Civilians flee Gaza hospital engulfed in flames

[DogPoundPup]

Source: Yahoo / UK Ireland AFP

In scenes of utter panic, patients who had been wounded in the ongoing war in the territory could be seen struggling to get out of their beds only to head outside into a cold night pierced by gunfire, according to an AFP photographer.

At least three babies in incubators and three people on life support were wheeled out of the Al-Quds hospital into the flame-lit streets, he added.

Dozens of families had arrived there at dawn loaded down with babies, toddlers and children after scores of Israeli tanks had roared into the area, sparking furious battles with Palestinian fighters.

During the day a deafening cacophany of tank shells, missiles, artillery, helicopter gunships and automatic rifles filled the air as battles unfolded less than 300 metres (yards) from the hospital beneath a thick haze of smoke.

Read more: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090115/twl-civilians-flee-gaza-hospital-engulfe-3cd7efd.html

[hlthe2b]

1. No words.... none at all...

I am beyond depressed and anger....

[subsuelo]

4. come on now

be a 'good' american and support it

[IsItJustMe]

23. Yep, USA, USA USA

[watrwefitinfor]

2. .

[BeyondGeography]

3. Mindless

:mad:

[zelta gaisma]

5. you STUPID &*% ! I don't care who started it ,just STOP! i wish china and russia would do something

[MellowDem]

22. Russia and China?

Why would they do shit? If one thing has been proven, China and Russia could care less about their own people's suffering, much less Palestine's. The EU seems like a more likely peace broker, but they're often too divided to speak with one voice and have little muscle to back up anything they say. The US is pretty much the only single actor with the power to actually broker peace deals, especially in this case, where the US has a lot of sway over Israel, what with the amount of aid and military weapons we give them. It's sickening how great of an influence Israel is able to have on our government through AIPAC and other groups. Reminds me of our idiotic policy toward Cuba being perpetuated by a relatively small population of Cubans in Miami. Conservatives usually cry foul about any foreign interference in our government, yet they're always real silent about the countries that have the greatest influence on us.

[zelta gaisma]

27. i just meant China and Russia have the muscle to be the *other*..

bully on the block,besides the USA.

[EFerrari]

6. This is not self defense.

[williesgirl]

7. This shit has got to be stopped by someone and it should be US. Israel has gone too far. I

feel for them for the rocket attacks and agree that also needs to stop, but this is beyond the pale. rec'd

[uppityperson]

8. k&r. This is wrong. This is very wrong.

[awoke_in_2003]

15. Off topic...

i like that slogan in you sig line.

[reggie the dog]

9. lousy shitty Israelis

[FiveGoodMen]

10. Remember: Our Senate and House overwhelmingly support this. They said so this week.

Dem majorities are not nearly enough.

We desperately need better Dems!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. That we do

Nobody expects the U.S. Congress to support Hamas, but did they have to come out and support this kind of mad dog overreaction on the part of Israel? It sounds as if they're in a killing frenzy. They could have passed some kind of neutral resolution saying "Gee, we hope the fighting stops," but no, they had to pass a resolution that said, "Yay Israel!"

If they couldn't say the right thing they should have said nothing at all.

Two weeks ago, my church took up an offering for the Anglican hospital in Gaza, which had been damaged in the attack. We raised over $1700. Here's a description of the hospital from the website of the Diocese of Jerusalem:

Al Ahli Arab Hospital is located in Gaza City and occupies a beautiful campus in the city center. With well-tended grounds, it is a haven of peace in the middle of one of the world’s most troubled places. The political status of Gaza affects all aspects of life there because of restrictions on movement of materials and people in and out. Electricity, medicines, food, fuel, and personnel are all restricted to some extent. Yet, Al Ahli Arab Hospital continues to provide some of the finest medical care available in the region. For example, the only mammography machine in Gaza is there. Two programs deserve special mention: the center for elderly women and the mobile clinic program which twice weekly provides free medical care and food to people from surrounding towns and villages. In a land where hardship is commonplace, the conditions in Gaza stand out, but Al Ahli Arab Hospital generates a beacon of peace and hope for the people it serves.

"A beautiful campus," it says. Not anymore, I imagine. :cry:

[awoke_in_2003]

16. To paraphrase Jim Hightower...

"This country could use a third party, and it desperately needs a second"

[ProgressIn2008]

21. "This country could use a third party, and it desperately needs a second"

Damn straight.

[No Elephants]

17. WORD!

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

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[McCamy Taylor]

11. This is just overwhelming.

[ShadesOfGrey]

13. Just when I think Israel can't possibly sink any lower. Pathetic! nt

[tblue37]

14. Remember how those false tales of babies in incubators being abused by

Iraqi soldiers were used to sell Gulf War I? Apparently babies in incubators don't provoke similar concern if they are Palestianian babies.

[No Elephants]

18. They did not provoke concern when they were Iraqi babies either. But the Iraqi babies

could be used to market Dummya's position. No one but the families have any use for the Palestinian babies.

[Poll_Blind]

19. I keep reflecting on something Kucinich said a few days ago:

(paraphrasing) "Israel, state your goals in this conflict. State your goals to the world."

Because these Israeli military actions smack more of Soweto than strategy.

PB

[classysassy]

29. Dennis

is one of the few people in the knesset,former us congress that have the ball to speak the truth.

[democrank]

20. The degree of brute cruelty is sickening.

Shame on anyone who looks the other way.

[madrchsod]

24. another day in the promised land

[stillcool]

25. War of Terror...The U.S. and Israel..

against the entire region. We're almost there.

[treestar]

26. BBBBut there are terrorists hiding in those hospitals!

Under the patients' beds! The patients are concealing the terrorists!

:sarcasm: in case anyone needs it.

[wellst0nev0ter]

28. Actually That Was Their Claim

Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza

Those sick, sick bastards. Even if that was true . . . a hospital?

[treestar]

30. Wow

If they know where the terrorists are with that specificity, they could go in and grab them. We never find out who the terrorists specifically are, because the Israelis always treat the Palestinians collectively as the "terrorists."

[Name removed]

32. Deleted message

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