Human shield deters Israeli strike

BEIT LAHIYA – Hundreds of Palestinians crowded around the homes of two militant leaders throughout the night yesterday, a new tactic that forced Israel to call off airstrikes on the buildings and re-evaluate its aerial campaign in the Gaza Strip.

The protests erupted shortly after the Israeli army ordered occupants out of the homes. Israel routinely issues such warnings before attacking buildings that it says are used to store weapons, saying it wants to avoid casualties.Instead of leaving the buildings, the homeowners remained inside and were quickly joined by crowds of supporters who gathered on balconies, rooftops and in the streets outside.”Death to Israel.Death to America,” the crowds chanted.Local mosques and Palestinian TV and radio stations also mobilised supporters.It was the first time Palestinians have formed human shields to prevent an airstrike.The first incident occurred just before midnight at the home of Mohammedweil Baroud, a leader of the Popular Resistance Committees.Baroud, who oversees rocket attacks on Israel, in the northern town of Beit Lahiya.About two hours later, Mohammed Nawajeh, a Hamas leader in northern Gaza, got a similar call.Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh arrived at Baroud’s home early Sunday to support the protest.”We are so proud of this national stand.It’s the first step toward protecting our homes, the homes of our children,” Haniyeh said as he made his way to the roof of the house, decorated during the night with black and green flags symbolising the Popular Resistance Committees and Hamas groups.”This is a message to the Arab and Islamic nations that these innocent people cannot give up.This is the real national unity,” Haniyeh said.People loyal to various Palestinian factions – Hamas, Fatah and the Popular Resistance Committees – which have often fought against each other, answered calls for help, crossing party and ideological lines to fend off the Israeli airstrikes.It was not clear whether the protests were spontaneous or planned ahead of time.”These Palestinian masses have come to defeat the Zionist swords which are targeting our heads and the heads of our fighters.This is the beginning of the popular activities to protect the fighters and their homes,” said Nizar Rayan, a Hamas leader in northern Gaza.Nampa-APIsrael routinely issues such warnings before attacking buildings that it says are used to store weapons, saying it wants to avoid casualties.Instead of leaving the buildings, the homeowners remained inside and were quickly joined by crowds of supporters who gathered on balconies, rooftops and in the streets outside.”Death to Israel.Death to America,” the crowds chanted.Local mosques and Palestinian TV and radio stations also mobilised supporters.It was the first time Palestinians have formed human shields to prevent an airstrike.The first incident occurred just before midnight at the home of Mohammedweil Baroud, a leader of the Popular Resistance Committees.Baroud, who oversees rocket attacks on Israel, in the northern town of Beit Lahiya.About two hours later, Mohammed Nawajeh, a Hamas leader in northern Gaza, got a similar call.Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh arrived at Baroud’s home early Sunday to support the protest.”We are so proud of this national stand.It’s the first step toward protecting our homes, the homes of our children,” Haniyeh said as he made his way to the roof of the house, decorated during the night with black and green flags symbolising the Popular Resistance Committees and Hamas groups.”This is a message to the Arab and Islamic nations that these innocent people cannot give up.This is the real national unity,” Haniyeh said.People loyal to various Palestinian factions – Hamas, Fatah and the Popular Resistance Committees – which have often fought against each other, answered calls for help, crossing party and ideological lines to fend off the Israeli airstrikes.It was not clear whether the protests were spontaneous or planned ahead of time.”These Palestinian masses have come to defeat the Zionist swords which are targeting our heads and the heads of our fighters.This is the beginning of the popular activities to protect the fighters and their homes,” said Nizar Rayan, a Hamas leader in northern Gaza.Nampa-AP