NABLUS, January 16, 2010 (WAFA)- An action will be held in centre of  the West Bank city of Nablus on Sunday 17 January in commemoration of the first anniversary of the  Israeli war on Gaza  and the 320 children who died in the attack, International Solidarity Movement  (ISM) said in a press release.

Nablus scouts and school children will be joined by local and international human rights activists in a program of activities held in Doar Al-Shada’a , Nablus city centre. Activities will include children participating in painting murals in memory of the children who died in Israel’s 3-week assault on Gaza in December 2008 and January 2009, as well as releasing balloons bearing the names of the children martyrs to the sky and a musical performance by the Nablus scout brigades.

The action is held under the patronage of Nablus governor Jibreen Al- Bakri, who will join local and international  activists in speaking at the event.

Israel launched Operation Cast Lead on Gaza on the December 27 2008, lasting until January 18. 1387 Palestinians were killed, including 320 children. More than 400,000 Gazans were left without running water, while 4,000 homes were destroyed or badly damaged, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless; 80 government buildings were hit. It has has a detrimental effect on Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, already at a critical level due to Israel’s siege of the impoverished Gaza strip.