30 apr 2016
The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza Strip called Saturday on Egyptian Authorities to open Rafah border crossing and to allow thousands of patients to travel to receive medical treatment.
The Ministry pointed out in a statement issued Saturday that the Rafah crossing has been closed for 74 consecutive days, calling on the Egyptian authorities to open the crossing in both directions and to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s people.
Thousands of patients are still waiting to complete their medical treatment abroad, the statement said, warning of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the Israeli 10-year siege.
The Health Ministry underlined that Rafah crossing was opened only for three days since the beginning of 2016. 30,000 Palestinians are in urgent need to travel via Rafah crossing including four thousands patients, the Ministry continued.
The Rafah crossing, the sole gateway for Gaza to the outside world, has been closed since July 2013.
The Ministry pointed out in a statement issued Saturday that the Rafah crossing has been closed for 74 consecutive days, calling on the Egyptian authorities to open the crossing in both directions and to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s people.
Thousands of patients are still waiting to complete their medical treatment abroad, the statement said, warning of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the Israeli 10-year siege.
The Health Ministry underlined that Rafah crossing was opened only for three days since the beginning of 2016. 30,000 Palestinians are in urgent need to travel via Rafah crossing including four thousands patients, the Ministry continued.
The Rafah crossing, the sole gateway for Gaza to the outside world, has been closed since July 2013.
50 Palestinian citizens in the West Bank were barred by Israel from traveling abroad through al-Karama border crossing during last week, according to the Palestinian police.
The police stated on Saturday that the Israeli security authorities barred the travel of those citizens for unknown security reasons and without providing explanations.
The week before that, 55 Palestinians were denied travel for the same reasons. However, over 34,000 Palestinians were able to travel through the crossing last week.
The police stated on Saturday that the Israeli security authorities barred the travel of those citizens for unknown security reasons and without providing explanations.
The week before that, 55 Palestinians were denied travel for the same reasons. However, over 34,000 Palestinians were able to travel through the crossing last week.
The National Anti-Siege and Reconstruction Movement Commission has warned that the suspension of UN reconstruction projects will worsen the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, describing it as a serious development.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said a few days ago that its efforts to reconstruct the homes destroyed during the last Israeli war on Gaza had come to a halt because of Israel's refusal to allow in new cement shipments.
According to the commission, about 75 Palestinian citizens are still displaced and live in temporary places.
Over 40,000 citizens have also lost their livelihoods because of the failure to rebuild their workplaces.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said a few days ago that its efforts to reconstruct the homes destroyed during the last Israeli war on Gaza had come to a halt because of Israel's refusal to allow in new cement shipments.
According to the commission, about 75 Palestinian citizens are still displaced and live in temporary places.
Over 40,000 citizens have also lost their livelihoods because of the failure to rebuild their workplaces.
Dozens of Palestinian citizens and farmers in Deir Istiya town, northwest of Salfit province, participated on Friday in a march protesting Israel's closure of agricultural roads leading to their cultivated fields.
Local farmers reported that Israeli soldiers photographed the protestors and prevented them from approaching a main road used by Jewish settlers.
Several foreign activists also participated in the march and carried Palestinian flags. The protestors chanted national slogans and rallied near one of the agricultural roads, which had been closed recently following a stabbing attack at the intersection of Ariel settlement.
Local farmers reported that Israeli soldiers photographed the protestors and prevented them from approaching a main road used by Jewish settlers.
Several foreign activists also participated in the march and carried Palestinian flags. The protestors chanted national slogans and rallied near one of the agricultural roads, which had been closed recently following a stabbing attack at the intersection of Ariel settlement.
28 apr 2016
The Israeli ban on cement has obstructed the reconstruction of civilian homes in the blockaded Gaza Strip, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported Thursday.
According to OCHA, since 3 April 2016, the Israeli authorities have been preventing the import of cement into Gaza for the private sector, following allegations that a substantial amount had been diverted from its intended legitimate beneficiaries.
The controlled import of cement into Gaza for the private sector only resumed in October 2014 as part of the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM), after a general sweeping ban imposed since the imposition of the blockade in June 2007, the statement added.
OCHA further quoted the Shelter Cluster as reporting that organizations providing assistance have had to suspend cash assistance for house repairs to over 1,370 families as a result of scarcity and acute price increases. In addition, payment to 1,550 families scheduled to start reconstruction are being delayed due to the lack of available cement.
Over 75,000 people whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged during the 2014 Israeli offensive continue to suffer from prolonged internal displacement due to access restrictions on basic construction materials and a lack of funding, the statement further read.
According to the Palestinian Contractors Union, the current shortage of cement is disrupting the jobs of 40,000 people working in the construction sector.
Much of Gaza remains in shambles since Israel’s war against the territory in the summer of 2014, which killed more than 2,500 people and wreaked huge destruction across the coastal enclave.
According to OCHA, since 3 April 2016, the Israeli authorities have been preventing the import of cement into Gaza for the private sector, following allegations that a substantial amount had been diverted from its intended legitimate beneficiaries.
The controlled import of cement into Gaza for the private sector only resumed in October 2014 as part of the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM), after a general sweeping ban imposed since the imposition of the blockade in June 2007, the statement added.
OCHA further quoted the Shelter Cluster as reporting that organizations providing assistance have had to suspend cash assistance for house repairs to over 1,370 families as a result of scarcity and acute price increases. In addition, payment to 1,550 families scheduled to start reconstruction are being delayed due to the lack of available cement.
Over 75,000 people whose homes were destroyed or severely damaged during the 2014 Israeli offensive continue to suffer from prolonged internal displacement due to access restrictions on basic construction materials and a lack of funding, the statement further read.
According to the Palestinian Contractors Union, the current shortage of cement is disrupting the jobs of 40,000 people working in the construction sector.
Much of Gaza remains in shambles since Israel’s war against the territory in the summer of 2014, which killed more than 2,500 people and wreaked huge destruction across the coastal enclave.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) imposed overnight a security cordon on the West Bank and Gaza’s border crossings for 48 hours.
Israeli Army radio said that a security cordon has been imposed as of midnight Wednesday on the West Bank under the pretext of celebrating Passover holiday.
According to this decision, Palestinian citizens living in Gaza Strip and the West Bank will not be allowed to enter 1948 occupied Palestine starting from Thursday till Saturday.
The Israeli authorities had imposed a similar security closure last week at the pretext of celebrating one of their many Jewish festivals.
Israeli Army radio said that a security cordon has been imposed as of midnight Wednesday on the West Bank under the pretext of celebrating Passover holiday.
According to this decision, Palestinian citizens living in Gaza Strip and the West Bank will not be allowed to enter 1948 occupied Palestine starting from Thursday till Saturday.
The Israeli authorities had imposed a similar security closure last week at the pretext of celebrating one of their many Jewish festivals.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Wednesday banned the family of the slain anti-occupation youth Muhammad Abu Fanouneh from passing through the Karama border crossing to perform Umrah (minor pilgrimage) in Makkah.
A PIC journalist quoted Abu Fanouneh’s wife as saying that the IOF banned her, along with her children, and mother-in-law, from travelling via the Karama border crossing.
Muhammad Abu Fanouneh was shot dead by the IOF on 18/3/2016 at the Etzion crossroads, to the north of al-Khalil province, on allegations that the attempted to carry out an anti-occupation stabbing attack.
A PIC journalist quoted Abu Fanouneh’s wife as saying that the IOF banned her, along with her children, and mother-in-law, from travelling via the Karama border crossing.
Muhammad Abu Fanouneh was shot dead by the IOF on 18/3/2016 at the Etzion crossroads, to the north of al-Khalil province, on allegations that the attempted to carry out an anti-occupation stabbing attack.
27 apr 2016
Israeli police closed Beersheba Street to Palestinians in al-Khalil city on Tuesday in order to facilitate and secure settlers’ access to an alleged Jewish historical site.
Quds Press quoted local sources as saying that the main road of Beersheba Street is very vital because it connects the city to its central market place.
Israeli policemen evacuated the street in order to pave the way for settlers to reach Tomb of Othniel.
Israeli occupation authorities have been closing the Ibrahimi Mosque to Palestinians for two days while, at the same time, allowing settlers to enter and perform Talmudic rituals inside the Muslims’ holy site to mark the Jewish Passover holiday.
Quds Press quoted local sources as saying that the main road of Beersheba Street is very vital because it connects the city to its central market place.
Israeli policemen evacuated the street in order to pave the way for settlers to reach Tomb of Othniel.
Israeli occupation authorities have been closing the Ibrahimi Mosque to Palestinians for two days while, at the same time, allowing settlers to enter and perform Talmudic rituals inside the Muslims’ holy site to mark the Jewish Passover holiday.
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Wednesday sealed off the Sebastiya archaeological site in northern Nablus province.
Eyewitnesses said Israeli army patrols rolled into Sebastia, a home to several Palestinian archaeological sites, and cordoned off the area, before they forced the Palestinians out.
The move falls in line with the celebration of the Jewish Passover and the influx of Israeli extremist settlers to the area in an attempt to perform a series of rituals.
Earlier, overnight Monday, Israeli settlers pitched tents on Palestinian lands in al-Masoudiya area for a two-day camp before they left at dawn on Wednesday under a tight security shield.
Parts of the Sebastiya archaeological legacy and al-Masoudiya make part of the Israeli-controlled Area C.
Eyewitnesses said Israeli army patrols rolled into Sebastia, a home to several Palestinian archaeological sites, and cordoned off the area, before they forced the Palestinians out.
The move falls in line with the celebration of the Jewish Passover and the influx of Israeli extremist settlers to the area in an attempt to perform a series of rituals.
Earlier, overnight Monday, Israeli settlers pitched tents on Palestinian lands in al-Masoudiya area for a two-day camp before they left at dawn on Wednesday under a tight security shield.
Parts of the Sebastiya archaeological legacy and al-Masoudiya make part of the Israeli-controlled Area C.
26 apr 2016
Member of Hamas’s political bureau Mousa Abu Marzouk said Tuesday evening that the idea of establishing a seaport and an airport in Gaza Strip was not invented by Hamas Movement.
Gaza Strip had had an airport before being destroyed by Israeli occupation forces, he pointed out.
Establishing the seaport and airport will never separate Gaza from the West Bank, Abu Marzouk stressed, renewing his Movement's total rejection of any intention to establish an independent state in Gaza.
He also stressed his Movement's readiness to achieve a real national unity and reconciliation despite “Fatah’s obstacles.” Abu Marzouk concluded by saying that the seaport is a popular demand as it will alleviate the suffering of two million people living under a 10-year unfair siege.
Gaza Strip had had an airport before being destroyed by Israeli occupation forces, he pointed out.
Establishing the seaport and airport will never separate Gaza from the West Bank, Abu Marzouk stressed, renewing his Movement's total rejection of any intention to establish an independent state in Gaza.
He also stressed his Movement's readiness to achieve a real national unity and reconciliation despite “Fatah’s obstacles.” Abu Marzouk concluded by saying that the seaport is a popular demand as it will alleviate the suffering of two million people living under a 10-year unfair siege.
The contractors union in Gaza said that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) would start to allow shipments of construction cement into the Strip early next week.
In press remarks to the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) on Monday, head of the union Osama Kahil stated that pledges were made in this regard following efforts made by the Palestinian ministry of civil affairs.
Kahil added that these cement shipments, which would be used for specific projects, were supposed to arrive in Gaza last week, but the IOA postponed their entry until next week.
He pointed out that Turkish, US, German and Qatari institutions recently received some truckloads of cement for their projects in the Strip.
However, the IOA has not decided yet to allow in cement for civilians, factories and merchants, according to him.
In press remarks to the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) on Monday, head of the union Osama Kahil stated that pledges were made in this regard following efforts made by the Palestinian ministry of civil affairs.
Kahil added that these cement shipments, which would be used for specific projects, were supposed to arrive in Gaza last week, but the IOA postponed their entry until next week.
He pointed out that Turkish, US, German and Qatari institutions recently received some truckloads of cement for their projects in the Strip.
However, the IOA has not decided yet to allow in cement for civilians, factories and merchants, according to him.
The Israeli Shabak on Monday announced the launch of a plan to restrict Palestinians’ access into 1948 Occupied Palestine.
The Israeli Maariv newspaper said the position opted for by the Shabak stands in sharp contrast to the recommendations given by the Israeli occupation army to provide Palestinians with more permits as an efficient strategy of deterrence and control.
The newspaper added that the Shabak agency believes that limiting Palestinians’ access to permits will help quelling anti-occupation activism through a policy of “the stick and the carrot.”
Over recent days, the Israeli occupation authorities rescinded entry permits for thousands of Palestinians without prior notifications and under the security pretext.
The Israeli Maariv newspaper said the position opted for by the Shabak stands in sharp contrast to the recommendations given by the Israeli occupation army to provide Palestinians with more permits as an efficient strategy of deterrence and control.
The newspaper added that the Shabak agency believes that limiting Palestinians’ access to permits will help quelling anti-occupation activism through a policy of “the stick and the carrot.”
Over recent days, the Israeli occupation authorities rescinded entry permits for thousands of Palestinians without prior notifications and under the security pretext.
25 apr 2016
International organizations in the Gaza Strip received a cement delivery on Saturday, while a suspension on cement imports for the private sector was still being enforced by Israeli authorities.
Head of the Palestinian Contractors Union Osama Kahil told Ma’an that 2,000 tons of cement entered the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing on Saturday, and he expected further cement deliveries to enter in the coming week due to efforts by the Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs.
The shipments of cement would allow reconstruction efforts by international organizations to continue in the besieged coastal enclave, and return jobs to 40,000 construction workers who have been out of work since the last cement delivery, Kahil said.
Reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip have also been “expanded to include Turkish, German, and American plans in addition to the UN and Qatari plans of reconstruction,” Kahil added.
He assured efforts by the Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh were ongoing to continue the flow of cement through Kerem Shalom.
A spokesperson for Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) told Ma’an that the suspension of construction materials entering the Gaza Strip was still being enforced due to “exploitation of construction materials by Hamas,” and that the ban would still be in place “until the issue is addressed.”
They added that the suspension only affected the private sector, and that entry for international projects was proceeding as usual.
Saturday’s delivery comes one week after it was revealed Israeli forces uncovered and destroyed a tunnel passing from the Gaza Strip into Israel, once a gag order by Israel’s government was lifted on its discovery.
The tunnel -- the first to be found since Israel's devastating military offensive on the coastal enclave in 2014 -- was reportedly discovered one week prior to the publication of the incident, around the time Israel suspended delivery of cement into the Gaza Strip.
Israeli authorities have previously accused the Gaza Strip's de facto ruling party Hamas of stealing reconstruction material to sell on the black market and use to build tunnels.
Reconstruction efforts following the the 50-day war have been painfully slow -- hindered by Israel's blockade, ongoing disputes between Gaza's de facto leaders Hamas and the Fatah-dominated PA, and a severe shortage of foreign assistance.
Head of the Palestinian Contractors Union Osama Kahil told Ma’an that 2,000 tons of cement entered the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing on Saturday, and he expected further cement deliveries to enter in the coming week due to efforts by the Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs.
The shipments of cement would allow reconstruction efforts by international organizations to continue in the besieged coastal enclave, and return jobs to 40,000 construction workers who have been out of work since the last cement delivery, Kahil said.
Reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip have also been “expanded to include Turkish, German, and American plans in addition to the UN and Qatari plans of reconstruction,” Kahil added.
He assured efforts by the Palestinian Minister of Civil Affairs Hussein al-Sheikh were ongoing to continue the flow of cement through Kerem Shalom.
A spokesperson for Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) told Ma’an that the suspension of construction materials entering the Gaza Strip was still being enforced due to “exploitation of construction materials by Hamas,” and that the ban would still be in place “until the issue is addressed.”
They added that the suspension only affected the private sector, and that entry for international projects was proceeding as usual.
Saturday’s delivery comes one week after it was revealed Israeli forces uncovered and destroyed a tunnel passing from the Gaza Strip into Israel, once a gag order by Israel’s government was lifted on its discovery.
The tunnel -- the first to be found since Israel's devastating military offensive on the coastal enclave in 2014 -- was reportedly discovered one week prior to the publication of the incident, around the time Israel suspended delivery of cement into the Gaza Strip.
Israeli authorities have previously accused the Gaza Strip's de facto ruling party Hamas of stealing reconstruction material to sell on the black market and use to build tunnels.
Reconstruction efforts following the the 50-day war have been painfully slow -- hindered by Israel's blockade, ongoing disputes between Gaza's de facto leaders Hamas and the Fatah-dominated PA, and a severe shortage of foreign assistance.
Israeli soldiers closed, on Monday morning, the main entrance of the Hebron Emergency Center, run by the Hebron Health Committees, by placing concrete blocks, completely sealing it, and deployed dozens of soldiers on its rooftop.
Dr. Ramzi Abu Yousef, director of the Health Work Committees (HWC) in Hebron, said many soldiers occupied the center’s rooftop, and turned it into a military base.
Abu Yousef warned of the consequences of this violation, especially since the center receives hundreds of patients on a daily basis, and added that the center provides its medical services to more than 60.000 Palestinians.
“For years now, the center has been subject to frequent Israeli military violations, including many invasions, and the soldiers even fired gas bombs at it,” Abu Yousef said, “They also repeatedly sprayed it with waste-water mixed with chemicals, in addition to harassing the patients and their families, and the various measures restricting their freedom of movement.”
The HWC voiced an urgent appeal to various human right groups to intervene, and provide the needed protection to Palestinian health centers, in addition to pressuring Israel into halting its serious violations.
“People who need medical care have the right to receive it, but Israel continues to violate it,” the HWC added, “International Humanitarian Law stresses on the importance of unrestricted access to medical facilities.”
Dr. Ramzi Abu Yousef, director of the Health Work Committees (HWC) in Hebron, said many soldiers occupied the center’s rooftop, and turned it into a military base.
Abu Yousef warned of the consequences of this violation, especially since the center receives hundreds of patients on a daily basis, and added that the center provides its medical services to more than 60.000 Palestinians.
“For years now, the center has been subject to frequent Israeli military violations, including many invasions, and the soldiers even fired gas bombs at it,” Abu Yousef said, “They also repeatedly sprayed it with waste-water mixed with chemicals, in addition to harassing the patients and their families, and the various measures restricting their freedom of movement.”
The HWC voiced an urgent appeal to various human right groups to intervene, and provide the needed protection to Palestinian health centers, in addition to pressuring Israel into halting its serious violations.
“People who need medical care have the right to receive it, but Israel continues to violate it,” the HWC added, “International Humanitarian Law stresses on the importance of unrestricted access to medical facilities.”
23 apr 2016
The Palestinian ministry of interior in Gaza has said that the Rafah border crossing has been closed for three successive months during the current year, amid a rapid increase in the number of citizens who are in dire need for travel.
"The Rafah border crossing has been closed for the 68th day in a row, amid a severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip," spokesman for the ministry Iyad al-Bazem stated on Friday.
Bazem affirmed that the Egyptian authorities had opened the crossing only for three days during the current year, 2016, with no regard to all appeals for opening it regularly.
The spokesman called on the Egyptian authorities to consider the very difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza and adopt a new policy alleviating the impacts of Israel's blockade on Gaza.
"The Rafah border crossing has been closed for the 68th day in a row, amid a severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip," spokesman for the ministry Iyad al-Bazem stated on Friday.
Bazem affirmed that the Egyptian authorities had opened the crossing only for three days during the current year, 2016, with no regard to all appeals for opening it regularly.
The spokesman called on the Egyptian authorities to consider the very difficult humanitarian situation in Gaza and adopt a new policy alleviating the impacts of Israel's blockade on Gaza.
22 apr 2016
The Israeli occupation army has announced it will impose, as of Friday, a 48-hour closure on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, banning Palestinians from entering Israeli areas during the Jewish Passover holiday.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the closure will last for two days, starting at midnight between Thursday and Friday and ending on Saturday night.
In another incident, the Israeli police on Thursday evening gave two Jerusalemite young men written orders banning their entry to the Aqsa Mosque for four to 10 days. The police also arrested two young men and summoned another in the holy city.
According to Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the closure will last for two days, starting at midnight between Thursday and Friday and ending on Saturday night.
In another incident, the Israeli police on Thursday evening gave two Jerusalemite young men written orders banning their entry to the Aqsa Mosque for four to 10 days. The police also arrested two young men and summoned another in the holy city.
The National Anti-Siege and Reconstruction Movement Commission has warned that the Israeli premier's recent decision to prevent the entry of cement shipments to the besieged Gaza Strip would increase the population's humanitarian suffering.
In a press release on Thursday, the commission also affirmed that Netanyahu's decision to ban cement entry to Gaza and his refusal to allow the construction of its seaport would lead to very dire consequences and add fuel to the fire.
The Palestinian organization stressed that Israel's blockade on Gaza violates the international law and threatens the current truce. It appealed to the international community to assume its responsibility towards the besieged enclave and move to end Israel's mass punishment policy against its population.
In a press release on Thursday, the commission also affirmed that Netanyahu's decision to ban cement entry to Gaza and his refusal to allow the construction of its seaport would lead to very dire consequences and add fuel to the fire.
The Palestinian organization stressed that Israel's blockade on Gaza violates the international law and threatens the current truce. It appealed to the international community to assume its responsibility towards the besieged enclave and move to end Israel's mass punishment policy against its population.
