7 dec 2016
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) opened Tuesday the Karem Abu Salem crossing to allow the entry of 630 trucks loaded with foodstuff and aid into the blockaded Gaza Strip.
Director of Abu Salem crossing, Muneer al-Ghalban, said 61 trucks carrying gas and fuel entered the Gaza Strip. 11 more tucks are loaded with solar energy for Gaza’s power plant.
Al-Ghalban added that 30 trucks carrying fruits, 43 trucks carrying fodder and grain, 120 trucks loaded with foodstuff and commercial goods, 10 trucks loaded with cattle and livestock, and 25 others carrying aid items will be allowed access into the enclave.
Reconstruction materials and limited cement quantities are also expected to reach the territory.
Three trucks have, meanwhile, gained access out of Gaza. They carry exports to the occupied West Bank, two among which carrying strawberries and the other carrying household furniture.
Director of Abu Salem crossing, Muneer al-Ghalban, said 61 trucks carrying gas and fuel entered the Gaza Strip. 11 more tucks are loaded with solar energy for Gaza’s power plant.
Al-Ghalban added that 30 trucks carrying fruits, 43 trucks carrying fodder and grain, 120 trucks loaded with foodstuff and commercial goods, 10 trucks loaded with cattle and livestock, and 25 others carrying aid items will be allowed access into the enclave.
Reconstruction materials and limited cement quantities are also expected to reach the territory.
Three trucks have, meanwhile, gained access out of Gaza. They carry exports to the occupied West Bank, two among which carrying strawberries and the other carrying household furniture.
Israeli authorities, on Tuesday, prevented Dr. Isabel Perry from entering into the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), claiming she is an activist of the World Council of Churches, which supports the boycott movement against Israel.
Local media said, according to Al Ray, that it is the first time the Israeli occupation prevented a tourist because of activity in the boycott movement.
The Interior Minister of Israel, Arye Deri, and the Minister of the Public Security and Strategic Affairs, Gilad Erdan, were responsible for making the decision of blocking Perry’s entry.
Dr. Isabel Perry, a citizen from Malawi and an expert in religious affairs, arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday.
A bill preventing supporters of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement from entering Israel was authorized in early November, for its first reading in the Knesset.
Deri considers approval of Perry’s request to enter the oPt to be encouragement for activities which are in opposition to Israel’s policies.
Local media said, according to Al Ray, that it is the first time the Israeli occupation prevented a tourist because of activity in the boycott movement.
The Interior Minister of Israel, Arye Deri, and the Minister of the Public Security and Strategic Affairs, Gilad Erdan, were responsible for making the decision of blocking Perry’s entry.
Dr. Isabel Perry, a citizen from Malawi and an expert in religious affairs, arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on Monday.
A bill preventing supporters of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement from entering Israel was authorized in early November, for its first reading in the Knesset.
Deri considers approval of Perry’s request to enter the oPt to be encouragement for activities which are in opposition to Israel’s policies.
5 dec 2016
With the participation of NGOs and many local societies in Gaza City, hundreds of people with special needs staged a protest on Monday in front of the United Nations office against the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, raising slogans saying "I have the right to live."
Director of the rehabilitation program in the Medical Relief Society, Mustafa Abed, told the PIC reporter, "The protest was to express the rights of disabled people especially with the absence of the Palestinian law No. (4) 1999 and the International Convention for the people with special needs."
He held the Palestinian Authority responsible for the law’s invalidation which deprived thousands of disabled Palestinians of their basic legal rights.
Abed called on the international community to pressure the Israeli occupation authority to lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip and let disabled people enjoy their basic rights, especially the rights of work, education, and entertainment.
Spokesperson of the people with special needs in Gaza, Yusuf Abu Araba, told the PIC reporter, "We have the ability to work in several areas. Why do they deny us work?"
The world marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December each year since it was adopted by the United Nations in 1992.
Director of the rehabilitation program in the Medical Relief Society, Mustafa Abed, told the PIC reporter, "The protest was to express the rights of disabled people especially with the absence of the Palestinian law No. (4) 1999 and the International Convention for the people with special needs."
He held the Palestinian Authority responsible for the law’s invalidation which deprived thousands of disabled Palestinians of their basic legal rights.
Abed called on the international community to pressure the Israeli occupation authority to lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip and let disabled people enjoy their basic rights, especially the rights of work, education, and entertainment.
Spokesperson of the people with special needs in Gaza, Yusuf Abu Araba, told the PIC reporter, "We have the ability to work in several areas. Why do they deny us work?"
The world marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3rd December each year since it was adopted by the United Nations in 1992.
Hamas Movement called on the Egyptian authorities to open Rafah crossing permanently to end the suffering of Gaza inhabitants.
In a statement after recovering the bodies of two Palestinians who died in a tunnel, which was flooded by the Egyptian army with wastewater, Hamas Movement consoled on Monday the families of the martyrs and said that the martyrs have sacrificed their lives trying to provide sustenance for their families.
Hamas denounced the tragic incident, while stressing that there was no justification for using such methods in dealing with Gazans.
Civil defense crews recovered on Sunday two bodies of four Palestinian workers who went missing in a tunnel near the Egyptian borders nine days ago.
In a statement after recovering the bodies of two Palestinians who died in a tunnel, which was flooded by the Egyptian army with wastewater, Hamas Movement consoled on Monday the families of the martyrs and said that the martyrs have sacrificed their lives trying to provide sustenance for their families.
Hamas denounced the tragic incident, while stressing that there was no justification for using such methods in dealing with Gazans.
Civil defense crews recovered on Sunday two bodies of four Palestinian workers who went missing in a tunnel near the Egyptian borders nine days ago.
4 dec 2016
Naji Sarhan, ministry of public works and housing undersecretary, stated that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) has recently reduced quantities of construction material allowed into the Gaza Strip.
“Delaying the reconstruction in besieged Gaza is intended to increase pressure on its people,” Sarhan told the PIC reporter.
Sarhan pointed to cooperation with UNRWA in order to speed up the reconstruction process.
Reconstruction Statistics
The Palestinian official said 13,000 houses were completely destroyed while 175,000 houses were partially damaged in the Israeli war on Gaza in summer 2014.
He also pointed to the existence of a deficit in the programs made for reconstruction including the rent program, which suffers a deficit of 45 million dollars.
Partial damages
“Some citizens have received full grants, others received a down payment and others did not receive any payments as a result of insufficient funding”, the undersecretary stated.
Sarhan praised the role of donors such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait for living up to their commitments to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip as well as some European countries such as Germany.
He, meanwhile, warned that any delay in the reconstruction process would bring about negative repercussions in the besieged enclave.
Khudari: IOA hinders reconstruction of Gaza
In the same context, MP Jamal al-Khudari, the head of the popular committee against siege, said the IOA hinders Gaza’s reconstruction process.
He said in a statement that the IOA is restricting the entry of construction materials and tightening the siege on the Strip with all possible means.
There is no real progress in the reconstruction process, the MP said, adding that 70,000 Palestinians are still homeless in Gaza.
Al-Khudari asked the donors in Cairo Conference in 2014 to meet their obligations fully, and called on the international community to pressure Israel to end its siege on Gaza in order to start a real reconstruction process.
“Delaying the reconstruction in besieged Gaza is intended to increase pressure on its people,” Sarhan told the PIC reporter.
Sarhan pointed to cooperation with UNRWA in order to speed up the reconstruction process.
Reconstruction Statistics
The Palestinian official said 13,000 houses were completely destroyed while 175,000 houses were partially damaged in the Israeli war on Gaza in summer 2014.
He also pointed to the existence of a deficit in the programs made for reconstruction including the rent program, which suffers a deficit of 45 million dollars.
Partial damages
“Some citizens have received full grants, others received a down payment and others did not receive any payments as a result of insufficient funding”, the undersecretary stated.
Sarhan praised the role of donors such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait for living up to their commitments to the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip as well as some European countries such as Germany.
He, meanwhile, warned that any delay in the reconstruction process would bring about negative repercussions in the besieged enclave.
Khudari: IOA hinders reconstruction of Gaza
In the same context, MP Jamal al-Khudari, the head of the popular committee against siege, said the IOA hinders Gaza’s reconstruction process.
He said in a statement that the IOA is restricting the entry of construction materials and tightening the siege on the Strip with all possible means.
There is no real progress in the reconstruction process, the MP said, adding that 70,000 Palestinians are still homeless in Gaza.
Al-Khudari asked the donors in Cairo Conference in 2014 to meet their obligations fully, and called on the international community to pressure Israel to end its siege on Gaza in order to start a real reconstruction process.
3 dec 2016
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) at dawn Saturday stormed Zawata town, west of Nablus, and prevented citizens and vehicles from entering or leaving it.
Local sources said that Israeli soldiers with their military vehicles blocked the main entrance to Zawata at about four o’clock in the morning and barred all passing cars or citizens from going in or out.
In an earlier incident, an Israeli police patrol escorted by soldiers also set up last night a checkpoint on the main road to Beit Furik town, southeast of Nablus.
Eyewitnesses reported that the policemen stayed until dawn hours at the checkpoint, issuing traffic tickets against passing Palestinian vehicles.
They added that Palestinian drivers from Beit Furik had been fined by the Israeli police exorbitant amounts of money for trivial matters during the last two days.
Local sources said that Israeli soldiers with their military vehicles blocked the main entrance to Zawata at about four o’clock in the morning and barred all passing cars or citizens from going in or out.
In an earlier incident, an Israeli police patrol escorted by soldiers also set up last night a checkpoint on the main road to Beit Furik town, southeast of Nablus.
Eyewitnesses reported that the policemen stayed until dawn hours at the checkpoint, issuing traffic tickets against passing Palestinian vehicles.
They added that Palestinian drivers from Beit Furik had been fined by the Israeli police exorbitant amounts of money for trivial matters during the last two days.
30 nov 2016
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) threatened Wednesday to close the entrance to Zabouba town, west of Jenin to the north of the West Bank.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that Israeli forces erected a military checkpoint at the entrance to the town and prevented people’s movement in both directions.
The IOF also threatened to impose collective punishment against the residents due to "the escalated stone-throwing attacks."
Due to the Israeli military restrictions, local residents were forced to take alternative roads.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that Israeli forces erected a military checkpoint at the entrance to the town and prevented people’s movement in both directions.
The IOF also threatened to impose collective punishment against the residents due to "the escalated stone-throwing attacks."
Due to the Israeli military restrictions, local residents were forced to take alternative roads.
29 nov 2016
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) imposed late Monday tight military restrictions in Sarda town, north of Ramallah in the central West Bank.
Eyewitnesses affirmed that a military checkpoint was erected at the entrance to the town which led to a traffic jam.
Palestinian movement was blocked in both directions, the sources said.
The military restrictions were imposed following an alleged shooting attack at an Israeli military checkpoint near Ofra illegal settlement, east of Ramallah.
No injuries were reported during the alleged shooting attack.
Eyewitnesses affirmed that a military checkpoint was erected at the entrance to the town which led to a traffic jam.
Palestinian movement was blocked in both directions, the sources said.
The military restrictions were imposed following an alleged shooting attack at an Israeli military checkpoint near Ofra illegal settlement, east of Ramallah.
No injuries were reported during the alleged shooting attack.
The Israeli occupation authorities (IOA) have been obstructing underway efforts to expand a gas pipeline to the blockaded Gaza Strip, Director-General of Karam Abu Salem crossing, Muneer al-Ghalbane, said Monday.
Speaking with PIC, al-Ghalbane said the IOA has been blocking the entry of equipment and material to enhance the gas pipeline to supply the besieged coastal enclave with urgent gas reserves via the Karam Abu Salem crossing.
He added that the IOA allowed the entry of new and used auto parts which were imported from overseas into the territory following a two-month ban.
However, a ban has been slapped on the entry of auto parts from 1948 Occupied Palestine.
Karam Abu Salem crossing, Gaza’s sole commercial passageway, has been subjected to frequent and abrupt closures by the occupation authorities under the security pretext or on account of Jewish holidays.
Speaking with PIC, al-Ghalbane said the IOA has been blocking the entry of equipment and material to enhance the gas pipeline to supply the besieged coastal enclave with urgent gas reserves via the Karam Abu Salem crossing.
He added that the IOA allowed the entry of new and used auto parts which were imported from overseas into the territory following a two-month ban.
However, a ban has been slapped on the entry of auto parts from 1948 Occupied Palestine.
Karam Abu Salem crossing, Gaza’s sole commercial passageway, has been subjected to frequent and abrupt closures by the occupation authorities under the security pretext or on account of Jewish holidays.