Instructions Concerning Receiving Evacuation Phone Calls from the Israeli Authorities Prior to Bombing Civilian Homes

Many civilians have lately received phone calls, on their land lines or mobile phones, from sources claiming to be the Israeli Intelligence Service, and warning them of an imminent bombing of their homes under the pretense of being affiliated with Palestinian resistance groups. The phone caller gives them limited time to evacuate their homes; otherwise, it will be destroyed over their heads!

These phone calls have widely spread among Palestinians, including hundreds of innocent civilians. Such phenomenon has spread panic among the Palestinian society in the Gaza Strip.

As a part of our mission, we at Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP) would like to offer some facts and instructions for the civilians, in an attempt to end such a phenomenon and decrease its negative impact on our people.

Here are some instructions on how to deal with these warning phone calls:

1. Such phenomenon should be viewed as a method of psychological warfare that the Israeli Intelligence and its collaborators follow to shake the internal Palestinian structure and to plant seeds of sedition among the civilians. Israeli authorities turned to this kind of warfare after failing to destroy the political will of the Palestinian people. Also, it represents a form of collective punishment, as stipulated in the International Humanitarian Law.

2. You should deal with such phone calls objectively; neither ignoring and underestimating them, nor reacting excessively. It's necessary to be careful so as not to spread fear and panic among family members, particularly the children.

3. You should be certain of the reality and seriousness of such phone calls and if there were real risks at the family, through contacting international organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, or other security services in the Palestinian Authority, if possible.

4. In case of ascertaining the seriousness of the phone call, try to secure a safe place for the family and move to it calmly without panic, fear or screaming of women, as this matter deeply affects the mental health of children.

5. Try to spread feelings of safety, particularly among children, by saying 'now we are far away from the bombing', as well as trying to keep the daily routine of the family and secure all basic needs.

6. Try to inform the neighbors about the matter quietly to take the necessary procedures to avoid the sudden bombing that may cause a number of casualties and psychological problems among them.

7. Inform the concerned parties; such as the fire department, health ministry, the media, and ICRC to do the necessary work.

8. In case you become sure that such calls are unreal, you shouldn't spread rumors or exaggerate in telling friends and relatives, as it increases panic and terror among the civilians, otherwise we will help the Israelis to succeed in their plans.

9. Such a policy aims at keeping attention away from the Israeli violations and aggressions against the Palestinian people through confusing them, and keeping them busy with internal issues, and trying to shake the symbols of protection, stability and mental wellbeing of civilians - their homes.

We appeal to the State of Israel to end such a policy that represents a collective psychological, inhumane, and illegal punishment. As well, we call on international and humanitarian organizations to exert pressure on Israel in order to stop such an illegitimate policy that goes against the International Humanitarian Law. In addition, we call on the civilians not to respond or be affected by the Israeli psychological warfare, which aims to create a state of panic and fear among the Palestinian people.

Gaza Community Mental Health Programme