It is in God's hands they said.
Time was getting late and we could not go to visit any more today. All they want is their homes and land free. One mentioned George Galloway seeing that I was a Scot. He called him a hero for speaking out in the media. he mentioned Vanessa Redgrave although he found it difficult to pronounce her name. They know these names of activists in gaza!!!!That surprised me.
I told him I saw George Galloways video that another member posted a few days ago here. I felt proud that a fellow Scot was known by name to this man of Palestine. The real hero's here are not Galloway though. I saw real hero's today. In flesh and blood with limbs severed but with dignity. No hatred in their hearts. Just wanting justice.
If anyone wants to help they can send to the Palestinian Red Cross, 6th october Rotary Club or if you want us to buy clothes, kettles, small comforts please contact the e mail I posted yesterday. These men will make sure that your money is given directly to the injured. Nothing will be given to hospitals charity or authorities. If anyone who has any journalist experience there are men there who will willingly tell you their story to pass onto the world.
Thanks for listening and thanks to all of the women who today came with me and made a difference. However small. Today for me made it 'real'.
One thing I forgot to add. Over and over we were told the remnants of the shells have Manufactured in USA printed on them.
Posts: 3416 | Registered: Oct 2007
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I didn't realise there were so many female patients here in SZ. Can we visit the women? Do they need clothes? I have some of Advocate's here that maybe they could use?
(Trusting that's ok with you Advocate!)
Posts: 5593 | From: Egypt | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
i think you are wonderful for doing this, i just wish i could be there to go with you, but my prayers will help i am sure
Posts: 9443 | From: USA...... | Registered: Jun 2006
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I saw only 2 females in ICU. They are both unconscious and catheters and pads with paper gowns so no real need there. They expect any ages and gender so whatever you have would be gratefully received.
When you go in the foyer to the left is an office , ask for Sherine? she is a co ordinator and has offered to take clothing and hand it out. You can also just go to the ward and give it directly to the relative. Underwear( new of course )but any type of new or used clothing, male female, child. Ship ships, towels, soap, razors, mobile phone cards, large bottles of water, tea, coffee, sugar, mugs. Blankets ands pillows, sponges, combs and brushes, shampoo, deodorants are all things I noticed would be useful.
Posts: 3416 | Registered: Oct 2007
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quote:Originally posted by dolphin redsea: i think you are wonderful for doing this, i just wish i could be there to go with you, but my prayers will help i am sure
Thank Micky
every little thing helps I will post some pics of the children and dads in a minute.
Sorry B, yep you can visit just the women, just go to the office on the left of the foyer to let them know.
Posts: 3416 | Registered: Oct 2007
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1) 10 year old girl in ICU father asked for it to be taken. She has bullet still lodged in brain and had frontal lobectomy. Father clung to hubby crying as he told him her story and as he took photos.
2) Ahmed age 9 sister died on roof, brother in another ward in Nasser Hospital Cairo.
3)Ahmed and dad. His daughter was killed.
4)Ahmed male 17 years old intestines blown out of abdomen, 2 finger blown off. Needs extensive rehab when he returns to Gaza. Chest has burn hole size of walnut caused by ? Phosphorus, other burns on back and side. Father tried to describe genital injury but stopped when Ahmed was listening so as not to scare him. Just said very bad??? Not sure what he meant?
5) Shrapnel wounds with some necrotic. Phosphorus burns to chest, back and huge injuries to legs.
Posts: 3416 | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
HH I have a question. When you were stating that they were waiting for another 187 ambulances for transporting more victims, what are they waiting for? Do they need money for each trip, or what?
Posts: 3291 | From: I DO believe in Karma! | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
The paramedic told this to my hubby a few days ago. 180. The Al Arish is used as triage I was told today. When they are stable the Egyptian Ministry of Health is informed of injury, specialist care needed and the Cairo hospitals are contacted to see if they can take them. That day 180 women and children were waiting for triage at Arish. 5 of the ambulances are expertly equipped with life support systems and staff and if a ventilator is free they then go and pick them up. The rest are just normal ambulances for the less critical. The hold up is finding specialist beds with ICU staff and resources. That was 2 days ago. The situation may be different today. It's really a mix of not enough ICU ambulances and empty beds with ICU or specialist doctors available.
Al Shifa send out the worst to Arish for triage.
The Belgians sent out fully equipped planes to transport critical to Belgium but they were refused to leave Rafah I was told. There are many foreign doctors sitting at Rafah waiting to go through to Shifa to help but Israel wont allow because of incomplete documentation???? These doctors each day offload and carry the aid through the Rafah crossing to the waiting trucks to be of some use in the meantime.
Sheikh Zayid has from what I saw 6-7 ICU beds. All were filled but 2 were going to the eye hospital to free up 2. So SZ can then take 2 more ventilated patients tomorrow. The ICU doc said that we cannot forget the Egyptian ICU cases who are blocking the beds with everyday usual ICU needs. These need to be weaned off and freed up to allow more in.
Posts: 3416 | Registered: Oct 2007
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I just spoke to Dr. Hazem Shaaker at the Nasser Institute. He said they currently have 56 patients from Gaza and are expecting more tonight. I asked him what one can do to help. He said that they are receiving some things, but can always use more.
He said if you want to visit the them, to go to the Head Office and they will send a Public Relations officer to show you all the patients.
He also stated that anyone is welcome to visit at anytime, and that he knows any visits will be so welcome.
You can contact him directly at 02 220 39356. He speaks excellent English.
Posts: 3291 | From: I DO believe in Karma! | Registered: Apr 2002
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Egypt ready to take in more Palestinian wounded, says official
By AFP First Published: January 12, 2009
CAIRO: Egypt is ready to take in more Palestinian wounded through its Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip, a senior health official said on Sunday.
Nassir Rasmi, a senior official of Egypt's health ministry, told reporters that 290 wounded Palestinians had been brought into Egypt since Israel began its onslaught in Gaza on Dec. 27.
"Egypt is prepared to accommodate all casualties who can leave Gaza," he said. The country has already taken in 290 wounded Palestinians, he said, adding that 60 had been flown to hospitals in several Arab countries.
He said that 568 ton of medical supplies and 24 ambulances have been delivered through the Rafah crossing to hospitals in Gaza.
According to government reports 13 European doctors, 61 Arabs, including 51 Egyptians, have gone into Gaza to help at hospitals.
Egypt last week called for humanitarian corridors in the Gaza Strip. More than 900 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict began, Palestinian medics say.
Antonio Guterres, the UN high commissioner for refugees, has urged both Israel and Egypt to allow Palestinian civilians to leave Gaza. –AFP
posted
Excellent Laura. Maybe some of the folks over that side of Cairo can make a visit
What sort of stuff are they after at Nasser? Same sort of things as here?
I know from the visit we made that the hospital were very welcoming. The relatives really really appreciated our visit and really wanted to tell their stories. More as a therapy I think. No feelings of anger, just utter helplessness. This is their children.
We are planning hopefully to go back tomorrow to re visit and see some of the others. We want to take an electric kettle and stuff for tea, mugs etc. If you want to come Shanta let me know. Will be afternoon time Posts: 3416 | Registered: Oct 2007
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posted
We will go on Wednesday with some friends HH. Dr Shaaker said that things were being brought in for them, but he couldn't say just exactly what each and everyone of their needs were.
He also stated that the staff were going out of their way to try and do extra things for all of them, God bless their kind hearts and souls.
50 plus people are a lot to try to see in one day, but we will make every effort to try to see them all. I will report back any news on Thursday.
Posts: 3291 | From: I DO believe in Karma! | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
To be honest you will only realistically see a handful Laura. The relatives want to speak to you and spend time with them. They get comfort from that. It's hard to divide your time up.
Be prepared for some horrific sights. You need strong stomachs and it is quite overwhelming. The staff are absolutely phenomenal. I saw little bunches of red roses on each locker, a sweet touch from someone Sweets/ candies for the children is a nice thing to take. A few newspapers or books for the dads to read in arabic maybe. Childrens tops and trousers. Socks and ship ships in various sizes. Cards and dominos and backgammon for the relatives to play at night when the children are asleep. Wet wipes...........just basic stuff.
Let us know how it went. Spread the word. Be strong. It is very hard to bear when you see the injuries..........
posted
I tried to post a comment on this thread and after typing for a few moments i deleted what i had written... This is because i truly cannot find the words to express what i feel... May Allah bless all of you for trying to offer something to these people...
Posts: 1797 | From: By my husband's side | Registered: Nov 2007
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I am sure that Laura on Thursday will have one for you to post on that site also.
We are leaving soon to make another visit and take some supplies. I will try when I get back to write a better account of the visit. Yesterdays was a bit jumbled after re reading it this morning, so I will try to make my next one a bit better. Basically I just wanted to get it down in case I forgot certain details. I will convey to all the Palestinians we meet all of your good wishes and thoughts.
a little something to make you smile during these very dark days
posted
Please, imagine you live in the place where all neighbours deny your right to life and openly propagate it. You have a good heart and you still help these neighbours in different ways(despite fact that they are rude to you). Those neighbours leave rubbish on your doormat, posion the cat, they even say to their children to destroy your beatifull garden. One time you forgive them, then second and finally you decided to stop helipng them. You are a young, strong man. You can not stand them more doing it. At the end you decided to defend yourself and your family. At the first you changed codes of the entryphone, you also stopped bringing dinners to poorer neighbours. Finally you had to answer by force(neighbours attacked you first). And suddenly other house estates, blocks, tents, cottages start to shout that you are a lout and brute. Those neighbours live on benefits from your money and they laugh of you. Question for all in this board: what will you do? Will you let neighbours not only to destroy your house or garden but to kill your children, relatives? Or will you rather use force to defend your family? I would defend my family and the same did ISRAEL. Please watch a bit more close the sitation in this area, look for informations not only in pro- islamic forums but others also. Yesterday I talked to my Israeli friend who lives near border. They have been bobmed and attacked by Hamas for the 7 years at all the time. My friend suffers from neurosis, phobies and anxietis. They can not live normal. Her children are afraid to go to school. One of her friend lost her 3 month old in a bomb attack. She found her baby dead without leghands. Yes, you cry for the Palestinian children, I also but why you don't feel sorry for Israeli children? Are they worse?
Posts: 27 | From: Europe | Registered: Jan 2008
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quote:Originally posted by DawnBev08: excuse me, but at least the Israeli children have a school to go to - they can travel freely - etc etc etc
I worked in Israel in 1978-1980 and then from 1982-1987 and I saw the discrepancies between the cultures - vast differences -
Israel is guilty of war crimes - they are doing far worse
No one disagreed about this, too busy hamas instead of teaching kids in school they teach them about death and howto become a suicide bomber, with the stupid mikey the jihadi cartoon and the Rabbit that will eat the jews! HOW STUPID..Thats the difference between Israeli culture and ARAB culture NOT JUST IN PALESTINE..Face it people, the ISRAELIS are far more superior in EVERYTHING because we have let stupidity and hate and religious fanatics take over the Egyptian & Arab street
Posts: 511 | From: Alexandria, Egypt | Registered: Jun 2005
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posted
Tarek, the Israelis are 'superior' as you put it, because they have the USA and the rest of the governments backing them, supplying them with weapons etc etc, but YES the Arab world, the entire world, should stop this inhumane genocide that is happening now.
disa, I am sorry for your friend and a lot of Jews are also suffering in this, I accept that. But your friends garden is of little importance when babies and children are being TARGETED by men with guns, tanks and bombs and only because they want to wipe Palestine and its people from the face of the earth.
This all is hugely different to any other 'normal' war. you think if a Palestinian woman or child put its hands up in surrender in front of an Israeli soldier that they would be taken prisoner, like in a 'normal' war? No, they would be shot in the head directly, woman or child or BABY, THAT is what is SICK and EVIL about what's happening in Palestine.
-------------------- If you don't learn from your mistakes, there's no sense making them. Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
If you do any research on the Israeli prisons (dungeons) that Palestinian women and children are being held prisoners in, one can't help but wonder if it is better that they died an instant death, instead of the torture that is inflicted daily on them in these prisons....*choking on bile*
Posts: 3291 | From: I DO believe in Karma! | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
again I have read all this topic and know this war is wrong. It is too sad for words to explain I saw on UK news the other day 900+ Palestinian dead most if not all innocent people. To 13 isrealis ? ? What kind of war is that? That is genocide regardless of isreali intent???? I just don't see why the world is accepting it and not jumping up and sorting it out ! My god we stood up and defeated Hitler ! When genocide was his main goal. Is this not similar in a way? ? Also he was known to say his race was superior......and of all the people to do this after wat they went through in WW2, to inflict this pain on these people is beyond me Posts: 634 | From: the Moon........... | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
Ayisha, I dont talk about the garden here, I just tryed to portray the situation. Thousands of Israelis died in bomb attack in buses, restaurants. What do you think, what feel a young man whom sister died in a bomb attack made by a Palestinian. Will he love them? I don't think so. After few years the same man go to the army....Remember there is not single person in Israel who didn't lost relative or friend or even friend of the friend in a bomb attack... There would never be any war, if not stupidy of most Palestinians. The could have their own country, with normal goverment, they could even have east Jerusalem but no no they want to destroy all Israel what they will never be able to do. Remember, is a fact, REAL fact that Jews who came to this land BOUGHT(yes, yes) it from Palestinians who lived there. If you buy a house or car from a person and after some time the same person will come and say to you that it his house or a car because it was his through all life despite of the fact that you BOUGHT it from him. And they say to all world that you a thief ... Do you want help Palestinian? Then stop hamas and Israel will leave you alone. Unlike hamas, Israel care about their citzens and will protect them if the Arab world want it or no.
Posts: 27 | From: Europe | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
when babies and children are being TARGETED
You forgot about babies and children who were used by hamas as a human shields. Of course in Arab tv you will not hear it but I will tell you: HAMAS USES 3 YEARS AND 4 YEARS OLD KIDS BY giving them packets with the bomb and give them order to go to nearest Israeli soldier!!!! Of course hamas rabble do not care that this child will die, they just care that even 1 Jew will die. 3 years old baby with pampers....
Posts: 27 | From: Europe | Registered: Jan 2008
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posted
disa what do you want me to say? Please tell me in the last 2 weeks how many Israelis dead and how many Palestinians? and how many of those were women and children?
People seem to think because some people have a backbone to say THIS IS WRONG that they need to drag up every single war in history and say 'dont you think this is wrong too?' of COURSE it is!
I dont actually distinguish between a dead Palestinian baby or a dead Israeli baby, nor do I distinguish if that baby is Muslim Christian or Jew ITS WRONG and its NOW and for whatever reason its happening it needs to STOP. Im not going to sit here picking through who did what through history, my OWN Government had a huge hand in it too, I am not going to sit on my arse and point blame, it has to STOP. IT IS ALL WRONG.
And dont you tell me who I forgot either. ANY dead baby is wrong. ANY party that maimes and kills children is WRONG.
do you feel happier now with my statement? does it make YOU feel better? Does it make YOU think something should be done to STOP IT?
-------------------- If you don't learn from your mistakes, there's no sense making them. Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
I agree, war is wrong but the only way to stop it is to stop HAMAS. Hamas will not attack Israel, Israel will leave Gaza alone.
Posts: 27 | From: Europe | Registered: Jan 2008
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quote:Originally posted by Shanta Qadeama: Thank you for sharing this with us HH.
I didn't realise there were so many female patients here in SZ. Can we visit the women? Do they need clothes? I have some of Advocate's here that maybe they could use?
(Trusting that's ok with you Advocate!)
....Hi B, no that is fine with me of course. In fact you know there is another suitcase there so have a root through that and see if there is anything that can be useful, obviously you need access to it, which could take a bit of time of course.....you know what I mean!
I have many replacement clothes for me to bring on my next trip so go for it, fill your boots.
Posts: 1917 | From: WALES | Registered: Apr 2007
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quote:Originally posted by disa: when babies and children are being TARGETED
You forgot about babies and children who were used by hamas as a human shields. Of course in Arab tv you will not hear it but I will tell you: HAMAS USES 3 YEARS AND 4 YEARS OLD KIDS BY giving them packets with the bomb and give them order to go to nearest Israeli soldier!!!! Of course hamas rabble do not care that this child will die, they just care that even 1 Jew will die. 3 years old baby with pampers....
Haha, jews make up the craziest sh1te.
3 year olds running around with bombs eh. Posts: 6335 | From: Straight to my heart. | Registered: Sep 2007
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posted
I am making a flying visit up to Sinai now and will answer emails and PM's when we get back. If I can find wireless internet up there I will reply sooner.
Keep up the good work folks Posts: 3416 | Registered: Oct 2007
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quote:Originally posted by disa: I agree, war is wrong but the only way to stop it is to stop HAMAS. Hamas will not attack Israel, Israel will leave Gaza alone.
oh, so stop them fighting back and they will stop the tanks and bombs?? strange they never did before so what makes you so sure they will next time?
we seem to be viewing different sides of the cornflake box Posts: 15090 | From: http://www.egyptalk.com/forum/ | Registered: Jul 2004
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posted
There is no point in trying to communicate with some of these people Ayisha, it's fruitless.
"Israel will leave Gaza alone"
Israel has Gaza in a BLOCKADE of Cement walls, wire, and steel, and has done so for years and years and years. This is NOT "leaving Gaza alone".
Gazans and Palestinians throughout Palestine have suffered enough humiliation and murder and torture of their families from these Zionists, and if you think for one moment that a ceasefire or withdrawl will end this, think again.
The physical scars may heal but the EMOTIONAL scars this war (and the years of OCCUPATION} have inflicted on them, will never heal.
God help the world in the days and years to come, because NO MAN will.
Posts: 3291 | From: I DO believe in Karma! | Registered: Apr 2002
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