A month after Israel’s November 2012 attack on Gaza, Electronic Intifada reports that thousands of the city’s residents remain without water and power. In November 2012, deputy Israeli Prime Minister Eli Yishai called for the Israeli army to “blow Gaza back to the Middle Ages, destroying all the infrastructure including roads and water.” A day later, Gilad Sharon, son of former Israeli premier Ariel Sharon, called for Israel to “flatten entire neighborhoods in Gaza. Flatten all of Gaza. There should be no electricity in Gaza, no gasoline or moving vehicles, nothing.”
Russia Today reported that Israel’s air strikes inflicted $1.2 billion of damage, leaving the city with damaged electricity, water, and sanitation networks, not to mention destroyed homes, schools, buildings and streets. According to the Gaza Electricity Distribution Corporation, the bombing destroyed or damaged 32 transformers. In addition the assault destroyed or damaged 136 schools and 450 homes.
Despite a ceasefire, a month after the attack approximately 5,000 people lacked power and 20,000 people were without water throughout the region. 3,000 persons lack housing as a result of the attacks.
Eve Bartlett reports, “Yishai’s remarks amounted to an appeal for violations of international law. The Hague Regulations and the Geneva Conventions prohibit ‘the unnecessary destruction of the enemy’s property.'”
Sources:
Eva Bartlett, “Thousands remain without water, power one month after attack on Gaza,” Electronic Intifada, December, 26 2012. http://electronicintifada.net/content/thousands-remain-without-water-power-one-month-after-attack-gaza/12040
“Leveling Gaza: Israel airstrikes to cost Gaza over $1.2 billion,” Russia Today, November 24, 2012. http://rt.com/news/gaza-israel-economic-damage-508/
Student Researcher: Emilie Giragossian, College of Marin
Faculty Evaluator: Andy Lee Roth, College of Marin