Guernica in Gaza

Hundreds of Gazans Reported Dead & Injured in Sabbath Day Surprise Attack

Justin Morahan writes... On the Jewish Sabbath, this morning, The Israeli Defence forces launched a massive missile attack on Gaza killing at least 140 people.

The attack came as a surprise even to Israelis. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz put the number of dead at 155 or more. There was little or no warning when the "strike" began at 11.30 a.m. Israeli time.

Television footage showed dead bodies scattered on a road and wounded and dead being carried away by distraught rescuers.

The Israel Defense Forces said that the airstrikes "will continue, will be expanded, and will deepen if necessary."

Egypt has now opened its long-sealed border with Gaza to allow in the wounded for medical treatment.

According to reports, the Hamas Government buildings were targeted as were the police headquarters with heavy casualties in both locations. Police Chief Tawfiq Jabber is among the dead. A spokesman said that the police compound in Gaza City had been hosting a graduation ceremony for new personnel when it was attacked.

Related Links:
Ewa Jasiewicz (Free Gaza Movement) writes at UK Indy: 'As I write this, Israeli jets are bombing the areas of Zeitoun and Rimal in central Gaza City. The family I am staying with has moved into the internal corridor of their home to shelter from the bombing....' read more
• also see and hear an MP3 speech of Ewa's at Dublin's Speakers' Square, June 2004

Where's Caoimhe Butterly?
According to FreeGaza.org she is most likely in Gaza at the moment.
UPDATE #1:A credible report tells us that Caoimhe is safe in a third country.
UPDATE #2: Caoimhe will be on a ship with 16 others traveling from Cyprus with Humanitarian Aid to break the Israeli Blockade of Gaza - read more at FreeGaza.org
UPDATE #3: Israelis attack the ship 'The Dignity' - Caoimhe reported to be on board 'The Dignity has been surrounded by at least half-a-dozen Israeli warships. They are firing live ammunition around the Dignity, and one of the warships has rammed the civilian craft causing an unknown amount of damage.' more blogged below.
UPDATE #4: Goretti Horgan, Derry Anti War Coalition, writes us the following update...'Caoimhe contacted members of the Derry Anti War Coalition this morning as the boat limped towards Lebanese waters for repairs - it was too badly damaged by the Israelis' ramming to make it back to Cyprus .... The Lebanese government have said the boat could dock there. We had another phone call in Derry to tell us that they were now in Lebanese waters. Caoimhe says that the Free Gaza boat will set off from Lebanon again just as soon as repairs are complete – in a day, or two at the most.' - read more

Dublin Photo Series: Hundred take to the streets to show solidarity and mourn for the people of Gaza.
Read: 'I own a video camera, but today I discovered what a terrible cameraman I am. I can’t bring myself to film mangled bodies or faces drenched in tears. I just can’t. I start crying myself...' - A translated article by Vittorio Arrigoni at freegaza.org
Look: What was Guernica?

At least two people were killed and 30 wounded from an attack in Khan Younis, a refugee camp in the south of Gaza.

According to reports residents reported hearing at least 15 explosions. Many of Hamas's security compounds are in residential areas, and the air strikes took place as children were leaving school. "Plumes of black smoke rose over Gaza City, sirens wailed through the streets and women frantically looked for their children"

The attacks have been condemned by Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah who is recognised as President of Palestine by the USA and other Israeli allies.