Middle East - interview

Civilians killed in "vicious attacks", says Gaza resident

Article published on the 2008-12-29 Latest update 2008-12-29 14:24 TU

A Palestinian man carries the body of his 4-year-old daughter in northern Gaza.
(Photo: Reuters)

On the third day of Israeli bombardment of Gaza, the Palestinians' historic leadership has called for the deployment of international troops in Gaza to protect against what is calls "Israeli crimes". Meanwhile those on the ground in Gaza describe the effects of the air-raids and claim that Israel aims to "break the will of the Palestinian people".

The executive committee of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) is requesting the presence of international troops in Gaza to help stem attacks from Israel which have so far killed at least 318 people.

Those in Gaza have reported on the effect of the airstrikes on Palestinian residents.

"I've just seen an attack which is about 50-100 metres from where I am standing right now," said Abu Alaa, a lecturer at the Al Aqsa University in Gaza.

"It's a civilian house, there are people inside, they are trying to take bodies from under the rubble," Alaa told RFI.

"The situation is extremely dangerous right now in Gaza, and it is obvious that Israel has the intention of breaking the will of the Palestinian people," he said.

"The streets of Gaza are empty right now, because people are in a state of shock, they didn't expect such vicious attacks."

"We haven't been able to sleep for three nights, last night the Israeli F16s, made in the US, attacked the Islamic university, and destroyed a building that has four floors, used for students of chemistry and civil engineering."