Key Events

Key Events
Israel invades Gaza (27 June 2006)
According to Israeli PM Ehud Olmert the aim of the invasion — codenamed "Operation Summer Rain" — was "not to mete out punishment but rather to apply pressure so that the abducted soldier will be freed. We want to create a new equation — freeing the abducted soldier in return for lessening the pressure on the Palestinians." Then the systematic destruction of Gaza's civilian infrastructure began... (Added 27 June 2006)

At 11:51PM (Palestine time) on June 27th, Israel launched a large scale military assault on Gaza, as Israeli fighter planes carried out three airstrikes on Gazan bridges. Further strikes against Gazan power plants took place at 1:42AM, sending most of Gaza into darkness. At 2:24AM, Israeli forces began moving into Gaza to take control of the open areas east of Rafah. In the days that followed, the destruction and killing continued.

Overview and Situation Reports

·  Weekly Report of Human Rights Violations, PCHR (10 September 2006)

·  Weekly Report: On Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, PCHR (31 August 2006)

·  Palestinian death toll reaches 202 as 'Operation Summer Rains' extends into its tenth week, OCHA (24 August 2006)

·  Weekly Report of Human Rights Violations, PCHR (17 August 2006)

·  Weekly Report on Human Rights Violations: 26 Palestinians killed, including 6 children, PCHR (10 August 2006)

·  "Sharp decline" in the humanitarian situation in Gaza after six weeks of siege, OCHA (7 August 2006)

·  Reprisals against civilians: Israeli violations in Gaza 25 June-31 July, PCHR (7 August 2006)

·  Almost half the fatalities in Gaza in July were civilians, B'Tselem (5 August 2006)

·  OCHA: 22 Palestinians killed in Gaza in past 36 hours, OCHA (27 July 2006)

·  Weekly Report on Human Rights Violations, PCHR (27 July 2006)

·  Israel killed 31 children in Gaza during the past 31 days, DCI-PS (26 July 2006)

·  Gaza strip Situation Report No. 7, OCHA (18 July 2006)

·  ICRC bulletin - Gaza, ICRC (17 July 2006)

·  ICRC bulletin - Gaza, ICRC (15 July 2006)

·  Gaza Strip Situation Report No. 6, OCHA (12 July 2006)

·  Gaza Strip Situation Report No. 5, OCHA (6 July 2006)

·  Weekly Report on Human Rights Violations, PCHR (6 July 2006)

·  Gaza Strip Situation Report, OCHA (4 July 2006)

·  Weekly Report on Human Rights Violations, PCHR (29 June 2006)

·  Israel invades Gaza, Nigel Parry (27 June 2006)

·  Photostory: Israel invades Gaza (27 June 2006), Maan Images


Opinion and Analysis

·  Genocide in Gaza, Ilan Pappe (2 September 2006)

·  Israel's deceptions as a way of life, Jonathan Cook (31 August 2006)

·  Deepening the fault lines, Omar Yousef Shehabi (13 August 2006)

·  In search of a true humanity, Jeff Handmaker and Bangani Ngeleza (12 August 2006)

·  The refugees' fury will be felt for generations to come, Karma Nablusi (7 August 2006)

·  Not in My Name, Nour Odeh (30 July 2006)

·  Israel's long-standing practice of unlawful collective punishment, Shane Darcy (26 July 2006)

·  International Crisis Group: Only diplomacy can defuse the crisis in the Middle East, International Crisis Group (26 July 2006)

·  Who condemns the vicitimizer?, Maarten Jan Hijmans and Fadi Hirzalla (25 July 2006)

·  Another Act in the Mizrahi-Palestinian Tragedy, Reuven Abarjel and Smadar Lavie (24 July 2006)

·  Israel's Catastrophe, Ali Abunimah (23 July 2006)

·  The failure of Israeli unilateralism, Manual Hassassian (22 July 2006)

·  Israel's long roll call of dishonour, Jonathan Cook (20 July 2006)

·  The Politics of Proportionality, Remi Kenazi (20 July 2006)

·  Atrocities in the Promised Land, Kathleen Christison (19 July 2006)

·  Tax dollars sent to Israel buy enemies for US, Ahmed M. Rehab (18 July 2006)

·  Gilbert Achcar: Israel's Dual Onslaught On Lebanon And Palestine, Interviewed by Paola Mirenda, Liberazione (16 July 2006)

·  The Army Wants Action: The great fiasco, Ran HaCohen (16 July 2006)

·  What are they fighting for?, Tanya Reinhart (14 July 2006)

·  Israel should seek wise enemies, Hasan Abu Nimah (13 July 2006)

·  Aggression under false pretenses, Ismail Haniya (12 July 2006)

·  Mohammad Az Zanoun and the Spirit of Nonviolent Resistance, Nigel Parry (8 July 2006)

·  Globalizing the Occupation, Jamal Juma' (8 July 2006)

·  Beware of Democracy, Rifat Odeh Kassis (6 July 2006)

·  Israel's experiment in human despair, Jonathan Cook (6 July 2006)

·  Fight or Flight? History Repeats Itself in Gaza, Jake Bower (6 July 2006)

·  Why It Rains: Hamas holding “Israeli” gas reserves hostage, Jake Bower (5 July 2006)

·  Israel's path to self-destruction, Hasan Abu Nimah (5 July 2006)

·  Stop Collective Punishment in Gaza, PCHR-I (3 July 2006)

·  Democracy Can't be Hijacked, Roni Ben Efrat, Challenge magazine (2 July 2006)

·  Palestinians Prepare for Peace While Israel Practices War, Raji Sourani (2 July 2006)

·  Collective Punishment Will Not Work, Eugene Bird, CNI (30 June 2006)


Multimedia

·  Video: DC marches in mock funeral procession against Israeli assaults, The Electronic Intifada (28 July 2006)

·  Radio Tadamon! Israel Attacks Gaza & Lebanon, Radio Tadamon! (21 July 2006)

·  "But it's Israel!" Fox News crew shot at by Israeli troops, Video, FOX News (14 July 2006)

·  Photostory: Mohammed Az Zanoun's Images of Gaza Under Siege, Ma'an Images (8 July 2006)

·  Where the US media dare not go: UK Channel 4 nails Israel over Gaza (5 July 2006)

·  EI speaks about Gaza Invasion on Flashpoints Radio, Audio, Pacifica Radio (1 July 2006)

·  Gaza Invasion: EI and Shlomo Ben Ami on Democracy Now, Report, Democracy Now! (28 June 2006)


Diaries

·  One year after disengagement, ghosts remain, Rami Elmeghari (12 September 2006)

·  Electricity in Gaza: Another Victim of Israeli 'Summer Rains', Rami Elmeghari writing from the Occupied Gaza Strip (31 August 2006)

·  A moving dark cloud, Rami Almeghari writing from occupied Palestine (18 August 2006)

·  Israeli 'Summer Rains' continue to fall hard on Gaza, Rami Almeghari writing from Shouka, Gaza Strip (14 August 2006)

·  Photostory: Refugees forced from their homes by Israeli shelling, Motasem A. Dalloul writing from northern Gaza (10 August 2006)

·  Israel's rain of missiles on Gaza and Tae'er's legs, Mohammed Omer writing from Gaza (8 August 2006)

 

·  Yousuf was no longer there, Rami Almeghari writing from Maghazi refugee camp (1 August 2006)

·  "We suffer together, we leave together", Fida Qishta writing from Rafah (31 July 2006)

·  Terrorist Donkey Joins Family in Death, Sami Abu Salem writing from Beit Lahia (25 July 2006)

·  Gaza under darkness, Rami Almeghari writing from Maghazi refugee camp (17 July 2006)

·  Can You Describe Your Emotions when a Missile Falls Beside Your Baby?, Sami Abu Salem writing from Jabalia Refugee Camp (17 July 2006)

·  Hands full of empty words in Chicago, Lora Gordon writing from Chicago (15 July 2006)

·  Just Returned from Lebanon: TARFU, Clayton Swisher writing from Washington, DC (13 July 2006)

·  Gaza repeated, ad infinitum, Nora Barrows-Friedman writing from Deheisheh Refugee Camp, occupied Palestine (13 July 2006)

·  Beautiful Madness, Am Johal writing from Haifa, Israel (13 July 2006)

·  Dear friends: Gaza is in Darkness, Cherifa Sirry writing from Cairo, Egypt (12 July 2006)

·  Two Weeks, and Counting, Yumi Terahata writing from Rafah, occupied Gaza (11 July 2006)

·  "Summer Rains are a Good Blessing", Rami Almeghari writing from Gaza, occupied Palestine (10 July 2006)

·  The games children play in Gaza, Rami Almeghari writing from Gaza, occupied Palestine (2 July 2006)

·  Gaza under large-scale attack, Mona Elfarra writing from Gaza, occupied Palestine (28 June 2006)

·  Bracing for the worst: Electricity cut off, bridges bombed, sonic boom attacks resume, Laila El-Haddad writing from North Carolina (28 June 2006)

·  When will Israel learn? Rifat Odeh Kassis writing from Occupied Palestine (28 June 2006)


Closure of Gaza

·  Gaza shelves bare, IRIN (11 September 2006)

·  Palestinians in Gaza largely cut off from outside world, IRIN (6 September 2006)

·  Staple foods in short supply, IRIN (4 September 2006)

·  Urgent letter to the EU regarding Rafah Crossing, Al Mezan (30 August 2006)

·  Rafah crossing closed after being open lass than 7 hours in 2 days, PCHR (13 August 2006)

·  EU Monitors at Rafah contribute to the strangulation and deprivation of Gaza, PCHR (3 August 2006)

·  Palestinian children hit hardest in ongoing Gaza crisis, Sabine Dolan (26 July 2006)

·  Response to petition to Israeli high court: 48 hours for Rafah crisis solution, PCHR (12 July 2006)

·  Dozens of Medical Patients and Hundreds of Gaza Strip Residents Suffering Harsh Humanitarian Conditions due to the Closure of Rafah International Crossing Point, PCHR (4 July 2006)


Health and Development

·  Students face challenges as new school year begins in Gaza and the West Bank, Jane O'Brien (4 August 2006)

·  Staple foods in short supply, IRIN (4 September 2006)

·  Gaza siege causing major health crisis, IRIN (29 August 2006)

·  The situation in the Gaza Strip remains "extremely volatile" - Red Cross, (9 August 2006)

·  Crisis worsens Gaza's already severe water shortage, Sabine Dolan (8 August 2006)

·  Hospitals in Gaza overwhelmed and running out of supplies, Merlin (8 August 2006)

·  "Sharp decline" in the humanitarian situation in Gaza after six weeks of siege, OCHA (7 August 2006)

·  UN Agencies: Deeply alarmed by continuing violence in Gaza, UN humanitarian agencies (3 August 2006)

·  Gaza crisis must not be forgotten, UNICEF says, UN News (1 August 2006)

·  Statement of Concern for the Public Health Situation in Gaza, Canadian health professionals (31 July 2006)

·  Illness among children in Gaza rising dramatically - Swedish Sida increases humanitarian support, SIDA (25 July 2006)

·  PRCS condemns attacks on health organizations and PRCS staff, PRCS (19 July 2006)

·  Gaza: Survey regarding the consequences of the Israeli incursion, Medicins du Monde (14 July 2006)

·  Joint statement on humanitarian situation in Palestinian territory, Various (14 July 2006)

·  Dozens of Medical Patients and Hundreds of Gaza Strip Residents Suffering Harsh Humanitarian Conditions due to the Closure of Rafah International Crossing Point, PCHR (4 July 2006)

·  Environmental crisis will soon erupt in Gaza, PENGO (4 July 2006)

·  PCHR Warns of a Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip, PCHR (2 July 2006)

·  Palestinian parliamentarian warns of severe public health and humanitarian disaster facing Gaza, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi (30 June 2006)


House Demolitions and Targeting of Civilian Infrastructure

·  Powerless in Gaza, IRIN (11 September 2006)

·  UNDP Estimates Gaza Infrastructure Damage to be US$46 million in the Past Two Months, UNDP (6 September 2006)

·  The systematic destruction of Palestinian homes, Al-Mezan (15 August 2006)

·  Father and son killed and nine homes destroyed in Beit Hanoun, PCHR (3 September 2006)

·  Prior warning does not justify targeting civilian property, PCHR (26 July 2006)

·  IOF Offensive Continues in Gaza: 3 Palestinians Killed and 10 Wounded, Infrastructure Destroyed, PCHR (15 July 2006)

·  IOF Offensive Continues in the Gaza Strip: Eleven More Palestinians Killed; Civilian Property Destroyed; Medical and Media Crews Attacked, Report, PCHR (8 July 2006)

·  Israeli Attacks on Educational Institutions in the Gaza Strip Violate International Law, Al-Haq and Al Mezan (6 July 2006)

·  Israeli Occupation Forces Destroy the Ministry of Interior Building and a School in Further Aerial Attacks on the Gaza Strip, PCHR (5 July 2006)

·  Israeli Occupation Forces Bombard the Islamic University of Gaza for Second Time in One Week, PCHR (4 July 2006)

·  Gaza invasion targets civilian infrastructure, Christian Aid (29 June 2006)


Human Rights Violations

·  Refugees displaced by military offensive, IRIN (7 September 2006)

·  Gaza: Four killed and 27 injured in two extra-judicial executions in two hours, PCHR (6 September 2006)

·  Father and son killed and nine homes destroyed in Beit Hanoun, PCHR (3 September 2006)

·  Six Palestinians killed in escalating IOF offensive on Gaza Strip, Al Mezan (28 August 2006)

·  3 Palestinian civilians killed by IOF in the West Bank, PCHR (20 August 2006)

·  Elderly Palestinian and His Son Killed when IOR Bombard their House, PCHR (16 August 2006)

·  Three Palestinian Civilians Killed and 3 Others Wounded in North Gaza, PCHR (15 August 2006)

·  Are New Weapons Being Used in Gaza and Lebanon, David Halpin (14 August 2006)

·  More children killed in Rafah, PCHR (5 August 2006)

·  UN reports increase in Israeli shells fired into Gaza, UN News (3 August 2006)

·  IOF Kill 8 Palestinians in Rafah, including a child, and injure 20 others, PCHR (3 August 2006)

·  Woman and Child Killed by IOF Bombardment in Beit Hanoun, PCHR (1 August 2006)

·  Israel's war crimes continue unhindered in Lebanon and Gaza, Arab Association for Human Rights (31 July 2006)

·  Mother and Two Children Killed in Israeli Attack on Gaza, Sami Abu Salem (31 July 2006)

·  12 Palestinians killed and 58 injured in escalating IOF offensife in Gaza, Al Mezan (26 July 2006)

·  IOF Involvement in the Murder of 3 Members of Hajjaj Family, 8 July 2006), PCHR (26 July 2006)

·  11 Palestinians Killed, Including child, and 45 Injured in Gaza, PCHR (26 July 2006)

·  Five Palestinian Civilians Killed in Northern Gaza Strip, PCHR (24 July 2006)

·  Israeli soldiers use civilians as human shields in Beit Hanun, B'Tselem (20 July 2006)

·  PRCS condemns attacks on health organizations and PRCS staff, PRCS (19 July 2006)

·  IOF Attack El-Maghazi Refugee Camp in Gaza and Raid Nablus, PCHR (19 July 2006)

·  Israeli War Crimes Continue in Gaza: 4 Palestinians killed and 10 injured, PCHR (16 July 2006)

·  IOF Offensive Continues in Gaza: 3 Palestinians Killed and 10 Wounded, Infrastructure Destroyed, PCHR (15 July 2006)

·  Palestinian injuries suggest Israel is using chemical weapons in Gaza, Ma'an (11 July 2006)

·  IOF Continue to Target Civilians in the Gaza Strip: 3 Children Killed and another Seriously Injured in an Air Raid on Beit Hanoun, PCHR (11 July 2006)

·  Al-Mezan's urgent appeal for action regarding Israel's siege on the Gaza Strip, Appeal, Al-Mezan (10 July 2006)

·  Palestinian Family Members Killed and Injured in the Latest Israeli Military Escalation in the Gaza Strip, PCHR (9 July 2006)

·  PNGO statement of condemnation of Israeli attack on north Gaza and a call on the international community for intervention, PNGO (8 July 2006)

·  Israel's Attacks on Gaza, CNI (8 July 2006)

·  IOF Offensive Continues in the Gaza Strip: Eleven More Palestinians Killed; Civilian Property Destroyed; Medical and Media Crews Attacked, Report, PCHR (8 July 2006)

·  Bloody Day of Violence: 24 Palestinians killed by Israeli Occupation Forces in the Gaza Strip and 2 killed in the West Bank, 115 others injured, Report, PCHR (7 July 2006)

·  Israeli air strikes and incursions into Gaza kill at least nineteen Palestinians, Maan News Agency (6 July 2006)

·  Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Intensify the Aggression of the Gaza Strip and Continue Reprisals against Palestinian Civilians, PCHR (2 July 2006)

·  Two Palestinians Killed and 22 Others Wounded: IOF Escalate Policies of Retaliation against Palestinian civilian Population in the Gaza Strip, PCHR (30 June 2006)

·  Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Carry Out Reprisals against Palestinian Civilians in the West Bank, PCHR (29 June 2006)

·  Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) Punish Palestinian Civilians in the Gaza Strip, PCHR (28 June 2006)


Attacks and Restrictions on the Press

·  Abducted Fox News journalists freed, Israeli air strike on Reuters vehicle in Gaza, RSF (27 August 2006)

·  Call for release of two Fox News journalists kidnapped in Gaza, Reporters Without Borders (15 August 2006)

·  PNA Required to Act Against the Kidnapping of Internationals and Attacking of International Organizations, PCHR (15 August 2006)

·  Shot Ma'an photographer Mohammad Az Zanoun leaves hospital after three weeks of treatment, Ma'an (31 July 2006)

·  Palestine TV cameraman targeted by Israeli tank in Gaza, CPJ (27 July 2006)

·  Cameraman seriously injured in targeted attack by Israeli army on journalists in Gaza, RSF (26 July 2006)

·  "But it's Israel!" Fox News crew shot at by Israeli troops, Video, FOX News (14 July 2006)

·  Editors, journalists and media executives condemn shooting of two Palestinian photographers, IPI (10 July 2006)

·  Ma'an news agency Gaza photographer shot and seriously injured, Ma'an (8 July 2006)

·  IOF Offensive Continues in the Gaza Strip: Eleven More Palestinians Killed; Civilian Property Destroyed; Medical and Media Crews Attacked, Report, PCHR (8 July 2006)

·  Israeli authorities restrict Gaza press access, CPJ (27 June 2006)


International Reactions & Protest

·  U.N. refugee official says Gaza's residents deserve protection, UN DIP (8 September 2006)

·  Decrying civilian deaths in Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Annan urges parties to talk, UN News (9 August 2006)

·  Edinburgh International Film Festival Returns Israeli Money in response to Boycott Plans, various (2 August 2006)

·  Bay Area Queers: World Pride Should Be Canceled, QUIT! (31 July 2006)

·  Children of Dheisheh refugee camp demonstrate against Israeli assault, Ibdaa Cultural Center (31 July 2006)

·  Protesters Rally in London in Outrage over Qana and Continued Israeli Crimes, Mary Nazzal-Batayneh (30 July 2006)

·  Photostory: Gaza protests Israel's assault on Lebanon, Electronic Intifada (30 July 2006)

·  1,500 Protesters March Across Brooklyn Bridge, Patrick O'Connor (29 July 2006)

·  Photostory: Hundreds Protest U.S. Aid to Israel in Front of San Francisco Senator's Office, Electronic Intifada (28 July 2006)

·  Mereyside trade unionists call for sanctions against Israeli invasions of Lebanon, Gaza, SLD (28 July 2006)

·  Greece swings into action against Israel's assault on Gaza and Lebanon, Electronic Intifada (26 July 2006)

·  Ramallah to Rice: "Screw your 'New Middle East'!", Electronic Intifada (26 July 2006)

·  Protests against Israeli aggression all over Europe, Adri Nieuwhof (25 July 2006)

·  Photostory: Montreal Mobilizes Against Israeli Attacks, Darren Ell (23 July 2006)

·  Chicago protests Israel's attacks on Lebanon and the Palestinians, Maureen Clare Murphy (23 July 2006)

·  Letter to Palestinain and Lebanese filmmakers from Israeli filmmakers, various undersigned (22 July 2006)

·  UN Human Rights Experts: Protect the rights of civilians, UNHRC (21 July 2006)

·  UN must take immediate action to protect civilians, International Commission of Jurists (21 July 2006)

·  Film festival drops Israel as sponsor to protest attack, Jim Quilty (21 July 2006)

·  International Day of Action Against Israeli Aggression, Tadamon (20 July 2006)

·  Emergency demonstrations in the UK, STWC (20 July 2006)

·  South African lawyers condemn Israel's flagrant breach of humanitarian law, NADEL (20 July 2006)

·  UN health rights expert: Independent enquiry into allged war crime in Gaza, UNHRC (19 July 2006)

·  1,500 New Yorkers Demand End to Israel's Attacks on Lebanon and Palestine, Patrick O'Connor (18 July 2006)

·  Boycott Israel to Stop its War Crimes in Lebanon and Gaza!, Palestinian Civil Society Campaign for BDS against Israel (18 July 2006)

·  Hundreds march in Dublin for Palestinian rights, David Landy (13 July 2006)

·  Beirut: Protest aims to show support for Palestinians, Stefan Christoff (11 July 2006)

·  Editors, journalists and media executives condemn shooting of two Palestinian photographers, IPI (11 July 2006)

·  Palestinian Child Demands Protection for the Palestinian People at the UN, Riham Barghouti (8 July 2006)

·  President Bush: AWOL (Again) in Gaza, Eugene Bird, CNI (8 July 2006)

·  United Nations Human Rights Council, special session resolution S-1/Res. 1 (6 July 2006)

·  Green Party MEP: EU 'imbalance' over Israel pushing Palestine to humanitarian brink, warns Lucas Press Release, Green Party (5 July 2006)

·  NY Green candidate for US Senate: Stop Israel's attacks on Gaza, Press Release, Green Party (2 July 2006)

·  Deafening silence from Ireland and the European Union on arrest of elected politicians and incursions into Gaza condemned, Michael D. Higgins (30 June 2006)

·  Irish MP: Israel an "abhorrent and despicable" regime, Sinn Fein (30 June 2006)

·  Annan calls on both Palestinians and Israelis to take measures to defuse crisis, UN News (29 June 2006)

·  UN-sponsored meeting calls on Israel to pull out of Gaza, Palestinians to stop rockets, UN News (28 June 2006)

·  Secretary-General calls for ‘maximum restraint’ in Israeli-Palestinian flare-up, UN News (28 June 2006)


Media Coverage

·  MaanNews (Palestine)

·  Ha'aretz (Israel)


Media Analysis

·  Behind the media's Gazan blind spot, Nigel Parry (9 August 2006)

·  Dovetailing violence, Zachary Wales (21 July 2006)

·  "Because this is the Middle East", FAIR (20 July 2006)

·  NY Times: Arab leaders to blame, fair game for assassination, Patrick O'Connor (15 July 2006)

·  Are Israeli lives worth more than Palestinian? Press Release, Arab Media Watch (7 July 2006)

·  Crisis in US Media Coverage of Gaza, Patrick O'Connor (5 July 2006)

·  Looking for Shalit, Zachary Wales (1 July 2006)

·  'Escalation', 'retaliation' and BBC double standards in Gaza, Jonathan Cook (26 June 2006)


Related Links

·  BY TOPIC: Massacres in Gaza (June 2006)