Sonic Boom

Although the phrase "sonic boom" would normally conjure up fond memories of the Street Fighter 2 machine down at the local arcade, I came across it in a quite different context in a blog I happened upon the other day, written by a doctor living and working in the volatile Gaza strip.

Amongst the many oppressive tactics of the Israeli occupation forces, is a technique known as sonic booming. Basically, when an object (in this case an American-built F-16 Israeli fighter jet) breaks the sound barrier, an effect known as the sonic boom is emitted. Not only is the sound very scary but the violent shockwaves which are created as a result of the sonic booms can have a whole range of horrible effects:

Low-flying F-16 fighter jets break the sound barrier above populated areas, creating thunderous shock waves which shake buildings, break windows, blow off doors, and cause widespread panic, fear, and hysteria.

The practice began in late September 2005 after Israeli settlers withdrew from Gaza.

Human rights groups and doctors have condemned the practice, which indiscriminately punishes the civilian population of Gaza, particularly young children:

According to Eyad Sarraj, a Palestinian psychiatrist, the attacks are terrorising the population and resulting in an array of psychosomatic effects ranging from anxiety attacks, seizures and nausea to nosebleeds and miscarriages.

"Although it is not lethal, it can lead to death indirectly, of unborn children, it can lead to highly traumatising effects on children particularly, and adults too," he says.

"Repeated attacks of that kind have resulted in widespread bedwetting and behavioural changes, depression and anxiety symptoms, in both children and adults."

Sarraj says the sonic attacks are particularly traumatising on children below the age of six, who cannot distinguish between real and simulated bombings and perceive loud noises as threats and danger.

"I have seen children who have changed completely after being subjected to sonic booms, from sociable to clingy and anxious, crying all the time.

Source

Here's a very simple model of how a sonic boom works.

Imagine how that would sound amplified, coming from a fighter jet, flying over your home.

Imagine how it would feel, not knowing whether it was a bomb or a sonic boom.

Imagine the feeling of the shockwaves raining down on you... shockwaves that are strong enough to shatter windows, rock buildings, and even shake your internal organs.

Now imagine you're six years old.