PHA-Exch> STOP the military massacre in Gaza NOW!

Wed Dec 31 05:48:44 PST 2008

*Press release:* Cairo and Ramallah (West Bank): 31st Dec 2008

*"STOP the military massacre in Gaza NOW!" *

*Health groups demand Israel immediately stop ongoing military attack*

The People's Health Movement condemns the brutal attack on Palestinians and
demand an immediate stop to Israel's ongoing military attack on Gaza.
People's Health Movement is a global coalition of grassroot health and peace
activists fighting injustice, ill health and poverty, worldwide.

 "We express serious concern at the escalation of death of civilians and
call for an immediate stop to the military assault" said Dr. Hani Serag,
Co-ordinator, People's Health Movement.

Israeli military has been carrying out massive air strikes against Gaza that
has resulted in over 385 deaths and left over a thousand injured, hundreds
of them in critical condition. Women and children are hit in large numbers.

The bombing destroyed the civilian infrastructure in Gaza with many areas
being left without water or electricity. All hospitals are running out of
critical supplies. Mounting causalities have completely overwhelmed the
already limited health services in Gaza.

"The International Community must speak with one voice to end the bloodbath
in Gaza" said Dr. Jihad Mashal of Palestinian Medical Relief Society, an
associate of the People's Health Movement.

Gaza, the most densely populated area on the planet, has already been
suffering from a blockade imposed by the Israeli military in 2007 and normal
life has been paralyzed.

"International community must step in to put pressure on Israeli government
to ensure access to medical and humanitarian assistance to the war affected
people in Gaza" said Dr. Mashal. Geneva conventions stipulate protection of
health care facilities and personnel and their unhindered access to war
victims to provide assistance.

Since the beginning of this brutal Israeli attack, three Israelis have also
been killed by Palestinian rocket fire.

Several humanitarian groups have already warned of a health and humanitarian
crisis if the attack continues. They have condemned attacks on civilians and
have called on the international community to speak out against the war and
military occupation.

The UN Security Council has already called for an immediate end to all
violence in Gaza and the members of the Security Council expressed serious
concern at the escalation of the situation in Gaza and called for an
immediate halt to all violence.

There is growing fear that this round of attacks is only a step in the
direction of destroying the Gaza Strip and its people who have already been
facing a humanitarian crisis due to the siege imposed in 2007. "Urgent
action is needed now to stop this", said Dr. Mashal.

*More media interviews, please call:***

*Dr. Jihad Mashal*, Ramallah, Occupied Palestinian Territories: Ph (cell): +
970 5995 57755 or + 972 5995 57755

*Satya Sivaraman*, India: +91 98185 14952

*Prof. David Legge*, Australia: Ph (Cell) +61 40 899 1417

*Prof. Fran Baum, Australia : Ph (Cell) : + 61 41 235 4598 *

*Dr. Hani Serag, Egypt: Ph + + 20 2 22565613  *
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