In the 22^nd , 23^rd and the 24^th of Oct, the Israeli soldiers intensively fired more rockets and bullets at the YMCA neighborhood in Beit Sahour causing more and severe damage to many houses and created more misery and horror to the families and the children in particular. Five people, including four children (three from one family aged 8, 10 and 13) were injured in these brutal acts, by the fragments of the rockets fired from Israeli choppers. All these children are YMCA beneficiaries, and participate in the play and art therapy activities organized for the victimized children in the recent clashes.

Few bullets hit the YMCA building as well, causing more damage in the windows, roof and the walls of the Training and Play therapy room. One of the bullets settled in the white board used by the children for drawing and for training sessions.

By a miracle, two children saved by moving them five minuets before the artillery micelle hit the family house of one of our staff in Beit Jala. Severely damaged the house and our colleague’s car besides the neighbor’s houses and properties.

This new shelling to the houses has caused severe psychological and behavioral difficulties to all the children and their families living in the area. Many adults have developed psychological difficulties as well. This created more difficulties to the YMCA staff in dealing with these affected children and families.

Israel has also placed the Palestinians under severe siege, whereby people and goods can not move between cities and villages. This has also added more burdens on the people and YMCA staff who works with the affected persons as well.

All these new Israeli measures came after the moderate decisions of the Arab Summit Conference, to show more signs on the Israeli aggression and brutality against the Palestinian People and that Israel is violating all the international conventions. This is an additional indicator that Israel is not concerned in any just and lasting peace with the Palestinians.