http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/11005305/Gaza-men-watch-as-smart-bomb-blows-up-building.html
It is a picture of ordinary daily living on the edge between life and death.
This is the view from a nondescript street corner in Gaza as a building a
block away is targeted by Israeli airforce smart bombs.
In the first in a series of remarkable images conveying danger and implacable
daily life, a laser-guided missile with direction setting fins is seen
falling through the dust filled sky.
(Max Becherer/Polaris/Eyevine)
At ground level men walking on the pavement, in cars and on motorbikes are
clearly seen looking at the aircraft in the sky.
Few if any have trained their eyes on the missile and are not yet tracking the armament that will soon explode with terrifying force. Not immediately obvious at first glance is the young boys playing in the traffic but bent over cowering with the sensation of exposure to overwhelming force.
Doug Richardson, missiles and rockets editor of IHS Janes International Defence Review said the building was being hit by an American-made 2,000lb GBU-10 Paveway II laser-guided bomb. The angle of the drop suggested the strike was looking to penetrate an underground structure such as a bunker. The bomb, which costs about $25,000 (£14,900) from the factory, is made by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Co.
Paveway II
The laser guidance technology works through a computer unit at the front of the weapon which conducts signals from the controller to the guidance fins, while an airfoil at the rear provides the stability for inflight maneuvering.
The contrast between the high-technology involved in the attack and the conditions on the ground in Gaza can be viewed in stark relief in other images shot by the photographer.
In another wider view from almost the same angle, a donkey cart has moved into focus and the cars have continued on their journey.
(Max Becherer/Polaris/Eyevine)
A group of youths are captured, their bodies at jagged angles, about to break into a run.
It is now clear the area is being targeted and a second missile is moving at an angle to the target.
Minutes earlier the owner of the residential building bombed had received a telephone call from the Israeli military.
He was told the property would be bombed and warned to evacuate.
(Max Becherer/Polaris/Eyevine)
The precision weapons dropped from three air force jets did their job: the targeted building was destroyed and the surrounding structures remain standing intact.
As clouds of smoke rise from the blast, residents stand looking on, capture by the camera in mid-gesture.
Some are silhoutted against the sharp light and shadows extend across the road.
An Israeli F15 jet releases a flare as it files over Gaza City (EPA)
As the concrete dust and smoke spreads to cover the entire road the quick return to normality is apparent. Only the set of tires strewn across the road indicates that area is temporarily impassable.
(Max Becherer/Polaris/Eyevine)
One man in perfect profile nonchalantly crosses the road as if oblivious to the storm and fury of the war in his backyard.
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