Children and the cost of war

By Cal Perry
Monday, July 24, 2006 Posted: 0642 GMT (1442 HKT)

CNN

The Monsoor family's car was hit as they tried to flee to the north.

story.car.cnn.jpg story.mother.child.jpg

Nuhader Monsoor cries over her wounded baby, Maria

TYRE, Lebanon (CNN) -- The last time I sat down to write something, it was about the cost of war.
As I looked ahead to the coming days, the last words I wrote were:
Who will die?

Today, I found out.

Standing in front of this 8-year-old boy lying in a hospital bed, the "conflict in the Middle East" and the "cost of war" seem endless and suffocating. His pain cannot possibly be imagined as he shakes uncontrollably in and out of shock. He has blood coming from his eyes.

His name is Mahmood Monsoor and he is horribly burned. In the hospital bed next to him is his 8-month-old sister, Maria -- also burned. Screaming at the top of her lungs is the children's mother, Nuhader Monsoor. She is standing over her baby, looking at her son -- and probably thinking of her dead husband. The smell of burned flesh is overwhelming.

This story, for the Monsoor family, started out as a typical one, probably one that most of us have experienced. They had simply gone on a family vacation to some lovely sunny beaches, but these beaches were in southern Lebanon.

The six of them, like thousands of others, were fleeing the fighting -- trying to get north, waving white flags, when an Israeli bomb or missile slammed into their car. (Watch how the littlest victims are suffering -- 2:54. Viewer discretion is advised.)

The father, Mohammed Monsoor, was killed instantly. His children all were wounded. His wife, who is now crying over two of the wounded children, was in the best physical condition. But as would be the case for any mother and wife, her life, in many ways, ended the minute the car exploded into flames.

The other two Monsoor children, Ahmed, 15, and Ali, 13, are in surgery. Doctors can't tell me if they will make it. They walk away, their heads shaking. Optimism is not a word that breathes truth in this place.

There are more than enough stories like this, in hospitals across southern Lebanon. This hospital, on this day, seems to be a microcosm of the region. Less than 100 meters from the front door of the hospital, a car is on fire. Less than 30 minutes earlier, the car exploded as an Israeli jet circled overhead. The fog of war has crept into the hospital, and no one knows where the casualties of that strike are being treated.

Just days earlier, staff at this hospital were moving bodies out to make room for more. Like an assembly line of the dead, unless the bombings stop, they will be doing the same tomorrow.

The city of Tyre has been enduring stories like this for more than a week. Buildings are crumpled; those who have not left are hiding in basements. Those who dare to pack into cars run the risk of ending up like the Monsoor family. Some who move north die on the road. Some stay in basements, and die there. Others hope against hope that the bombs will fall elsewhere -- missing them.

Politics creeps into the ward like the blood that runs on the floors. "Clearly he is Hezbollah," says one of the doctors outside the room -- sarcastically referring to 8-year-old Mahmood, whose screams can be heard from the hallway. His screams now blend with the wails of his mother, matching the baby's cries.

The hospital ward begins to teem with members of the international press. They all have blue flak jackets that say "press" on the front. They carry microphones, cameras, radios and satellite phones, and have local guides to translate.

Today, as I finish I am sitting in the same spot and the shells are still falling. Hezbollah rockets are firing toward northern Israel. I can imagine another reporter, in another flak jacket, standing over an 8-year old Israeli boy.

I'll finish by asking another question: Are any of us making a difference?

In our Behind the Scenes series, CNN correspondents share their experiences in covering news and analyze the stories behind the events.

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Rockets firing on Tyre send children to the hospital (2:54)

Syrians open their homes to refugees (2:14)

Haifa prepares for rocket attacks (2:02)

Gallery: Aerial assaults continue

• Cal Perry reports from Tyre

• Rockets, shells keep coming

• Time.com: 6 keys to peace

• Mideast crisis aid groups

Hebrew follows after English Text
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

With the escalation in Gaza spiralling we decided to do the utmost to get our message where it can make a difference - so, apart from an ad in Ha'aretz, another one in the International Herald Tribune

The march of folly ]

The offensive on land, from the sea and from the air does not put an end to the launching of Qassam rockets. It is leading to their increase.

The sowing of destruction in the Gaza Strip does not bring Gilad Shalit home. It is endangering his life.

Actions against the Hamas ministers, members of parliament and social institutions will not bring Hamas down. It will intensify popular support for them.

A Government that refuses to negotiate will sink even more into the quagmire.

And together with them - all of us.

~~~Gush ad in Ha'aretz, July 7, 2006~~~

Calling Europe!

The following letter sent to all European embassies
is also going to be published in the International Herald Tribune as a paid ad.

The internationally-lauded "disengagement" from Gaza did not end the occupation there. This continued in the form of an Israeli stranglehold over Gaza's communications with the outside world. The Gaza Strip has been turned into a huge open-air prison.

With the Israeli government refusing to talk to the elected Palestinian government, the only dialogue left now is the dialogue of the bombs, often directed at civilian targets on both sides of the border.

Without international intervention, a brutal escalation has become almost inevitable.

WE, Israeli patriots and peace activists, call upon the European Union and its member states, possibly in conjunction with other countries, to intervene immediately and effectively in the looming Israel-Palestinian crisis, and, especially to -

1. APPOINT a representative of ministerial rank to Israel/Palestine to monitor unfolding events and advise the European Union on immediate steps the situation may demand.

2. STOP the severe sanctions imposed by Europe on the Palestinian Authority as a penalty for exercising their democratic right and electing a government of their choice. This by itself is a brutal intervention on behalf of the occupation.

3. ENGAGE both the Government of Israel and the elected Palestinian president and government in a serious dialogue, with the view of putting an end to the present crisis and paving the way for meaningful peace negotiations.

4. EXTEND the European Union Border Assistance Mission, already successfully operating at the Rafah border crossing, to all border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip, in order to ensure the regular flow of foodstuffs, medicines and other goods in both directions, irrespective of political and military developments.

5. ACT as a permanent mediator for acute crises, such as the case of the Israeli prisoner-of-war, Gilad Shalit.

6. OFFER both sides to station a permanent European peace-keeping force between the Gaza Strip and Israel.

7. CONSIDER the convening of an international conference for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

EUROPE CANNOT AFFORD TO REMAIN SILENT!

[If you agree with this appeal, please help us survive it financially...]

GUSH SHALOM p.o.b. 3322 Tel Aviv 61033
Your donation helps make our voice heard
Please, send checks in your own currency – for confirmation of receipt include email address
In several countries tax-exemption can be obtained by donating through local charities
info@gush-shalom.org w w w . g u s h - s h a l o m - o r g

Stop killing civilians!

The Israeli government is drawning us all in a sea of blood and violence

Demonstration in front of Dan Halutz’ home

Tomorrow, Saturday 10.6.06 18:30

The Israeli army continues its brutal attacks against innocent civilians including children, women and old people. Only today at least 12 people were killed while sitting on the beach and dozens were injured.

Together with Olmert and Halutz, Amir Peretz, "a man of peace" and the leader of the working class, is leading a ruthless attack on Palestinian civilians and is committing war crimes no less than the former minister of defense, Mufaz.

The Israeli government is doing everything possible in order to avoid negotiations with Palestinian representatives. Now in the face of a possible Palestinian unity around the the "prisoners document" that might influence the Israeli unilateral plans, the Israeli government is determined to provoke Hamas and drag it back to the circle of violence.

On Saturday 10.6.06 at 18:30 we will demonstrate in front Dan Halutz’ home in Tel Aviv, Zahala Neighborhood, Baruch Agadati St. 19 B, and call to stop immediately the attacks on Gaza, to end the occupation and to start negotiations.

Transportation :

Jerusalem at 17:15 Gan Hapaamon (Bell Garden) 17:30 Binyaney Ha’uma

Khulood 0547469738

Tel Aviv: if you can’t come by yourself, there is a bus: 18:00 Habima

Yonathan 0546327736

For more information call:

Yana 050-8575729

Yossi 052-5210184

Adam 0506-709603

Anarchists Against the Wall, Breaking the Silence

Courage to Refuse, Coalition of Women for Peace

Gush Shalom, Taayush, Yesh Gvul,

די לרצח אזרחים!

ממשלת ישראל מעוניינת להטביע את כולנו בים של דם ואלימות

הפגנה מול ביתו של דן חלוץ בצהלה (אזור תל אביב), מחר (שבת 10.6) ב-18:30

צה"ל ממשיך לתקוף את רצועת עזה ולטבוח באזרחים תמימים, ילדים, נשים וזקנים. רק היום, נרצחו כ-12 אזרחים בעת שישבו על חוף הים ועשרות רבות נוספים נפצעו.

יחד עם אולמרט וחלוץ, עמיר פרץ, איש השלום וגיבור מעמד הפועלים, מוביל מתקפה של טרור כנגד אוכלוסייה אזרחית ומבצע פשעי מלחמה בהיקף שלא היה מבייש את קודמו בתפקיד.

ממשלת ישראל אשר חוששת מאופק מדיני ומהסכמה פלסטינית על "מסמך האסירים" אשר יתכן ויסכל את התכוניות החד-צדדיות שלה, נחושה לגרור את החמאס חזרה למעגל האלימות לאחר שהאחרון דבק בהודנה מזה למעלה משנה.

מחר, יום שבת ה-10.6 בשעה 18:30 נפגין מול ביתו של דן חלוץ בתל אביב רח' ברוך אגדתי מס' 19 ב, בשכונת צהלה.

להפסקת התקיפות על רצועת עזה, ליציאה מכל השטחים הכבושים ולכניסה למו"מ.

הסעות:

מירושלים: 17:15 מגן הפעמון 17:30 בנייני האומה חולוד 0547469738

תל אביב: למי שלא מגיע בכוחות עצמו

יצא אוטובוס מהבימה ב 18:00 יונתן 0546327736

לפרטים נוספים

יאנה 0508575729 יוסי 0525210184 אדם 0506709605

אנרכיסטים נגד הגדר, תעאיוש- שותפות יהודית ערבית,

גוש שלום, קואליצית נשים לשלום, שוברים שתיקה, יש גבול, אומץ לסרב

Children and the cost of war

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Yossi 052-5210184