GAZA CITY — The slow-pace of Israel's onslaught
against the impoverished Gaza Strip is aimed at diverting
international attention from long-term havoc wrecked on Palestinian
infrastructure and also laying more psychological pressures on the
Palestinians, experts believe.
"It is a gradual destruction of the
Palestinian infrastructure to avoid international outrage that could
otherwise be provoked," Iyad Al-Barghouthi, professor of
political sciences in An-Najah University in Nablus, told
IslamOnline.net on Monday, July 3.
He said Israel feels "very cozy" in
prolonging its onslaught.
"If we are to inspect the damage done to the
Palestinian infrastructure over the past few days, we will discover a
disaster in the broad sense of the word," added the expert.
"It will take long years and millions of
dollars to repair and restore what has been destroyed by Israel."
Israel launched its offensive on Wednesday, June
28, destroying the Gaza Strip main power plant, three main bridges,
water pipes, schools, universities, football pitches, tombs and the
office of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya.
The Gaza Electrical Distribution Company estimates
it will take nine months to repair the damage done to the main power
station and could cost up to $15 million.
Israeli tanks and bulldozers also devastated vast
swathes of olive trees, a main source of income to the Palestinian
farmers.
About 5,000 troops and columns of Israeli tanks are
stationed on the Gaza border in the largest Israeli offensive since it
pulled out of the tiny coastal territory last September, ending a
38-year-occupation.
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"You go to bed not knowing
whether you and your family would see the light again," said
a Palestinian father. (Reuters)
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Ashraf Al-Ajrami, a political analyst, said Israel
has made it clear that the offensive could last for weeks or months,
which proves its ill intentions.
"Israel is making the best of the prisoner
issue, using it as a pretext to destroy the Palestinian
infrastructure," he told IOL.
"This slow destruction of the infrastructure
threatens the existence of a viable Palestinian state in the
future," warned the expert.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan expressed on
Sunday, July 2, concern at the excessive use of force by Israel.
"I remain very concerned about the need to
preserve Palestinian institutions and infrastructure," he said.
"They will be the basis for an eventual two
state solution and that's in the interest of both Israel and the
Palestinians."
US Backing
Hani Al-Masri, a political analyst and a writer,
said Israel would not heed international reaction to its aggressions
as long as it is has a green light from its US ally.
"Israel doesn't care about international
condemnation of its actions as it is fully backed by Washington,"
he said.
The Bush administration US has vetoed countless UN
resolutions condemning Israeli atrocities in the occupied Palestinian
territories.
"Israel has a carte blanche from the US to do
whatever it takes to free the soldier, and consequently it would carry
on with its offensive paying no heed to the international
community," agreed Barghouthi.
The White House has reiterated support to
Israel’s Gaza offensive, while the European Union called on both
sides to pull back from the brink.
"Israel has the right to defend itself and the
lives of its citizens," White House spokesman Tony Snow told
reporters last week.
But he put Israel on guard.
"In any actions the government of Israel may
undertake, the US urges that it ensures that innocent civilians are
not harmed and also that it avoid the unnecessary destruction of
property and infrastructure," he said.
"But Israel's slow destruction of the
infrastructure makes it appeared as if it was displaying
restraint," averred Masri.
Psychological Warfare
Pundits further believe that Israel is mounting a
psychological warfare against ordinary Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,
who do not know what future holds for them.
It is terrorizing civilians with sonic booms, which
the Palestinian health ministry is blaming for countless heart
problems, as well as night-time raids and on-and-off artillery
shelling.
The United Nations has demanded an end to the
tactic, saying it causes panic attacks in children.
The shockwaves have also damaged buildings by
cracking walls and smashing thousands of windows.
Over the past days, hospitals, schools, university
campuses, soccer fields, TV stations, cultural centers and charities
were also targeted by Israeli warplanes.
Israel has made mafia-like abductions of cabinet
ministers, mayors and parliamentarians.
"You go to bed not knowing whether you and
your family would see the light again," said a Palestinian
father.
