UPDATED ON:
Thursday, January 15, 2009
15:38 Mecca time, 12:38 GMT
 
FOCUS: WAR ON GAZA
Gaza diary: Where is the humanity?

Two Gazans listen to the news on a radio during a temporary halt in Israeli fire [GALLO/GETTY]

As the death toll from Israel's war on Gaza continues to climb, Mohammed Ali, an advocacy and media researcher for Oxfam who lives in Gaza City, will be keeping a diary of his feelings and experiences.

'Goodnight my love, see you in heaven'

Today, I met with people outside the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. I could not believe the stories I was hearing.

An old man told me he was going blind. His diabetic condition was deteriorating and he needed to be treated quickly so as not to lose his sight. He was turned away; he was not in a severe enough state compared to the people filling the hospital corridors and there were not enough doctors to see to him.

Medical teams cannot cope; doctors are working 24 hour shifts, there are not enough beds, equipment or medicine to deal with this humanitarian crisis.

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I am hearing more and more stories of people trapped under rubble - ambulance teams unable to reach them, so they wait to die.

While I was out, one man approached me and asked if I would help him to clear up dead bodies.

Another asked if I worked for a humanitarian organisation but before I could answer he looked up at the sky and shouted: "Where is humanity?"

The situation has now reached such a critical point that doctors frequently confront dilemmas such as whether to treat the child who is bleeding to death or the baby who has severe head injuries.

While doctors ask themselves these tough questions, some politicians continue to debate whether or not we are facing a humanitarian crisis.

Since the Israeli military attacks started on Gaza, no salaries have been received and hardly any one has been able to work. Many people here depend on agricultural farming to make a living, and the Gazan population relies on these farmers to be able to eat vegetables; the blockade is allowing hardly anything in.

No farmer will go to their farmland these days. Like all of us, they fear being killed if they move out of their homes or even if they stay put.

Prices of goods are increasing by the day as they become more and more scarce.

Candles are no longer available; a much-needed item these days given the prolonged power cuts we have to endure. We started to use our torches but the batteries soon ran out and there are no batteries to be found here any more.

Same planet, different worlds

Every hour, fleeting images from around the world are brought to our TV screens. When I have electricity, I watch these scenes of people enjoying themselves and ask myself, what is the difference between them and me? Why are our lives worlds apart in spite of living on the same planet?

I wonder, are these people asking themselves the same question when they watch the horror unfold in Gaza?

The occupation has put Gaza on a drip feed; we have had just enough to keep us alive but not enough to make us feel as though we are really living - and now this.

If I make it to the end of this conflict, I want to leave the minute I am able to. I do not want my children to grow up in this environment, strangled by the occupation, familiar with the sounds of F-16 fighter jets, unable to leave the country if they need life-saving treatment.

This is not a natural disaster like the Tsunami; this is a man-made disaster that deepens while the world watches.

As the death toll continues to rise, my wife and I spend our waking hours waiting for our turn to come.

Now, at night before trying to sleep I say to her: "Goodnight my love, see you in heaven."

Click here to read the last installment of Mohammed's diary: Are we not human?

 Source: Al Jazeera
Feedback Number of comments : 31
 
JP
United States
13/01/2009
Hamas showed their true face today
Hamas showed their true face today. When Israel opened the border to let humanitarian aid in to the civilians. What did Hamas fighters do? Hijack the trucks and sell the goods to the highest bidder. That just proves Hamas does not care about its people, it just cares about it self. And uses the civilians and shields and a way to make money now from the way it looks. Then they complain when their civilians go hungry. They just want more trucks to hijack and make more money.

Marlene Newesri
United States
13/01/2009
Humanity has died
Or perhaps, it never existed, and it was just a mere illusion. Who decides who is the civilized in this world while man has the technoloy to actually watch these horrific events unfolding before our very eyes moment-by-moment, with the power to intervene, yet nothing is done to alleviate the human suffering and pain inflicted by man. Who are we? I can only ask myself this question, I who am sitting in a safe haven in this corner of the world in NYC while the people of Gaza are being destroyed

Harrison Fisher
United States
13/01/2009
Gaza diary:Where is the humanity?
Where indeed? Possibly the same place is was when Gazans danced in the streets in celebration of 911, or strapped suicide vests on their innocent sons.

Patty
United States
13/01/2009
Gaza
What s going on in Gaza is totaly in human. I can't beleive my Country is okay with this .Palistine does not even have a Army.Isreal has gone to far they are heartless. Oh I forgot they killed A couple of Americans a few years back and that was okay too.People need to really read more and learn the truth. I applaud Dennis Kucinich from Ohio USA he has a brain that works

AmirAli
Canada
13/01/2009
Definition of War
It's about time for Israel to understand the definition of self defense and crime. a conflict carried on by force of arms, as between nations, not murdering innocent helpless people of Gaza.

Derek Rutter
United Kingdom
13/01/2009
USA Israel
This may seem a really silly statement.but within in the next few weeks it is the USA and Israel which will not survive

Shimelis
Ethiopia
13/01/2009
The Israeli onsluaght on Gaza
The Israeli onslaught on Gaza is not only an act of sheer impunity and ignorance but one of cowardice and savagery. There is nothing more heart-breaking than seeing the lifeless white corpse of a child shot and killed in cold blood. We should all be ashamed of ourselves for condoning and turning a blind eye to such an act of untold brutality.

Felix Leiter
United States
14/01/2009
Rana from Australia. What should Israel do? If the Palestinians were smart, they would recognize Israel's right to exist and cut a deal which should have given them a country by now. Instead they are bent on Israel's eventual destruction. A tactic which has not born fruit in 60 years, and will not likely bear fruit in the next 60 either. Also, remember that the majority of Gaza voted for Hamas and have now seen what they have voted for.

Alys
United States
14/01/2009
Where is the humanity indeed?
My whole life I have watched this conflict from afar. I know that it is very different for those who are living in the conflict, and that the bitterness and suffering they must feel would be extreme. But if there is any humanity, this has got to end. The very worst is thinking about the innocent children that suffer. Stereotyping either side is a cop-out- there will always be a handful of bad people/opportunists in any group. Most people are good people who are trying to live their life.

chris stucky
United States
14/01/2009
Gaza diary: Where is the humanity
As a physician in the United States I am completely, emotionally overwhelmed by the horrible suffering of the Palestinians people of Gaza. Yes, I live a different life. I am compelled by moral conscience to read about what is happening in Gaza. I truly wish I could do something to make a difference. I cannot which is so terribly infuriating. I truly cannot imagine the suffering of the Gaza citizens. As a single, sole human I can only say I am so sorry, which is of little comfort. Chris Stucky...

aziz
Indonesia
14/01/2009
America is the Israel slave
First, to JP, I don't believe you. It's clear now that America is just Israeli slave. The big country like America controlled totally by Israel. Unbelieveable but it's true. this fact must be faced by the American people, they have to understand that their country have not been free yet. Even Obama, he can't make any different with Bush, because AIPAC too powerful hold the American government. For HAMAS, keep fighting! our pray for you.

AR
United States
14/01/2009
War in Gaza began in 1948, not 2008
We are all suffering from amnesia. It's quite convenient to decry Hamas rockets against Israel. Let us not forget that the war started with the inhumane, illegal takeover of Palestine by an outsider. What would you do if someone took over your house and threw you out in the street? Throw flowers at them or fire rockets?

Abu Sumayyah
United States
14/01/2009
In response to Harrison Fisher... when the US was attacked on 911, what did she do... apparently defended herself. What do you think the Gazans are doing? You are such a product of this society... there is nothing else to say.

Harrison Fisher
United States
14/01/2009
Gaza diary:Where is the humanity?
Rana: the celebrations aren't mentioned in our politically-correct media, but the videos, which Arafat tried to supress, are readily accessable. Hamas leaders sending their children off as suicide bombers is also a well-documented fact.

Jimmy
Malaysia
14/01/2009
Gaza diary
So what is Israel supporters and US expect Hamas to do? Surrender all their weapon and let them all been slaughtered by Israel? Surrender all their land and move to neighbouring countries and live in refugee camps? Fly in F/A-18 or Sukhoi and using smart bomb so that they can selectively target IDF camp? Use modern howitzers and anti aircraft system to defend themselves? Accusing of Hamas of using civillian as their shield is only an excuse for Israel to continue to kill more Palestinian.

Oke Hendradhy
India
14/01/2009
Israel Againts humanity
In the Gaza Strip we can look whats the israel is... They are same as nazi... When the genoside of the palestine peoples.

Michael
United States
14/01/2009
to Harrison Fisher
A lot of Gazans being killed and injured are children, who possibly weren't even born before 9/11. So, they wouldn't have been able to dance in the streets then, would they.

Zainah Md Zain, Bedok Reservoir
Singapore
14/01/2009
Where is the humanity?
Allah created all men equal. No matter who you are, white, black or yellow, you came from a single male and female that is Adam and Eve. He wants you to get to know one another and love each other. We, Muslims are always discriminated wherever we go, just because we wear the scarves and the men in robes and beard. Why can't the world see that we want your understanding and tolerance and please study our religion instead of judging and condemning us. Allah will help us, my Muslim brothers!

Khalid
Afghanistan
13/01/2009
Rise up against Hamas!
Arab brothers and sisters, Hamas is using you for its despicable self interest. They don't care about you or your families. Have mercy on your children and rise up against Hamas. They will bring you nothing but destruction and death. Stop the madmen!!

Abe Ariew
United Kingdom
13/01/2009
Ask yourself also....
Where have you all been during the eight years that Gaza launched rockets into ISAraeli cities (3500 only during 2008)? What would YOUR country do after such long period? How comes that Hamas has spend ALL its resources on weapons and hatery - rather than helping thier people? The world had enough supported the Palestinians. It's about time for them to do something to help themselves!

Soulayman
Palestinian Territory
13/01/2009
Hamas
In respond to JP, first of all i dont believe you, but even if they did, they probly done it to get money for weapons since Israel bombed all their supplies, from ak-47s to medicine.

Rana
Australia
13/01/2009
Gaza Diary: where is humanity?
Mr JHarrison Fisher, how sad you are. You are a puppet to the media propaganda. A small minority of Palastinians may have celebrated 911 attacks but most arabs condemed them. Many muslims died that day. Desperation may breed suicide bombers but what do you think this war will breed. These children who are enduring the unthinkable will probably become some of the most dangerous terroist of our time. Israel is feeding their hatred and god help their civillians!

ayash
United States
14/01/2009
I dont see any Hamas fighter
I haven't sow any Hamas fighter holding guns or anything like it from day one that this war started How Com??? All i see is hurting and dead people Now you have to admitted Something is "FISHY " All Im saying is the "TV" channels are NOT 100% honest with us after all, the need to make money by selling more Pain. Bottom line is everybody is in for the money Iran= OIL/TV=Prime time=Money It's all about money / And we ares suffering And by the History jews and arab are Family !!!!!

Robert
United States
14/01/2009
Cry babies
The palestinians should stop their complaining. If they want to improve their miserable existence, all they have to do is stop bombing their neighbor. How hard can that be? They control their own destiny.

Mazen Karkoukli
United States
14/01/2009
Israeli Crimes
I would really appreciate your help in passing this message to Arab leaders of those concerned about what’s happening in Gaza and what had happened in Jenen and Qana. I would like to call for building a Museum that shows Israeli crimes throughout the history so that we never forget and so that future generations can see and learn. Jews have various versions of the holocaust museum in the US, Europe and Israel.

asif
India
14/01/2009
Who is responsible for this Holocaust
The only people who are responsible for this holocaust , are we muslims , because we are devided , we have no power , we have left islam and quran, we are ruled by pigs & we do nothing about it..... We are weak and weakness invites aggression... UNITE OH MUSLIMS IF YOU DONT WANT TO BE ERADICATED

Peace
Afghanistan
14/01/2009
Of course, where is the humanity? Everytime I question myself if I am living in a dream which is indeed a real. But, I am very concience of that I am part of among those who keep silent and enjoy the brutallity inficted upon the peaciful civilian. Anyway, I have learned from this artical there is ofcourse a psychic and blooth thirty nation of the world like Israeal and US.

YelenaVee
Australia
14/01/2009
No goodwill left for Israel
Rana from Australia wrote 'Desperation may breed suicide bombers but what do you think this war will breed' and I agree. However justified Israel my feel in this war, I fail to see how it truly serves their long term interest. What is left for a Gazan who loses everything- family, friends, job, home, hope-, except perhaps joining Hamas? Surely Israel's actions will make extremists out of moderates. In addition, Israel is fast losing any remaining goodwill it may have previously had.

Justagerman
Germany
14/01/2009
Humanitarian Aid
What we see here is in deed very dicy for the inhabitants of the Gaza strip. The ordinary people have all my commiseration as well as those victims on the other side of the fence. What I just thought of is a simple calculation: Within 18 days 22.000 tons of food and medicine etc. crossed the border. 1.5 mill inhabitants are in the strip. That provides about 14 kilos of food and 600 grams of medical stuff PER PERSON. for babys, infants, fighters, men, women, elderly. Where did that stuff go???

Francesco
Paraguay
14/01/2009
really insane
I continue to read the news with incredulity. How can people get away with this genocide? At the same time, I am rather annoyed at all the statements against the Western World, Europe, the UN, etc... . What about the Arab League? They have complaint formally, but what have been their actions? It is really easy to put the blame on Europe andthe UN, but what has the arab league done in substance to halt the situation?

Harrison Fisher
United States
18/01/2009
Where is the humanity?
Dear Michael: no, but their parents did. On another subject, 'collateral damage': in WWII, the allies killed many women, children and innocents in Germany, Italy and Japan, and nobody wept, because they were willing subjects of the aggressors. And waddaya know, they're now world leaders, thanks to US generosity! If the Gazans ever get their act together, they can expect the same, because that's what we do.

 
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