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Name
Rasha
-
Profession
Question
In Brief, describe what is going on now on the ground after the massacre?
Answer
Dr. Mona Elfaraa:
On the ground there is limited help coming.The situation is really grim.
I see mothers missing their children, in the area around the central mosque, I saw terrified children who have been subjected to bombings for over 6 years now. I see lack of electricity, of water supply and of food. So the situation is very hard for everyone.
I have seen people who are treating handicaps and are suffering for it from what is happening. I see people who are in desperate need of support from us; any kind of support is needed.
We need support in humanitarian aid, but what we need at the end is a good understanding of what is going on now and to achieve our human rights as a nation.
While I was visiting communities who are homeless after the bombing, in the sky I could still hear the Israeli drones. I could still hear airships monitoring the air.
I want to tell you a story from Beith Hanoun
I met a woman there who was trying to give birth. She was trying to go to the nearest hospital but she was not allowed to leave unless she had permits. While she was waiting for these permits she gave birth to her baby in the street. She was then taken to hospital, and later on she came back after giving birth and found her home completely demolished in the bombing. It was completely destroyed.
I never forget this massacre. It was 5 AM and we were confined to one room because the operation was continuing to Beit Hanon despite the withdrawal. At 5:30, we found this big building with many families – brothers and sisters- was attacked. Causalities started to arrive to our hospital, as other hospitals in the area.
This is what happened. Many children were then found dead under the shelling. Others from the surrounding areas who were trying to rescue people were hit and killed.
I saw this story myself, a man was killed and his mother and sister were injured. Another man saw them and left his wife to go back and try to save the 2 women. He went to rescue them but a shell ht him and killed him as well as the mother and sister he was trying to rescue leaving his wife a widow.
Yousef Al Helou:
Well, Palestinians living bad situations due to the continuous Israeli attacks, the massacre in Beit Hanun is not the first and will not be the last , people are passing through pain and there is despair that the occupation is still controlling the Gaza strip even after they left last sep 2005
I remembered the massacre now, the Israeli army continued its attack and aggression, 3 people have been killed by Israeli fire while they were working in their fields, 3 people have martyred due to wounds sustained the last massacre, last night Israeli apache helicopter stroke a house in Gaza , claiming that is being used for storing weapons , also the unmanned drones still hovering the skies of the Gaza strip, spying.
Name
hasnaa
- Egypt
Profession
Question
I don't think we are able to do any thing for our fellow brothers in Palestine or any other Muslim country ,we can't save them or even defending them we just lament the action when its over. do you think we can do any thing except talking? are we capable of taking any action? in the current time ,I don't think so
Answer
Yousef Al Helou:
Yes, Muslims and Arabs can do many things, to pressure their governments to break the siege imposed on the Palestinians. Also all Arab countries specially Egypt and Muslim countries must withdraw their ambassadors and asked the Israeli ambassadors to leave. we need to activite the weapon of Boycott, boycotting Israeli -American goods, academic boycott.
we address freedom for all peoples living in this world. We call freedom and liberty for all...
Dr. Mona Elfaraa:
Yes, there is a lot that can be done. First, supporting the Palestinian case. We in Palestine feel very bitter towards the international community. We know that people are different from governments but the people can have a voice. This is something shameful to the whole world, not just the Arab world.
Name
ali
- Canada
Profession
khan
Question
How do u view recent announcement by Arab govs to break economic blockade of Palestine? Will it help alleviate some of the suffering or do u think their announcement is just more for the crowd?
Answer
Dr. Mona Elfaraa:
I think it might elevate some of the suffering. We are expecting this is the beginning, we are expecting a greater Arabic stance to what is happening in Palestine, but anyway, it is happening right now, and we are hoping it will elevate some of the suffering.
As for expectations, I can't expect anything. Forgive me I live under occupation and for years now my people have been getting slaughtered like sheep while the international community does nothing. But at least now this is an initiative and we hope they carry it through.
I'm being frank, I'm telling you what I and my people feel here in Gaza.
Yousef Al Helou:
It's very weak stance. First, it's too late as they should have taken this decision long time ago. Really, they move so slow to help us. Israel still controls Rafah crossing, the question is: Can Arab leaders do something about it so that Palestinians could receive the help and donations?!
I think Arab leaders participated in this siege by preventing the banks in their countries to reach the Palestinians. I have to say it...Arab leaders let us down!
Name
Mani
-
Profession
Question
US Government used (I think 12 veto ) to protect Israel ..what is next .Palestinian should fight to get their home back.
what the peace negotiation will give them . what about the people who lived in other area , they have the right to get their home and farms .many people are homeless. Where is the way out? How we can all help those who suffer there?
Answer
Dr. Mona Elfaraa:
First, I don't trust anything regarding the USA. For me, the USA means political, economical and military support for Israel. I'm not surprised at their vetoes, especially the last one regarding Beit Hanun.
As for the peace negotiations, I believe these could help. I believe that if the Arab world stands up for some of the USA policies in the area, a lot of change can happen. I can't give expectations; I just give what I hope. But there are a lot of people around the world who are fighting for freedom and to make a better life and are being successful. I believe a lot of things can be done.
Medical supplies and medication for the hospitals are highly needed.
Dr Mariam who works with me in the hospital went to the site of the attack and one of the nurses came back injured. Another 2 colleagues were shot down by the Israelis. So it is very important for the community to talk about the violations of the Israeli army. Keep writing and keep spreading the truth and holding Israel responsible for its actions which go against the Geneva conviction. These things can be done and they are very important I believe, to expose the reality of Israel to the world.
Yousef Al Helou:
the US has issued more than 80 Vetos, 41 of them were in favor of Israel and against Palestinians, we live in unfair world, peace is good thing but are the Israelis ready for that too? if yes then they must recognize our right to have an independent state and to live in freedom, Israelis treats Palestinians like slaves. Palestinians willing to live side by side but if Israel implements the UN resolutions. It seems Israelis far away from peace. That's why the majority of people believe that Israel is a bloody country raised on committing genocide.
Palestinians who live in refugee camps still hope and believe that one day they will return back to their homes. There are about 6 millions live outside Palestine.
Really, Palestine is a holy place including al-quds (Jerusalem) , its not only for Palestinian. It's for people.
So at least send in your donations and support. Can you imagine that We are living in Gaza but can not pray at al-Aqsa mosque although it's only 40 minutes away from here. Arab leaders must boycott the Israel. We urge NGO's and civil socity organizations to speared awareness about the Israeli genocide against Palestinians, we demand the UN to send peace forces. America is strong ally of israel, so their veto means they are participating in this massacre.This is freely my opinion.
Name
sawmeer
- Sri Lanka
Profession
-
Question
Assalamu alaikum,
Why these Muslim countries not give the financial support for Hamas government ? Wassalam
Answer
Dr. Mona Elfaraa:
You can ask the Muslim countries this question.
It's not just the Hamas government; it's all the Palestinians in general…especially during the siege. Hamas government is the democratically elected government. This was promoted by the USA. Now it seems like the world is punishing the Palestinians for their choice which makes it even more complicated.
Where were the Arabic governments at this time? I don't know… I really don't know.
Yousef Al Helou:
Simply because they fear that islamic groups like muslim brotherhood will follow Hamas's footsteps. Also frankly beacsue they don't want to upset USA!!
Name
Salimah
-
Profession
Question
My question is how is the relief work there in Palestine ? how we could help to be in the same line with you?! I could not imagine how people there live in camps under these fearful state!
Answer
Dr. Mona Elfaraa:
You can help by organizing activities to support the relief fund inside Palestine. The fund activities outside Palestine have been very helpful and very successful in supporting the war victims in Palestine.
I'll give you an example. A lot of fund raising is being done to support our hospital in Gaza. People collect money and it is used to help the patients from the shelling. If you can do something like it,that would be very useful, to us or to other hospitals as well.
Without this support we wouldn't be able to continue. The roads are very busy and it's so hard to get even a warm blanket to Beit Hanun right now.
Humanitarian support is very important, but like I said earlier we need political support as well.
I want to comment here, we always encourage breast feeding. But in our circumstances, we do not do that because the health of our women and children is very bad. Baby formula is very welcome in our current circumstances.
Yousef Al Helou:
There are 1000's of the Palestinians specially in refuge camps receive donations and support, 60% of Palestinians rely on charity organizations. just keep the donations coming in, charity organizations doing great jobs, but of course it is not enough. We need people to take responsibility to adopt orphans and provide better education, and make Palestinian children happy
They are doing good job but not enough , we need more donations, we need people to adopt orphans.
Name
Murad
- Bahrain
Profession
Question
salam..
I would like to know the real feelings of an ordinary Palestinian in Gaza and especially in Bait Hanon towards the Arabs and Muslims? Is he/she feels that Muslims and Arabs are not doing enough for their relief?
Answer
Yousef Al Helou:
Of course people are very angry from the Arab and Muslim leaders because they never taken a brave stance towards the Palestine and its people.We know that people in Arab and Muslim countries want to do a lot of things but there many thing prevent.
I heard one person in Beit Hanun said, Arab leaders are careless. he added that, I just wonder:" Are they watching news, can not they see our children, women torn apart?
The Arab weak stance wasnot expected , when will Arab leaders will take brave action? Till When leaders keep only condemning the Israeli massacres and attacks while reacting so slow to help the victims. I call for all to watch what is goning on our land and act freely to help those who died in this battered country.
Name
Host
-
Profession
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank our guests for speaking to Islamonline.net viewers today. We also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We apologize for not being able to accommodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session. We ask our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
