25 june 2014
The Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health will ship 20 truckloads of medicine and medical equipment to Gaza this week, a minister said.
Jawad Awwad, minister of health, said all preparations to ship the cargo have been finalized to ease the "suffering of our people."
Spokesman for Gaza's health ministry Ashraf al-Qidra said the shipment comes as health conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate as a result of shortages.
Several hospitals have had to cancel all non-emergency surgeries due to a lack of medical equipment.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
Jawad Awwad, minister of health, said all preparations to ship the cargo have been finalized to ease the "suffering of our people."
Spokesman for Gaza's health ministry Ashraf al-Qidra said the shipment comes as health conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate as a result of shortages.
Several hospitals have had to cancel all non-emergency surgeries due to a lack of medical equipment.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
Gaza's sole power plant kept running Wednesday after diesel fuel was allowed to enter the Strip via Israel, a day after the power authority warned it would shut down, a Gaza official said.
Raed Fattouh, who is in charge of the coordination of goods entering Gaza, told Ma'an that more than 400 truckloads of goods were shipped in on Wednesday, including diesel fuel to run the power plant.
Gasoline and humanitarian aid was also shipped into the coastal enclave, Fattouh said.
He added that two truckloads of cement were shipped in to be used for UN-funded projects.
An agreement was reached Tuesday to import 250,000 liters of synthetic diesel for the Gaza power generation station, the deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza said.
Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil told Ma'an that the fuel aims to continue the supply of electricity for eight hours daily.
He added that this amount is enough for one day, explaining that there are other suggestions to reduce the taxes on diesel.
Khalil had earlier said that donated Qatari fuel would run out on Tuesday, and that the power generation would stop if an alternative was not found.
Qatar had in March agreed to continue to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months.
The Gulf state also donated $10 million to Gaza for fuel in the wake of the humanitarian crisis caused by severe weather in the region in December on top of difficulties caused by the Israeli blockade on the coastal enclave.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
Raed Fattouh, who is in charge of the coordination of goods entering Gaza, told Ma'an that more than 400 truckloads of goods were shipped in on Wednesday, including diesel fuel to run the power plant.
Gasoline and humanitarian aid was also shipped into the coastal enclave, Fattouh said.
He added that two truckloads of cement were shipped in to be used for UN-funded projects.
An agreement was reached Tuesday to import 250,000 liters of synthetic diesel for the Gaza power generation station, the deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza said.
Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil told Ma'an that the fuel aims to continue the supply of electricity for eight hours daily.
He added that this amount is enough for one day, explaining that there are other suggestions to reduce the taxes on diesel.
Khalil had earlier said that donated Qatari fuel would run out on Tuesday, and that the power generation would stop if an alternative was not found.
Qatar had in March agreed to continue to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months.
The Gulf state also donated $10 million to Gaza for fuel in the wake of the humanitarian crisis caused by severe weather in the region in December on top of difficulties caused by the Israeli blockade on the coastal enclave.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
Gaza health employees threatened to step up their protest steps for not receiving their salaries, urging PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and unity government Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah to pay their salaries, which have been delayed for several months.
Medicine and healthcare trade unions organized a protest vigil outside Ministers Council in Gaza City on Tuesday in coincidence with the weekly government meeting held through video conference.
Unity government refused to pays the salaries of Gaza's 4,000 employees under the pretext of being hired after the division.
Gaza current staff has been hired after PA government's employees decided to suspend their work to pressure Hamas government at that time.
The protesters carried banners and chanted slogans calling on unity government to bear its responsibilities and stop discrimination policy against Gaza employees.
For his part, head of the union Abdul Kareem al-Attal called on Palestinian newly formed unity government and all national parties who signed reconciliation agreement to bear their responsibilities.
He said that Gaza employees’ rights are not question for negotiation or compensation, holding Abbas full responsibility for not paying their salaries and for the current deteriorating situation.
Al-Attal threatened to escalate their protest steps during the coming period in case of not paying their salaries.
Medicine and healthcare trade unions organized a protest vigil outside Ministers Council in Gaza City on Tuesday in coincidence with the weekly government meeting held through video conference.
Unity government refused to pays the salaries of Gaza's 4,000 employees under the pretext of being hired after the division.
Gaza current staff has been hired after PA government's employees decided to suspend their work to pressure Hamas government at that time.
The protesters carried banners and chanted slogans calling on unity government to bear its responsibilities and stop discrimination policy against Gaza employees.
For his part, head of the union Abdul Kareem al-Attal called on Palestinian newly formed unity government and all national parties who signed reconciliation agreement to bear their responsibilities.
He said that Gaza employees’ rights are not question for negotiation or compensation, holding Abbas full responsibility for not paying their salaries and for the current deteriorating situation.
Al-Attal threatened to escalate their protest steps during the coming period in case of not paying their salaries.
24 june 2014
An agreement has been reached to import 250,000 liters of synthetic diesel for the Gaza power generation station, the deputy head of the energy authority in Gaza said Tuesday.
Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil told Ma’an that the fuel, to be delivered Wednesday, aims to continue the supply of electricity for eight hours daily.
He added that this amount is enough for one day, explaining that there are other suggestions to reduce the taxes on diesel in place.
Khalil had earlier said that donated Qatari fuel would run out on Tuesday, and that the power generation would stop if an alternative was not found.
Fathi al-Sheikh Khalil told Ma’an that the fuel, to be delivered Wednesday, aims to continue the supply of electricity for eight hours daily.
He added that this amount is enough for one day, explaining that there are other suggestions to reduce the taxes on diesel in place.
Khalil had earlier said that donated Qatari fuel would run out on Tuesday, and that the power generation would stop if an alternative was not found.
The Palestinian ministry of health in Gaza says a serious crisis is expected to affect the health sector in the coastal enclave as many types of medicines and medical equipment have run out and other types are running out.
Ashraf al-Qidra said in a statement Tuesday that 122 types of basic medicines completely ran out and 91 types would run out in a few weeks. Furthermore, 471 types of medical equipment and disposables have run out completely and some 85 types will run out in a few weeks, added al-Qidra.
He highlighted that Gaza fuel crisis has affected hospitals and medical centers. During daily power cuts, Gaza hospitals use diesel-run generators to produce electricity.
Gaza public hospitals, says al-Qidra, consume 8,000 liters of diesel a day and they now have only 20 percent of the average reserve. In addition, ambulances and other vehicles of the ministry consume about 22,000 liters of diesel and 12,000 liters of gasoline a month. Under these conditions, he added that fuel reserves will run out in a few days.
As a result, the ministry of health decided to cancel surgical operations which are not urgent and to reduce about 50 percent of ambulance travel.
Ashraf al-Qidra said in a statement Tuesday that 122 types of basic medicines completely ran out and 91 types would run out in a few weeks. Furthermore, 471 types of medical equipment and disposables have run out completely and some 85 types will run out in a few weeks, added al-Qidra.
He highlighted that Gaza fuel crisis has affected hospitals and medical centers. During daily power cuts, Gaza hospitals use diesel-run generators to produce electricity.
Gaza public hospitals, says al-Qidra, consume 8,000 liters of diesel a day and they now have only 20 percent of the average reserve. In addition, ambulances and other vehicles of the ministry consume about 22,000 liters of diesel and 12,000 liters of gasoline a month. Under these conditions, he added that fuel reserves will run out in a few days.
As a result, the ministry of health decided to cancel surgical operations which are not urgent and to reduce about 50 percent of ambulance travel.
The Israel Electric Company on Monday restricted energy supplies to the Jerusalem District Electricity Company, causing power shortages in the center of Ramallah, a company official said.
Director of JDECO, Hisham al-Umari, told Ma'an that the Israeli company disconnected two main lines causing power cuts in several Palestinian Authority institutions.
JDECO was official notified by the Israeli company that it would restrict electricity until the company paid of debts of around 974 milliion shekels ($282 million), Wafa reported.
Al-Umari confirmed that JDECO has unpaid debts, but said the power cuts were intended to put pressure on the Palestinian leadership.
Since the 1967 occupation, Israel has restricted the ability of the Jerusalem company to import machines to generate electricity, forcing it into becoming a redistribution company for Israeli electricity.
In the 1990s, the Palestinian Authority began taking over the electricity's company's debts, but Israeli control over the occupied Palestinian economy has led to recurring financial crises.
Director of JDECO, Hisham al-Umari, told Ma'an that the Israeli company disconnected two main lines causing power cuts in several Palestinian Authority institutions.
JDECO was official notified by the Israeli company that it would restrict electricity until the company paid of debts of around 974 milliion shekels ($282 million), Wafa reported.
Al-Umari confirmed that JDECO has unpaid debts, but said the power cuts were intended to put pressure on the Palestinian leadership.
Since the 1967 occupation, Israel has restricted the ability of the Jerusalem company to import machines to generate electricity, forcing it into becoming a redistribution company for Israeli electricity.
In the 1990s, the Palestinian Authority began taking over the electricity's company's debts, but Israeli control over the occupied Palestinian economy has led to recurring financial crises.
Israeli occupation authorities blocked Tuesday fuel to enter Gaza through Karm Abu Salem. The fuel is used to run the only power plant in The Gaza Strip.
The Israeli side allowed the entry of 350 trucks loaded with goods for commercial, agricultural and transportation sectors, head of the Coordination Committee for the entry of goods in the Gaza Strip Raed Fattouh said.
Gaza Energy Authority stated that the Qatari-funded fuel will run out today in case the fuel does not enter, adding that the electricity will be cut for 12 hours a day.
Karam Abu Salem is the only commercial crossing through which goods and fuel enter the Gaza Strip. The occupation authorities close it on Friday and Saturday of each week.
The Israeli side allowed the entry of 350 trucks loaded with goods for commercial, agricultural and transportation sectors, head of the Coordination Committee for the entry of goods in the Gaza Strip Raed Fattouh said.
Gaza Energy Authority stated that the Qatari-funded fuel will run out today in case the fuel does not enter, adding that the electricity will be cut for 12 hours a day.
Karam Abu Salem is the only commercial crossing through which goods and fuel enter the Gaza Strip. The occupation authorities close it on Friday and Saturday of each week.
The Gaza Strip's sole power plant is expected to shut down Tuesday after the last shipment of Qatar-donated fuel runs out, Gaza's power authority said.
Fathi Sheikh Khalil, the deputy chairperson of Gaza's power authority, said that the plant would run out of fuel Tuesday.
Gaza will then depend on 140 megawatts of electricity from Israel and 20 megawatts from Egypt, only a third of the electricity needed to power the Strip, Khalil said.
He said the Gaza power authority had contacted the newly-formed national consensus government seeking a solution to the power crisis, but that nothing had been done so far.
Qatar had in March agreed to continue to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months.
The Gulf state also donated $10 million to Gaza for fuel in the wake of the humanitarian crisis caused by severe weather in the region in December on top of difficulties caused by the Israeli blockade on the coastal enclave.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
Fathi Sheikh Khalil, the deputy chairperson of Gaza's power authority, said that the plant would run out of fuel Tuesday.
Gaza will then depend on 140 megawatts of electricity from Israel and 20 megawatts from Egypt, only a third of the electricity needed to power the Strip, Khalil said.
He said the Gaza power authority had contacted the newly-formed national consensus government seeking a solution to the power crisis, but that nothing had been done so far.
Qatar had in March agreed to continue to donate money to fuel Gaza's power plant for three months.
The Gulf state also donated $10 million to Gaza for fuel in the wake of the humanitarian crisis caused by severe weather in the region in December on top of difficulties caused by the Israeli blockade on the coastal enclave.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2006, leading to frequent humanitarian crises.
23 june 2014
The U.N. envoy to the Middle East peace process has denied allegations in the Israeli media that he offered to aid the Palestinian Hamas group. Robert Serry said in a statement Sunday that he was asked by Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah to help transfer Qatari funds to pay the salaries of former Hamas employees who lost their jobs after the new Palestinian unity government was formed.
He said he was considering the request and had notified Israeli authorities. He insisted the U.N. would not provide such assistance without Israeli approval.
An Israeli official confirmed the allegations, reported by Channel 2, and said Israel was considering expelling the envoy. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
He said he was considering the request and had notified Israeli authorities. He insisted the U.N. would not provide such assistance without Israeli approval.
An Israeli official confirmed the allegations, reported by Channel 2, and said Israel was considering expelling the envoy. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.
22 june 2014
Israel's foreign minister has threatened to expel the UN's special envoy for offering to help transfer Qatari funds to the Gaza Strip, Channel Two television reported. Avigdor Lieberman said Robert Serry, the world body's special envoy on the Middle East peace process, had first tried to convince the Palestinian Authority (PA) to transfer $20 million (14.7 million euros) from Qatar to resolve a pay crisis for Hamas employees in Gaza, the broadcaster reported Saturday.
But after Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas refused to do so, the rightwing ultra-nationalist Lieberman charged, Serry proposed UN help in making the transfer.
Serry rejected the allegations, saying in a statement that the Palestinian authority had approached him "informally" on the matter.
"In considering any UN role on the issue of payments of salaries in Gaza that has potentially destabilising effects on security in Gaza, I made it clear that we would only be able to be of assistance if acceptable to all stakeholders, including Israel," he added.
Israel had been kept informed of all the discussions, he insisted.
Lieberman told AFP he was seeking an "urgent meeting" on Sunday about the row in which Israeli television reported the foreign minister would propose that Serry be declared persona non grata in Israel.
"We look upon Robert Serry's behaviour with the utmost seriousness, and strong measures will be imposed," Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor told AFP.
"The foreign ministry issues diplomatic visas and can also withdraw them," he added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement the premier told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon he opposed the transfer of Qatari funds to Hamas, which he accuses of kidnapping three young Israelis in the West Bank on June 12.
On June 13, the gas-rich Gulf state of Qatar said it would help the new Palestinian unity government pay former employees of Islamist movement Hamas's disbanded Gaza government.
Doha said it would contribute a total of $60 million while the PA grapples with a pay row, the first challenge for a government formed to try to end years of Palestinian rivalry.
The dispute erupted when the PA's Gaza-based staff received their salaries but their Hamas counterparts did not. This prompted Hamas to demand that employees from its disbanded Gaza government be taken onto the PA payroll.
The PA, which previously refused to adjust the salaries of Hamas officials because they were named after Fatah forces were ousted from the Gaza Strip in 2007, announced the creation of a special fund to pay wages while the government discussed how to resolve the issue.
But after Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas refused to do so, the rightwing ultra-nationalist Lieberman charged, Serry proposed UN help in making the transfer.
Serry rejected the allegations, saying in a statement that the Palestinian authority had approached him "informally" on the matter.
"In considering any UN role on the issue of payments of salaries in Gaza that has potentially destabilising effects on security in Gaza, I made it clear that we would only be able to be of assistance if acceptable to all stakeholders, including Israel," he added.
Israel had been kept informed of all the discussions, he insisted.
Lieberman told AFP he was seeking an "urgent meeting" on Sunday about the row in which Israeli television reported the foreign minister would propose that Serry be declared persona non grata in Israel.
"We look upon Robert Serry's behaviour with the utmost seriousness, and strong measures will be imposed," Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor told AFP.
"The foreign ministry issues diplomatic visas and can also withdraw them," he added.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement the premier told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon he opposed the transfer of Qatari funds to Hamas, which he accuses of kidnapping three young Israelis in the West Bank on June 12.
On June 13, the gas-rich Gulf state of Qatar said it would help the new Palestinian unity government pay former employees of Islamist movement Hamas's disbanded Gaza government.
Doha said it would contribute a total of $60 million while the PA grapples with a pay row, the first challenge for a government formed to try to end years of Palestinian rivalry.
The dispute erupted when the PA's Gaza-based staff received their salaries but their Hamas counterparts did not. This prompted Hamas to demand that employees from its disbanded Gaza government be taken onto the PA payroll.
The PA, which previously refused to adjust the salaries of Hamas officials because they were named after Fatah forces were ousted from the Gaza Strip in 2007, announced the creation of a special fund to pay wages while the government discussed how to resolve the issue.
21 june 2014
Productivity in the Hebron marketplace has decreased 50 percent after a week of Israeli siege in search of three missing settlers, according to a Palestinian businessman.
Mohammad Nafeth al-Herbawi, the head of the Palestinian businessmen forum in Hebron, told Ma’an that the city suffers around $10 million in losses daily, while laborers are losing around $2 million.
“The continuation of the siege will affect the social, economic and daily situation of life for residents of the district,” al-Herbawi said.
“Twenty-thousand workers within the Green Line (Israel) are deprived of their work, and businessmen are deprived of traveling and even reaching other cities.”
He added that some companies and factories have been forced to release a large number of workers, which will lead to dire social conditions.
Mohammad Nafeth al-Herbawi, the head of the Palestinian businessmen forum in Hebron, told Ma’an that the city suffers around $10 million in losses daily, while laborers are losing around $2 million.
“The continuation of the siege will affect the social, economic and daily situation of life for residents of the district,” al-Herbawi said.
“Twenty-thousand workers within the Green Line (Israel) are deprived of their work, and businessmen are deprived of traveling and even reaching other cities.”
He added that some companies and factories have been forced to release a large number of workers, which will lead to dire social conditions.
20 june 2014
The Palestinian Health Ministry has decided to stop non-emergency surgeries in all hospitals in the Gaza Strip due to the acute shortage of medicines and fuel in light of the recent Israeli military escalation.
Spokesman for the ministry Ashraf Qudra said in a press release on Friday that hospitals in the besieged Strip suffer from an unprecedented acute shortage of medicines and medical supplies, and their fuel needs started to run short.
He confirmed that the scarcity of medicines and medical supplies is still a persistent problem in Gaza despite the formation of the unity government.
He said his ministry’s decision to suspend non-emergency surgeries came as part of a contingency plan aimed at preserving the remaining medical and fuel supplies used by hospitals.
Spokesman for the ministry Ashraf Qudra said in a press release on Friday that hospitals in the besieged Strip suffer from an unprecedented acute shortage of medicines and medical supplies, and their fuel needs started to run short.
He confirmed that the scarcity of medicines and medical supplies is still a persistent problem in Gaza despite the formation of the unity government.
He said his ministry’s decision to suspend non-emergency surgeries came as part of a contingency plan aimed at preserving the remaining medical and fuel supplies used by hospitals.
19 june 2014
Qatar-donated diesel, used to fuel the Gaza Strip's sole power plant, is to run out on June 21, a source with knowledge Thursday told SAFA news agency. The source pointed out that the closure Karm Abu Salem crossing, south-east of the Gaza Strip, negatively affects the amounts of fuel entered to Gaza.
The Israeli occupation closes the crossing under the pretext of the Jewish festivals and other reasons related to security, he added.
The Karm Abu Salem crossing is the only crossing through which goods, fuel, food commodities, and clothes enter the Gaza Strip.
The expected power crisis is to double the suffering of the Gazans as summer arrived to the region.
The Qatari donation helps operate two generators and make electricity available on the basis of eight hours on, eight hours off a day.
The Israeli occupation closes the crossing under the pretext of the Jewish festivals and other reasons related to security, he added.
The Karm Abu Salem crossing is the only crossing through which goods, fuel, food commodities, and clothes enter the Gaza Strip.
The expected power crisis is to double the suffering of the Gazans as summer arrived to the region.
The Qatari donation helps operate two generators and make electricity available on the basis of eight hours on, eight hours off a day.
The retaliatory measures lately issued by the Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) in an attempt to come down heavily on Palestinian workers and deny them access into their Israeli-run workplaces, as a response to the unproven “kidnap-affair,” have generated an estimated loss of more than 55 million shekels since last Thursday and up to now. Secretary-General of the Palestinian Federation of Trade Unions Shaher Saad said in a press statement that such Israeli retaliatory measures make part of a wider Israeli collective-punishment-tactic, frequently adopted by all succeeding Israeli occupation governments.
26,300 workers from al-Khalil along with 35% of all Palestinian workers are currently banned from entering 1948 occupied Palestine, the statement reported.
Around 28,000 Palestinian workers have been working under legal terms with Israeli employers so far, including 7800 from al-Khalil, Saad documented, adding that 4500 workers from al-Khalil, out of an overall rate of 53,000 Palestinians working in Israeli settlements, have been denied access into their workplaces.
Israeli violations and assaults have rocked scores of Palestinian workers. This includes the misappropriation and tearing of 1255 permits at the Israeli military checkpoints along with the apprehension of 31 workers, at least, and the injury of 12 more others due to Israeli arbitrary gunshots.
According to Saad, such ban-rules are only momentary and have been issued as a retaliatory response to the disappearance of the three soldiers.
Saad spoke against the Israeli ongoing violations of the rights of Palestinian employees, declaring: “This is never a wonder. The reaction is quite expected from an occupation authority that has always strived to meet the settlers’ requirements by all means, even by shutting down crossroads, denying workers’ access into their workplaces, and intimidating Palestinian civilians without prior warnings.”
26,300 workers from al-Khalil along with 35% of all Palestinian workers are currently banned from entering 1948 occupied Palestine, the statement reported.
Around 28,000 Palestinian workers have been working under legal terms with Israeli employers so far, including 7800 from al-Khalil, Saad documented, adding that 4500 workers from al-Khalil, out of an overall rate of 53,000 Palestinians working in Israeli settlements, have been denied access into their workplaces.
Israeli violations and assaults have rocked scores of Palestinian workers. This includes the misappropriation and tearing of 1255 permits at the Israeli military checkpoints along with the apprehension of 31 workers, at least, and the injury of 12 more others due to Israeli arbitrary gunshots.
According to Saad, such ban-rules are only momentary and have been issued as a retaliatory response to the disappearance of the three soldiers.
Saad spoke against the Israeli ongoing violations of the rights of Palestinian employees, declaring: “This is never a wonder. The reaction is quite expected from an occupation authority that has always strived to meet the settlers’ requirements by all means, even by shutting down crossroads, denying workers’ access into their workplaces, and intimidating Palestinian civilians without prior warnings.”
PM Hamdallah office denied Thursday in a statement that his government refused to receive the money Qatar promised to transfer to be paid as salaries for Gaza employees. Al- Jazeera website reported Wednesday that an unknown governmental official said the Palestinian unity government refused to receive $ 20m from Qatar.
On 4th June, the crisis of Gaza governmental employees' salaries strained after the new national government refused to pay for them as well as the employees of the former West Bank-based government.
On April 23, Hamas and Fatah signed a reconciliation deal in Gaza with the aim of healing the rifts that marred their relations since 2007.
The deal stipulates the formation of a national unity government until legislative and presidential elections are held in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
On 4th June, the crisis of Gaza governmental employees' salaries strained after the new national government refused to pay for them as well as the employees of the former West Bank-based government.
On April 23, Hamas and Fatah signed a reconciliation deal in Gaza with the aim of healing the rifts that marred their relations since 2007.
The deal stipulates the formation of a national unity government until legislative and presidential elections are held in the occupied West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Al-Jazeera Net said that the Palestinian unity government refused on Monday to receive financial assistance of 20 million dollars from Qatar dedicated to paying the salaries of civil servants hired by the former government in Gaza. On June 4, 2014, the crisis of monthly salaries in Gaza started when the newly formed unity government decided discriminately to pay the salaries of only those who worked for the government in Ramallah during the inter-Palestinian division.
Consequently, scuffles between Gazan employees broke out at the time outside banks, which suspended their services for several days.
This crisis prompted Qatar, a main supporter for the Palestinian people, to pledge to help resolve the crisis following contacts between former premier Ismail Haneyya and Emir of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
Accordingly, Sheikh Tamim phoned premier of the unity government Rami Al-Hamdallah to agree on the details, but the latter did not provide a precise figure on the amount of financial aid needed to solve the crisis of salaries.
A Palestinian informed source told Al-Jazeera Net on condition of anonymity that Al-Hamdallah had asked Qatar to transfer 60 million dollars, but Qatar felt that this figure was not accurate because the salaries needed in Gaza total 35 million dollars.
The source added that when Qatar wanted to transfer 20 million dollars for the payment of salaries for three months, the ministry of finance in Ramallah refused to receive the grant, without any regard for the harsh living conditions of unpaid employees in Gaza.
For its part, the trade union of Gaza civil servants demanded premier Rami Al-Hamdallah to pay their salaries immediately and held him fully responsible for the return of the national rift in the Palestinian arena.
"The failure to pay the salaries of the employees who used to work for the previous government in Gaza took us to square one of uncertainty and distrust regarding the sincere execution of the reconciliation agreement," head of the union Mohamed Siyam told a news conference held in Gaza on Wednesday.
Siyam expressed his union's rejection of any excuses made by the government in Ramallah to delay the payment of salaries.
"We reject any prejudice towards the job security of the employees of the previous government in Gaza, and we will not allow anyone to override the rights of Gaza employees and all civil servants. Everyone must understand the message clearly," he emphasized.
Consequently, scuffles between Gazan employees broke out at the time outside banks, which suspended their services for several days.
This crisis prompted Qatar, a main supporter for the Palestinian people, to pledge to help resolve the crisis following contacts between former premier Ismail Haneyya and Emir of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
Accordingly, Sheikh Tamim phoned premier of the unity government Rami Al-Hamdallah to agree on the details, but the latter did not provide a precise figure on the amount of financial aid needed to solve the crisis of salaries.
A Palestinian informed source told Al-Jazeera Net on condition of anonymity that Al-Hamdallah had asked Qatar to transfer 60 million dollars, but Qatar felt that this figure was not accurate because the salaries needed in Gaza total 35 million dollars.
The source added that when Qatar wanted to transfer 20 million dollars for the payment of salaries for three months, the ministry of finance in Ramallah refused to receive the grant, without any regard for the harsh living conditions of unpaid employees in Gaza.
For its part, the trade union of Gaza civil servants demanded premier Rami Al-Hamdallah to pay their salaries immediately and held him fully responsible for the return of the national rift in the Palestinian arena.
"The failure to pay the salaries of the employees who used to work for the previous government in Gaza took us to square one of uncertainty and distrust regarding the sincere execution of the reconciliation agreement," head of the union Mohamed Siyam told a news conference held in Gaza on Wednesday.
Siyam expressed his union's rejection of any excuses made by the government in Ramallah to delay the payment of salaries.
"We reject any prejudice towards the job security of the employees of the previous government in Gaza, and we will not allow anyone to override the rights of Gaza employees and all civil servants. Everyone must understand the message clearly," he emphasized.
16 june 2014
In response to the kidnapping of the three settlers south of Hebron, the Israeli authorities have declared today that they will not issue permits for around 5000 Palestinian workers to work inside Israel.
The Israel National Radio reported that the Minister of Housing and Construction, Uri Ariel, said that the authorities will not approve the decision to give 5000 work permits to Palestinians, a decision that was supposed to be approved in the Israeli government’s council meeting today.
He added that in moments like this, when Israel is facing such a difficult time and praying for the safety of the three boys that were kidnapped, it is not appropriate to take decisions that will help the Palestinians. On the contrary, they should be aware that the situation will become more difficult in all aspects of their lives.
The Israeli authorities had announced on Friday that they were going to approve 5000 permits for Palestinian workers in the fields of construction, agriculture and business.
At the moment, the Israeli authorities are facing lack of workforce in Israel, particularly in the field of construction. Even more so after the Chinese government rejected the Israeli government’s request for importation of Chinese workers.
The Israel National Radio reported that the Minister of Housing and Construction, Uri Ariel, said that the authorities will not approve the decision to give 5000 work permits to Palestinians, a decision that was supposed to be approved in the Israeli government’s council meeting today.
He added that in moments like this, when Israel is facing such a difficult time and praying for the safety of the three boys that were kidnapped, it is not appropriate to take decisions that will help the Palestinians. On the contrary, they should be aware that the situation will become more difficult in all aspects of their lives.
The Israeli authorities had announced on Friday that they were going to approve 5000 permits for Palestinian workers in the fields of construction, agriculture and business.
At the moment, the Israeli authorities are facing lack of workforce in Israel, particularly in the field of construction. Even more so after the Chinese government rejected the Israeli government’s request for importation of Chinese workers.
14 june 2014
Eighty percent of gas stations in Gaza are out of fuel and the other 20 percent are sufficient for only half a day, the director of the local Gas Station Owners Union told Ma'an on Saturday.
Mahmoud Shawwa said all gas stations would shut down Saturday afternoon, and that all stations were out of diesel fuel.
Israel closed the Kerem Shalom crossing, the only connection for fuel to enter the besieged coastal enclave, after three Israeli settlers went missing in the Hebron area late Thursday.
Shawwa highlighted that the continued closure of Kerem Shalom would paralyze life in the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2007.
The blockade was imposed following the victory of Hamas in the 2006 Palestinian elections and the subsequent 2007 clashes between Fatah and Hamas, which left Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of the West Bank.
The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.
Mahmoud Shawwa said all gas stations would shut down Saturday afternoon, and that all stations were out of diesel fuel.
Israel closed the Kerem Shalom crossing, the only connection for fuel to enter the besieged coastal enclave, after three Israeli settlers went missing in the Hebron area late Thursday.
Shawwa highlighted that the continued closure of Kerem Shalom would paralyze life in the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by Israel since 2007.
The blockade was imposed following the victory of Hamas in the 2006 Palestinian elections and the subsequent 2007 clashes between Fatah and Hamas, which left Hamas in control of the Strip and Fatah in control of the West Bank.
The blockade has severely limited the imports and exports of the Gaza Strip and has led to frequent humanitarian crises and hardship for Gazans.
13 june 2014
Qatar promised to transfer $20 million to the Palestinian national unity government on Friday in a bid to offer a short-term solution to a crisis over wages that has plagued the administration since a banking crisis in Gaza last week.
The spokesman for the unity government and director of the government media center Ehab Bsiso said that Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah Bin Nasser had told Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah via telephone that Qatar plans to send $20 million to pay for the salaries for a period of three months.
The payment would cover May's salaries, which were the subject of a dispute that shut banks across the Gaza Strip for a week earlier this month, as well as for June and July, with the intention of giving the government time to work out a long-term plan.
Bsiso said that the payments would "be concluded through the formation of a special fund to pay the salaries of the employees in the Gaza Strip who have been employed since 2007."
"The fund will pay their salaries as advances in conjunction with the work of the administrative legal committee that was formed by the unity government to help treat the civil cases and the administrative problems resulting from the split."
At the heart of the problem is the existence of two distinct civil services in the Gaza Strip, one which was employed since 2007 when Hamas gained control over the area and the Palestinian Authority was ousted, and the other which was employed previously.
The pre-2007 employees were receiving salaries from the PA throughout the entirety of the seven-year split despite their inability to work, while the new employees received salaries from the Hamas government.
When the government of national unity was formed at the beginning of June, it was unclear whether the pre-2007 employees would begin work again at the expense of the post-2007 employees, leading to quarrels as workers tried to withdraw salaries last month until Hamas-affiliated police officers shut the banks pending a solution.
Bsiso confirmed that the administrative legal committee planned to work on the basis of achieving justice and equity without discrimination between the groups of employees.
He also confirmed the principle of partnership between the Palestinian people in government institutions on the basis of efficiency, taking into account the available possibilities including increased employment in government institutions.
Bsiso also welcomed the Arab and international efforts to support the reconciliation government and to strengthen its role in ending the effects of division and achieving unity.
The statements come after the New York Times published an article on Friday in which Prime Minister Hamdallah said that the unity government would not pay the 40,000 employees of the Hamas government and that no plan was in place for their retention as staff.
The Qatari contribution, however, appears to have offered a short-term solution to the crisis, and it is expected that a longer-term solution will be worked out in the coming months regarding the fate of the former Hamas government public employees.
The spokesman for the unity government and director of the government media center Ehab Bsiso said that Qatari Prime Minister Abdullah Bin Nasser had told Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah via telephone that Qatar plans to send $20 million to pay for the salaries for a period of three months.
The payment would cover May's salaries, which were the subject of a dispute that shut banks across the Gaza Strip for a week earlier this month, as well as for June and July, with the intention of giving the government time to work out a long-term plan.
Bsiso said that the payments would "be concluded through the formation of a special fund to pay the salaries of the employees in the Gaza Strip who have been employed since 2007."
"The fund will pay their salaries as advances in conjunction with the work of the administrative legal committee that was formed by the unity government to help treat the civil cases and the administrative problems resulting from the split."
At the heart of the problem is the existence of two distinct civil services in the Gaza Strip, one which was employed since 2007 when Hamas gained control over the area and the Palestinian Authority was ousted, and the other which was employed previously.
The pre-2007 employees were receiving salaries from the PA throughout the entirety of the seven-year split despite their inability to work, while the new employees received salaries from the Hamas government.
When the government of national unity was formed at the beginning of June, it was unclear whether the pre-2007 employees would begin work again at the expense of the post-2007 employees, leading to quarrels as workers tried to withdraw salaries last month until Hamas-affiliated police officers shut the banks pending a solution.
Bsiso confirmed that the administrative legal committee planned to work on the basis of achieving justice and equity without discrimination between the groups of employees.
He also confirmed the principle of partnership between the Palestinian people in government institutions on the basis of efficiency, taking into account the available possibilities including increased employment in government institutions.
Bsiso also welcomed the Arab and international efforts to support the reconciliation government and to strengthen its role in ending the effects of division and achieving unity.
The statements come after the New York Times published an article on Friday in which Prime Minister Hamdallah said that the unity government would not pay the 40,000 employees of the Hamas government and that no plan was in place for their retention as staff.
The Qatari contribution, however, appears to have offered a short-term solution to the crisis, and it is expected that a longer-term solution will be worked out in the coming months regarding the fate of the former Hamas government public employees.
