BBC journalist and Gaza resident Rushdi Abou Alouf describes the situation in Gaza on the sixth day of Israel's air assault on Palestinian militant group Hamas. Israel is currently preventing international reporters from entering Gaza. Concerns are growing about a shortage of food and basic supplies There were more than four Israeli air strikes in Gaza City in the first hour of 2009. The sounds of bombs and explosions were heard all over the city. I was at home in Gaza City, about 200m from the Hamas education ministry, which was hit last night. We stayed away from the windows. We leave them open because the glass breaks if the Israelis bomb nearby, so it is very cold. It was hard to keep my four-year-old son calm. Normally we would go out, drive around in the city, or go to a restaurant at new year, but the city was very quiet. In spite of everything I was able to send new year messages to friends via SMS. I received one text that said: "Look outside, F-16s are smiling at you, missiles are dancing for you, drones are singing for you, because I requested them all to wish you Happy New Year." I also managed to phone my father and mother, four sisters and four brothers. They have evacuated their house because they live next to a mosque. The Israelis believe Hamas is using mosques to store weapons. They have already hit eight mosques. We are unable to function normally, we have no cars, we can't even wear police uniforms because of Israeli drones

Abu Ahmad

Police commander Some life is continuing in Gaza City - I would say it is about 20% of the normal activity. The first two days were very, very difficult. There were no people at all in the streets - nothing open at all. But on the third day a few more places opened and people started to cook more - if you have kids and a family you have to feed them. You have to find a way. I went to the main supermarket in Gaza City. It was full of people buying things like candles, batteries, tuna, flour and cooking oil. They are worried supplies will run out, partly because the smuggling tunnels from Egypt have been damaged in the Israeli airstrikes. There was big sign saying the supermarket would only take cash - no credit cards, cheques or promises to pay later. The banks are closed, and the owner said he could not be sure he would be able to cash cheques or card payments. "I understand why people are storing food and products, but I don't think the world will allow us to starve," he said. 'Very angry' Israel says it is targeting Hamas and not Gazan civilians I also spoke to Abu Ahmad, a commander in the Hamas police, which were targeted in the first wave of airstrikes. He said he used to manage 25 people, but had lost four of them. He said the police are "not involved at all" in military activities, such as firing rockets - but he clearly supported such actions. The force's role was to "maintain law and order", he said, by which he meant a range of activities from stopping crime to tackling spies. "Our role is just as important as those firing rockets [at Israeli towns]," he said. He said they had been dealing with cases such as a bakery manager who had doubled his prices leading many people to complain. But as armed members of Hamas, Israel sees the police as targets. We are very sad and angry about losing our son, but this is our role, this is our land

Bereaved father "We are unable to function normally, we have no cars, we can't even wear police uniforms because of the Israeli drones," said Mr Ahmad. I also went to meet a Hamas family which lost two people. One was a bodyguard for the head of the police; his cousin was among the trainee Hamas police officers killed on Saturday during their graduation ceremony. Most of the streets in the area were closed, a mourning tent had been set up and a big poster of the Hamas leader Ismail Haniya was on display. Despite their losses, some of those who have lost family members are resolute. "We will not hold up the white flag, we will not sacrifice our sons," they say. "We are very sad and angry about losing our son, but this is our role, this is our land," the father of the bodyguard said to me.



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