Israeli tanks have besieged two of the most important hospitals still partially functioning in southern Gaza: Nasser and Al-Amal. Both are located in the western part of Khan Younis, and have been overwhelmed since the war began not only with the influx of patients but also with families seeking shelter after having been displaced from the northern parts of the Strip. Israeli forces opened fire at the more than 8,000 displaced people sheltering in the vicinity of Nasser Hospital, and bulldozed graves in the adjacent cemetery — one of at least 16 cemeteries that Israel has desecrated during its operation in Gaza.
Israeli tanks also penetrated the vicinity of Al-Aqsa University at the western edge of the city, near the previously designated “safe zone” of Al-Mawasi; targeted the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Training Center, one of the largest shelters in all of Gaza which had been accommodating up to 40,000 displaced people; and completely surrounded the western part of Khan Younis refugee camp.
According to testimonies from Palestinians who have made the journey, including one of the authors, those passing through the corridor were forced to chant slogans against Hamas; many had their belongings confiscated; and men were separated from their families, stripped, and subjected to hours of physical abuse and deprivation. All the while, thousands remain trapped inside Khan Younis, unable to leave their shelters out of fear of being shot on the streets.
Ibtisam’s testimony
At the first checkpoint, we were ordered to raise our identity cards for photographing by a soldier, while tanks moved menacingly toward us. We continued on to the second, where the army separated men from women and instructed us to kneel. Then, an officer began to lecture us, blaming Hamas for our displacement, the destruction of our homes, our need to seek refuge, and the fear we are experiencing.
He then told us that in order to be allowed to pass through the checkpoint unharmed, we had to chant slogans against the resistance: “The people want the overthrow of Hamas,” and “God is sufficient for us, and he is the best disposer of affairs against Hamas and the Qassam Brigades” (appropriating a line from the Qur’an). The officer insisted on the repetition of these slogans; only after more than 45 minutes did the soldiers permit women and children to pass, while men were kept behind.
At the third checkpoint, a soldier told me that in order to proceed I must leave my bag behind — which contained all of my belongings, including blankets and clothes for my whole family. The soldier then told me to part with my children so they could pass through before me. I refused, fearing that I would lose them in the crowd, and he eventually allowed me to cross with them. Others lost their children and faced great distress while searching for them.
The IDF and the Israeli government are fucking abhorrent trash. They all deserve prison at best.
It doesn’t seem like it would be difficult to chant against the terrorists that sparked your current situation. Still pretty gross though.
Their situation is still the permanent occupation/ apartheid
Hamas wouldn’t exist if there was no occupation. Yes they have absolutely done some abhorrent war crimes. Militant groups always gain support when Israel invades Gaza because they are the ones fighting back. If you want to get rid of Hamas, the way to do so is getting rid of the occupation and giving Palestinians equal rights, like it should’ve been in the first place.
Here’s some sources to learn more about the context
British Mandate Period:
The Concept of Transfer 1882-1948
Palestinian Arab Congress advocating for Unified State 1928
1929 Riots from Forward and 972Mag
Peel Commission Report and Memorandum of the Arab Higher Committee 1937
1936-1939 Revolt from JVL, Britannica, MEE
1948 to 1967:
Plan Dalet and Declassified Massacres
Arab League advocating for unified state 1948
1967 war Declassified
Israel Martial Law and Defence (Emergency) Regulations practiced in the occupied territories after 1967
How the US became the ally of Israel
Occupation:
Occupation and 50 years of dispossession
Arab Israelis are not equal including Education (2001 report)
Palestinian Prisoners in Israel and Military Court
Child abuse of Palestinian prisoners
Human Shields including Children (2013 Report)
Settler Violence, Torture and Abuse in Interrogations, No freedom of movement, and also Water control
Palestinians lack civil rights
Hamas founding charter and Revised charter 2017
History of Hamas supported by Netanyahu since 2012
PCPSR Public Opinion Poll Dec 2023
One State Solution, Foreign Affairs archived here
Does it make more sense to chant for the IDF terrorists destroying your homes, killing your family, starving your children, and then blaming you for it?
LOL.
If that happened to you just because you were born on the wrong side of an open-air prison, I don’t think you’d find it funny
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Zionists will go down in history as among the most vile, evil, and absent of any kind of humanity alongside the Nazis.
I don’t think anyone would call Nazis Zionists. You really think anyone who believes Israel has a right to exist, aka a Zionist, is the most vile, evil, and blah blah? What the fuck is wrong with you?
I don’t think anyone would call Nazis Nazis. You really think anyone who believes Nazi Germany has a right to exist, aka a Nazi, is the most vile, evil, and blah blah? What the fuck is wrong with you?
That’s how you sound to non-genocidal people.
Nope, that’s just some weird babbling. Enjoy your ignorance and naivety though. Carry on.
+972 approached the IDF Spokesperson for comment in response to the information contained in this article. The army wrote back: “The IDF cannot review the incident based only on testimonies.”
Right, but when all they offer is a single “eye witness” testimony we are supposed to believe them. Good to know that works only one way.