An ‘epidemic of r*pe and child pregnancy’ is being reported in Gaza under Hamas rule. Gazans living under Hamas rule are beginning to break their silence, describing s*xual abuse by multiple men, s*xual blackmail for aid or money and abuse by people in positions of power.
Human rights organizations in Gaza say that up to 60,000 women are vulnerable, with reports also indicating a rise in child marriages and pregnancies. Jusoor News filmed rare video testimonies inside the Gaza Strip. The filming was done at great risk because speaking up in Gaza carries severe risk. In one account told by a male Gazan, whose identity has to remain anonymous for his safety, he described how he found a widow displaced in the war being molested inside a tent by ‘a bunch of’ Hamas members and was warned to stay silent. ‘We were contacted by the wife of a friend. She had asked a Qassam Brigades commander to help her, but he took advantage of her,’ he said. ‘His behaviour is disgraceful. We investigated the matter and found her in a tent in the Gharabli area where a bunch of Qassam members were taking advantage of her. ‘We informed the leadership but we were told we had to keep silent about it.’
The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades is the military arm of Hamas. Another Gazan man confirmed that a similar episode had happened with one of his female neighbours, who was blackmailed by ‘one of Hamas charity organisations… they wanted her to “sell” herself in exchange for a food parcel, or an aid voucher, or 100 shekels’.
Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
canisgallicus 