Were chickens firing rockets? By Sameh Habeeb
Israel’s devastating war on Gaza claimed the lives of more than 1,335 persons and left at least 5,500 other wounded. In addition tens of thousands of utilities, houses, businesses, and factories were partially or totally destroyed. The war caused psychological damage for thousands of people especially children. I reported on the war daily and my focus was on the human toll. However, I recently came across a story that changed my focus completely a revealed to me the true nature of Israel’s soldiers and their intent in invading Gaza.
Israel’s devastating war on Gaza claimed the lives of more than 1,335 persons and left at least 5,500 other wounded. In addition tens of thousands of utilities, houses, businesses, and factories were partially or totally destroyed. The war caused psychological damage for thousands of people especially children. I reported on the war daily and my focus was on the human toll. However, I recently came across a story that changed my focus completely a revealed to me the true nature of Israel’s soldiers and their intent in invading Gaza.
Since the ceasefire was enacted, I have toured throughout Gaza to document some stories and accounts. Although I wrote many articles, I decided to focus on the untold stories of the war: the brutal massacre of thousands of chickens.
On 5 January, many Israeli tanks, troops and bulldozers advanced into the al-Zeitoun neighborhood south east of Gaza City. In this area, called al-Samouni, Israel killed 49 members of the Samouni family, after soldiers ordered them to gather into a single home, which was shelled several hours later.
A number of chicken farms are located only a few meters away from the Samouni house. These farms came under fire by Israeli forces and were totally bulldozed. Thousands of chickens were caught in their sheds, as the bulldozing destroyed their cages. Some died immediately, others slowly without food or water for four days.
Abu Ahmed al-Sawafari, an owner of a chicken farms owners, was sitting amidst the rubble of his destroyed farm. He explained that “I have been working on that profession for long years. I have been growing my business by all efforts. Israelis came then left causing an earthquake in the area. They have killed these chickens, they are equal to human souls. They were suffocated and died due to hunger. I wonder why the Israelis killed these chickens? Were they firing rockets into Israel?”
I continued touring farms in the area where the smell of death filled the air. Surviving chickens roamed around surrounded by thousands of their dead kin. It was an overwhelming scene leaving one to ask only: why?
If this question was directed to the Israeli army their response would be swift and predictable. They would likely contend that “rockets” were being fired from the farms, or that there were Palestinian resistance fighters in the area. However, unless the Israeli army is prepared to claim that these chickens were resistance fighters or were firing rockets nothing can explain why the self-proclaimed “world’s most moral army” would engage in the wholesale slaughter of civilians and chickens alike.
Photos ov ISRAELI MASSACRE AGAINST 30 THOUSANDS CHIKENS IN GAZA
http://picasaweb.google.com/sameh.habeeb/ISRAELIMASSACREAGAINST30THOUSANDSCHIKENSINGAZA#
http://picasaweb.google.com/sameh.habeeb/ISRAELIMASSACREAGAINST30THOUSANDSCHIKENSINGAZA#
Desertpeace 
ApK said,
January 29, 2009 at 23:45
If it was at all unclear to anyone before that the Israeli agenda is very much about undermining the basic needs and rights of the Palestinian people, it should not be so easy to deny in light of this latest aggression. The destruction of food sources, basic amenities and infrastructure, as well as human lives, all add up to a persistent assault on the most fundamental human rights, and the world should be ashamed to let it go on.
Many thanks for your writing – I will try to check in more often and make some mention of your articles on my blog.
cynicalmystic said,
January 30, 2009 at 04:08
“I have been working on that profession for long years. I have been growing my business by all efforts. Israelis came then left causing an earthquake in the area. They have killed these chickens, they are equal to human souls.”
It is a damn crying shame that israelis have no souls.
embarrassed in USA said,
January 30, 2009 at 17:55
Do you not see the danger to jews and zionists from chickens?
Can you not see the true danger?
Then you are anti-semites and crazies!
The chicken danger to israel must be dealt with.
israel has a right to exist, the chickens must recognize israel now or they will all be wiped off the face of the earth.
the talmud is very clear on chickens, “if a jew is endangered by one chicken, all chickens must be killen in that village”