Israeli forces target fighters families

10/24/2004 11:13:00 PM GMT

Palestinian officials and human rights groups operating in the occupied territories have reported that Israeli regime has started targeting the families of Palestinian resistance fighters, defending their lands against the occupation forces.

Since the beginning of this month, the Israeli apache helicopter gunships have been firing hell-fire missiles targeting the homes of Palestinian resistance fighters, killing and maiming several members of those fighters’ families and other innocent civilians, including women and children.

Two weeks ago, the brother of an Islamic Jihad member was killed when an Israeli helicopter fired missiles at the family home. Also nine other family members, among which were six children and two women, were burned by the deadly missiles.

Last Thursday, another Israeli forces fired hell-fire missiles at the home of a local Popular Resistance Committees' member, at Beit Lahya in the Gaza Strip, completely destroying the building.

Israel has frequently launched airstrikes and deadly attacks targeting the families of Palestinian political leaders and destroying their homes, killing many civilians.

Many innocent children have lost their lives in those bloody attacks.

’Russian style’

Gaza journalist Saleh Na'ami, who is also a regular writer at the London-based, Al Shark Al Awsat, said that Israel has been adopting the "Russian style" in its illegal occupation and deadly assaults against both the Palestinian fighters and civilians.

Na'ami was alluding to the "scorched-land tactic" reportedly adopted by Russian forces in Chechnya.

"I think (Israeli Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon feels he has obtained a green light from the U.S. administration to murder Palestinian civilians in a more brazen and less subtle manner. This is evident from the rampant death and destruction inflicted during the latest Israeli blitz in northern Gaza."

Na'ami noted that absence of any positive international interference to stop Israel's recent atrocities in Gaza was encouraging Sharon to carry out his deadly offensive against Palestinian civilians without having to worry about Western, especially American, reactions.

"With the Arab world in a state of complete paralysis, the U.S. in the fray of a contentious election where (U.S. President George) Bush and (Democratic candidate John) Kerry are vying to appease Israel irrespective of its crimes, and with the EU contenting with issuing polite calls for restraint, Sharon feels he is above the world and above international law and that he can do anything he wants with the Palestinians."

Targeting innocent civilians, including the families of resistance fighters, is considered a war crime according to international law.