On 27 December 2009, Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights released the first of 23 personal testimonies which examine how, a full year after Operation Cast Lead, the survivors of the offensive are coping with their loss, trauma and disabilities.One testimony will be released on each day of the Operation Cast Lead commemoration, 27 December 2009 to 18 January 2010.

Day 1: "The State of Israel launched Operation Cast Lead at 11.30am on Saturday 27 December 2008 with a surprise air attack which targeted dozens of civilian installations across the Gaza Strip; 24 civil police stations were among the targets. In these first few minutes, 130 policemen were killed; leaving 96 women widowed, and 245 children orphaned. Fayiz Al Madhoun, 33, was killed in the Az-Zahra City police station attack. Almost a year after his death, Al Mezan interviewed his mother, Um Fayiz, 50, and his widow, Ra’ida, 29. "

Read the full story of the Al Mezan website

**DISCLAIMER: Please note that the views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect the views of DCI-Palestine, and that the data may contradict ours**

Source: Al-Mezan