blissett ireland writes:

"Extremely Volatile situation in Palestine. Many Firsthand accounts emerging from Irish, Italian and UK activists who are acting as Human Shields. Up to date reports suggest 8 internationals have been shot.

Amanda (9) an IMC Ireland reporter has been in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs (1) about the situation of Caoimhe Butterly (2), a 23 yr old Irish activist who is providing basic medical care to the Injured in what is left of Arafat’s compound.

Reports are emerging of scores of summary executions (3) of Palestinians by the Israeli Army.

A group of Palestinian Intellectuals (4) have issued a plea for urgent International solidarity.

One of the only comforting things about the whole situation is the presence of many international observers (5) and activists in all parts of Palestine and their continued efforts to get information out as well as attempting to deter the Israelis from going too far. Familiar names such as Luca Casarini (6) of Ya Basta and Jose Bove are also present. Bove was arrested last night along with 13 others in the vicinity of Arafat's office.

The observers have released a call for others to join them (7) and it appears that international activists are still making their way there.

The best sources for up to date info are italy indymedia and jerusalem indymedia.
IMC Italy is requesting help (8) as they are in contact with a large group of Italians in Palestine including Italian Parliamentarians from RF Communista and a large Ya Basta delegation. Translators would probably be of most assistance to them.

Voices opposed to the occupation from within Israel are being drowned out. Here is an eloquent testimony from an Israeli refusenik (11) who along with hundreds of others has refused to serve in the Occupied territories.

A Tactical Media crew are also there sending out regular reports. (10)

(1) Department of Foreign Affairs line
http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=13 98

(2) Caoimhe Butterly statement
http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=13 97

(3) Summary Executions
http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=14 01

(4) http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=14 02
Letter from Palestinian Intellectuals

(5) http://www.uk.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id= 26487&group=webcast
Uk accounts from observers

(6)http://italy.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_i d=44976&group=webcast
Casarini and Ya Basta

(7) http://www.nyc.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id =21815
Call for more international civilian observers

(8) IMC Italy looking for help
http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=13 97

(9) http://www.indymedia.ie/cgi-bin/newswire.cgi?id=13 95
Report from Amanda who is in phone contact with internationals

(10) Tactical Media Crew this morning
http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=161 946&group=webcast

(11) http://www.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=161 848&group=webcast
Open letter from an Israeli Refusenik"