29/1/10: While preparing to interview the Tamimi family in their home during the Nabi Saleh's weekly protest, a teargas grenade came flying through the window, breaking the glass, and landing in the middle of the living room, blocking the only exit and spewing teargas throughout the house. About a dozen children were gathered in the house since it was dangerous outside with the Israeli soldiers shooting teargas and various types of ammunition. We managed to get everyone in one room to wait it out, but when we tried to open the window to get fresh air (as teargas is not only painful, but can be deadly in closed rooms and for small children) but the Israeli soldiers had shot the 'skunk water' - the worst smelling liquid you could imagine - out on the side of the house and window so we weren't able to get fresh air for almost half an hour. Kids were choking and crying because they were so afraid. Finally, some medics made it into the house after the Israeli soldiers left the street in front of the house and gave the kids their gas masks and helped us get them out the window where medics were waiting with a ladder (second floor window). Many needed medical attention. Nabi Saleh is protesting on a weekly basis against the theft of their land by Israeli settlers.

• published: 28 Feb 2013
• views: 802
• author: Renee Lewis