27 sept 2013
Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah praised the role of the United Nations, especially its Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for their consistent commitment to provide assistance, relief and protection for Palestinian refugees, Palestinian Government Media Center said in a press release Friday.
He also stressed on the fact that the issue of refugees is one of the highest priorities of the Palestinian leadership and key issues for a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the achievement of a lasting and complete peace in the region.
Rami Hamdallah said, "Until a just and lasting solution to the of Palestinian refugees is achieved, on the basis of the international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, including the 194 General Assembly Resolution, which confirms refugees' rights to return to their homes to live in peace and get fair compensation, the political, financial and moral support of UNRWA remains essential."
Prime Minister emphasized that the constant difficulties and the needs of refugees are still obvious. "We are witnessing the grave conditions they are going through in refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and the occupied Palestinian territories," he said. Hamdallah appealed to the international community to uphold its obligations according to international humanitarian law to assist and protect refugees, particularly in Syria.
Representatives of donor countries, during their meetings with the Prime Minister yesterday, confirmed their continued support to the Palestinian government to enable it to carry out its duties, and condemned the continuous construction in settlements, and deprivation of Palestinians of their rights in the so-called "C" areas. They also welcomed the participation of the Palestinian Prime Minister in this important conference, thanking him for his commitment to institutional building and human rights principles.
He also stressed on the fact that the issue of refugees is one of the highest priorities of the Palestinian leadership and key issues for a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the achievement of a lasting and complete peace in the region.
Rami Hamdallah said, "Until a just and lasting solution to the of Palestinian refugees is achieved, on the basis of the international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, including the 194 General Assembly Resolution, which confirms refugees' rights to return to their homes to live in peace and get fair compensation, the political, financial and moral support of UNRWA remains essential."
Prime Minister emphasized that the constant difficulties and the needs of refugees are still obvious. "We are witnessing the grave conditions they are going through in refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and the occupied Palestinian territories," he said. Hamdallah appealed to the international community to uphold its obligations according to international humanitarian law to assist and protect refugees, particularly in Syria.
Representatives of donor countries, during their meetings with the Prime Minister yesterday, confirmed their continued support to the Palestinian government to enable it to carry out its duties, and condemned the continuous construction in settlements, and deprivation of Palestinians of their rights in the so-called "C" areas. They also welcomed the participation of the Palestinian Prime Minister in this important conference, thanking him for his commitment to institutional building and human rights principles.
26 sept 2013
Yarmouk refugee camp was subjected to a heavy shelling
Omar Khaled Abu Hamda from Khan Al-Seih refugee camp in Syria killed on Wednesday under torture in a regime security detention, the Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria said. The group said in a press statement on Thursday that Yarmouk refugee camp was subjected to a heavy shelling targeted different areas by about ten rockets.
The group added that the siege imposed by the regime army and the Popular Front - General Command’s militants is still going on while bread, water and medical supplies crises are still continuous. In the same context, the Charity Commission for the Relief of the Palestinian People reclaimed some farm lands in the camp are being cultivated and utilized in order to provide the needed vegetables for civilians in the camp.
Omar Khaled Abu Hamda from Khan Al-Seih refugee camp in Syria killed on Wednesday under torture in a regime security detention, the Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria said. The group said in a press statement on Thursday that Yarmouk refugee camp was subjected to a heavy shelling targeted different areas by about ten rockets.
The group added that the siege imposed by the regime army and the Popular Front - General Command’s militants is still going on while bread, water and medical supplies crises are still continuous. In the same context, the Charity Commission for the Relief of the Palestinian People reclaimed some farm lands in the camp are being cultivated and utilized in order to provide the needed vegetables for civilians in the camp.
25 sept 2013
A law preventing Palestinians from owning property in Lebanon was passed in March 2001, and stated that "It is not allowed to own a property of any kind for any person who does not carry a citizenship issued by a recognized state or for any person if the property was incompatible with constitutional provisions pertaining to refusal of settlement [of Palestinian refugees]." Some MPs supported the law, while some others abstained; only MP Mohammad Qabbani opposed the law during the session.
Thousands of Palestinians have tried to circumvent the law by registering their deeds in the name of a Lebanese friend or a Palestinian relative who holds a foreign citizenship, however a law was issued punishing with imprisonment for six months, and fining ten times the price of the property for the notary who registers properties for Palestinians, whatever the situation.
Concerning the Palestinian who dies, his Palestinian heirs have no right to register the real estate in their names; they have only the right to sell the properties. Then, the Real estate registry offices started to prevent all Palestinians from owning properties.
Director of Thabet institution for the right of return, activist Ali Huwaidi told PIC that the Lebanese officials have never agreed concerning the civil and social rights of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
He said: "Unfortunately at the political level there is a team that still considers the Palestinian as an enemy and insists on dealing with us as refugees, and sometimes even calls for killing us as the statement which was issued by the Guardians of the Cedars Party on 13 September 2005."
He also pointed out that the Palestinian refugee is prevented from bringing construction materials to the camps unless after obtaining a permit from the Lebanese army, and is now prevented from owning an apartment outside the boundaries of the camp.
Palestinians in Lebanon seek to drop the Law on the Prevention to own property. There are proposals to file international lawsuits against Lebanon given that this law is contrary to the international conventions signed by Lebanon.
Thousands of Palestinians have tried to circumvent the law by registering their deeds in the name of a Lebanese friend or a Palestinian relative who holds a foreign citizenship, however a law was issued punishing with imprisonment for six months, and fining ten times the price of the property for the notary who registers properties for Palestinians, whatever the situation.
Concerning the Palestinian who dies, his Palestinian heirs have no right to register the real estate in their names; they have only the right to sell the properties. Then, the Real estate registry offices started to prevent all Palestinians from owning properties.
Director of Thabet institution for the right of return, activist Ali Huwaidi told PIC that the Lebanese officials have never agreed concerning the civil and social rights of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
He said: "Unfortunately at the political level there is a team that still considers the Palestinian as an enemy and insists on dealing with us as refugees, and sometimes even calls for killing us as the statement which was issued by the Guardians of the Cedars Party on 13 September 2005."
He also pointed out that the Palestinian refugee is prevented from bringing construction materials to the camps unless after obtaining a permit from the Lebanese army, and is now prevented from owning an apartment outside the boundaries of the camp.
Palestinians in Lebanon seek to drop the Law on the Prevention to own property. There are proposals to file international lawsuits against Lebanon given that this law is contrary to the international conventions signed by Lebanon.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) expressed gratitude to the Government of the United States of America for its generous contribution of $18.3 million, Wednesday said a press statement published by UNRWA. The new funding will support UNRWA emergency activities in Syria and Lebanon, helping Palestine refugees impacted by the ongoing conflict, said the statement.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi thanked the US for its contribution to the Agency, saying: 'The US has once again demonstrated its commitment to the relief of Palestine refugees. Their support will help UNRWA provide important assistance to those Palestine refugees who remain inside Syria, as well as to those who have fled to neighboring countries, especially Lebanon.”
It said that Palestine refugees have been severely affected by the armed conflict in Syria, with virtually all their residential areas experiencing armed engagements or the use of heavy weapons. The number of Palestine refugees in need of emergency assistance in Syria is rapidly approaching the total population of 529,000 registered refugees. Since the start of the conflict, in 2011, UNRWA has distributed cash assistance to 278,000 Palestine refugees and non-food items to 77,000. Nearly 90,000 Palestine refugee families have received UNRWA food parcels.
The UNRWA emergency response in Syria has been made possible in part by US support, which now totals nearly US$ 82 million since 2012. The US remains the largest bilateral supporter to both the Agency’s emergency operations as well as to its core programming in education, health and relief activities, added the statement.
Anne Richard, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, reiterated US support for UNRWA, saying: “The President’s announcement today demonstrates the commitment of the United States to the humanitarian needs of all those affected by the conflict in Syria, including Palestine refugees. The United States has worked with UNRWA for over 60 years to ensure Palestine refugees receive the essential humanitarian support that they need.”
UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi thanked the US for its contribution to the Agency, saying: 'The US has once again demonstrated its commitment to the relief of Palestine refugees. Their support will help UNRWA provide important assistance to those Palestine refugees who remain inside Syria, as well as to those who have fled to neighboring countries, especially Lebanon.”
It said that Palestine refugees have been severely affected by the armed conflict in Syria, with virtually all their residential areas experiencing armed engagements or the use of heavy weapons. The number of Palestine refugees in need of emergency assistance in Syria is rapidly approaching the total population of 529,000 registered refugees. Since the start of the conflict, in 2011, UNRWA has distributed cash assistance to 278,000 Palestine refugees and non-food items to 77,000. Nearly 90,000 Palestine refugee families have received UNRWA food parcels.
The UNRWA emergency response in Syria has been made possible in part by US support, which now totals nearly US$ 82 million since 2012. The US remains the largest bilateral supporter to both the Agency’s emergency operations as well as to its core programming in education, health and relief activities, added the statement.
Anne Richard, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, reiterated US support for UNRWA, saying: “The President’s announcement today demonstrates the commitment of the United States to the humanitarian needs of all those affected by the conflict in Syria, including Palestine refugees. The United States has worked with UNRWA for over 60 years to ensure Palestine refugees receive the essential humanitarian support that they need.”
21 sept 2013
Ra'fat Murra, in-charge of political affairs in Hamas office in Lebanon, said that his Movement is seeking to neutralize the Palestinian presence in Lebanon and spare it any inter-Lebanese political conflict. In a press statement to the Palestinian information center (PIC), Murra said that his Movement rejects any attempt to implicate the Palestinian refugees in the internal problems happening in Lebanon.
The Hamas official also criticized the UNRWA attitude towards the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, saying that the Palestinian refugee lives between life and death after the UNRWA took drastic measures to shrink its services.
As for a possible Israeli escalation against Gaza under the current regional circumstances, Murra affirmed that as long as there is a "terrorist and criminal entity represented by Israel", the Palestinian resistance is always on the alert to confront any possible military action.
The Hamas official also criticized the UNRWA attitude towards the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, saying that the Palestinian refugee lives between life and death after the UNRWA took drastic measures to shrink its services.
As for a possible Israeli escalation against Gaza under the current regional circumstances, Murra affirmed that as long as there is a "terrorist and criminal entity represented by Israel", the Palestinian resistance is always on the alert to confront any possible military action.
20 sept 2013
Far-fetched Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations began earlier this month. But in parallel process for my family, long-time residents of occupied East Jerusalem, we have been sent into exile by the same Israeli authorities that claim they want to establish peace.
Stateless and in Exile: One Palestinian Family’s Story of Being Expelled From Their Jerusalem Home
Our infraction? We had the temerity to live outside of our homeland for several years and the naivety to think we could return to Palestine for a summer vacation. Israel, however, allows such certainty only for Jewish residents of Jerusalem and not for the Palestinians whose land it occupied in 1967 – and certainly not for those Palestinians exiled in 1948.
It’s as though a Native American went to study in Europe and was expelled if she returned for a visit or to re-establish her life in the United States. Imagine your agony if you traveled abroad for several years and then were told by an (occupying) government that your right to return home had been forfeited while people of a different religion were allowed to make similar long-term trips or immigrate after never living there at all.
The double standard is obvious and should be addressed by Secretary of State John Kerry. Instead, Prime Minister Netanyahu inveighs against alleged Palestinian incitement when Mohammed Assaf sings of the Palestinian desire to return to homes and land from which over 700,000 Palestinians were expelled in 1948.
My family’s personal experience with this miscarriage of justice came in July. Just days into our vacation, the Israeli Ministry of Interior (MoI) presented us documents expelling us from our country, leaving us to face statelessness and exile. We are now in France, appealing our case, still in sharp pain, indignant about this injustice, and fearful for our future.
Our attorney hopes to convince MoI to reverse its decision on revoking our “permanent resident” status in East Jerusalem, where my husband was raised and my children were born. Should the MoI insist on its decision, two of our three children would end up stateless and passport-less. This will also mean that our family will not be able to live in, or possibly visit, our homeland again.
Israel imposed the “permanent resident” status on the Palestinians in East Jerusalem when it occupied and illegally, unilaterally annexed the city in June 1967 – thus not observing its obligations as an occupying power with regards to the provisions of international law, according to which Palestinian East Jerusalemites are not merely “residents” but are also “protected persons” who are entitled to continue living in their country. Over 14,000 Palestinians have been expelled since 1967.
My husband’s roots run deep in Jerusalem. His ancestral family (Mahshi) has lived in the city for centuries. It is still recognized by the Greek Orthodox Church as one of 13 prominent families within its congregation in Jerusalem. On important occasions, like Holy Fire Saturday, the family is called upon to carry a banner in front of the Patriarch in processions through the city streets.
My husband grew up in the Old City and was living there when Israel occupied it. Until 1994, he was involved in joint Israeli-Palestinian activities to realize a two-state solution and a just and lasting peace based on UN resolutions. He contributed to Palestinian statehood through the development of educational institutions and was a member of the team which established the first Palestinian Ministry of Education. His work was recognized by many, including France, which decorated him with the “Palmes Academiques” in 1993 and granted him French nationality in 2010. In 2001, he was offered a job at UNESCO where he presently holds a senior management position.
In 2001, our three children and I joined my husband in Paris, where we still reside. Triggered by the fact that my husband was granted French nationality, Israel expelled our family based on its policy of “center of life,” which it consistently applies to Palestinian Jerusalemites living and working outside the city, thus rendering them stateless. Israel thereby denies us our human right to travel, pursue our professional development and careers, and return to our country. Needless to say, Jerusalem’s Jewish residents have no such fears. It’s discrimination at its clearest.
My own roots also run deep in Jerusalem. The families of my paternal and maternal grandmothers are two of the 13 Greek Orthodox families mentioned previously. Many of my years were spent struggling for gender equality in Palestinian society. In 1994, I established the executive offices of the Women’s Affairs Technical Committee, a coalition of women’s organizations which was effective in reversing a number of discriminatory regulations against women.
How ironic it is that despite my life’s work on women’s and human rights, I am presently subjected to the violation of my basic rights as a person and a woman: my human right to leave and return to my country, a right secured by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 13.2) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Israel has signed (Articles 12.2 and 12.4). This covenant also stipulates that all persons lawfully within the territory of a State shall have the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose their place of residence. My children, who are pursuing their studies, are also denied their human right to a nationality and the choice to return to their country.
We hope that Israel will demonstrate its seriousness in the ongoing negotiations through halting its inhumane policies which threaten Palestinians’ existence and enjoyment of basic human rights. Like all the peoples of the world, we have the right to go back to our home and country. We yearn to continue to work for peace, to live in our homeland and retire in peace. But Israel’s willingness to talk peace while at the same time exiling vulnerable Palestinians speaks volumes about Prime Minister Netanyahu’s intention to secure as much land with as few Palestinians as possible.
This article was originally posted on Mondoweiss.
Stateless and in Exile: One Palestinian Family’s Story of Being Expelled From Their Jerusalem Home
Our infraction? We had the temerity to live outside of our homeland for several years and the naivety to think we could return to Palestine for a summer vacation. Israel, however, allows such certainty only for Jewish residents of Jerusalem and not for the Palestinians whose land it occupied in 1967 – and certainly not for those Palestinians exiled in 1948.
It’s as though a Native American went to study in Europe and was expelled if she returned for a visit or to re-establish her life in the United States. Imagine your agony if you traveled abroad for several years and then were told by an (occupying) government that your right to return home had been forfeited while people of a different religion were allowed to make similar long-term trips or immigrate after never living there at all.
The double standard is obvious and should be addressed by Secretary of State John Kerry. Instead, Prime Minister Netanyahu inveighs against alleged Palestinian incitement when Mohammed Assaf sings of the Palestinian desire to return to homes and land from which over 700,000 Palestinians were expelled in 1948.
My family’s personal experience with this miscarriage of justice came in July. Just days into our vacation, the Israeli Ministry of Interior (MoI) presented us documents expelling us from our country, leaving us to face statelessness and exile. We are now in France, appealing our case, still in sharp pain, indignant about this injustice, and fearful for our future.
Our attorney hopes to convince MoI to reverse its decision on revoking our “permanent resident” status in East Jerusalem, where my husband was raised and my children were born. Should the MoI insist on its decision, two of our three children would end up stateless and passport-less. This will also mean that our family will not be able to live in, or possibly visit, our homeland again.
Israel imposed the “permanent resident” status on the Palestinians in East Jerusalem when it occupied and illegally, unilaterally annexed the city in June 1967 – thus not observing its obligations as an occupying power with regards to the provisions of international law, according to which Palestinian East Jerusalemites are not merely “residents” but are also “protected persons” who are entitled to continue living in their country. Over 14,000 Palestinians have been expelled since 1967.
My husband’s roots run deep in Jerusalem. His ancestral family (Mahshi) has lived in the city for centuries. It is still recognized by the Greek Orthodox Church as one of 13 prominent families within its congregation in Jerusalem. On important occasions, like Holy Fire Saturday, the family is called upon to carry a banner in front of the Patriarch in processions through the city streets.
My husband grew up in the Old City and was living there when Israel occupied it. Until 1994, he was involved in joint Israeli-Palestinian activities to realize a two-state solution and a just and lasting peace based on UN resolutions. He contributed to Palestinian statehood through the development of educational institutions and was a member of the team which established the first Palestinian Ministry of Education. His work was recognized by many, including France, which decorated him with the “Palmes Academiques” in 1993 and granted him French nationality in 2010. In 2001, he was offered a job at UNESCO where he presently holds a senior management position.
In 2001, our three children and I joined my husband in Paris, where we still reside. Triggered by the fact that my husband was granted French nationality, Israel expelled our family based on its policy of “center of life,” which it consistently applies to Palestinian Jerusalemites living and working outside the city, thus rendering them stateless. Israel thereby denies us our human right to travel, pursue our professional development and careers, and return to our country. Needless to say, Jerusalem’s Jewish residents have no such fears. It’s discrimination at its clearest.
My own roots also run deep in Jerusalem. The families of my paternal and maternal grandmothers are two of the 13 Greek Orthodox families mentioned previously. Many of my years were spent struggling for gender equality in Palestinian society. In 1994, I established the executive offices of the Women’s Affairs Technical Committee, a coalition of women’s organizations which was effective in reversing a number of discriminatory regulations against women.
How ironic it is that despite my life’s work on women’s and human rights, I am presently subjected to the violation of my basic rights as a person and a woman: my human right to leave and return to my country, a right secured by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 13.2) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Israel has signed (Articles 12.2 and 12.4). This covenant also stipulates that all persons lawfully within the territory of a State shall have the right to liberty of movement and freedom to choose their place of residence. My children, who are pursuing their studies, are also denied their human right to a nationality and the choice to return to their country.
We hope that Israel will demonstrate its seriousness in the ongoing negotiations through halting its inhumane policies which threaten Palestinians’ existence and enjoyment of basic human rights. Like all the peoples of the world, we have the right to go back to our home and country. We yearn to continue to work for peace, to live in our homeland and retire in peace. But Israel’s willingness to talk peace while at the same time exiling vulnerable Palestinians speaks volumes about Prime Minister Netanyahu’s intention to secure as much land with as few Palestinians as possible.
This article was originally posted on Mondoweiss.
Residents of Nahr al-Bared camp in Lebanon staged a sit-in on Thursday morning in front of the UNRWA office in rejection of its decision to stop the emergency plan for the residents of the camp. A large crowd of camp residents, in addition to representatives of Palestinian factions and a number of dignitaries, took part in the sit-in, during which they chanted slogans emphasizing the role of the UNRWA in serving all Palestinian refugees.
The protestors handed a telegram to the UN agency in which they stressed their rejection of its resolution which would strangle the people in the camp, and demanded the continuation of the state of emergency until all the residents return to their homes.
Hamas official, in the north, Abu Rabea Shehabi stressed on his movement's rejection of this "unjust" decision, which will socially and economically harm Nahr al-Bared residents and which aims to kill the Palestinian people's hope, he said.
Meanwhile, Palestinian factions have organized a number of protest steps, including setting up a protest tent in front of UNRWA headquarters in Beirut, in addition to the continuation of the closure of the Office of the Director of UNRWA in Beddawi camp.
The factions also plan to close UNRWA office in Beddawi camp, until the agency meets the protestors’ demands and reconsiders its decisions.
The protestors handed a telegram to the UN agency in which they stressed their rejection of its resolution which would strangle the people in the camp, and demanded the continuation of the state of emergency until all the residents return to their homes.
Hamas official, in the north, Abu Rabea Shehabi stressed on his movement's rejection of this "unjust" decision, which will socially and economically harm Nahr al-Bared residents and which aims to kill the Palestinian people's hope, he said.
Meanwhile, Palestinian factions have organized a number of protest steps, including setting up a protest tent in front of UNRWA headquarters in Beirut, in addition to the continuation of the closure of the Office of the Director of UNRWA in Beddawi camp.
The factions also plan to close UNRWA office in Beddawi camp, until the agency meets the protestors’ demands and reconsiders its decisions.
17 sept 2013
Nine Palestinian factions led by Hamas and Fatah established a joint security force composed of 50 members in Ein Al-Hilwa refugee camp to the south of Lebanon to protect and neutralize the camp. This force is intended to control the security situation inside the camp and neutralize it in any internal Lebanese conflict.
The participating factions agreed on earmarking a budget funded by Hamas and Fatah for this security force.
The participating factions agreed on earmarking a budget funded by Hamas and Fatah for this security force.
Hamas Refugee Affairs Department head Dr Issam Adwan has met with Gaza Minister of Health and head of the government committee for communication with UNRWA Dr. Mufid el-Mekhalleleti, and UNRWA representative Mahamed al-Aklouk to discuss recent developments. The meeting came in line with the Refugee Department's efforts to enhance communication and cooperation between the Palestinian refugees in Gaza Strip and the Palestinian government and UNRWA amid the worsening crises experienced by the Gaza Strip.
Dr. Issam Adwan, the chairman of the department, demanded more governmental facilitations for UNRWA in order to build schools to accommodate the increasing refugees’ population.
For his part, Chairman of the Coordinating Bureau of the popular committees for refugees Moen Abu Okal stressed the need to find a permanent mechanism for communication and coordination between the government and the Popular Committees in cooperation with UNRWA.
In its turn, the government's committee represented by Dr. el-Mekhalleleti and Dr. al-Aklouk promised to work to meet these demands.
Dr. Issam Adwan, the chairman of the department, demanded more governmental facilitations for UNRWA in order to build schools to accommodate the increasing refugees’ population.
For his part, Chairman of the Coordinating Bureau of the popular committees for refugees Moen Abu Okal stressed the need to find a permanent mechanism for communication and coordination between the government and the Popular Committees in cooperation with UNRWA.
In its turn, the government's committee represented by Dr. el-Mekhalleleti and Dr. al-Aklouk promised to work to meet these demands.
14 sept 2013
he campaign in providing the Palestinian refugee camps in Syria with necessary humanitarian aid especially that what has been transferred of aid is about to run out. The Palestinian refugee camps' suffering is beyond our expectations, Al-Wafa campaign said, adding that it is still in Syria and will remain there as long as it can to provide badly needed relief material to those refugees.
It urged the world to provide assistance to the campaign in order to deliver much needed aid to refugee camps in Syria, which suffer real catastrophic conditions.
The campaign obtained permits from the Syrian authorities to enter the Palestinian refugee camps, topped by Yarmouk refugee camp, to meet the people's needs.
European Wafaa campaign carried out several relief operations for Palestinian refugees who fled from Syria camps towards Jordan and Lebanon, during the past few months.
A delegation of the campaign had also launched field visits to Palestinian refugees to support them and provide them with in-kind assistance.
It urged the world to provide assistance to the campaign in order to deliver much needed aid to refugee camps in Syria, which suffer real catastrophic conditions.
The campaign obtained permits from the Syrian authorities to enter the Palestinian refugee camps, topped by Yarmouk refugee camp, to meet the people's needs.
European Wafaa campaign carried out several relief operations for Palestinian refugees who fled from Syria camps towards Jordan and Lebanon, during the past few months.
A delegation of the campaign had also launched field visits to Palestinian refugees to support them and provide them with in-kind assistance.
Two Palestinians were killed Friday in a Damascus refugee camp. The Workforce for Palestinians in Syria said Saturday in a statement that Mohammed Namrawi from Yarmouk refugee camp died on Thursday from wounds sustained a few days ago in a shelling on Palestine Street.
Samer Amrein detained since January 2012 has been reported killed in a Syrian security prisons.
The group pointed to the continued siege imposed by the Syrian army forces and groups of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command on the Yarmouk refugee camp, which prevented the access of any medicines or food aid through checkpoints to stationed at the entrances to the camp.
Samer Amrein detained since January 2012 has been reported killed in a Syrian security prisons.
The group pointed to the continued siege imposed by the Syrian army forces and groups of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine - General Command on the Yarmouk refugee camp, which prevented the access of any medicines or food aid through checkpoints to stationed at the entrances to the camp.
13 sept 2013
Egyptian Navy arrested 150 Palestinian refugees, mostly women and children, while trying to pass through sea to Europe.
The Egyptian navy boats have opened fire against the Palestinian boat thinking that it was coming from Gaza, causing a state of panic among the refugees.
The Egyptian authorities have then discovered that the boats were not from Gaza but they were holding Palestinian refugees fleeing from Syria to Italy. The boat was detained by Egyptian Navy.
The refugees' families called on internationa human rights institutions including UNRWA, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Palestinian embassy in Egypt, to intervene immediately for the release of their sons detained by the Egyptian security forces while trying to reach Italy.
The Egyptian navy boats have opened fire against the Palestinian boat thinking that it was coming from Gaza, causing a state of panic among the refugees.
The Egyptian authorities have then discovered that the boats were not from Gaza but they were holding Palestinian refugees fleeing from Syria to Italy. The boat was detained by Egyptian Navy.
The refugees' families called on internationa human rights institutions including UNRWA, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Palestinian embassy in Egypt, to intervene immediately for the release of their sons detained by the Egyptian security forces while trying to reach Italy.
Arriving at the rubble of the Palestinian Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, Hadia al-Fut discovered that her husband had been killed while fighting in the ranks of a pro-regime Palestinian group.
Worse still, she found there was little chance she would be able to recover his remains because the rebels who killed him in an ambush a day earlier were holding out for an exchange for bodies.
Hadia, a Palestinian, had fled Yarmouk because of ongoing fighting there, but was back at the camp to meet her husband.
"We had an appointment because we had to register our 19-month-old son," she said between sobs.
"When I arrived, I was told that he and his whole group were killed in an ambush by Al-Nusra Front," she added, referring to a jihadist rebel group.
Her husband Mohamed had been fighting in the ranks of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, a pro-regime Palestinian group led by Ahmed Jibril.
Just 27, he was a taxi driver before the war, and decided to join the PFLP-GC a year ago despite being Syrian.
"I want to see my husband one last time. I want to know where he was buried," Hadia said tearfully.
But the possibility of retrieving his body seemed slight because the rebels who killed him were holding out for an exchange for bodies.
She discussed it with with a PFLP-GC leader, as the sounds of battle -- gun and automatic weapons fire -- continued around them.
"I need to have him close to me, but there's no hope, because his friends don't have a body to exchange for his," she said, holding the hands of her son and seven-year-old daughter Sira.
In an apartment in part of the camp controlled by the faction, the smell of death hovered over a body wrapped in sheets.
The Palestinian pro-regime fighters said it was that of a foreign rebel, but opposition forces refused to accept it in an exchange because the corpse couldn't be identified.
Yarmuk has been the scene of fierce clashes for months between opposition fighters and forces loyal the regime of President Bashar Assad.
The area was established in 1957 as a camp for Palestinian refugees, but has gradually become a district of the capital.
It is home to around 450,000 people, including 150,000 Syrians, and many mixed marriages like that of Hadia and Mohamed.
The 500,000 Palestinians in Syria stayed largely outside of the conflict between the opposition and regime for its first 18 months.
But from December 2012 onwards, they have been increasingly involved, despite calls from the regime and international organisations for them to remain neutral.
"Today, we control 25 percent of the camp after offensive that was launched a month ago. I'm sure that with time we will retake it completely," said Jumaa al-Abdallah, the PFLP-GC's chief in Yarmuk.
The assessment is rather optimistic.
The group, which is allied with other pro-regime Palestinian factions including Fatah al-Intifada, the Abu Nidal Front, the Palestine Liberation Front and al-Saiqa, has in fact advanced just 200 metres inside Yarmouk.
The pro-regime forces say they are facing an alliance of more than 2,000 fighters from Hamas, the Al-Nusra Front, the Ibn Taymiya Brigades and the Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas.
For Yarmouk residents caught in the middle, life is miserable.
The part of the camp retaken by the pro-regime forces is deserted, and the some 50,000 mostly Palestinian residents of areas controlled by the rebels have almost no access to food because exits are blocked by rubble or off-limits because of snipers.
"There's no more bread, no milk, we're eating crushed rice, lentils and burghul," said resident Abu Rashid, who has lost six kilograms in two months.
"I'm strong and I've become a skeleton, and my four children have yellow faces. There is no electricity, only water. I stay because I have no place to go," the 60-year-old said.
The Syrian army is not involved in the fighting at Yarmuk, and at Batiha square, just a single police station remains open.
"Nine months ago, the rebels attacked. We were surrounded for 48 hours and out of 25 of us, four were killed and five were injured," said Abu Jaafar, a police officer.
"Today, things are better, but as you can imagine, no one comes to report anything to us or ask for our help."
Worse still, she found there was little chance she would be able to recover his remains because the rebels who killed him in an ambush a day earlier were holding out for an exchange for bodies.
Hadia, a Palestinian, had fled Yarmouk because of ongoing fighting there, but was back at the camp to meet her husband.
"We had an appointment because we had to register our 19-month-old son," she said between sobs.
"When I arrived, I was told that he and his whole group were killed in an ambush by Al-Nusra Front," she added, referring to a jihadist rebel group.
Her husband Mohamed had been fighting in the ranks of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command, a pro-regime Palestinian group led by Ahmed Jibril.
Just 27, he was a taxi driver before the war, and decided to join the PFLP-GC a year ago despite being Syrian.
"I want to see my husband one last time. I want to know where he was buried," Hadia said tearfully.
But the possibility of retrieving his body seemed slight because the rebels who killed him were holding out for an exchange for bodies.
She discussed it with with a PFLP-GC leader, as the sounds of battle -- gun and automatic weapons fire -- continued around them.
"I need to have him close to me, but there's no hope, because his friends don't have a body to exchange for his," she said, holding the hands of her son and seven-year-old daughter Sira.
In an apartment in part of the camp controlled by the faction, the smell of death hovered over a body wrapped in sheets.
The Palestinian pro-regime fighters said it was that of a foreign rebel, but opposition forces refused to accept it in an exchange because the corpse couldn't be identified.
Yarmuk has been the scene of fierce clashes for months between opposition fighters and forces loyal the regime of President Bashar Assad.
The area was established in 1957 as a camp for Palestinian refugees, but has gradually become a district of the capital.
It is home to around 450,000 people, including 150,000 Syrians, and many mixed marriages like that of Hadia and Mohamed.
The 500,000 Palestinians in Syria stayed largely outside of the conflict between the opposition and regime for its first 18 months.
But from December 2012 onwards, they have been increasingly involved, despite calls from the regime and international organisations for them to remain neutral.
"Today, we control 25 percent of the camp after offensive that was launched a month ago. I'm sure that with time we will retake it completely," said Jumaa al-Abdallah, the PFLP-GC's chief in Yarmuk.
The assessment is rather optimistic.
The group, which is allied with other pro-regime Palestinian factions including Fatah al-Intifada, the Abu Nidal Front, the Palestine Liberation Front and al-Saiqa, has in fact advanced just 200 metres inside Yarmouk.
The pro-regime forces say they are facing an alliance of more than 2,000 fighters from Hamas, the Al-Nusra Front, the Ibn Taymiya Brigades and the Fatah movement of President Mahmoud Abbas.
For Yarmouk residents caught in the middle, life is miserable.
The part of the camp retaken by the pro-regime forces is deserted, and the some 50,000 mostly Palestinian residents of areas controlled by the rebels have almost no access to food because exits are blocked by rubble or off-limits because of snipers.
"There's no more bread, no milk, we're eating crushed rice, lentils and burghul," said resident Abu Rashid, who has lost six kilograms in two months.
"I'm strong and I've become a skeleton, and my four children have yellow faces. There is no electricity, only water. I stay because I have no place to go," the 60-year-old said.
The Syrian army is not involved in the fighting at Yarmuk, and at Batiha square, just a single police station remains open.
"Nine months ago, the rebels attacked. We were surrounded for 48 hours and out of 25 of us, four were killed and five were injured," said Abu Jaafar, a police officer.
"Today, things are better, but as you can imagine, no one comes to report anything to us or ask for our help."
12 sept 2013
The Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria said that five Palestinian refugees were killed on Wednesday due to the continued shelling and attacks on Palestinian refugee camps in Syria. The group said in a statement on Thursday that Sami Abdul Aziz was Killed during clashes in the Yarmouk refugee camp, while Wissam Said from the camp was killed from torture in the prisons of the Syrian regime.
Another Palestinian youth Shehadeh Shahabi, from the Yarmouk refugee camp, died of wounds sustained a month ago following the shelling of the camp. The activist Khalid Bakraway from the camp also died under torture in the prisons of the Syrian regime.
The group added that another refugee Awas Hadros was killed during the clashes in the Yarmouk camp between groups of the Free Army and the Regular Army.
Several shells fell on the Yarmouk camp on Wednesday, leading to a fire in a building on the main street of the camp which inhabitants are still suffering from the siege imposed on them by the regular army for the 58th day.
The Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria reported that Husseiniyeh camp was also bombed which resulted in material damage.
It added that Khan Eshieh refugee camp, which population suffers from different crises, was subjected to shellings that caused no injuries.
Another Palestinian youth Shehadeh Shahabi, from the Yarmouk refugee camp, died of wounds sustained a month ago following the shelling of the camp. The activist Khalid Bakraway from the camp also died under torture in the prisons of the Syrian regime.
The group added that another refugee Awas Hadros was killed during the clashes in the Yarmouk camp between groups of the Free Army and the Regular Army.
Several shells fell on the Yarmouk camp on Wednesday, leading to a fire in a building on the main street of the camp which inhabitants are still suffering from the siege imposed on them by the regular army for the 58th day.
The Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria reported that Husseiniyeh camp was also bombed which resulted in material damage.
It added that Khan Eshieh refugee camp, which population suffers from different crises, was subjected to shellings that caused no injuries.
Before UNRWA's main office in Gaza
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has stopped to serve 9.500 families in Gaza with food aid since the beginning of 2013. Director of UNRWA operations in Gaza Robert Turner said “in our efforts to improve the efficiency of targeting poor families, we continue to make a comprehensive study of the cases benefited from emergency food aid during 2012 to work accordingly in 2013,”
He explained Wednesday during a meeting with a number of journalists that “the positive results have applies as from the first distribution cycle for this year: 5,430 families have been added to the list of beneficiaries of food aid while food ration offered to 4002 families increased,”
But Turner indicated that “the results which show that some families turned to qualify for a smaller amount of food aid or they do not qualify at all have been applied yet,”
Results showed that 9558 families reclassified to be non-poor, and thus became ineligible for food aid, whereas 1723 below absolute poverty line have been registered to receive aid ration, Turner added.
“This process is not to cut or limit services; UNRWA used to conduct surveys on poverty, noting that UNRWA increased the aid for the registered beneficiaries since April,”
He revealed that UNRWA will soon receive a new grant that would enable it to distribute food aid in the next cycle, but that would be to the detriment of the school feeding program which costs UNRWA 5 million dollars annually.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has stopped to serve 9.500 families in Gaza with food aid since the beginning of 2013. Director of UNRWA operations in Gaza Robert Turner said “in our efforts to improve the efficiency of targeting poor families, we continue to make a comprehensive study of the cases benefited from emergency food aid during 2012 to work accordingly in 2013,”
He explained Wednesday during a meeting with a number of journalists that “the positive results have applies as from the first distribution cycle for this year: 5,430 families have been added to the list of beneficiaries of food aid while food ration offered to 4002 families increased,”
But Turner indicated that “the results which show that some families turned to qualify for a smaller amount of food aid or they do not qualify at all have been applied yet,”
Results showed that 9558 families reclassified to be non-poor, and thus became ineligible for food aid, whereas 1723 below absolute poverty line have been registered to receive aid ration, Turner added.
“This process is not to cut or limit services; UNRWA used to conduct surveys on poverty, noting that UNRWA increased the aid for the registered beneficiaries since April,”
He revealed that UNRWA will soon receive a new grant that would enable it to distribute food aid in the next cycle, but that would be to the detriment of the school feeding program which costs UNRWA 5 million dollars annually.
10 sept 2013
Saudi Arabia contributed $10 million for Palestinian refugees from Syria, a press statement by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said on Tuesday. The money, donated through the Saudi Fund for Development, came following an UNRWA appeal for financial assistance to help Palestinian refugees from Syria with food, cash and emergency relief, health and education services.
UNRWA said that over half of the 529,000 Palestine refugees in Syria are now displaced, either within Syria or to neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Jordan.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi welcomed the Saudi contribution and said that as a result of the conflict in Syria and the intensified fighting, the number of Palestine refugees displaced and destitute is growing by the day.
Saudi Arabia is one of the major UNRWA donors and has provided consistent support to the Agency’s work in health, education, and relief and social services.
UNRWA said that over half of the 529,000 Palestine refugees in Syria are now displaced, either within Syria or to neighboring countries, including Lebanon and Jordan.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi welcomed the Saudi contribution and said that as a result of the conflict in Syria and the intensified fighting, the number of Palestine refugees displaced and destitute is growing by the day.
Saudi Arabia is one of the major UNRWA donors and has provided consistent support to the Agency’s work in health, education, and relief and social services.
Three Palestinian refugees were killed in Syria on Monday, a local group said.
The Workforce for Palestinians in Syria said that Alaa Abed al-Wahab and Ali Muhammad Attar were killed during shelling in Yarmouk refugee camp.
Yasser Ibrahim al-Joda, also from Yarmouk, died while being held in a government prison. He was detained in December 2012 and the circumstances surrounding his death are unclear.
In Daraa refugee camp, locals say that government snipers positioned on rooftops are firing indiscriminately at people on the main streets, including women and children, leaving residents in a state of panic.
The camp is suffering from a lack of water, electricity, food, and medicine, locals say.
Syrian government forces detained Tareq Sarhan near Tartus on Monday, while Sali Jamal al-Rifai, from al-Aideen refugee camp, and Rami Kamel Juma were released from custody a day earlier, the group said.
In March, the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria said that over 1,377 Palestinians had been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, with that number thought to have increased significantly since then.
The Workforce for Palestinians in Syria said that Alaa Abed al-Wahab and Ali Muhammad Attar were killed during shelling in Yarmouk refugee camp.
Yasser Ibrahim al-Joda, also from Yarmouk, died while being held in a government prison. He was detained in December 2012 and the circumstances surrounding his death are unclear.
In Daraa refugee camp, locals say that government snipers positioned on rooftops are firing indiscriminately at people on the main streets, including women and children, leaving residents in a state of panic.
The camp is suffering from a lack of water, electricity, food, and medicine, locals say.
Syrian government forces detained Tareq Sarhan near Tartus on Monday, while Sali Jamal al-Rifai, from al-Aideen refugee camp, and Rami Kamel Juma were released from custody a day earlier, the group said.
In March, the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria said that over 1,377 Palestinians had been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, with that number thought to have increased significantly since then.
9 sept 2013
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called Hamas representative in Lebanon Ali Baraka, to check on the Palestinians in refugee camps. Haniyeh stressed the need to preserve the security and stability, and to unify the Palestinians there in a way that maintains the keep refugee camps from interfering in Lebanon's internal affairs.
Haniyeh greeted the people and government of Lebanon. He stressed the need to promote Palestinian-Lebanese relations to ensure the protection of the Palestinian presence in Lebanon.
Haniyeh greeted the people and government of Lebanon. He stressed the need to promote Palestinian-Lebanese relations to ensure the protection of the Palestinian presence in Lebanon.
8 sept 2013
A Palestinian refugee was killed on Saturday in Syria's Yarmouk refugee camp by the Syrian regular army, the Workforce for Palestinians group in Syria reported. It said in a statement that Mohammed Kamal El-Aidi died shortly after he sustained critical wounds by a sniper bullet near Sabina road in the Yarmouk refugee camp.
The group said that Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus witnessed clashes between Syrian regime forces and rebels.
All main entrances to the camp have been closed for over 55 days and there has been no electricity for four months. the group warned of a serious humanitarian crisis as All hospitals and medical centers in Yarmouk have ceased to operate due to a lack of equipment, military attacks and robberies, the group added.
Residents complain of the closure of the dispensaries and UNRWA schools that raised fears among families concerning the future education of their sons.
According to the group, citizens of Khan El-Sheikh's refugee camp have been suffering from bad economic conditions due to the lack of food, medicine, and fuel.
A state of tension spread among residents living in the Jarmana refugee camp due to the deterioration of the security condition in the areas around the camp.
The group said that Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus witnessed clashes between Syrian regime forces and rebels.
All main entrances to the camp have been closed for over 55 days and there has been no electricity for four months. the group warned of a serious humanitarian crisis as All hospitals and medical centers in Yarmouk have ceased to operate due to a lack of equipment, military attacks and robberies, the group added.
Residents complain of the closure of the dispensaries and UNRWA schools that raised fears among families concerning the future education of their sons.
According to the group, citizens of Khan El-Sheikh's refugee camp have been suffering from bad economic conditions due to the lack of food, medicine, and fuel.
A state of tension spread among residents living in the Jarmana refugee camp due to the deterioration of the security condition in the areas around the camp.
6 sept 2013
One of the eight refugee camps of the Gaza Strip
The Kingdom of Belgium announced it would contribute a sum of $8 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the agency reported. The contribution will be added to the Agency’s General Fund which supports services that UNRWA provides to some 5 million Palestine refugees, most of whom are residents in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi said "we are extremely grateful to the Government and the people of Belgium for their committed support, which is crucial to maintaining regional stability and supporting the health, education and relief services that UNRWA offers to the Palestine refugee community.”
Since 2007, Belgium has contributed over US$ 70 million to the Agency. Reflecting its standing as a major partner, Belgium has been a member of the UNRWA Advisory Commission since 1953.
One-third of the registered Palestine refugees, more than 1.4 million, live in 58 recognised refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
The Kingdom of Belgium announced it would contribute a sum of $8 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for the Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the agency reported. The contribution will be added to the Agency’s General Fund which supports services that UNRWA provides to some 5 million Palestine refugees, most of whom are residents in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi said "we are extremely grateful to the Government and the people of Belgium for their committed support, which is crucial to maintaining regional stability and supporting the health, education and relief services that UNRWA offers to the Palestine refugee community.”
Since 2007, Belgium has contributed over US$ 70 million to the Agency. Reflecting its standing as a major partner, Belgium has been a member of the UNRWA Advisory Commission since 1953.
One-third of the registered Palestine refugees, more than 1.4 million, live in 58 recognised refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
5 sept 2013
European al-Wafaa campaign's members survived Wednesday the bombing of an area in Damascus they were in. Two Syrian citizens were killed in the bombing while passing through the area. Head of the campaign, Amin Abu Rashid, said that two trucks carrying the aid supplies came under shelling which resulted in the death of 2 Syrians and the injury of 8 others.
One of campaign's trucks was damaged during the bombing while none of the members of the convoy was injured, he added.
After securing the injured and transferring the martyrs, the campaign's members resumed their mission to distribute the aid supplies to those who are affected by the Syrian conflict, he added, stressing that al-Wafaa campaign has no political affiliation.
The campaign has obtained permits from the Syrian authorities to enter the Palestinian refugee camps, topped by Yarmouk refugee camp, to meet the people's appeals.
Abu Rashid confirmed that the campaign's delegation has met with a number of local organizations in order to keep safe distribution to the donations.
European Wafaa campaign carried out several relief operations for Palestinian refugees who fled from Syria camps towards Jordan and Lebanon, during the past few months.
A delegation of the campaign had also held field visits to Palestinian refugees to support them and provide them with in-kind assistance.
One of campaign's trucks was damaged during the bombing while none of the members of the convoy was injured, he added.
After securing the injured and transferring the martyrs, the campaign's members resumed their mission to distribute the aid supplies to those who are affected by the Syrian conflict, he added, stressing that al-Wafaa campaign has no political affiliation.
The campaign has obtained permits from the Syrian authorities to enter the Palestinian refugee camps, topped by Yarmouk refugee camp, to meet the people's appeals.
Abu Rashid confirmed that the campaign's delegation has met with a number of local organizations in order to keep safe distribution to the donations.
European Wafaa campaign carried out several relief operations for Palestinian refugees who fled from Syria camps towards Jordan and Lebanon, during the past few months.
A delegation of the campaign had also held field visits to Palestinian refugees to support them and provide them with in-kind assistance.
4 sept 2013
The Hamas Movement renewed its call on the Lebanese government to stop dealing with the Palestinian refugee camps as a security issue, reiterating the Palestinian refugees' keenness on Lebanon's stability. In an annual report released by its refugee affairs office on Tuesday, Hamas underlined that the humanitarian and social rights and needs of the Palestinian refugees would never affect Lebanon's security and stability.
"We emphasize that these demands do not mean an end to the right of return, and we reject any attempt to make connection between these rights and the alleged resettlement idea, especially since this phobia has been accompanied by bad racist speech," Hamas said.
It also warned in its reports of the growing racist positions that are voiced by some Lebanese figures against the Palestinians as a result of the large influx of Palestinian refugees from Syria to Lebanon.
"We emphasize that these demands do not mean an end to the right of return, and we reject any attempt to make connection between these rights and the alleged resettlement idea, especially since this phobia has been accompanied by bad racist speech," Hamas said.
It also warned in its reports of the growing racist positions that are voiced by some Lebanese figures against the Palestinians as a result of the large influx of Palestinian refugees from Syria to Lebanon.
Two Palestinians were killed during clashes in Syria on Wednesday, a local Palestinian group said.
The Workforce for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement that Omar Abbas and Adnan Qasem were killed after shelling in Yarmouk camp near Damascus.
The group said that a Palestinian woman from al-Aedin camp died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack while on a boat fleeing to Italy.
Another woman, Salma Mahmoud, died after arriving in Italy following a tortuous journey escaping Syria, the group added.
The al-Sheikh refugee camp came under heavy shelling, while refugees in the al-Sbineh camp are suffering from a lack of food, medicine, and fuel due to a blockade by the Syrian army.
A Palestinian refugee was killed on Monday in Syria's Daraa refugee camp.
The group said that Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus witnessed clashes between Syrian regime forces and rebels and has been blockaded by Syria's army for over 50 days, with no electricity or medical supplies.
In March, the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria said that over 1,377 Palestinians had been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, with that number thought to have increased significantly since then.
More than two million Syrians have now fled their war-ravaged country, the UN refugee agency said Tuesday.
A staggering 6.2 million Syrians have been torn from their homes -- a number without parallel in any other country and representing nearly a third of Syria's pre-war population of 20.8 million.
The Workforce for Palestinians in Syria said in a statement that Omar Abbas and Adnan Qasem were killed after shelling in Yarmouk camp near Damascus.
The group said that a Palestinian woman from al-Aedin camp died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack while on a boat fleeing to Italy.
Another woman, Salma Mahmoud, died after arriving in Italy following a tortuous journey escaping Syria, the group added.
The al-Sheikh refugee camp came under heavy shelling, while refugees in the al-Sbineh camp are suffering from a lack of food, medicine, and fuel due to a blockade by the Syrian army.
A Palestinian refugee was killed on Monday in Syria's Daraa refugee camp.
The group said that Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus witnessed clashes between Syrian regime forces and rebels and has been blockaded by Syria's army for over 50 days, with no electricity or medical supplies.
In March, the Action Group for Palestinians of Syria said that over 1,377 Palestinians had been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, with that number thought to have increased significantly since then.
More than two million Syrians have now fled their war-ravaged country, the UN refugee agency said Tuesday.
A staggering 6.2 million Syrians have been torn from their homes -- a number without parallel in any other country and representing nearly a third of Syria's pre-war population of 20.8 million.
UFree Network to defend the rights of Palestinian political prisoners and detainees expressed in a press release, its concern over the worsening situation of Palestinian refugees who fled from Syria to Egypt. The network is deeply worried over the inhumane treatment of the Egyptian authorities to those refugees including children and elderly people.
Well-informed sources confirmed to UFree Network that arrest campaign still taking place in Egypt against Palestinian refugees from Syria as well as not giving them permit to stay legally nor receiving proper education and health treatment.
The sources revealed that a family of 9 people (including 4 children) were arrested as Egyptian authorities raided their house in Al Arish city. The family was released after 8 hours of interrogation.
Reports have confirmed that Egypt deported different Palestinian families who came from Syria. Families comprised of children, elderly people and women. Egyptian authorities did not treat them in accordance with International law in regard of "refugees' treatment" or "asylum seekers" rights.
UFree Network learnt that around 60 persons were deported to Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and other countries despite the fact that such step risks their lives, especially those returned "unwillingly" and "forcibly" to Syria. The families were in an attempt to leave Egypt to Europe as the ill-treatment against them escalated over the past 2 months.
UFree Network calls on the Egyptian authorities to abide by International law in that regard and to respect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. Egypt should meet its obligations in accordance of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1969 Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa.
The network request that Egyptian government secure a safe haven for those refugees and allow them to access the service of UNHCR as they are classified within its mandate.
Mohammad Hamdan, Chairman of UFree Network, stated that "The Egyptian authorities are responsible for the safety of Palestinian refugees from Syria and all other refugees. Hamdan called on the United Nations intervene and protect refugees where Egypt failed to do so.
Well-informed sources confirmed to UFree Network that arrest campaign still taking place in Egypt against Palestinian refugees from Syria as well as not giving them permit to stay legally nor receiving proper education and health treatment.
The sources revealed that a family of 9 people (including 4 children) were arrested as Egyptian authorities raided their house in Al Arish city. The family was released after 8 hours of interrogation.
Reports have confirmed that Egypt deported different Palestinian families who came from Syria. Families comprised of children, elderly people and women. Egyptian authorities did not treat them in accordance with International law in regard of "refugees' treatment" or "asylum seekers" rights.
UFree Network learnt that around 60 persons were deported to Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and other countries despite the fact that such step risks their lives, especially those returned "unwillingly" and "forcibly" to Syria. The families were in an attempt to leave Egypt to Europe as the ill-treatment against them escalated over the past 2 months.
UFree Network calls on the Egyptian authorities to abide by International law in that regard and to respect the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. Egypt should meet its obligations in accordance of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1969 Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa.
The network request that Egyptian government secure a safe haven for those refugees and allow them to access the service of UNHCR as they are classified within its mandate.
Mohammad Hamdan, Chairman of UFree Network, stated that "The Egyptian authorities are responsible for the safety of Palestinian refugees from Syria and all other refugees. Hamdan called on the United Nations intervene and protect refugees where Egypt failed to do so.
