Photo of youth at Erez crossing by Johnny Barber
I have returned from Beit Hanoun [in northern Gaza]. A terrible day. I spent the early afternoon at a demonstration attended by several thousand people. The Hamas authorities refused to allow the people to march to the border and clashes broke out with the police. The police beat several people with clubs.
When we finally found a way to get around the Hamas cordon, we found shebab (kids from roughly the age of 12 to 25) at Erez Crossing. They were throwing stones at the Israeli side of the crossing. Tires were on fire and several kids were pulling the concertina wire away from the crossing. Every so often, the Israeli soldiers in the watchtower would shoot..
[Official reports say one Palestinian youth was killed.] So far 2 killed, 20+ shot, several in critical condition. I put down my camera to try and help with casualties, but as each kid got shot a huge chaotic crowd formed around them as they were rushed to motorcycles which ferried them to the Palestinian side of the crossing and waiting ambulances.
The rock throwing continues, the casualties will go up. Thinking about oppression & resistance. Thinking about peace…
Thanks Johnny Barber.
Here is another frank look from Gaza:
http://palsolidarity.org/2012/03/the-march-from-erez-to-the-iron-doors-of-al-aqsa/
oh my. when will this ever end.
idf supporters will say something like “see how much restraint the idf employs, what with only 2 rock throwers having been shot dead? were the idf’s soldiers the barbarians that israel-haters claim they are, they’d have slaughtered every one of those vicious young terrorists.”