Everyone knows that the Zionist war on the Gaza Strip has entered a lull. The dust has settled but other effects linger on. It’s no secret that more than 1500 persons were martyred and 5000 injured in addition to the complete annihilation of thousands of homes by tons of explosives. All this is well known and has been extensively reported by those sections of the media that have revealed these crimes.
However one story that the media have not reported is what Zionist forces did to animals. They destroyed a number of zoos in the Gaza Strip which are the second recreational outlet for its bereaved families and children after the first natural outlet the beach.
Execution of animals
The Shadha (Fragrant) Garden Zoo on the east side of Zaytun neighborhood which is itself on the east side of Gaza City is the largest and most prominent zoo in Gaza both in terms of space and the number of rare animals in its collection. It was clearly made a target by the Israeli invaders who destroyed it completely and killed more than 95% of its animals for it was one-of-a-kind in the Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian Information Center’s correspondent met with the director of The Garden Imad Qassem who confirmed that the Zoo was definitely targeted by the Israelis who destroyed virtually all property belonging to the Zoo.
Qassem disclosed that a number of animals were directly targeted by Zionist gunfire and missiles.
The Loss of the Other Outlet
Before its destruction the Zoo was considered a refuge for anyone seeking an outlet to briefly take their minds off the grim conditions that Palestinian families have had to endure in the Gaza Strip.
It became the main alternative to the primary outlet the natural beauty of the beach. People had become afraid to go to the beach after Israeli naval boats shelled it about three years ago. That was a war crime which wiped out the entire family of Huda Ghalia (their youngest female member) when a rocket landed on them.
Regarding visitors’ impressions of the Zoo Qassem pointed out that it used to receive great numbers of visitors people of all ages and groups especially since it had a comparatively large number of rare animals in the collection. The visits would increase on occasions such as holidays etc. They would also receive many school groups on field trips.
Qassem expressed bewilderment at what crime the zoo animals could have committed to receive such treatment. The only thing they did was alleviate some of the psychological stress to which Gaza’s children are exposed to as a result of the ongoing Zionist aggression against the Palestinian people.
He went on to ask: “Where are the humane societies? And where are the international agencies? (They need) to come and see how these animals have been slaughtered in cold blood as if for recreation. Were these animals fighting against the occupation? Do animals bear arms? What sins did they commit to be killed in this manner?”
Losses Exceed a Quarter of a Million Dollars
The director of the Garden revealed that the preliminary survey conducted by the organization’s administration estimated the magnitude of the losses at more than a quarter of a million dollars.
He noted that Israeli troops set up operational headquarters at the very center of the Zoo during their invasion of Zaytun. He stated that the soldiers used the animals for target practice killing them for amusement by deliberately firing guns and rockets at their pens.
An Invitation to Take a Stand against This Crime
Qassem using the PIC to get his message out called upon humane societies throughout the world especially those within Israel to condemn this Israeli crime against animals emphasizing that the Zionist forces’ treatment of the animals was one of unlimited brutality.
The Zoo was the only one in Gaza with predatory animals; that included lions wolves foxes crocodiles and wild cats as well as domesticated animals such as gazelles and monkeys. It also had a variety of birds. Most of these were shot and killed without mercy by the occupation.
The Bewilderment of Gaza’s Children
Twelve-year-old Yusuf Ahmed used to regularly visit the Zoo on a weekly basis with his parents for a bit of enjoyment. He was shocked to see the Zoo reduced to rubble and the remains of the animals that used to live there.
The Palestinian child told the PIC “I never imagined that the Jews would kill animals too.” He asked “But what crime did these animals commit to be killed like this with bullets and missiles?”
As far as young Mahmood Ghurrah is concerned that’s not difficult to understand seeing as the occupation forces kill children and women; so why should killing animals be difficult?
He added with a note of sadness: “Those criminals killed my father so why wouldn’t they like to kill animals this way? And all that we Palestinians can do is say ‘Allah is sufficient for us; and what an excellent handler of affairs.”
