24 mar 2013
Jihad movement calls on Egypt to pressure occupation to abide by ceasefire
The Islamic Jihad movement called on Egypt, the mediator of the truce agreement between the Palestinian resistance in Gaza and the Israeli occupation, to pressure the Israeli authorities to implement the agreement's terms, which ended the last Israeli aggression on Gaza in November.
Sheikh Khader Habib, a leader in the movement, said in a press statement that the Israeli decision to the limit down the fishing area in Gaza Sea from six to three miles is a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Habib considered the Israeli decision as a systematic policy to drive fishermen further from them and establish new boundaries for the siege, urging the Egyptian mediator to pressure the occupation to commit to the terms of the truce.
In related matter, Palestinian fishermen confirmed that the Israeli forces forced them on Saturday morning to pull back to three miles after reducing the fishing area.
Nizar Ayyash, head of the Gaza fishermen's syndicate, said that the occupation forces implemented its decision to reduce the fishing area from six to three miles, where they fired toward the Palestinian fishermen in total violation of the truce agreement which had expanded the three-nautical mile fishing limit imposed by Israeli occupation, as part of its naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, to six nautical miles.
The occupation forces announced that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon agreed to reduce the permitted fishing zone in the Sea of Gaza to three miles instead of six.
This comes after an Israeli promise to Turkey to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip, after its apology for its crime against the Turkish Marmara ship.
Sheikh Khader Habib, a leader in the movement, said in a press statement that the Israeli decision to the limit down the fishing area in Gaza Sea from six to three miles is a violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Habib considered the Israeli decision as a systematic policy to drive fishermen further from them and establish new boundaries for the siege, urging the Egyptian mediator to pressure the occupation to commit to the terms of the truce.
In related matter, Palestinian fishermen confirmed that the Israeli forces forced them on Saturday morning to pull back to three miles after reducing the fishing area.
Nizar Ayyash, head of the Gaza fishermen's syndicate, said that the occupation forces implemented its decision to reduce the fishing area from six to three miles, where they fired toward the Palestinian fishermen in total violation of the truce agreement which had expanded the three-nautical mile fishing limit imposed by Israeli occupation, as part of its naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, to six nautical miles.
The occupation forces announced that the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon agreed to reduce the permitted fishing zone in the Sea of Gaza to three miles instead of six.
This comes after an Israeli promise to Turkey to lift the siege on the Gaza Strip, after its apology for its crime against the Turkish Marmara ship.
IOA extends closure of Abu Salem and Beit Hanoun crossings
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) decided to extend the closure of Karam Abu Salem and Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossings for several days for security reasons and at the pretext of the Jewish holidays.
Ra'ed Fattouh, chief coordinator of the commercial traffic at Gaza crossings, said the IOA would continue to close the crossings on Sunday and during the two coming days for the Jewish holidays.
However, the IOA did not say if it would open the crossings on Wednesday.
The Israeli regime had closed the crossings last Wednesday claiming that a Palestinian rocket fell in Sderot settlement south of the 1948 occupied lands.
Karam Abu Salem crossing is considered the only commercial terminal between Gaza and the Israeli occupied lands that is used to enter goods and fuel supplies to the besieged enclave.
Ra'ed Fattouh, chief coordinator of the commercial traffic at Gaza crossings, said the IOA would continue to close the crossings on Sunday and during the two coming days for the Jewish holidays.
However, the IOA did not say if it would open the crossings on Wednesday.
The Israeli regime had closed the crossings last Wednesday claiming that a Palestinian rocket fell in Sderot settlement south of the 1948 occupied lands.
Karam Abu Salem crossing is considered the only commercial terminal between Gaza and the Israeli occupied lands that is used to enter goods and fuel supplies to the besieged enclave.
23 mar 2013
AI: Separation wall is ongoing violation of international law
Amnesty International considered that the Israeli apartheid wall built on Palestinian lands in occupied West Bank represents an ongoing violation of international law because "it is cutting off Palestinians from their farmland."
The organization said in a report: "Palestinian farmers in the northern West Bank village of Jayyus, who for years have had trouble accessing their land through the military fence/wall (which in this area takes the form of an electrified and heavily guarded fence), are now faced with Israeli settlers setting up additional obstacles."
It pointed out that the settlers have installed a caravan outpost to the north of the Israeli settlement Tsufim near the city of Qalqilya on the farmers' land in an apparent reaction to the resolution issued by the Israeli High Court ruling that the fence should be re-routed in order to return some of the land to the Palestinian farmers.
Ann Harrison, Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa program, said: "Settlers obstructing the re-routing of the military fence, because it gives a fraction of the Palestinian farmers' land back to them and frustrates the settlers' own plans for settlement expansion, is just outrageous."
She added that the international law demands removal of the wall and the settlements from the Occupied Palestinian Territories "but the reality on the ground is so distant from that, that it feels as though bulldozers have been driven straight through the Geneva Conventions and the International Court of Justice."
The organization said in a report: "Palestinian farmers in the northern West Bank village of Jayyus, who for years have had trouble accessing their land through the military fence/wall (which in this area takes the form of an electrified and heavily guarded fence), are now faced with Israeli settlers setting up additional obstacles."
It pointed out that the settlers have installed a caravan outpost to the north of the Israeli settlement Tsufim near the city of Qalqilya on the farmers' land in an apparent reaction to the resolution issued by the Israeli High Court ruling that the fence should be re-routed in order to return some of the land to the Palestinian farmers.
Ann Harrison, Deputy Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa program, said: "Settlers obstructing the re-routing of the military fence, because it gives a fraction of the Palestinian farmers' land back to them and frustrates the settlers' own plans for settlement expansion, is just outrageous."
She added that the international law demands removal of the wall and the settlements from the Occupied Palestinian Territories "but the reality on the ground is so distant from that, that it feels as though bulldozers have been driven straight through the Geneva Conventions and the International Court of Justice."
IOF soldiers detain three minors, set up roadblocks
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) detained three minors in Hares village, north of Salfit, on Saturday and installed roadblocks at various West Bank areas.
Locals said that the three detained children were 13, 15, and 17 years respectively, two of them brothers.
IOF soldiers installed roadblocks in a number of West Bank areas for surprise search of vehicles and IDs.
Locals said that the three detained children were 13, 15, and 17 years respectively, two of them brothers.
IOF soldiers installed roadblocks in a number of West Bank areas for surprise search of vehicles and IDs.
IOA reduces area of fishing in violation of calm agreement
Hamas movement lashed out at the Israeli occupation authorities for reducing the area of fishing off the coast of Gaza Strip to three nautical miles.
Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, urged the Egyptian leadership to assume its responsibility vis-à-vis that violation in its capacity as the patron of the calm agreement.
Abu Zuhri held the IOA fully responsible for that decision and its repercussions after the calm agreement had allowed fisherman in Gaza to fish in an area of six nautical miles off the coasts of the enclave.
The IOA decided to reduce the area of fishing and to close Karm Abu Salem commercial crossing in response to the alleged firing of two local rockets from Gaza into 1948 occupied Palestinian land.
Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, urged the Egyptian leadership to assume its responsibility vis-à-vis that violation in its capacity as the patron of the calm agreement.
Abu Zuhri held the IOA fully responsible for that decision and its repercussions after the calm agreement had allowed fisherman in Gaza to fish in an area of six nautical miles off the coasts of the enclave.
The IOA decided to reduce the area of fishing and to close Karm Abu Salem commercial crossing in response to the alleged firing of two local rockets from Gaza into 1948 occupied Palestinian land.
Erdogan phones Mishaal over Israeli apology
Political bureau chairman of Hamas Khaled Mishaal received a phone call from Turkish premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan informing him of Israel’s apology over its bloody raid on Mavi Marmara aid ship.
A statement by Hamas on Friday quoted Erdogan as telling Mishaal that Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu offered an apology for the attack, which killed nine Turkish nationals, and pledged to meet other Turkish demands such as compensations for the families of the dead and lifting the siege on the Palestinian people.
The statement congratulated the Turkish people and leadership over such a victory and big accomplishment represented in forcing Israel to apologize and submit to demands, noting that it was a rare instance.
The success of Turkey in forcing Israel to apologize proved anew that Israel only submits to the language of force, steadfastness and insistence on legitimate rights, the statement concluded.
Netanyahu had reached Erdogan over the phone on Friday and talked with him for half an hour in the presence of American president Barack Obama, who had intervened to broker the deal.
In an official statement, Netanyahu's office said: "In light of Israel's investigation into the incident which pointed to a number of operational mistakes, the prime minister expressed Israel's apology to the Turkish people for any mistakes that might have led to the loss of life or injury."
The deal included restoration of diplomatic ties and cancellation of legal measures against Israeli soldiers who took part in the deadly raid.
A statement by Hamas on Friday quoted Erdogan as telling Mishaal that Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu offered an apology for the attack, which killed nine Turkish nationals, and pledged to meet other Turkish demands such as compensations for the families of the dead and lifting the siege on the Palestinian people.
The statement congratulated the Turkish people and leadership over such a victory and big accomplishment represented in forcing Israel to apologize and submit to demands, noting that it was a rare instance.
The success of Turkey in forcing Israel to apologize proved anew that Israel only submits to the language of force, steadfastness and insistence on legitimate rights, the statement concluded.
Netanyahu had reached Erdogan over the phone on Friday and talked with him for half an hour in the presence of American president Barack Obama, who had intervened to broker the deal.
In an official statement, Netanyahu's office said: "In light of Israel's investigation into the incident which pointed to a number of operational mistakes, the prime minister expressed Israel's apology to the Turkish people for any mistakes that might have led to the loss of life or injury."
The deal included restoration of diplomatic ties and cancellation of legal measures against Israeli soldiers who took part in the deadly raid.
22 mar 2013
Heavy construction equipment enters Gaza for the first time
Minister of Public Works and Housing Yousef Subhi al-Ghareez declared the entry of heavy construction equipment to Gaza through Rafah crossing for the first time, pointing out that this equipment came within the Qatar-fund reconstruction operations in the strip.
The Minister thanked both Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in getting the construction machinery and equipment into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing.
The equipment entry into Gaza came within the cooperation protocol signed in Egypt last January for bringing building materials, necessary machinery and equipment for the implementation of the Qatari projects, the minister explained in a statement on Thursday.
Al-Ghareez added that this equipment will contribute significantly to the Qatar-fund reconstruction operations in the Gaza strip.
Qatar has pledged a grant worth $407 million to finance reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip.
The Minister thanked both Qatar and Egypt for their efforts in getting the construction machinery and equipment into the Gaza Strip via the Rafah crossing.
The equipment entry into Gaza came within the cooperation protocol signed in Egypt last January for bringing building materials, necessary machinery and equipment for the implementation of the Qatari projects, the minister explained in a statement on Thursday.
Al-Ghareez added that this equipment will contribute significantly to the Qatar-fund reconstruction operations in the Gaza strip.
Qatar has pledged a grant worth $407 million to finance reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip.
20 mar 2013
Israeli Forces Raze Land to Expand Military Checkpoint
Israeli forces Wednesday razed agricultural Palestinian-owned land south of the village of Yabod, near Jenin, for the expansion of a nearby Israeli military checkpoint, according to Palestinian security sources.
They told WAFA that Israeli bulldozers razed land located adjacent to the Israeli settlement of Mabo Dotan, built illegally on village land, for the expansion of a military checkpoint which connects the village of Yabod and nearby areas to the governorates of Jenin of Tulkarm.
They told WAFA that Israeli bulldozers razed land located adjacent to the Israeli settlement of Mabo Dotan, built illegally on village land, for the expansion of a military checkpoint which connects the village of Yabod and nearby areas to the governorates of Jenin of Tulkarm.
18 mar 2013
IOF closes Jeet barrier in Nablus, storms Fawar camp
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) closed Jeet barrier that links between the cities of Nablus and Qalqilya in the northern West Bank, after an armed attack against an Israeli settler in that area.
The IOF closed the main roads in the area and prevented the passage of Palestinian vehicles following the accident, and then imposed strict measures at Jeet checkpoint, searching and checking the Palestinian citizens' vehicles and identity cards, local sources confirmed.
Voice of Israel radio station has reported that an Israeli settler was slightly injured after being shot from a Palestinian car, as it claimed.
Meanwhile, the IOF stormed on Monday Fawar refugee camp south of al-Khalil in the West Bank, where Israeli patrols were deployed near the southern entrance of the district.
Dozens of soldiers stormed the camp, roaming between its neighborhoods, no arrests were reported, eyewitnesses told PIC reporter.
Occupation patrols have also stormed the southern entrance to the city of al-Khalil and the entrance to Beit Haggai settlement built on the Palestinian land.
In a related context, the Israeli occupation forces arrested at dawn on Monday the liberated prisoner Kedar Ghaith, 33, from al-Khalil after storming his house, where he was taken to unknown destination.
The occupation authorities have released Kedar a few months ago, where he spent 7 years in Israeli jails.
The IOF closed the main roads in the area and prevented the passage of Palestinian vehicles following the accident, and then imposed strict measures at Jeet checkpoint, searching and checking the Palestinian citizens' vehicles and identity cards, local sources confirmed.
Voice of Israel radio station has reported that an Israeli settler was slightly injured after being shot from a Palestinian car, as it claimed.
Meanwhile, the IOF stormed on Monday Fawar refugee camp south of al-Khalil in the West Bank, where Israeli patrols were deployed near the southern entrance of the district.
Dozens of soldiers stormed the camp, roaming between its neighborhoods, no arrests were reported, eyewitnesses told PIC reporter.
Occupation patrols have also stormed the southern entrance to the city of al-Khalil and the entrance to Beit Haggai settlement built on the Palestinian land.
In a related context, the Israeli occupation forces arrested at dawn on Monday the liberated prisoner Kedar Ghaith, 33, from al-Khalil after storming his house, where he was taken to unknown destination.
The occupation authorities have released Kedar a few months ago, where he spent 7 years in Israeli jails.
11 mar 2013
Army Carries Out Limited Invasion Into Gaza
A number of armored Israeli military vehicles carried out a limited invasion into an area east of Juhr Ed-Deek area, southeast of Gaza city.
Local sources reported that the army, stationed in a military base near the border, advanced 200 meters into the area, while army bulldozers leveled and uprooted Palestinian farmlands and property.
The army withdrew from the area later on, no clashes or confrontations have been reported.
In related news, Israel decided to allow two trucks filled Gaza-made with wooden furniture to be exported through the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, in addition to allowing the entry of 350 trucks filled with supplies for trade, agriculture and transportation sectors.
Nineteen of these trucks are loaded with cement, iron, and gravel, and are meant to be used for the implementation of international development projects. Limited amounts of cooking gas have also been allowed into the coastal region.
Despite allowing a few trucks into Gaza, and the Israeli claims of easing the siege, the coastal region is still suffering from the lack, or sharp decrease, of medical supplies, equipment and certain medications.
More than 400 patients, including infants and children died due to the siege. Many patients died while waiting permits from Israel to cross the border for medical treatment.
Also on Monday, Israel allowed 55 persons to leave the Gaza Strip to visit their family members imprisoned by at the Nafha detention camp.
Local sources reported that the army, stationed in a military base near the border, advanced 200 meters into the area, while army bulldozers leveled and uprooted Palestinian farmlands and property.
The army withdrew from the area later on, no clashes or confrontations have been reported.
In related news, Israel decided to allow two trucks filled Gaza-made with wooden furniture to be exported through the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, in addition to allowing the entry of 350 trucks filled with supplies for trade, agriculture and transportation sectors.
Nineteen of these trucks are loaded with cement, iron, and gravel, and are meant to be used for the implementation of international development projects. Limited amounts of cooking gas have also been allowed into the coastal region.
Despite allowing a few trucks into Gaza, and the Israeli claims of easing the siege, the coastal region is still suffering from the lack, or sharp decrease, of medical supplies, equipment and certain medications.
More than 400 patients, including infants and children died due to the siege. Many patients died while waiting permits from Israel to cross the border for medical treatment.
Also on Monday, Israel allowed 55 persons to leave the Gaza Strip to visit their family members imprisoned by at the Nafha detention camp.
10 mar 2013
Israeli settlement and raid campaigns in al-Khalil
Israeli occupation forces continued on Sunday settlement construction in Kiryat Arba settlement established on Palestinian land east of al-Khalil.
The occupation forces have stepped up construction work in the settlement of "Kiryat Arba" settlement built on Palestinian land east of al-Khalil aiming at tightening the siege of the city, eyewitnesses told PIC reporter.
The sources added that the housing units exceed 25 apartments, including multi-floors buildings, construction equipment and cement tankers.
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation forces raided on Sunday towns of Emmerich, Kharsa and al-Sora, south of al-Khalil, where soldiers stormed shops, and set up checkpoints.
The occupation forces stormed the towns Emmerich and al-Sorra and areas in the west of Kharsa, south of al-Khalil, where they raided shops near Emmerich and set up military checkpoints at the entrance of Kharsa and west of Emmerich, eyewitnesses told PIC.
The sources stressed that the occupation soldiers continued to patrol the road that links those three villages, checking the identities of citizens.
The occupation forces have stepped up construction work in the settlement of "Kiryat Arba" settlement built on Palestinian land east of al-Khalil aiming at tightening the siege of the city, eyewitnesses told PIC reporter.
The sources added that the housing units exceed 25 apartments, including multi-floors buildings, construction equipment and cement tankers.
Meanwhile, Israeli occupation forces raided on Sunday towns of Emmerich, Kharsa and al-Sora, south of al-Khalil, where soldiers stormed shops, and set up checkpoints.
The occupation forces stormed the towns Emmerich and al-Sorra and areas in the west of Kharsa, south of al-Khalil, where they raided shops near Emmerich and set up military checkpoints at the entrance of Kharsa and west of Emmerich, eyewitnesses told PIC.
The sources stressed that the occupation soldiers continued to patrol the road that links those three villages, checking the identities of citizens.
6 mar 2013
How to Build a Fence in Hebron
How to Build a Fence in Hebron
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IOF raids houses and erects checkpoint in Jenin
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed in the early morning hours of Wednesday, the village of al-Matala east of Jenin, where they raided ten homes, set up ambushes and attacked the citizens.
Local sources said that more than 20 military vehicles stormed the al-Matala village, while the Israeli soldiers broke out and searched ten houses and questioned their inhabitants.
The IOF have also stormed into the neighboring village of Jalqamus and roamed its streets, with no arrests have been reported.
Meanwhile, the IOF erected a military checkpoint at the entrance to the town of Ya'bad southwest of Jenin and stopped tens of vehicles after searching them and questioning their passengers and checking their identities.
Eyewitnesses said that occupation troops have deliberately tried to impede the citizens from reaching their workplaces.
Some other citizens pointed out that this procedure comes within the policy of collective punishment, adopted by the Israeli forces against the residents of the village Ya'bad under the pretext of preventing the villagers from throwing stones at Israeli soldiers.
The occupation forces launched on Wednesday afternoon a military operation in the villages of Deir Ghazala and Jalama east of Jenin.
Eyewitnesses said that the IOF stormed the village of Deir Ghazala and began questioning the farmers and searching for artesian wells, saying they were built without permit.
The IOF expelled owners of stalls and shops established on the Jenin - Jalama Street near Jalama checkpoint and prevented the citizens from approaching the place.
The witnesses added that the Israeli forces prevented the citizens from entering the area near the Jalama military checkpoint, and erected another checkpoint while the soldiers have deployed in the region.
The soldiers have also attacked Palestinian citizens from the village of Qusin during a sit-in they staged in protest at the landfill set up by Israeli authorities in the region.
Well-informed local sources reported that the occupation troops arrested one of the protesters, and detained media crews and other citizens.
Local sources said that more than 20 military vehicles stormed the al-Matala village, while the Israeli soldiers broke out and searched ten houses and questioned their inhabitants.
The IOF have also stormed into the neighboring village of Jalqamus and roamed its streets, with no arrests have been reported.
Meanwhile, the IOF erected a military checkpoint at the entrance to the town of Ya'bad southwest of Jenin and stopped tens of vehicles after searching them and questioning their passengers and checking their identities.
Eyewitnesses said that occupation troops have deliberately tried to impede the citizens from reaching their workplaces.
Some other citizens pointed out that this procedure comes within the policy of collective punishment, adopted by the Israeli forces against the residents of the village Ya'bad under the pretext of preventing the villagers from throwing stones at Israeli soldiers.
The occupation forces launched on Wednesday afternoon a military operation in the villages of Deir Ghazala and Jalama east of Jenin.
Eyewitnesses said that the IOF stormed the village of Deir Ghazala and began questioning the farmers and searching for artesian wells, saying they were built without permit.
The IOF expelled owners of stalls and shops established on the Jenin - Jalama Street near Jalama checkpoint and prevented the citizens from approaching the place.
The witnesses added that the Israeli forces prevented the citizens from entering the area near the Jalama military checkpoint, and erected another checkpoint while the soldiers have deployed in the region.
The soldiers have also attacked Palestinian citizens from the village of Qusin during a sit-in they staged in protest at the landfill set up by Israeli authorities in the region.
Well-informed local sources reported that the occupation troops arrested one of the protesters, and detained media crews and other citizens.
5 mar 2013
IOF patrols roam Jenin villages
Israeli occupation forces (IOF) stormed three villages in Jenin province on Tuesday and patrolled their streets and set up roadblocks to check for IDs.
Local sources said that an IOF patrol served a summons to a young man in Teiba village, west of Jenin, at dawn Tuesday.
They said that soldiers delivered the summons to Mohammed Mahamid for intelligence interrogation at Hawara army camp after breaking into his family home.
Local sources said that an IOF patrol served a summons to a young man in Teiba village, west of Jenin, at dawn Tuesday.
They said that soldiers delivered the summons to Mohammed Mahamid for intelligence interrogation at Hawara army camp after breaking into his family home.
3 mar 2013
IOA continues to close Karm Abu Salem crossing for the sixth day
The Israeli occupation authority (IOA) is still maintaining the closure of Karm Abu Salem crossing, south of the Gaza Strip, for the sixth day running. Nathmi Mihana, the director of crossings and borders, told the PIC that the IOA informed his department of the maintained closure of Karm Abu Salem, allocated for commercial traffic, on Sunday for the sixth day for “security reasons”.
He added that the IOA also said that Erez (Beit Hanun) crossing would be open as of today for emergency humanitarian causes and for sick people.
The IOA has been closing both crossings, the only two left working with Gaza, since last Tuesday after claiming that a projectile was fired from the Strip into 1948 occupied land.
He added that the IOA also said that Erez (Beit Hanun) crossing would be open as of today for emergency humanitarian causes and for sick people.
The IOA has been closing both crossings, the only two left working with Gaza, since last Tuesday after claiming that a projectile was fired from the Strip into 1948 occupied land.
2 mar 2013
IOA prosecutes a boy from Jenin and erects checkpoints
Israeli military court in Salem camp, northern Jenin, postponed the trial of a Palestinian boy from the town of Rummaneh, western Jenin, and refused to release him. Zuhair Rashid Ahmad, 17, was arrested by Israeli soldiers on 15/2/2013 after an Israeli military jeep had deliberately run over him.
The court insisted on accusing the Palestinian boy of participating in the demonstration that took place at the Jalama checkpoint.
Meanwhile, the Israeli forces have erected, since the early morning hours Saturday, a military checkpoint at the entrance to the town of Ya'bad south of Jenin, and started confiscating vehicles, abusing the citizens and preventing them from heading to their work places.
The court insisted on accusing the Palestinian boy of participating in the demonstration that took place at the Jalama checkpoint.
Meanwhile, the Israeli forces have erected, since the early morning hours Saturday, a military checkpoint at the entrance to the town of Ya'bad south of Jenin, and started confiscating vehicles, abusing the citizens and preventing them from heading to their work places.
Khudari demands opening Karm Abu Salem crossing
MP Jamal Khudari, head of the Popular Committee against the Siege, called for opening Karm Abu Salem crossing in the southern Gaza Strip, which has been closed by Israeli occupation for the fifth day under security reasons. Khudari said, in a statement on Saturday, that Gaza crossings should be spared any political or security problems, and asked the Israeli occupation authorities not to take any steps that might hamper the work of the crossings in a way that might expose the residents to danger.
He also called on the international community to exercise real pressure on the IOA to open the crossings, as their closure makes the situation in Gaza more serious and more complicated.
Khudari pointed out that closing the Gaza crossings by the Israeli authorities is considered a collective punishment, noting that the majority of crossings have been originally shut, except for Karm Abu Salem southern the Strip, which had been partially open.
The independent MP added that the IOA does not allow several raw materials for various industries and construction materials through Karm Abu Salem.
He stressed that Gaza blockade continues, pointing to the naval blockade, the restrictions imposed on fishermen, the closure of the crossings, and the restrictions on traffic through Beit Hanoun crossing (Erez).
"Israel is an occupying power. Thus, according to the Geneva Convention and international covenants, it must not impose collective punishment on the residents of the besieged Gaza Strip," Khudari said.
The IOA had closed the Karm Abu Salem and Erez crossings on Tuesday hours after it claimed a projectile was fired from Gaza at Israeli settlements.
He also called on the international community to exercise real pressure on the IOA to open the crossings, as their closure makes the situation in Gaza more serious and more complicated.
Khudari pointed out that closing the Gaza crossings by the Israeli authorities is considered a collective punishment, noting that the majority of crossings have been originally shut, except for Karm Abu Salem southern the Strip, which had been partially open.
The independent MP added that the IOA does not allow several raw materials for various industries and construction materials through Karm Abu Salem.
He stressed that Gaza blockade continues, pointing to the naval blockade, the restrictions imposed on fishermen, the closure of the crossings, and the restrictions on traffic through Beit Hanoun crossing (Erez).
"Israel is an occupying power. Thus, according to the Geneva Convention and international covenants, it must not impose collective punishment on the residents of the besieged Gaza Strip," Khudari said.
The IOA had closed the Karm Abu Salem and Erez crossings on Tuesday hours after it claimed a projectile was fired from Gaza at Israeli settlements.
