Friends Taken By A "Hideous Attack", A Report From A Gazan U.N. School
(Jabalian Refugee Camp in North Gaza-1/21/2009)
http://www.asahi.com/international/update/0120/TKY200901200374.html
On the 6th in the Palestinian city of Gaza, The Israeli Army attacked a U.N. organized school and neighborhood, 46 lives were lost. I visited that spot on the 20th. Israel claims it was a counterattack against Hamas firing mortars from inside the school building. The school staff and refugees however, maintain that it was "an cruel attack without discrimination."
In the north Gaza city of Jabala, there is a refugee camp which contains Alfoahola School. It has many refugees whose friends were lost in Israeli attacks, they number at around 1,920.
"We thought because it is a UN School it would be safe". Yasser Malfou (35 years old) escaped with his family from Beit Lahia (3 Kilometers to the North) on the 5th. Around 3:45 a.m., the Israeli Army's F16 Fighters were flying at low altitude around the school. As soon as they believed more unmanned fighter jets were flying, areas around the school were successively bombed. Israel was conducting an aerial attack.
The blast sent many fragments flying, one of them tearing the leg of Malfou's 16 year old daughter, Maha. She was instantly killed with her 11 year old brother Haidal, who's whole body was covered by flying fragments.
43 year old Basam Salha along with the rest of the panicked group were new to such experiences. On the school side road which was bombed, scores of corpses were found including those of students. Salha said with indignation, "I've been at this school for 8 years but it has adehered by the U.N. rules of no combatants and weaponry. And at any rate, this was a school housing refugees so how could they fire mortars at us?".
On the same day around 6 a.m., other bombings in the vicinity occurred. 27 year old refugee Sami Gabun said; "I thought I heard large booms and saw bright flashes." There were countless streams of white smoke and shining fragments falling from the sky. Many felt sick from all the white smoke and couldn't breathe. The refugees went running, some they had huge burns, others couldn't see. Refugees suspect it could be the internationally criticized White Phosphorus.
Two bombs also made a direct hit on nearby homes. It ripped huge holes in walls, killing 19 year old Fedal Deibu and his 38 year old mother. On the rooftop flew a yellow flag, signifying opposition to Hamas and affiliation or support of moderate faction Fatah. Deib cynically states; "The Hamas base is over three kilometers from here. With the accuracy of Israeli guided missiles, it was definitely an evil act".
According to the school personnel, a total of 46 people (3 in the school and 43 around it) were killed. With 863 people left in the school, no plans have been made to resume instruction.
Asahi Shinbun
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