Mustafa Barghouthi condems the Israeli killing of 5 sisters of a family in Jabalia, Gaza

Ramallah, 28-12-08: While the Israeli Army is still ongoing with its massacre against the residents of the Gaza Strip.  A recent air raid killed on Monday at dawn five sisters, all children of the Ba’lousha family in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip.

Yesterday night at 23.45, the private house of the Anwar Balousha family in Jabalia was destroyed by the Israeli Air Forces, killing the 5 sisters from family and severely injuring the 32 year-old mother. Jawaer Ba’lousha, 4 years-old; Dina, 8 years-old; Samar, 2 years-old; Ikram, 14 years-old and Tahrir Ba’lousha, 17 years-old were killed.

Their mother, Samira Abu Bakr has been injured during the raid too and is now in a critical state in Gaza hospital while the rest of their family remain under the rubble or hospitalized.

“This is a lose and bloody war crime that targets civilians,” condemned Mustafa Barghouthi, the Secretary General of the Palestinian National Initiative.

The ruthless targeting of civilians –including women and children has raised the death toll in Gaza to 313 people killed (including more than 25 children and 9 women), and more than 1,200 have sustained heavy injuries (including 130 children and 45 women).

“Israel has targeted hospitals, Mosques and a University. Considering the physical nature of the Gaza Strip and the incredible density of 4,117 persons per square kilometres, it is impossible for the IAF to hit only the so-called ‘security targets”, the deputy highlighted.

“May their souls and their family rest in peace”, expressed Mustafa Barghouthi, before calling on the International Community to take its responsibilities.

“Such a massacre of civilians would not have happened without the complicity of the International Community that remain silenced”, he said. “This human tragedy should be stopped now! Every single human rights granted to the human being have been violated. It is not time to put an end to the massacre.”