The
Siege Of Gaza Goes On
By John Dugard
05 October 2006
The
Independent
In August last year Israel withdrew
its settlers and armed forces from Gaza, claiming that this brought
to an end 38 years of military occupation. Of course, it did nothing
of the sort. Israel retained power over Gaza by controlling its air
space, sea space and external borders. Sporadic shelling continued,
as did the targeted assassination of militants. Despite this, there
was at least an appearance of disengagement, which Israel could claim
as a major step towards the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict.
On 25 June 2006, a group
of Palestinian militants attacked an Israeli military base near the
Israeli-Egyptian border, which left two Palestinians and two Israelis
dead. In retreating, the Palestinians took Cpl Gilad Shalit hostage
and demanded the release of women and children in Israeli jails in return
for his release. This act, together with the continued firing of Qassam
rockets into Israel, unleashed a savage response, which continues to
this day.
In July, international attention
was diverted from Gaza by Israel's attack on Hizbollah's bases in Lebanon.
Sadly, despite the ending of these hostilities, Israel's war in Gaza
has disappeared from the radar of international concern. Yet it is as
important as the conflict in Lebanon. It highlights the intractability
of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and reveals, yet again, the brutality
of Israel's occupation.
Israel's attack on Gaza has
taken several forms. On the military front, it has made repeated incursions
in which both militants and civilians have been killed. Targeted assassinations
have continued, accompanied by "collateral damage" - the name
Israel gives to the indiscriminate killing of civilians who happen to
be in the proximity.
The Israeli Air Force has
bombed all six transformers of the only domestic power plant in Gaza.
Since then, the power supply has been substantially reduced. Generators
are used to operate X-ray departments and operating theatres. Perishable
food cannot be preserved.
Poverty in Gaza stands at
75 per cent. Food prices have inflated and sugar, dairy products and
milk are low as commercial supplies from Israel are limited. Fish is
no longer available as a result of Israel's sea blockade.
Gaza's border crossings,
for persons to Egypt, and for goods to Israel, have been mostly closed
since 25 June. This has brought to a virtual end the export of produce;
and drastically limited the import of foodstuffs and other goods.
Israel justifies its actions
as a security operation designed to put an end to the firing of Qassam
rockets into Israel and as pressure aimed at securing the release of
Cpl Shalit. Israel's actions, in these circumstances, have been excessive.
In short, the people of Gaza
have been subjected to collective punishment in clear violation of article
33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. For what? Surely not for sporadic
Qassam rocket fire and the capture of Cpl Shalit? Instead, it seems
the people of Gaza are being punished for having elected a Hamas government
earlier this year.
Regime change, rather than
security, probably explains Israel's punishment of Gaza. Whatever the
reason, Gaza deserves more attention from the international community.
John Dugard is
special rapporteur to the Human Rights Council on the situation of human
rights in occupied Palestinian territory
© 2006 Independent News and Media Limited
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