The First 100 Days...

Go here for info on how to help.

Many Strong Hearts Brought Us to This Day (kudos to Darrin Bell)

And now, it will take all our efforts to make our hopes manifest, to repair our wrongs and mistakes, to amend and heal.

Mental Health Needs in Gaza, Post One

Maybe--just maybe--the destruction of Gaza has stopped, but the situation in Gaza remains overwhelming and will for some time. The trauma has not ended, not by a long chalk, as Gazans begin to take stock of the loss of loved ones, homes, farms, orchards, and civic buildings. Now will come the experiences of acute trauma: the sleeplessness (and/or nightmares when one is able to sleep); irritability and mood swings; difficulties with concentration and attention; guilt and anger. And that's not all--many physical symptoms attend acute trauma as well; chest pains, dry mouth, nausea, hyperventilation, headaches, dizziness and other signs of stress are quite common. Some of those who experience these symptoms will strain Gaza's hospitals, as acute stress can sometimes mimic life-threatening problems such as heart attack, or trigger problems in those already medically vulnerable. Today Taghreed El-Khodary of Gaza City had this to say:

But all of a sudden I don't know why I'm crying, I just keep remembering all these women, the mothers, the fathers, that I interviewed who lost their loved ones and I don't now what kind of life they are going to have after this. I remember those people who I interviewed, they lost parts of their bodies. How are they going to survive this? If anyone wants to help those people, the victims, the civilians, I think one must consider sending therapists. There are many children that are extremely traumatised, the people in Gaza City, in the north are extremely traumatized.

(And see Eva Bartlett's post here.)

Where are people to go for services? The Gaza Community Mental Health Center was completely destroyed early on in the Israeli invasion of Gaza. I understand that efforts are underway to help rebuild this center, and will add a post with links, once I find out the most efficient way to make contributions. For now, I want to leave you with these two wonderful videos from Al Jazeera about one Palestinian psychologist's efforts in Gaza. The film was made in November; altogether another time and space.

The Face of Gaza for Years to Come?

Time to begin assessing the physical damage to Gaza, while the death count rises as recovery crews are at last able to reach victims. This Al Jazeera video reports it's estimated that rebuilding Gaza will cost one billion dollars and take five years to complete. That, of course, is assuming that Gazans will have access to building materials and machinery, as well as the fuel, food, medical supplies and other materials needed by any society. And where were people live, work and study in the meantime? Where will they heal? Pray? Celebrate? Where will civic activities take place?

Thousands Trapped in Burning Buildings...

Excerpts from the video: "The whole of Gaza feels like a target." "300 persons just killed, in front of our eyes when the tower collapsed." "You can hear the screams on the radio, people asking for paramedics and ambulances, and no ambulances can go anywhere. Thousands of people are trapped in apartment buildings that are on fire..." "The airstrikes in Gaza City are becoming more and more intense." Witnesses report that the Israeli Army is shooting at "anyone, including women and children."

The UN headquarters and warehouse, hit. Israeli PM Olmert claimed that Palestinians fired on the IDF from the compound. Christopher Gunness of the UNRWA denies this:

At no stage during the fighting today did any Israeli official pick up the phone and tell us there were militants in our compound. We always take action against militants ... there were no militants in our compound and now they [the Israelis] are changing their story, saying militants were "in the vicinity."

Three hospitals hit today, including Al-Quds. John Ging, head of UNRWA operations accused the Israelis of using white phosphorous shells: "They are phosphorus fires so they are extremely difficult to put out because, if you put water on, it will just generate toxic fumes and do nothing to stop the burning," he said.
As of today, 1/15, almost 1100 people are dead, about one-third of them children; more than 5100 people are wounded.





A cityscape with burning high rises and frightened people. Does it not ignite American memories? Does it not ignite American hearts? If not, why? If not now, when?

Shame on the Senate

The ICRC is described as having issued a "blistering report" regarding IDF attacks on rescue workers and its failure to provide help to civilian victims of a bombing raid conducted Monday. Meanwhile, the US Senate expressed support for Israel's invasion of Gaza by voice vote today in a non-binding resolution. For shame.

Massacre in Gaza

The Telegraph is reporting today that paramedics in an ICRC rescue convoy have found the bodies of approximately 70 people in and around one house in Zeitoun. Survivors who made it to Gaza City earlier this week reported that 100 members of an extended family had been rounded up by the IDF on Sunday, and ordered to stay in the house belonging to Wael Samounoi. Early Monday morning, the house was shelled repeatedly. The report notes that ambulances had attempted twice to go out to the home, but had to retreat when they were fired upon by the Israelis. During Wednesday's three-hour lull, the ICRC convoy was able to reach the home. Fifteen survivors were located and taken to hospital by ambulance. Rescue workers were forced to leave eight other wounded people behind, due to safety reasons.