In Israel, criticism of army brutality in the Palestinian areas is rising. 18 intellectuals, among them the writers Amos Oz and David Grossman, opposed attacks on civilians in an open letter. In their letter to the Minister of Defense, they write: "It is unethical [...] to put pressure on the Palestinian population, subjecting them to collective punishment, in order to fight terrorism". This was occasioned by an attack in the Gaza strip on June 9, in which seven members of a family were killed. Israel denies responsibility for the event, but Human Rights Watch claims to have found new indications for Israeli involvement.
In the meantime the hospitals in Palestine, and only these for the time being, are to receive international support again. An agreement within the Near East group of four about releasing a part of the blocked funds is imminent. This was said in passing at the EU summit.
Source: Wiener Zeitung of June
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