20 feb 2018
The Israeli navy opened fire, on Tuesday morning, at Palestinian fishing boats in the Sudaneya Sea, northwest of Gaza City.
Israeli gunboats opened heavy fire towards the fishermen, according to Al Ray. No injuries or damages were reported. However, the men were forced to get out of the sea, for fear of being shot.
The Israeli occupation navy, almost daily, targets fishermen in the Gaza Sea and prevents them from practicing their livelihood by shooting at them.
Israeli gunboats opened heavy fire towards the fishermen, according to Al Ray. No injuries or damages were reported. However, the men were forced to get out of the sea, for fear of being shot.
The Israeli occupation navy, almost daily, targets fishermen in the Gaza Sea and prevents them from practicing their livelihood by shooting at them.
Israeli police on Tuesday rounded up an ex-detainee and a youth after storming and searching their homes in Silwan town to the south of al-Aqsa Mosque in Occupied Jerusalem.
Wadi Helweh information Center said that a third man, from Ain al-Lawza neighborhood in the city, was summonsed to be interrogated by the police. Moreover, tax crews broke into a number of commercial shops in the city, the center pointed out.
Each of Salah Uddin Street, Bab al-Sahera, Bab al-Amoud, and Sultan Suleiman Street in the city had all witnessed on Tuesday security mobilization of Israeli forces who detained for a while a Palestinian man at Bab al-Sahera area.
Wadi Helweh information Center said that a third man, from Ain al-Lawza neighborhood in the city, was summonsed to be interrogated by the police. Moreover, tax crews broke into a number of commercial shops in the city, the center pointed out.
Each of Salah Uddin Street, Bab al-Sahera, Bab al-Amoud, and Sultan Suleiman Street in the city had all witnessed on Tuesday security mobilization of Israeli forces who detained for a while a Palestinian man at Bab al-Sahera area.
19 feb 2018
Qatari envoy Mohamed al-Emadi said that the Qatari aid, estimated at 9 million dollars, which is granted for Gaza Strip aims at contributing to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the besieged coastal enclave.
He elaborated that $2,300,000 are going to be allocated for blankets and food baskets and that $500,000 for fuel (for hospitals and Health Ministry) in addition to $2 million for medications.
He stated that the fuel offered suffices for one month only and said that it is a kind of initiative in order to encourage international organizations to bear their responsibilities.
Emadi added that $1 million is allocated for renovating the houses of the poor families and that another $1 million for paying university fees for poor students. $2 million are also allocated for patients and other humanitarian cases.
The Qatari envoy also said that Qatar coordinates in this regard with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and international organizations. The materials that were included in the grant have entered the Gaza Strip via the PA, Emadi concluded.
He elaborated that $2,300,000 are going to be allocated for blankets and food baskets and that $500,000 for fuel (for hospitals and Health Ministry) in addition to $2 million for medications.
He stated that the fuel offered suffices for one month only and said that it is a kind of initiative in order to encourage international organizations to bear their responsibilities.
Emadi added that $1 million is allocated for renovating the houses of the poor families and that another $1 million for paying university fees for poor students. $2 million are also allocated for patients and other humanitarian cases.
The Qatari envoy also said that Qatar coordinates in this regard with the Palestinian Authority (PA) and international organizations. The materials that were included in the grant have entered the Gaza Strip via the PA, Emadi concluded.
Israeli bulldozers on Monday morning leveled Palestinian lands near Rafafa settlement, illegally built on privately-owned land northwest of Salfit.
Speaking with a PIC news correspondent, eye-witnesses said Israeli bulldozers razed Palestinian lands northwest of Salfit and carried out excavations in an attempt to construct new settlement units near Rafafa’s southern corners.
Sources from Haris town warned of underway Israeli attempts to uproot dozens of olive trees so as to expand a settler’s bypass road in the area.
Expert in settlement affairs Khaled Maali said Israeli bulldozers continue to level Palestinian lands across Salfit around the clock for the benefit of illegal settlement expansion and infrastructure development.
Maali said such activities contravene international humanitarian law and Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Speaking with a PIC news correspondent, eye-witnesses said Israeli bulldozers razed Palestinian lands northwest of Salfit and carried out excavations in an attempt to construct new settlement units near Rafafa’s southern corners.
Sources from Haris town warned of underway Israeli attempts to uproot dozens of olive trees so as to expand a settler’s bypass road in the area.
Expert in settlement affairs Khaled Maali said Israeli bulldozers continue to level Palestinian lands across Salfit around the clock for the benefit of illegal settlement expansion and infrastructure development.
Maali said such activities contravene international humanitarian law and Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
18 feb 2018
Hamas on Sunday decried the White House latest statements accusing the Movement of being responsible for the aggravating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas said in a press statement that the Israeli occupation bears full responsibility for the crisis hitting the Gaza Strip as a result of the decade-long blockade which has been openly supported by the US in violation of all international laws.
The Movement went on to hold the successive US administrations responsible for the tragedies that have plagued the Palestinian people because of its incessant economic, political and military support for the Israeli occupation.
The statement noted that the US administration's accusations constitute a green light to Israel to continue its aggression against the Palestinian people.
It added that the US does not only help tighten the blockade on Gaza through its support for Israel, but it also threatens all countries trying to provide any humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians living in the besieged territory in a blatant disregard for their basic rights.
Hamas called on Arab and Islamic countries to make every possible effort to lift the unjust siege on the Gazan people and put an end to their suffering which keeps worsening each new day.
Hamas said in a press statement that the Israeli occupation bears full responsibility for the crisis hitting the Gaza Strip as a result of the decade-long blockade which has been openly supported by the US in violation of all international laws.
The Movement went on to hold the successive US administrations responsible for the tragedies that have plagued the Palestinian people because of its incessant economic, political and military support for the Israeli occupation.
The statement noted that the US administration's accusations constitute a green light to Israel to continue its aggression against the Palestinian people.
It added that the US does not only help tighten the blockade on Gaza through its support for Israel, but it also threatens all countries trying to provide any humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians living in the besieged territory in a blatant disregard for their basic rights.
Hamas called on Arab and Islamic countries to make every possible effort to lift the unjust siege on the Gazan people and put an end to their suffering which keeps worsening each new day.
16 feb 2018
Israel remains the only UN member state which has never declared where its borders are. In fact, it has refused to demarcate any borders due to the Zionist intention to colonise the whole of historic Palestine. For less desirable requirements, however, it does not hesitate to apply a temporary suspension of its agenda, recognise separate areas and impose additional hardships on Palestinians.
As with several other discriminatory policies, Israel acknowledges Palestinian existence and land only when it can use such recognition to suit its nefarious purposes. Human rights group B’Tselem’s December 2017 report called “Made in Israel: Exploiting Palestinian Land for Israeli Waste” reveals that there are 15 Israeli waste treatment facilities in the occupied West Bank. Six of these facilities process hazardous waste.
By treating its waste in the occupied Palestinian territory, Israel is evading several responsibilities which can be summarised by pointing out one particular discrepancy, as B’Tselem states: “Transferring waste into an occupied territory is a far graver issue, as residents of an occupied territory cannot oppose the decisions of the occupying power.”
The report investigated four of the hazardous waste treatment facilities and a sewage treatment plant in the occupied West Bank. The ramifications of such facilities, which B’Tselem states are operating without strict control, include the contamination of soil and water, the risk of drug resistant organisms and an increased threat of illness. Natural resources are also being damaged permanently.
B’Tselem has outlined the differences in Israel’s waste treatment legislation, showing that it applies less stringent procedures for waste facilities in the occupied West Bank. Inside Israel “proper” — that is, the land not recognised as occupied by international law — waste treatment facilities require permits from the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The facilities are also required to carry out assessments that detail their impact upon the environment. Since waste treatment facilities in the occupied West Bank are regulated by the Administration of Local Councils, Israel does not face the same obligations and is therefore not required to carry out impact assessments due to the absence of legislation on pollution.
The exemptions from accountability in the occupied West Bank have made it easier for hazardous waste to be treated away from scrutiny and with the opportunity to oppress Palestinians further. B’Tselem makes an important observation in this regard; it is Palestinians who are denied freedom of movement and whose spaces are restricted, unlike the Israeli settler population in the occupied territories, who have the freedom to live anywhere they choose.
With such discrepancies as a result of colonial expansion, it is important to make a connection between the violations and Israel’s exploitation of land and how it defines ownership. The report’s conclusion reads thus: “Israel has turned the West Bank into a sacrifice zone, exploiting and harming the environment at the expense of the Palestinian residents, who are completely excluded from the decision-making process.” The last premise, which is the exclusion of Palestinians, is disregarded routinely when discussing the implications of Israeli colonialism, due to the refusal to connect land appropriation with the consequences of such exploitation.
This report clearly associates the environmental and health impact with the wider colonial project. The international community’s recording of Israel’s violations, though, are situated within the context of violations themselves, thus breeding further impunity for Israel while eliminating the collective international responsibility towards Palestinians.
- Ramona Wadi is a MEMO Staff Writer.
As with several other discriminatory policies, Israel acknowledges Palestinian existence and land only when it can use such recognition to suit its nefarious purposes. Human rights group B’Tselem’s December 2017 report called “Made in Israel: Exploiting Palestinian Land for Israeli Waste” reveals that there are 15 Israeli waste treatment facilities in the occupied West Bank. Six of these facilities process hazardous waste.
By treating its waste in the occupied Palestinian territory, Israel is evading several responsibilities which can be summarised by pointing out one particular discrepancy, as B’Tselem states: “Transferring waste into an occupied territory is a far graver issue, as residents of an occupied territory cannot oppose the decisions of the occupying power.”
The report investigated four of the hazardous waste treatment facilities and a sewage treatment plant in the occupied West Bank. The ramifications of such facilities, which B’Tselem states are operating without strict control, include the contamination of soil and water, the risk of drug resistant organisms and an increased threat of illness. Natural resources are also being damaged permanently.
B’Tselem has outlined the differences in Israel’s waste treatment legislation, showing that it applies less stringent procedures for waste facilities in the occupied West Bank. Inside Israel “proper” — that is, the land not recognised as occupied by international law — waste treatment facilities require permits from the Ministry of Environmental Protection. The facilities are also required to carry out assessments that detail their impact upon the environment. Since waste treatment facilities in the occupied West Bank are regulated by the Administration of Local Councils, Israel does not face the same obligations and is therefore not required to carry out impact assessments due to the absence of legislation on pollution.
The exemptions from accountability in the occupied West Bank have made it easier for hazardous waste to be treated away from scrutiny and with the opportunity to oppress Palestinians further. B’Tselem makes an important observation in this regard; it is Palestinians who are denied freedom of movement and whose spaces are restricted, unlike the Israeli settler population in the occupied territories, who have the freedom to live anywhere they choose.
With such discrepancies as a result of colonial expansion, it is important to make a connection between the violations and Israel’s exploitation of land and how it defines ownership. The report’s conclusion reads thus: “Israel has turned the West Bank into a sacrifice zone, exploiting and harming the environment at the expense of the Palestinian residents, who are completely excluded from the decision-making process.” The last premise, which is the exclusion of Palestinians, is disregarded routinely when discussing the implications of Israeli colonialism, due to the refusal to connect land appropriation with the consequences of such exploitation.
This report clearly associates the environmental and health impact with the wider colonial project. The international community’s recording of Israel’s violations, though, are situated within the context of violations themselves, thus breeding further impunity for Israel while eliminating the collective international responsibility towards Palestinians.
- Ramona Wadi is a MEMO Staff Writer.
14 feb 2018
A group of settlers stole on Wednesday dozens of sheep in Iraq Burin town, southwest of Nablus to the north of West Bank.
According to the local activist Ghassan Daghlas, settlers from the illegal Bracha settlement stole nearly 50 sheep owned by Amir Qadous after assaulting him.
Raising sheep is often the only source of income for Palestinian herders.
According to the local activist Ghassan Daghlas, settlers from the illegal Bracha settlement stole nearly 50 sheep owned by Amir Qadous after assaulting him.
Raising sheep is often the only source of income for Palestinian herders.
13 feb 2018
Palestinian customs control crews seized on Tuesday evening three Israeli trucks in Salfit carrying toxic litter and solid waste amassed from territories occupied in 1948.
According to a statement by the Customs Control Department, the trucks were spotted following intelligence data indicating the presence of vehicles loaded with contaminated litter on Palestinian lands in Salfit.
The trucks were tracked down and seized before they got rid of the waste, intended to be discharged on Palestinian land in the area.
The Israeli move constitutes a breach to the terms of the Basel Convention, which regulates the movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal.
The overarching objective of the Basel Convention is to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects of wastes.
Its scope of application covers a wide range of wastes defined as “hazardous” based on their origin and/or composition and their characteristics.
According to a statement by the Customs Control Department, the trucks were spotted following intelligence data indicating the presence of vehicles loaded with contaminated litter on Palestinian lands in Salfit.
The trucks were tracked down and seized before they got rid of the waste, intended to be discharged on Palestinian land in the area.
The Israeli move constitutes a breach to the terms of the Basel Convention, which regulates the movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal.
The overarching objective of the Basel Convention is to protect human health and the environment against the adverse effects of wastes.
Its scope of application covers a wide range of wastes defined as “hazardous” based on their origin and/or composition and their characteristics.
Israeli soldiers, and members of the City Council in occupied Jerusalem, demolished two commercial structures, in the al-‘Isawiya town, and also cut and uprooted trees.
Mohammad Abu al-Hummus, a member of the Follow-Up Committee in al-Isawiya, said the soldiers surrounded the town, before invading it, and bulldozed the two structures.
He added that the two structures were used as small restaurants, proving pizza, cold and warm drinks; one of them was built ten years ago, and one since about two years. Both were built in the yard of the local mosque.
During the destruction of property, the Israeli bulldozers cut and uprooted several trees.
Abu al-Hummus stated that the ongoing illegal Israeli demolitions of homes and property are part of Israel’s collective punishment policies, and the attempt to remove the indigenous Palestinians.
He also said that the soldiers invaded the town, Monday, and fired many live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs at Palestinian protesters.
Some of the bullets struck many homes in the town, causing damage and anxiety attacks among many residents, mainly the children.
It is worth mentioning that the army have been carrying out daily invasions into the town, and completely isolates it every night.
Mohammad Abu al-Hummus, a member of the Follow-Up Committee in al-Isawiya, said the soldiers surrounded the town, before invading it, and bulldozed the two structures.
He added that the two structures were used as small restaurants, proving pizza, cold and warm drinks; one of them was built ten years ago, and one since about two years. Both were built in the yard of the local mosque.
During the destruction of property, the Israeli bulldozers cut and uprooted several trees.
Abu al-Hummus stated that the ongoing illegal Israeli demolitions of homes and property are part of Israel’s collective punishment policies, and the attempt to remove the indigenous Palestinians.
He also said that the soldiers invaded the town, Monday, and fired many live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets and gas bombs at Palestinian protesters.
Some of the bullets struck many homes in the town, causing damage and anxiety attacks among many residents, mainly the children.
It is worth mentioning that the army have been carrying out daily invasions into the town, and completely isolates it every night.
Jewish settlers escorted by soldiers on Monday stormed Wadi Qana area, northwest of Salfit, and embarked on demolishing agricultural structures belonging to Palestinian farmers.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli soldiers escorting settlers claiming to be from an environmental protection committee demolished two agricultural structures, amid fears of their intent to remove more buildings.
According to the sources, the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) always justifies such demolitions by claiming that the area is an agricultural reserve where changes and construction activities made by the locals are not allowed.
Over the past years, the IOF and settlers destroyed and uprooted thousands of olive trees and saplings in the area under the same pretext.
In this regard, Palestinian researcher Khaled Ma’aali said that the IOA had already threatened to raze several structures in Wadi Qana at the pretext that local framers violated the law by renovating and making changes to those structures.
Wadi Qana is encircled by eight illegal settlements encroaching slowly on what has remained of it, while Israel tries hard to impose restrictions on the local farmers to prevent them from developing and working their agricultural lands and force them to leave the area.
Local sources told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that Israeli soldiers escorting settlers claiming to be from an environmental protection committee demolished two agricultural structures, amid fears of their intent to remove more buildings.
According to the sources, the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) always justifies such demolitions by claiming that the area is an agricultural reserve where changes and construction activities made by the locals are not allowed.
Over the past years, the IOF and settlers destroyed and uprooted thousands of olive trees and saplings in the area under the same pretext.
In this regard, Palestinian researcher Khaled Ma’aali said that the IOA had already threatened to raze several structures in Wadi Qana at the pretext that local framers violated the law by renovating and making changes to those structures.
Wadi Qana is encircled by eight illegal settlements encroaching slowly on what has remained of it, while Israel tries hard to impose restrictions on the local farmers to prevent them from developing and working their agricultural lands and force them to leave the area.
12 feb 2018
Gaza's Ministry of Health on Sunday announced that surgeries will be suspended in al-Shifa Hospital, except for emergency cases, due to a cleaners' strike over unpaid salaries for about five months.
The Ministry said in a statement that it has been decided to postpone all scheduled surgeries, including those for patients with tumors, noting that the decision excluded life-saving surgeries.
The medical staff at al-Shifa Hospital called on all relevant parties to work toward ending the strike immediately as it threatens patients' lives because of the dangerous accumulation of medical garbage in the hospital.
In a related context, the cleaning company of al-Hilal Hospital in the southern province of Rafah started a strike on Sunday because of the delay in paying its cleaners' salaries for the fourth month in a row.
This strike would exacerbate the medical crisis hitting the hospital in light of the acute shortage of medicines and equipment.
According to the Ministry, nearly 832 cleaners are employed to work in Gaza's hospitals and medical centers at a cost of 943,000 shekels per month (11.3 million shekels per year), and they have not received their salaries for four months now.
The Ministry said in a statement that it has been decided to postpone all scheduled surgeries, including those for patients with tumors, noting that the decision excluded life-saving surgeries.
The medical staff at al-Shifa Hospital called on all relevant parties to work toward ending the strike immediately as it threatens patients' lives because of the dangerous accumulation of medical garbage in the hospital.
In a related context, the cleaning company of al-Hilal Hospital in the southern province of Rafah started a strike on Sunday because of the delay in paying its cleaners' salaries for the fourth month in a row.
This strike would exacerbate the medical crisis hitting the hospital in light of the acute shortage of medicines and equipment.
According to the Ministry, nearly 832 cleaners are employed to work in Gaza's hospitals and medical centers at a cost of 943,000 shekels per month (11.3 million shekels per year), and they have not received their salaries for four months now.
Israeli settlers on Sunday grazed their cattle on agricultural land owned by Palestinians in Khilet Hamad, in the northern Jordan Valley, damaging the crops.
Aref Daraghmeh, who monitors settlement activities in the Jordan Valley, said settlers allowed their cattle to graze on land planted by local Palestinians families with chickpeas.
Meanwhile, a suspicious object which exploded in al-Sakout area severely injured a cow owned by a local Palestinian farmer and led to the amputation of its leg.
The Israeli occupation army runs drill camps on a regular basis in and around Palestinian communities in the Jordan Valley area.
The occupation forces and authorities have often sought ways to empty the Jordan Valley, which makes around 40% of the West Bank area, from its Palestinian inhabitants for the benefit of illegal settlement expansion.
Aref Daraghmeh, who monitors settlement activities in the Jordan Valley, said settlers allowed their cattle to graze on land planted by local Palestinians families with chickpeas.
Meanwhile, a suspicious object which exploded in al-Sakout area severely injured a cow owned by a local Palestinian farmer and led to the amputation of its leg.
The Israeli occupation army runs drill camps on a regular basis in and around Palestinian communities in the Jordan Valley area.
The occupation forces and authorities have often sought ways to empty the Jordan Valley, which makes around 40% of the West Bank area, from its Palestinian inhabitants for the benefit of illegal settlement expansion.
11 feb 2018
Israeli navy ships attacked, on Sunday morning, several fishing boats with live fire, and abducted two fishermen, in Palestinian territorial waters, in the northern past of the Gaza Strip.
Nizar Ayyash, the head of the Palestinian Fishermen Syndicate, said the navy fired dozens of live rounds at fishing boats, and abducted two fishermen, identified as Tareq Abdul-Bari Sultan and Aa’ed Nizar Sultan.
Last year, Israel abducted 39 Palestinian fishermen, including some who were shot prior to their detention, in addition to killing two, and wounding fourteen others.
The attack is part of constant Israeli violations against the fishermen, workers and farmers, in several parts of the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip.
The assaults violate various agreements, including the ceasefire deal which was reach on August 26th, 2014, after the Israeli war on Gaza, which led to the death is at least at 2137, including 578 children, 264 women, and 103 elderly, while more than 11100, including 3374 children, 2088 women and 410 elderly, have been injured.
As part of Oslo agreement, signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on September 13, 1993, the Palestinians are supposed to fish and sail within twenty nautical miles from the Gaza shore.
Israel repeatedly and unilaterally reduced the fishing zone to three nautical miles, and later increased it to nine miles, then reduced it to six.
Nizar Ayyash, the head of the Palestinian Fishermen Syndicate, said the navy fired dozens of live rounds at fishing boats, and abducted two fishermen, identified as Tareq Abdul-Bari Sultan and Aa’ed Nizar Sultan.
Last year, Israel abducted 39 Palestinian fishermen, including some who were shot prior to their detention, in addition to killing two, and wounding fourteen others.
The attack is part of constant Israeli violations against the fishermen, workers and farmers, in several parts of the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip.
The assaults violate various agreements, including the ceasefire deal which was reach on August 26th, 2014, after the Israeli war on Gaza, which led to the death is at least at 2137, including 578 children, 264 women, and 103 elderly, while more than 11100, including 3374 children, 2088 women and 410 elderly, have been injured.
As part of Oslo agreement, signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on September 13, 1993, the Palestinians are supposed to fish and sail within twenty nautical miles from the Gaza shore.
Israel repeatedly and unilaterally reduced the fishing zone to three nautical miles, and later increased it to nine miles, then reduced it to six.
10 feb 2018
Eyewitnesses reported that Israeli bulldozers on Saturday morning razed Palestinian lands north of Bruqin town in Salfit province in favor of the expansion of Bruchin settlement.
They added that the industrial area of Ariel settlement is also being expanded in the western area of Bruqin at the expense of Palestinian farmlands.
Anti-settlement researcher Khalid Ma'ali said that the Israeli bulldozing operations are in full swing in different villages and towns of Salfit including the four industrial areas located to the north and west of the province.
Ma'ali stressed that Israel's settlement expansion activity on occupied Palestinian territories is illegal under international humanitarian law.
They added that the industrial area of Ariel settlement is also being expanded in the western area of Bruqin at the expense of Palestinian farmlands.
Anti-settlement researcher Khalid Ma'ali said that the Israeli bulldozing operations are in full swing in different villages and towns of Salfit including the four industrial areas located to the north and west of the province.
Ma'ali stressed that Israel's settlement expansion activity on occupied Palestinian territories is illegal under international humanitarian law.
9 feb 2018
AIDA, an International non-governmental organization (INGO) coordination body consisting of more than 70 of such organizations working in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), expressed alarm at the United States government’s recent decision to politicize its assistance to millions of Palestinian refugees. Reducing funding to UNRWA, the UN agency whose primary mandate is to serve Palestinian refugees, will have a highly adverse humanitarian impact.
AIDA said the impact is likely to be particularly grave in the Gaza Strip, where more than 70% of a total population of nearly 2 million are refugees, out of whom 80% depend on foreign aid to meet their daily living requirements. US funding cuts, on top of the last 10 years of Israeli blockade, will lead to increased food insecurity, aid dependency, poverty, isolation, unemployment and hopelessness, and will be a further blow to Gaza’s already crippled economy.
International Humanitarian Law stipulates that, where humanitarian and developmental needs of protected persons living under military occupation are identified, the occupying power bears ultimate responsibility to provide for those needs. Where an occupying power is unable or otherwise fails to provide for their well being, third states and parties may step in to support the unmet needs of the occupied population.
“For the last 50 years, as Israel continues its military occupation of the Palestinian people in the oPt, third states have relieved Israel of its obligations under International Humanitarian Law, by covering the costs of humanitarian and development support for the Palestinian people,” AIDA said in a press release.
“Humanitarian assistance should be provided based on identified needs, and must not under any circumstances be used as a tool to impose political demands,” it added, according to the PNN.
AIDA, therefore, called on Israel, the United States, and other third states to ensure the continued orderly provision of humanitarian and development assistance to vulnerable Palestinians living under military occupation to avert humanitarian crisis.
At the same time, AIDA urged the United States and other third states to apply pressure on Israel to end its 50 year-long occupation of the oPt, including to lift its illegal blockade on Gaza, and to work towards a just and lasting resolution to the conflict, which will restore dignity, guarantee human rights and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
AIDA said the impact is likely to be particularly grave in the Gaza Strip, where more than 70% of a total population of nearly 2 million are refugees, out of whom 80% depend on foreign aid to meet their daily living requirements. US funding cuts, on top of the last 10 years of Israeli blockade, will lead to increased food insecurity, aid dependency, poverty, isolation, unemployment and hopelessness, and will be a further blow to Gaza’s already crippled economy.
International Humanitarian Law stipulates that, where humanitarian and developmental needs of protected persons living under military occupation are identified, the occupying power bears ultimate responsibility to provide for those needs. Where an occupying power is unable or otherwise fails to provide for their well being, third states and parties may step in to support the unmet needs of the occupied population.
“For the last 50 years, as Israel continues its military occupation of the Palestinian people in the oPt, third states have relieved Israel of its obligations under International Humanitarian Law, by covering the costs of humanitarian and development support for the Palestinian people,” AIDA said in a press release.
“Humanitarian assistance should be provided based on identified needs, and must not under any circumstances be used as a tool to impose political demands,” it added, according to the PNN.
AIDA, therefore, called on Israel, the United States, and other third states to ensure the continued orderly provision of humanitarian and development assistance to vulnerable Palestinians living under military occupation to avert humanitarian crisis.
At the same time, AIDA urged the United States and other third states to apply pressure on Israel to end its 50 year-long occupation of the oPt, including to lift its illegal blockade on Gaza, and to work towards a just and lasting resolution to the conflict, which will restore dignity, guarantee human rights and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) forced on Friday a group of Palestinian farmers to leave their agricultural lands in Madama town south of Nablus.
The IOF warned the farmers of planting or working in the land, the PIC field reporter said.
The farmers were given 20 minutes to leave the lands or they will be attacked.
The IOF warned the farmers of planting or working in the land, the PIC field reporter said.
The farmers were given 20 minutes to leave the lands or they will be attacked.
