JERUSALEM
Palestinian shops were shuttered in East Jerusalem on Monday to protest Israel's ongoing military onslaught on the blockaded Gaza Strip, in which at least 509 Palestinians have been killed – mostly civilians – since it began two weeks ago.
The call to strike was endorsed by all Palestinian factions, who declared a day of mourning and a general strike inside Israel.
Only bakeries and pharmacies remained open in the holy city in line with a tradition followed since the eruption of the second intifada (2000-2005) – one of two major uprisings against Israel's decades-long occupation of Palestinian land.
"People are fed up here with what's happening in Gaza. It's like igniting a fire that spreads all over," pharmacy owner Asmail Kaddoura, 72, told Anadolu Agency.
"It's true that Palestinians lost many lives. It's very hard, but we're used to it. If we lose ten lives, another 20 will replace them," Kaddoura said.
He added defiantly: "We're here to stay."
At least 509 Palestinians – mostly civilians – have been killed and more than 3150 injured in unrelenting Israeli attacks on the besieged coastal enclave since July 7.
Sunday was the deadliest day yet of Israel's onslaught, with at least 110 Palestinians – including 72 in eastern Gaza City's residential area of Shujaya – killed in devastating air and artillery attacks.
Kaddoura said the Israelis had not expected such spirited resistance from the blockaded Gaza Strip.
"They [the Israelis] thought they could just come and kill and then leave without taking casualties. But with the death of 18 Israeli soldiers and one held hostage, the resistance made them think twice [about attacking Gaza]," he said.
Abid Ansaari, a 31-year-old East Jerusalem perfume maker, said nobody could blame Gaza-based resistance faction Hamas for "fighting back."
"I'm against violence, but Hamas' actions are justified," Ansaari told AA. "If you hold a cat captive for several days, it will attack you."
He described Sunday's massacre in Shujaya, along with other recent Israeli violations across the Palestinian territories, as "horrible."
"This is how we feel every year. We just have to sit here and take it, unable to do anything other than demonstrate and call strikes," Ansaari said.
By Turgut Alp Boyraz
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
