24 jan 2019
Egypt shuttered its only crossing with the blockaded Gaza Strip on Thursday, putting in place beefed-up security measures for the anniversary of the Egyptian coup of January 2011.
Egyptian authorities said the crossing will be kept closed in both directions.
The crossing would be reopened on Sunday, after the holiday, which marks the anniversary of the military coup carried out by incumbent president Abdel Fattah al-Sissi against the democratically-elected Mohamed Morsi.
Rafah border-crossing is the sole terminal through which Palestinians living in the besieged coastal enclave of Gaza are allowed access to the outside world, heading for universities, hospitals, or other vital facilities. Egypt does not keep the passageway open on a regular basis.
Egyptian authorities said the crossing will be kept closed in both directions.
The crossing would be reopened on Sunday, after the holiday, which marks the anniversary of the military coup carried out by incumbent president Abdel Fattah al-Sissi against the democratically-elected Mohamed Morsi.
Rafah border-crossing is the sole terminal through which Palestinians living in the besieged coastal enclave of Gaza are allowed access to the outside world, heading for universities, hospitals, or other vital facilities. Egypt does not keep the passageway open on a regular basis.
The Israeli security cabinet on Wednesday approved the transfer of $15 million from Qatar to the besieged Gaza Strip.
According to Haaretz newspaper, all security cabinet members except for environmental protection minister Zeev Elkin (Likud) supported the move in an attempt to deescalate the tension on the Gaza border.
Qatari envoy Mohamed al-Emadi arrived late Wednesday in Gaza through the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to deliver the funds, which will be used to pay the salaries of civil servants.
According to Haaretz newspaper, all security cabinet members except for environmental protection minister Zeev Elkin (Likud) supported the move in an attempt to deescalate the tension on the Gaza border.
Qatari envoy Mohamed al-Emadi arrived late Wednesday in Gaza through the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to deliver the funds, which will be used to pay the salaries of civil servants.
23 jan 2019
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) has warned that the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip has become intolerable and can explode any moment.
“Do not test our patience or the patience of our people. They are capable of dealing strikes one after another,” PFLP official Ahmed at-Tannani said in televised remarks on Tuesday.
Tannani also warned that the joint operations room of the Palestinian resistance factions are ready to deal with the Israeli occupation state and teach it renewed lessons.
“We will not accept seeing our people die slowly as a result of this siege,” he added.
“Do not test our patience or the patience of our people. They are capable of dealing strikes one after another,” PFLP official Ahmed at-Tannani said in televised remarks on Tuesday.
Tannani also warned that the joint operations room of the Palestinian resistance factions are ready to deal with the Israeli occupation state and teach it renewed lessons.
“We will not accept seeing our people die slowly as a result of this siege,” he added.
The Palestinian ministry of health has warned that the health services in Gaza have become at a dangerous juncture due to the fuel crisis, appealing to all concerned parties to take immediate steps to prevent an imminent disaster.
In a statement, the ministry affirmed that the health facilities in Gaza need 300, 000 liters of diesel per month to operate generators in light of the current power outages.
The ministry expressed its appreciation to the Turkish humanitarian group IHH, the Abu Asi gas station and al-Falah Charity for providing a total contribution of 15,700 liters of diesel for different hospitals, but it pointed out that such fuel quantities would be used within a few days.
In a statement, the ministry affirmed that the health facilities in Gaza need 300, 000 liters of diesel per month to operate generators in light of the current power outages.
The ministry expressed its appreciation to the Turkish humanitarian group IHH, the Abu Asi gas station and al-Falah Charity for providing a total contribution of 15,700 liters of diesel for different hospitals, but it pointed out that such fuel quantities would be used within a few days.
UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov on Tuesday warned of a possible humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.
This was voiced during a UN Security Council session in New York on the current situation in the Middle East, especially in the Palestinian arena.
Mladenov said that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is becoming more difficult, renewing the UN's rejection of the Israeli settlement expansion in the Palestinian territories.
Mladenov pointed out that the situation in the Gaza Strip, which is witnessing economic collapse and declining support, is catastrophic.
The current situation might lead to an endless conflict unless there are "vision and political will" shown by all parties, he added.
Mladenov stressed that the Israeli settlements are an obstacle to the peace process and are illegal under international law.
This was voiced during a UN Security Council session in New York on the current situation in the Middle East, especially in the Palestinian arena.
Mladenov said that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state is becoming more difficult, renewing the UN's rejection of the Israeli settlement expansion in the Palestinian territories.
Mladenov pointed out that the situation in the Gaza Strip, which is witnessing economic collapse and declining support, is catastrophic.
The current situation might lead to an endless conflict unless there are "vision and political will" shown by all parties, he added.
Mladenov stressed that the Israeli settlements are an obstacle to the peace process and are illegal under international law.
Israel’s former Shin Bet head Yaakov Peri said that Israel needs to continue transferring Qatari funds to the blockaded Gaza Strip.
In an interview on Israel Army Radio on Wednesday morning, Peri said that the decision not to transfer the funds has increased the possibility of a flare-up between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza coastal enclave.
"Hamas will not become a lover of Israel because of the money or because of its non-transfer," said Peri. "Israel needs to act according to its own interest, which is to avoid confrontation. If the same Qatari funds cause a confrontation not to occur, the broader consideration must prevail."
The former Shin Bet head said he expects that in the end the money will be transferred because "we do not have a choice."
"We have been on the brink of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza for a while now, and once it blows up, the world will come to us with complaints," he added.
Speaking from his office in Doha a couple of days ago, Mohammed Al-Emadi, head of Qatar’s Gaza Strip Reconstruction Committee, said the latest $15 million wage payment was initially withheld by Israel but would now arrive on Wednesday.
However, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered on Tuesday to halt the third wave of the transfer of Qatari funds to the besieged Gaza Strip.
In an interview on Israel Army Radio on Wednesday morning, Peri said that the decision not to transfer the funds has increased the possibility of a flare-up between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza coastal enclave.
"Hamas will not become a lover of Israel because of the money or because of its non-transfer," said Peri. "Israel needs to act according to its own interest, which is to avoid confrontation. If the same Qatari funds cause a confrontation not to occur, the broader consideration must prevail."
The former Shin Bet head said he expects that in the end the money will be transferred because "we do not have a choice."
"We have been on the brink of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza for a while now, and once it blows up, the world will come to us with complaints," he added.
Speaking from his office in Doha a couple of days ago, Mohammed Al-Emadi, head of Qatar’s Gaza Strip Reconstruction Committee, said the latest $15 million wage payment was initially withheld by Israel but would now arrive on Wednesday.
However, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered on Tuesday to halt the third wave of the transfer of Qatari funds to the besieged Gaza Strip.
21 jan 2019
The Israeli police forces stationed at the Container Checkpoint east of Occupied Jerusalem on Monday fired stun grenades at the Palestinian citizens waiting for the checkpoint to be opened.
An eyewitness told Quds Press that the Israeli police in the early morning hours closed the Container Checkpoint obstructing the Palestinian citizens' movement and causing a severe traffic jam.
The Israeli police regularly close the checkpoint, which connects the southern area of the West Bank with its central and northern parts, due to "maintenance" or the Palestinian citizens' "non-compliance" with the police orders as they search their vehicles and scrutinize their IDs.
The eyewitness said that the Israeli police heavily fired stun grenades at the Palestinian citizens waiting at the checkpoint.
Meanwhile, the Israeli police raided several Palestinian homes in Silwan town in Jerusalem.
The Israeli police, accompanied by municipality crews, stormed the building of Wadi Hilweh Information Center, as well as the homes of its director Jawad Seyam and activist Khaled al-Zir.
An eyewitness told Quds Press that the Israeli police in the early morning hours closed the Container Checkpoint obstructing the Palestinian citizens' movement and causing a severe traffic jam.
The Israeli police regularly close the checkpoint, which connects the southern area of the West Bank with its central and northern parts, due to "maintenance" or the Palestinian citizens' "non-compliance" with the police orders as they search their vehicles and scrutinize their IDs.
The eyewitness said that the Israeli police heavily fired stun grenades at the Palestinian citizens waiting at the checkpoint.
Meanwhile, the Israeli police raided several Palestinian homes in Silwan town in Jerusalem.
The Israeli police, accompanied by municipality crews, stormed the building of Wadi Hilweh Information Center, as well as the homes of its director Jawad Seyam and activist Khaled al-Zir.
20 jan 2019
An Israeli hospital in city of Ashkelon, in southern Israel, is forcing Palestinians to get off public buses to undergo a security check before allowing the vehicles to enter on hospital grounds, while Israeli passengers continue their passage uninterrupted.
Haaretz news outlet reported that the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and Physicians for Human Rights have documented that Palestinians who take Dan Badarom’s line 18 have to get off the public bus at the entrance to the Barzilai Medical Center and undergo a security check.
After the security check, they are then picked back up when the bus exits the hospital to continue on its route.
Haaretz published a video that showed a daily bus ride on line 18, during which the bus is seen stopping at the entrance to the hospital, a female security guard entering and then a number of Palestinian passengers exiting the bus with the guard, who doesn’t check any other passengers or force them to exit the bus.
The bus driver explained to one of the passengers that the passengers who are forced to exit the bus “are Arabs who work with a permit here, in Israel. They enter the hospital, it’s security. They are checked. She took them off and now I’ll pick them up.”
Reportedly if Palestinians do not exit the bus themselves, they will be forced by the security guard off of the bus.
Dan Badarom and the Barzilai hospital confirmed the details to be correct.
Dan Badarom said that it follows the instructions it receives from the hospital, “On the part of the route where the bus enters Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon, we are subject to the instructions of its security department and obligated to act according to those instructions.”
The Barzilai Medical Center said that “in the case of Israeli citizens and residents, no further security check is conducted. In the case of green ID holders, who are residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the passenger is asked to accompany the security guard outside of the bus in order to conduct a security check of their belongings, including a check with a metal detector to ensure they are not carrying weapons or explosives.”
Physicians for Human Rights warned the hospital about continuing their methods and said, “A medical institution is first and foremost obligated to the rules of medical ethics and respecting human dignity, and therefore is supposed to prevent any racist behavior within its gates.”
Physicians for Human Rights also called on the Israeli Health Ministry to inform the hospital that “security issues cannot and will not be used as an excuse for its commitment to medical ethics and ensuring equality.”
Haaretz news outlet reported that the Association for Civil Rights in Israel and Physicians for Human Rights have documented that Palestinians who take Dan Badarom’s line 18 have to get off the public bus at the entrance to the Barzilai Medical Center and undergo a security check.
After the security check, they are then picked back up when the bus exits the hospital to continue on its route.
Haaretz published a video that showed a daily bus ride on line 18, during which the bus is seen stopping at the entrance to the hospital, a female security guard entering and then a number of Palestinian passengers exiting the bus with the guard, who doesn’t check any other passengers or force them to exit the bus.
The bus driver explained to one of the passengers that the passengers who are forced to exit the bus “are Arabs who work with a permit here, in Israel. They enter the hospital, it’s security. They are checked. She took them off and now I’ll pick them up.”
Reportedly if Palestinians do not exit the bus themselves, they will be forced by the security guard off of the bus.
Dan Badarom and the Barzilai hospital confirmed the details to be correct.
Dan Badarom said that it follows the instructions it receives from the hospital, “On the part of the route where the bus enters Barzilai hospital in Ashkelon, we are subject to the instructions of its security department and obligated to act according to those instructions.”
The Barzilai Medical Center said that “in the case of Israeli citizens and residents, no further security check is conducted. In the case of green ID holders, who are residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the passenger is asked to accompany the security guard outside of the bus in order to conduct a security check of their belongings, including a check with a metal detector to ensure they are not carrying weapons or explosives.”
Physicians for Human Rights warned the hospital about continuing their methods and said, “A medical institution is first and foremost obligated to the rules of medical ethics and respecting human dignity, and therefore is supposed to prevent any racist behavior within its gates.”
Physicians for Human Rights also called on the Israeli Health Ministry to inform the hospital that “security issues cannot and will not be used as an excuse for its commitment to medical ethics and ensuring equality.”
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip on Sunday warned of an unprecedented humanitarian and health disaster in the enclave after seven hospitals were forced to suspend services because of the power shortage.
Head of al-Rantisi Children's Hospital, which is one of only two facilities in Gaza equipped to treat cancer patients, Mohammed Salmiya said in a press conference, "For the first time since Israel imposed the blockade on the Gaza Strip, we are unable to make further efforts to run power generators for additional hours."
Abu Salmiya said that, based on daily field reports by technical and administrative staff, what is available at Gaza hospitals is less than 17% of the fuel needed during power outages.
Abu Salmiya noted that the austerity measures taken by the Ministry of Health will soon become useless as the crisis is worsening.
Gaza's Ministry of Health appealed to those concerned to make serious actions toward ending the crisis and fulfilling Gaza patients' right to receive proper treatment.
The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip has been suffering from growing crises in different fields as a result of the Israeli 13-year-long blockade on the enclave, and the sanctions imposed by the Palestinian Authority government for about two years.
Gaza hospitals need 45,000 liters of fuel per month to operate generators during power outages which last for 8-12 hours a day.
Head of al-Rantisi Children's Hospital, which is one of only two facilities in Gaza equipped to treat cancer patients, Mohammed Salmiya said in a press conference, "For the first time since Israel imposed the blockade on the Gaza Strip, we are unable to make further efforts to run power generators for additional hours."
Abu Salmiya said that, based on daily field reports by technical and administrative staff, what is available at Gaza hospitals is less than 17% of the fuel needed during power outages.
Abu Salmiya noted that the austerity measures taken by the Ministry of Health will soon become useless as the crisis is worsening.
Gaza's Ministry of Health appealed to those concerned to make serious actions toward ending the crisis and fulfilling Gaza patients' right to receive proper treatment.
The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip has been suffering from growing crises in different fields as a result of the Israeli 13-year-long blockade on the enclave, and the sanctions imposed by the Palestinian Authority government for about two years.
Gaza hospitals need 45,000 liters of fuel per month to operate generators during power outages which last for 8-12 hours a day.
The Hebrew army radio, Galei Tzahal, said Sunday that the Israeli government lifted the ban imposed two weeks ago on the transfer of Qatari aid funds to the Gaza Strip.
According to the army radio, Qatari envoy to Gaza Mohamed al-Emadi will arrive in Gaza on Sunday night or Monday through an Israeli airport and will bring with him the money.
Two weeks ago, the Israeli government decided to delay the entry of funds from Qatar to the besieged enclave.
Qatar provides generously $15 million a month to help the authorities in Gaza pay salaries to civil servants and help impoverished families.
According to the army radio, Qatari envoy to Gaza Mohamed al-Emadi will arrive in Gaza on Sunday night or Monday through an Israeli airport and will bring with him the money.
Two weeks ago, the Israeli government decided to delay the entry of funds from Qatar to the besieged enclave.
Qatar provides generously $15 million a month to help the authorities in Gaza pay salaries to civil servants and help impoverished families.
19 jan 2019
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip on Saturday warned that five hospitals in the enclave are on the verge of shutting down due to power outages.
Spokesman for the Ministry Ashraf al-Qedra said that the next few hours will be crucial for five major hospitals in Gaza, including two children's hospitals.
According to al-Qedra, these hospitals are to face the same fate of Beit Hanoun Hospital which has closed its doors due to power shortage resulting from depletion of fuel used to run alternative generators during power outage.
The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip has been suffering from acute power and drug shortage as a result of the 13-year-long blockade and the sanctions imposed on the enclave by the Palestinian Authority for nearly two years now.
Spokesman for the Ministry Ashraf al-Qedra said that the next few hours will be crucial for five major hospitals in Gaza, including two children's hospitals.
According to al-Qedra, these hospitals are to face the same fate of Beit Hanoun Hospital which has closed its doors due to power shortage resulting from depletion of fuel used to run alternative generators during power outage.
The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip has been suffering from acute power and drug shortage as a result of the 13-year-long blockade and the sanctions imposed on the enclave by the Palestinian Authority for nearly two years now.
17 jan 2019
The Israeli occupation forces (IOF) on Wednesday evening set up a number of military checkpoints in Jenin restricting Palestinian citizens' movement.
Local sources said that the IOF stopped the Palestinian vehicles passing through these checkpoints, searched them, and scrutinized the passengers' IDs before letting them go.
The IOF soldiers have been deployed in large numbers in Jenin and its environs amid tightened security restrictions for the second day in a row.
Local sources said that the IOF stopped the Palestinian vehicles passing through these checkpoints, searched them, and scrutinized the passengers' IDs before letting them go.
The IOF soldiers have been deployed in large numbers in Jenin and its environs amid tightened security restrictions for the second day in a row.
16 jan 2019
The Israeli occupation forces on Wednesday closed off the main entrance to Qalqilya’s eastern town of Azzoun, in the northern occupied West Bank, and blocked Palestinians’ free access out of and into the area.
Local sources said Israeli soldiers tightened military grip around Qalqilya and sealed off access roads to the area, blocking Palestinians’ free movement.
Overnight, a military cordon was imposed on the area by the occupation forces after Molotov Cocktails were allegedly hurled at Israeli patrols.
Local sources said Israeli soldiers tightened military grip around Qalqilya and sealed off access roads to the area, blocking Palestinians’ free movement.
Overnight, a military cordon was imposed on the area by the occupation forces after Molotov Cocktails were allegedly hurled at Israeli patrols.
Beit Hanoun hospital director Jameel Suleiman has warned that their generator would be shut down within two days, due to shortage of fuel.
Suleiman said, in a statement, that the depletion of fuel would lead to complete paralysis in the services of the hospital, which serves 340 thousand people north of the Gaza Strip.
The spokesman of the ministry, Ashraf al-Qedra, appealed on Monday to all interested parties, to work towards immediately ending the fuel crisis in hospitals and facilities of the Ministry of Health, stressing that it will have catastrophic repercussions on patients in the Gaza Strip when the generators stopped, within just a few days.
Gaza hospitals need 450 thousand liters of fuel, per month, to operate generators during power outages that last for 8-12 hours a day, according to the ministry.
Home to more than two million people, the Gaza Strip, which continues to groan under Israeli siege, has struggled with severe electricity shortages since 2006.
Al Ray further reports that, according to Gaza’s sole power company, the Strip needs about 560 MW of electricity to meet the needs of the Palestinian population, there.
Suleiman said, in a statement, that the depletion of fuel would lead to complete paralysis in the services of the hospital, which serves 340 thousand people north of the Gaza Strip.
The spokesman of the ministry, Ashraf al-Qedra, appealed on Monday to all interested parties, to work towards immediately ending the fuel crisis in hospitals and facilities of the Ministry of Health, stressing that it will have catastrophic repercussions on patients in the Gaza Strip when the generators stopped, within just a few days.
Gaza hospitals need 450 thousand liters of fuel, per month, to operate generators during power outages that last for 8-12 hours a day, according to the ministry.
Home to more than two million people, the Gaza Strip, which continues to groan under Israeli siege, has struggled with severe electricity shortages since 2006.
Al Ray further reports that, according to Gaza’s sole power company, the Strip needs about 560 MW of electricity to meet the needs of the Palestinian population, there.
