Eye-witness accounts from Gaza
I just received these two eye-witness descriptions of Israel's conduct in Gaza from the journalist Ben White, and I thought you should have a look at them. One is from a doctor in a Gaza hospital, and the other is via a friend of Ben's whose father lives in Gaza.

The numbers of death and injured reported in the media are far below reality as the media is not able to cover incidents as they unfold. I know of cases where homes were surrounded by the Israeli army and people inside gave themselves up and were shot anyway when they exited.

When bakeries open there are thousands lining up to get their share of bread.

A clinic near my hospital was hit by an Israeli missile earlier today.

What is taking place is a massacre, more than a massacre.

Almost all the cases I saw today at the hospital were civilians, many women and children. This is not an attack on Hamas, it is on the most innocent of people in Gaza

6 ambulance staff members have been killed. Two ambulances were hit. Nothing is safe, nowhere is safe. No moving vehicle is safe. We are afraid for our lives. There is no differentiation between Hamas and Fatah or anyone else

We have witnessed weapons we have never seen before in our lives. Some explode in the sky and scatter bombs all over. Sporadically. I have smelt smells from some of the burns and wounds that I have never before witnessed.

We get the feeling no one is asking about us, the world is not even noticing this is going on, no one cares.

Dr Attallah Tarazi, al-Shifaa Hospital, Gaza City
[...] http://leninology.blogspot.com/

I wonder if I should remind him that apart from aerial bomnbardments, tank fire and missile attacks, he and his 110 companions would also face another danger…that's already claimed the lives of 5 Israeli soldiers in Gaza…."friendly fire" from his own side.

Is a bullet from a fellow countryman (or woman) any less painful. Mr Kay would be the only person who'd be able to tell us that…which would make his mission there all the more meaningful!

And, yep, I'd be prepared to contribute towards his fare.

As to sleeping better at night, sleeping's not even an option for the civilians in Gaza …men, women and children..being shelled, bombed and machine-gunned.

As for 15 seconds to run to a shelter, the Palestinians dont have any shelters…when they do seek sanctuary in clearely marked UN buildings that carry flags…are lit up at night and whose GPS positions are known to the Israeli killing machines….they're still attacked. They don't even have a place to flee to.

When do you want me to book your flght, Michael?

Oh…you want time to think about it……….Surprise, surprise.