first published in Haaretz, 27/08/2006
UN: 202 Palestinians killed since operation 'Summer Rain'
By Itim
A new United Nations report claims that Israel Defense Forces soldiers have killed 202 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Operation "Summer Rain," launched in the wake of the abduction of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in June. The report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the territories also says that 44 children are among the dead.The authors of the report claim that the military operation, which has lasted about two months, is still taking a severe toll on 1.4 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
According to the report, thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes following continuing IDF incursions into the Strip and heavy shelling. The report states that since the operation began, the Israel Air Force has conducted 247 aerial assaults in Gaza. During the same period, one IDF soldier was killed and 26 Israelis were wounded.Refering to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the report states that because of the complete closure on the Karni crossing, the sole commercial crossing between Israel and Gaza, only limited amounts of provisions have entered the Strip in the last ten days.
According to the report, Israel has destroyed 120 structures, including homes and shops, and damaged 160 additional structures. The UN Development Program reports that the electricity grid and the bridges in the Gaza Strip have suffered the most damage. The program estimates that the damage Israel has caused to the electricity network stands at about $1.8 million. Consequently, more than a million people have been left with no regular supply of water and electricity.
Since August 15, no humanitarian aid has passed the Karni crossing, closed by Israel for security reasons. On August 23, the Sufa crossing was opened as an alternative route for the provision of aid and food supplies.
UN: 202 Palestinians killed since operation 'Summer Rain'
By Itim
A new United Nations report claims that Israel Defense Forces soldiers have killed 202 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Operation "Summer Rain," launched in the wake of the abduction of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in June. The report by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the territories also says that 44 children are among the dead.The authors of the report claim that the military operation, which has lasted about two months, is still taking a severe toll on 1.4 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
According to the report, thousands of Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes following continuing IDF incursions into the Strip and heavy shelling. The report states that since the operation began, the Israel Air Force has conducted 247 aerial assaults in Gaza. During the same period, one IDF soldier was killed and 26 Israelis were wounded.Refering to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, the report states that because of the complete closure on the Karni crossing, the sole commercial crossing between Israel and Gaza, only limited amounts of provisions have entered the Strip in the last ten days.
According to the report, Israel has destroyed 120 structures, including homes and shops, and damaged 160 additional structures. The UN Development Program reports that the electricity grid and the bridges in the Gaza Strip have suffered the most damage. The program estimates that the damage Israel has caused to the electricity network stands at about $1.8 million. Consequently, more than a million people have been left with no regular supply of water and electricity.
Since August 15, no humanitarian aid has passed the Karni crossing, closed by Israel for security reasons. On August 23, the Sufa crossing was opened as an alternative route for the provision of aid and food supplies.