During its operation in the Gaza Strip following the abduction of Cpl. Gilad Shalit, Israeli air force jets have carried out low-altitude sorties over the Gaza Strip in which they intentionally cause powerful sonic booms. The air force has used sonic booms a number of times since the completion of the Gaza disengagement plan.
In the present operation, the air force has caused three or four sonic-boom sorties a night.
The sole purpose of these sorties is to prevent the residents from sleeping and to create an ongoing sense of fear and anxiety. Regarding the sonic booms, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that, "thousands of residents in southern Israel live in fear and discomfort, so I gave instructions that nobody will sleep at night in the meantime in Gaza ." The clear intention of the practice is to pressure the Palestinian Authority and the armed Palestinian organizations by harming the entire civilian population.
Children, in particular, suffer from the sonic booms. In the past, the Gaza Community Mental Health Center reported that
the supersonic sorties caused fear among many children, which led to a loss of concentration, loss of appetite, bedwetting, and other disorders. The Center also reported that sonic booms caused headaches, stomach aches, shortness of breath, and other physical effects that appeared among both children and adults. Sonic booms also cause property damage, primarily shattered windows.
The use of sonic booms flagrantly breaches a number of provisions of international humanitarian law. The most significant provision is the prohibition on collective punishment. Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which is intended to protect civilians in time of war, categorically states that "Collective penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are prohibited." The article also states that, "Reprisals against protected persons and their property are prohibited." Air force supersonic sorties also breach the principle of distinction, a central pillar of humanitarian law, which forbids the warring sides to direct their attacks against civilians.
In November 2005 , Physicians for Human Rights- Israel and the Gaza Community Mental Health Center appealed to the Israeli H igh C ourt of J ustice against the use of sonic booms. The appeal is still pending. PHR-Israel plans to file an additional appeal on the topic in the coming days.
B'Tselem calls for an immediate halt to the use of the sonic booms.
http://www.btselem.org/english/Special/20060703_Supersonic_booms.asp
• There have been series of sonic booms reported over the Gaza Strip caused by IAF aircraft flying at low altitude and breaking the sound barrier. Between 24 – 28 September there were 29 sonic booms recorded and since 24 October until 14:00 hours 31 October a further 28 have been experienced (total of 57). These sonic booms were mostly caused during the evenings and early mornings when children were going to school and people beginning their workday.
• The use of sonic booms by the IDF has caused physical damage and had psychological effects on Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip. UNRWA reported that more than 350 windows and doors were destroyed or damaged in their facilities in the Gaza Strip as a result of shock waves associated with the sonic booms in September. Many private and public institutions, including schools, were also damaged. Provisional information from health clinics in the Gaza Strip report increased signs of psychological stress in the population, particularly amongst children.
http://domino.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/fd...fb682b9d4d26dede852570ad0069f3e4!OpenDocument
Citing studies and surveys carried out separately by academic institutions, NGOs and the Palestinian Authority, UNICEF reported that 75 per cent of Palestinian adults think children are experiencing greater emotional problems and changes in behaviour compared with a year ago. Sleep-related problems are the most common form of psychological distress among children reporting problems. These include nightmares, bed-wetting, insomnia, and irregular sleeping patterns.
"Fear is also common," said Poupard. "Fear of darkness, fear of sleeping alone, leaving the house, strangers, loud noises and sudden movements. Children find it difficult to concentrate. Some are more anxious and irritable. Children are experiencing psychosomatic symptoms, such as headaches, stomach cramps and skin problems. And others are withdrawing from friends and family, rebelling or becoming aggressive themselves."
Studies show that children in refugee camps, poor children and girls between the ages of 5 and 14 are among the most vulnerable. Among very young children (up to age 5) the most common signs of distress are crying and clinging to parents. For children ages 6-12, aggression and rebellion are more common signs of fear and anxiety. Older children, ages 13-18, are more likely to suffer from risk-taking behaviour, a sense of helplessness, frustration and withdrawal.
http://www.unicef.org/newsline/01pr87.htm