27 apr 2014
Volunteers distribute free meals to residents at the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk
Martin Chulov
Lugging a plastic bag carrying the clothes and food scraps she could salvage, Umm Samir set out from her ruined home and crawled through the pre-dawn gloom on her second journey into exile in 68 years.
In the difficult days since, she has made her way from the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus to Beirut, where she now confronts the bitter reality of again becoming a refugee, the lifelong dream of returning to her birthplace now further away than ever.
"I always thought that the only time I would move from Yarmouk would be back to Palestine," she said from a tiny, airless basement in the Sabra-Shatila Palestinian camp in the heart of the Lebanese capital, where the family sought sanctuary three days ago. "Now I find myself here."
Across the room, Umm Samir's daughter, son-in-law, and five of their 10 children, were squatting silently on the floor. The children's father, Abu Sameer, had a hunched and defeated air, while their mother, Umm Sameer, shifted quickly between anger and sorrow.
"I didn't expect this at all," said Umm Sameer of the unrelenting siege of the Yarmouk camp that had seen many of those who remain starved to the point of death. "I didn't think the [Syrian] regime would do this to our people. The veil has dropped. We can see clearly how we were used."
Over the past fortnight, the siege of Yarmouk, the camp held up by Syria over four decades as a symbol of its commitment to the Palestinian cause, has reached a nadir. Many of those who remain have been unable to eat, or leave. Others, like Abu Sameer and his family, decided that a suicide run for the camp's closely guarded borders was a better bet than fossicking for scraps in abandoned buildings and pillaged orchards.
"We made it in small groups, but five of our children were left behind," said Abu Sameer. "It was just too dangerous to bring them. "We were going to die," he said of his decision to leave. "We had no choice."
The desperate plight of those who left behind was showcased last week through pleas by the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) and stories in the Observer. Both revealed the scale of an unfolding catastrophe starkly at odds with a recent UN security council resolution demanding that humanitarian aid be delivered to all those caught up in Syria's unrelenting war.
Last week, after a demand from UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, things changed in Yarmouk, with food parcels reaching some of those who needed them for the first time in 15 days.
The UNRWA reported that Syrian officials had allowed close to 700 parcels, each capable of feeding between five and eight people, into the camp. The delivery eases an immediate crisis, but fails to address a profound stockpile deficit caused by months of delayed deliveries earlier in the year.
And the new supplies have not reached all those who need them. One Yarmouk resident, who asked not to be named, was almost too exhausted to make himself heard down the phone line on Friday. "It is a nightmare," he said. "For four months we have been eating rice and grass, radishes and greens."
Asked why he had not tried to leave, he said: "If we are caught, it is straight to the Palestine Branch (an intelligence division). Anyone who goes in there does not come out. If they do manage to, they have been reborn. So many people have been disappeared."
Many of the Yarmouk exiles say the name of their former home will soon be etched into infamy in the same way that Sabra-Shatila was 32 years ago, when more than 1,000 Palestinians were massacred by Lebanese Christian militias who at the time were allied to the occupying Israeli army.
The ghosts of 1982 remain deeply synonymous with Palestinian suffering. But some of the new arrivals say the scale of the current horrors in Yarmouk and other Syrian camps may soon eclipse even such a painful episode.
Iran and Syria "pretend to be against Israel", but that is just a ploy, according to Umm Ibrahim, the matriarch of a another Yarmouk family which had arrived in Sabra-Shatila in recent weeks. "The Golan Heights have been silent for how long?" she asked rhetorically. "The Palestinian resistance used to come through Lebanon to fight Israel. They weren't allowed through Syrian land. Not even a bird was allowed to fly across the border fence."
Resentment seethed among both families of new refugees. "The Arabs are bigger enemies than the Israelis," said Umm Sameer. "They don't behave like this to their worst enemies."
Unwanted in Syria, those fleeing Yarmouk are hardly made to feel at home in Lebanon either. New arrivals are given a one-week visa, which requires them to report to authorities or face a $200 fine, which few among them can afford. While UNRWA and other aid organisations offer some food assistance and living space, conditions are far worse here than in pre-war Syria.
"They didn't care about us at all," said Umm Samir, who was too young to remember her first journey to exile in 1948 from the Palestinian town of Safed, in what is now Israel, and too anguished to want to recall her second journey last week. "I thought that if I ever leave my home again before I die, it would be to go back to Palestine."
Outside Sabra-Shatila, in the Palestinian embassy nearby, senior official Qassem Abbas, who is responsible for Yarmouk arrivals, tried to play down the scale of the crisis. "Things have actually improved in recent weeks," he said. "They haven't worsened. The Palestinian leadership has decided to take a position of neutrality. This brought us closer to the Syrian regime, despite everything that has happened. It was a difficult decision, but it made us less biased.
"This is a chess game being played by all those in the region," he said of the Syrian war. "But there is only one real mastermind, America. It serves their interests so they can stay in the region."
Back in the camp, the new arrivals were having none of that. "Our so-called leaders have their own reasons for their closeness to the Syrian regime," said Umm Sameer. "And it has nothing to do with us. "Shame on them and their silence."
Martin Chulov
Lugging a plastic bag carrying the clothes and food scraps she could salvage, Umm Samir set out from her ruined home and crawled through the pre-dawn gloom on her second journey into exile in 68 years.
In the difficult days since, she has made her way from the Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp in Damascus to Beirut, where she now confronts the bitter reality of again becoming a refugee, the lifelong dream of returning to her birthplace now further away than ever.
"I always thought that the only time I would move from Yarmouk would be back to Palestine," she said from a tiny, airless basement in the Sabra-Shatila Palestinian camp in the heart of the Lebanese capital, where the family sought sanctuary three days ago. "Now I find myself here."
Across the room, Umm Samir's daughter, son-in-law, and five of their 10 children, were squatting silently on the floor. The children's father, Abu Sameer, had a hunched and defeated air, while their mother, Umm Sameer, shifted quickly between anger and sorrow.
"I didn't expect this at all," said Umm Sameer of the unrelenting siege of the Yarmouk camp that had seen many of those who remain starved to the point of death. "I didn't think the [Syrian] regime would do this to our people. The veil has dropped. We can see clearly how we were used."
Over the past fortnight, the siege of Yarmouk, the camp held up by Syria over four decades as a symbol of its commitment to the Palestinian cause, has reached a nadir. Many of those who remain have been unable to eat, or leave. Others, like Abu Sameer and his family, decided that a suicide run for the camp's closely guarded borders was a better bet than fossicking for scraps in abandoned buildings and pillaged orchards.
"We made it in small groups, but five of our children were left behind," said Abu Sameer. "It was just too dangerous to bring them. "We were going to die," he said of his decision to leave. "We had no choice."
The desperate plight of those who left behind was showcased last week through pleas by the United Nations Relief Works Agency (UNRWA) and stories in the Observer. Both revealed the scale of an unfolding catastrophe starkly at odds with a recent UN security council resolution demanding that humanitarian aid be delivered to all those caught up in Syria's unrelenting war.
Last week, after a demand from UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, things changed in Yarmouk, with food parcels reaching some of those who needed them for the first time in 15 days.
The UNRWA reported that Syrian officials had allowed close to 700 parcels, each capable of feeding between five and eight people, into the camp. The delivery eases an immediate crisis, but fails to address a profound stockpile deficit caused by months of delayed deliveries earlier in the year.
And the new supplies have not reached all those who need them. One Yarmouk resident, who asked not to be named, was almost too exhausted to make himself heard down the phone line on Friday. "It is a nightmare," he said. "For four months we have been eating rice and grass, radishes and greens."
Asked why he had not tried to leave, he said: "If we are caught, it is straight to the Palestine Branch (an intelligence division). Anyone who goes in there does not come out. If they do manage to, they have been reborn. So many people have been disappeared."
Many of the Yarmouk exiles say the name of their former home will soon be etched into infamy in the same way that Sabra-Shatila was 32 years ago, when more than 1,000 Palestinians were massacred by Lebanese Christian militias who at the time were allied to the occupying Israeli army.
The ghosts of 1982 remain deeply synonymous with Palestinian suffering. But some of the new arrivals say the scale of the current horrors in Yarmouk and other Syrian camps may soon eclipse even such a painful episode.
Iran and Syria "pretend to be against Israel", but that is just a ploy, according to Umm Ibrahim, the matriarch of a another Yarmouk family which had arrived in Sabra-Shatila in recent weeks. "The Golan Heights have been silent for how long?" she asked rhetorically. "The Palestinian resistance used to come through Lebanon to fight Israel. They weren't allowed through Syrian land. Not even a bird was allowed to fly across the border fence."
Resentment seethed among both families of new refugees. "The Arabs are bigger enemies than the Israelis," said Umm Sameer. "They don't behave like this to their worst enemies."
Unwanted in Syria, those fleeing Yarmouk are hardly made to feel at home in Lebanon either. New arrivals are given a one-week visa, which requires them to report to authorities or face a $200 fine, which few among them can afford. While UNRWA and other aid organisations offer some food assistance and living space, conditions are far worse here than in pre-war Syria.
"They didn't care about us at all," said Umm Samir, who was too young to remember her first journey to exile in 1948 from the Palestinian town of Safed, in what is now Israel, and too anguished to want to recall her second journey last week. "I thought that if I ever leave my home again before I die, it would be to go back to Palestine."
Outside Sabra-Shatila, in the Palestinian embassy nearby, senior official Qassem Abbas, who is responsible for Yarmouk arrivals, tried to play down the scale of the crisis. "Things have actually improved in recent weeks," he said. "They haven't worsened. The Palestinian leadership has decided to take a position of neutrality. This brought us closer to the Syrian regime, despite everything that has happened. It was a difficult decision, but it made us less biased.
"This is a chess game being played by all those in the region," he said of the Syrian war. "But there is only one real mastermind, America. It serves their interests so they can stay in the region."
Back in the camp, the new arrivals were having none of that. "Our so-called leaders have their own reasons for their closeness to the Syrian regime," said Umm Sameer. "And it has nothing to do with us. "Shame on them and their silence."
26 apr 2014
A new campaign has been launched on Friday in occupied Jerusalem backing the Palestinian Right of Return under the auspices of Jerusalem Foundation for Development. The campaign aims to strengthen the link between Jerusalemite youths and their villages and towns from which they were deported and expelled, head of the Jerusalem Foundation Khaled Zabarqah said.
He stated that the Israeli saying that "the old will die and the young will forget" has no sense, in reference to the Jerusalemite children and minors' noticeable attendance in the event.
The campaign includes organizing visits to Palestinian villages and towns in occupied Jerusalem evicted in 1948, when their residents were forcibly displaced after the confiscation of their properties.
During the visits, the participants received lessons and explanations concerning their right of return to their homeland from which they were displaced for 65 years.
The campaign's organizers organized a visit to Maleha village which was considered the largest Jerusalemite village before 1948. Its residents, approximately 1940 people, were forcibly displaced from their homes in 1949. 23% of its land was planted with olive trees.
He stated that the Israeli saying that "the old will die and the young will forget" has no sense, in reference to the Jerusalemite children and minors' noticeable attendance in the event.
The campaign includes organizing visits to Palestinian villages and towns in occupied Jerusalem evicted in 1948, when their residents were forcibly displaced after the confiscation of their properties.
During the visits, the participants received lessons and explanations concerning their right of return to their homeland from which they were displaced for 65 years.
The campaign's organizers organized a visit to Maleha village which was considered the largest Jerusalemite village before 1948. Its residents, approximately 1940 people, were forcibly displaced from their homes in 1949. 23% of its land was planted with olive trees.
The Palestinians living in Europe welcomed the Palestinian reconciliation agreement and said it must be based on upholding the national constants, especially the Palestinian refugees' right to return to their villages and towns they were expelled from in 1948.
17 Palestinian organizations operating throughout the European continent stated in a press release that it had received the news of signing the reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah with great happiness.
They said they are optimistic that the Palestinian parties are able to solve all contentious issues and execute what they have agreed upon.
The Palestinian groups expressed their hope that the Palestinian political forces in the Palestinian arena alongside the Arab countries would provide every support for the success of the reconciliation agreement on the ground.
They stressed the need for restructuring the Palestine liberation organization (PLO) based on election to have leadership representing the Palestinian people at home and abroad.
Their statement strongly denounced the US for opposing the Palestinian reconciliation agreement and described its position as a flagrant violation of international norms and values.
They also invited all Palestinians in Europe to attend the 12th Palestinians in Europe conference slated to be held in the French capital Paris on the third of next May.
In a related context, professor of political science at Najah University in Nablus Abdul-Sattar Qasem said that the peace talks with the occupation would waste the Palestinian rights, while the Palestinian reconciliation agreement would help restore them.
Qasem added in press remarks to the Palestinian information center (PIC) that Israel's economic sanctions against the Palestinian Authority is a good chance to get rid of its economic hegemony over the Palestinians.
He stressed that the Palestinian people are ready to pay the price of freedom no matter what happens.
17 Palestinian organizations operating throughout the European continent stated in a press release that it had received the news of signing the reconciliation agreement between Hamas and Fatah with great happiness.
They said they are optimistic that the Palestinian parties are able to solve all contentious issues and execute what they have agreed upon.
The Palestinian groups expressed their hope that the Palestinian political forces in the Palestinian arena alongside the Arab countries would provide every support for the success of the reconciliation agreement on the ground.
They stressed the need for restructuring the Palestine liberation organization (PLO) based on election to have leadership representing the Palestinian people at home and abroad.
Their statement strongly denounced the US for opposing the Palestinian reconciliation agreement and described its position as a flagrant violation of international norms and values.
They also invited all Palestinians in Europe to attend the 12th Palestinians in Europe conference slated to be held in the French capital Paris on the third of next May.
In a related context, professor of political science at Najah University in Nablus Abdul-Sattar Qasem said that the peace talks with the occupation would waste the Palestinian rights, while the Palestinian reconciliation agreement would help restore them.
Qasem added in press remarks to the Palestinian information center (PIC) that Israel's economic sanctions against the Palestinian Authority is a good chance to get rid of its economic hegemony over the Palestinians.
He stressed that the Palestinian people are ready to pay the price of freedom no matter what happens.
Ma'moun Abu Hamda died of serious wounds
A Palestinian refugee was proclaimed dead on Friday, April 25, in Syria, as some food aid trickled into the blockaded Yarmouk camp in Damascus.
The action group for the Palestinians of Syria said that Ma'moun Abu Hamda, a Palestinian refugee from Khan Sheikh camp, died of serious wounds he had sustained during a previous projectile attack on the camp.
As for the humanitarian situation in Al-Yarmouk camp, the UNRWA managed to distribute some inadequate food aid among the residents.
Al-Yarmouk refugee camp is home to the largest Palestinian refugee community in Syria and has been under siege by the Syrian regime and its allied militias for about 10 months.
A very few shipments of UNRWA food aid have found their way into the camp since the camp came under inhuman blockade, causing many refugees to die of hunger.
A Palestinian refugee was proclaimed dead on Friday, April 25, in Syria, as some food aid trickled into the blockaded Yarmouk camp in Damascus.
The action group for the Palestinians of Syria said that Ma'moun Abu Hamda, a Palestinian refugee from Khan Sheikh camp, died of serious wounds he had sustained during a previous projectile attack on the camp.
As for the humanitarian situation in Al-Yarmouk camp, the UNRWA managed to distribute some inadequate food aid among the residents.
Al-Yarmouk refugee camp is home to the largest Palestinian refugee community in Syria and has been under siege by the Syrian regime and its allied militias for about 10 months.
A very few shipments of UNRWA food aid have found their way into the camp since the camp came under inhuman blockade, causing many refugees to die of hunger.
25 apr 2014
Mahmoud Sharih
Two Palestinian refugees were killed, including one tortured to death, on Thursday due to the ongoing Syrian conflict.
The action group for Palestinians of Syria said that Mahmoud Sharih from Aideen refugee camp in Homs died of serious injuries he sustained in a mosque blast last Friday. The action group also reported the death of Mahmoud Salah, from the Khan Sheikh camp, after his exposure to excruciating torture in a Syrian prison.
The death toll of Palestinians killed under torture in Syrian prisons has gone up to 180 refugees. Limited food aid parcels, delivered by UNRWA to around 20 thousand refugees, were allowed into Al-Yarmouk refugee camp for the first time since 15 days through the barrier set by the regime army at the camp’s main entrance. Some humanitarian cases were allowed out of the camp for urgent medical treatment.
Al-Yarmouk refugee camp has been under tight blockade by the Syrian regime army and the Popular Front armed groups for 10 months.
Dannoun refugee camp came under heavy shelling yesterday by the Syrian regime forces while blaring explosion sounds were heard due the violent confrontations that broke out between the free army and the regime forces in Aideen camp in Homs.
Two Palestinian refugees were killed, including one tortured to death, on Thursday due to the ongoing Syrian conflict.
The action group for Palestinians of Syria said that Mahmoud Sharih from Aideen refugee camp in Homs died of serious injuries he sustained in a mosque blast last Friday. The action group also reported the death of Mahmoud Salah, from the Khan Sheikh camp, after his exposure to excruciating torture in a Syrian prison.
The death toll of Palestinians killed under torture in Syrian prisons has gone up to 180 refugees. Limited food aid parcels, delivered by UNRWA to around 20 thousand refugees, were allowed into Al-Yarmouk refugee camp for the first time since 15 days through the barrier set by the regime army at the camp’s main entrance. Some humanitarian cases were allowed out of the camp for urgent medical treatment.
Al-Yarmouk refugee camp has been under tight blockade by the Syrian regime army and the Popular Front armed groups for 10 months.
Dannoun refugee camp came under heavy shelling yesterday by the Syrian regime forces while blaring explosion sounds were heard due the violent confrontations that broke out between the free army and the regime forces in Aideen camp in Homs.
24 apr 2014
Five Palestinian refugees died Wednesday as a result of torture and the incessant shelling against Palestinian refugee camps in Syria. Action group for Palestinian of Syria reported in a statement that Radwan Jbasina, and Bassam Sahin from Ala'deen camp in Homs, and Rajab Alosod from Neirab camp died of torture in the prisons of the Syrian regime .
The group said that Mohammed Abdullah and Mahmoud Joseph died of their wounds sustained in a bombing against Dara'a camp .
Noting that the members of Free Army released Kefah Abu Sweden from Khan Dannoun camp after arresting him for several days.
The Syrian regime security released Ali al-Khatib, who was arrested for several months in Syrian prison.
The group said that Mohammed Abdullah and Mahmoud Joseph died of their wounds sustained in a bombing against Dara'a camp .
Noting that the members of Free Army released Kefah Abu Sweden from Khan Dannoun camp after arresting him for several days.
The Syrian regime security released Ali al-Khatib, who was arrested for several months in Syrian prison.
23 apr 2014
The Action Group for Palestinians in Syria documented the death of Palestinian minor Muhammad Sherih, 11, following the severe injuries he had suffered due to a blast targeting Bilal al-Habashi mosque in Homs last Friday. The Group confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the death toll of starvation casualties has gone up to 146 Palestinian civilians due to the siege imposed on the Yarmouk refugee camp, where food-aid parcels have been denied access into the camp for the 15th consecutive day.
A series of protest rallies were held by Yarmouk refugees in Damascus calling for neutralizing the camp and evacuating it from armed groups, along with the call for the immediate execution of the terms of the initiative for the urgent lifting of the siege.
The Syrian regime army and Popular Front groups have been imposing an immovable siege on the Yarmouk refugee camp for ten months. The camp’s remaining inhabitants have been subject to perilous crises as they ran out of food and medical supplies.
A series of protest rallies were held by Yarmouk refugees in Damascus calling for neutralizing the camp and evacuating it from armed groups, along with the call for the immediate execution of the terms of the initiative for the urgent lifting of the siege.
The Syrian regime army and Popular Front groups have been imposing an immovable siege on the Yarmouk refugee camp for ten months. The camp’s remaining inhabitants have been subject to perilous crises as they ran out of food and medical supplies.
22 apr 2014
Mohamed Shahabi, who was tortured to death in a Syrian jail
Two Palestinian refugees from Al-Yarmouk refugee camp were proclaimed dead on Monday, the action group for the Palestinians of Syria said. According to the action group, one of the refugees named Ali Al-Ghouri died of hunger and malnutrition in Al-Yarmouk camp.
Another Palestinian from the camp identified as Mohamed Shahabi died after his exposure to excruciating torture in a Syrian jail.
For its part, the UNRWA said that it is unable to resume its relief efforts, which it suspended 13 days ago because of the renewed armed violence in the camp and the blockade imposed by the Syrian regime forces and their supporters from the popular front for the liberation of Palestine-general command (PFLP-GC).
In another incident, the Syrian regime army launched artillery and aerial attacks on Khan Al-Sheikh refugee camp on Monday.
The action group reported that several homes in the camp sustained considerable damage after it was bombed with tank-fired projectiles and air-dropped barrel bombs.
Two Palestinian refugees from Al-Yarmouk refugee camp were proclaimed dead on Monday, the action group for the Palestinians of Syria said. According to the action group, one of the refugees named Ali Al-Ghouri died of hunger and malnutrition in Al-Yarmouk camp.
Another Palestinian from the camp identified as Mohamed Shahabi died after his exposure to excruciating torture in a Syrian jail.
For its part, the UNRWA said that it is unable to resume its relief efforts, which it suspended 13 days ago because of the renewed armed violence in the camp and the blockade imposed by the Syrian regime forces and their supporters from the popular front for the liberation of Palestine-general command (PFLP-GC).
In another incident, the Syrian regime army launched artillery and aerial attacks on Khan Al-Sheikh refugee camp on Monday.
The action group reported that several homes in the camp sustained considerable damage after it was bombed with tank-fired projectiles and air-dropped barrel bombs.
Residents of Syria's Yarmouk refugee camp plan to organize peaceful rallies to pressure armed groups to leave the area, a Fatah official said Tuesday.
Muhammad Abu al-Qasim, a foreign relations official of the Fatah movement, told Ma'an Tuesday that "a large number of people will march toward the bases of armed groups to force them to leave the camp."
Palestinian factions in Yarmouk have made extended efforts to end the humanitarian crisis in the Damascus-based camp, but have had no success, al-Qasim said.
He said thousands of Palestinian refugees were waiting for food parcels, which have not been regularly delivered due to fighting in the camp.
After rebels seized control of the Palestinian refugee camp in December 2012, the camp became embroiled in the armed fighting taking place across Syria and came under heavy regime assault.
Regime forces eventually encircled the camp and in July imposed a siege on the camp, leading to a rapid deterioration of living conditions.
Fatah leader Abbas Zaki told Ma'an in mid-October that Yarmouk's population of 250,000 had dwindled to 18,000 after two and a half years of conflict in Syria.
All non-Palestinian militant factions agreed to leave Yarmouk on Feb. 11 in a deal to allow humanitarian aid to the camp, whose residents were dying of hunger and disease. Within weeks, however, various militant groups re-positioned themselves in the camp.
The UN Agency for Palestine refugees has managed to deliver sporadic shipments of humanitarian aid to Yarmouk since January, in between periods of fighting in the camp.
The Syrian conflict, which began as peaceful protests in March 2011 but developed into a civil war, has killed more than 150,000 people and prompted millions to flee their homes.
More than 760,000 Palestinians -- estimated today to number 4.8 million with their descendants -- were pushed into exile or driven out of their homes in the conflict surrounding Israel's creation in 1948.
Muhammad Abu al-Qasim, a foreign relations official of the Fatah movement, told Ma'an Tuesday that "a large number of people will march toward the bases of armed groups to force them to leave the camp."
Palestinian factions in Yarmouk have made extended efforts to end the humanitarian crisis in the Damascus-based camp, but have had no success, al-Qasim said.
He said thousands of Palestinian refugees were waiting for food parcels, which have not been regularly delivered due to fighting in the camp.
After rebels seized control of the Palestinian refugee camp in December 2012, the camp became embroiled in the armed fighting taking place across Syria and came under heavy regime assault.
Regime forces eventually encircled the camp and in July imposed a siege on the camp, leading to a rapid deterioration of living conditions.
Fatah leader Abbas Zaki told Ma'an in mid-October that Yarmouk's population of 250,000 had dwindled to 18,000 after two and a half years of conflict in Syria.
All non-Palestinian militant factions agreed to leave Yarmouk on Feb. 11 in a deal to allow humanitarian aid to the camp, whose residents were dying of hunger and disease. Within weeks, however, various militant groups re-positioned themselves in the camp.
The UN Agency for Palestine refugees has managed to deliver sporadic shipments of humanitarian aid to Yarmouk since January, in between periods of fighting in the camp.
The Syrian conflict, which began as peaceful protests in March 2011 but developed into a civil war, has killed more than 150,000 people and prompted millions to flee their homes.
More than 760,000 Palestinians -- estimated today to number 4.8 million with their descendants -- were pushed into exile or driven out of their homes in the conflict surrounding Israel's creation in 1948.
21 apr 2014
A Palestinian child from al-Yarmouk refugee camp was killed due to the ongoing shelling on the camp, the Action Group for Syria said. The group reported that child Mahmoud Sa’d died after he was prevented from getting out of the camp for treatment.
It indicated that a mortar shell landed in al-Talae’ garden in al-Yarmouk camp, leading to several injuries among Palestinians.
The Syrian regime has been imposing the siege on the camp for 285 consecutive days, preventing the entry of food and medical supplies.
Humanitarian aids did not enter the camp for 12 days and food supplies ran out.
In the same context, UN warned of impending humanitarian crisis, while UNRWA asserted that about20.000 refugees are facing death due to starvation following the collapse of a fragile agreement between the free army and the Syrian regime to enter food to the besieged camp.
UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness said in a statement to “the Independent” newspaper, “the situation in Yarmouk camp was already miserable, and now it has become more miserable.”
At least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, and around 250,000 Palestinian refugees have been forced to leave their homes in Syria due to violence in the country.
Prior to the conflict, 600,000 Palestinian refugees lived in Syria.
Between 7-800,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes inside Israel during the 1948 conflict that led to the creation of “Israel”, and today their descendants number around five million, spread across the world.
It indicated that a mortar shell landed in al-Talae’ garden in al-Yarmouk camp, leading to several injuries among Palestinians.
The Syrian regime has been imposing the siege on the camp for 285 consecutive days, preventing the entry of food and medical supplies.
Humanitarian aids did not enter the camp for 12 days and food supplies ran out.
In the same context, UN warned of impending humanitarian crisis, while UNRWA asserted that about20.000 refugees are facing death due to starvation following the collapse of a fragile agreement between the free army and the Syrian regime to enter food to the besieged camp.
UNRWA spokesperson Chris Gunness said in a statement to “the Independent” newspaper, “the situation in Yarmouk camp was already miserable, and now it has become more miserable.”
At least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing Syria conflict, and around 250,000 Palestinian refugees have been forced to leave their homes in Syria due to violence in the country.
Prior to the conflict, 600,000 Palestinian refugees lived in Syria.
Between 7-800,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes inside Israel during the 1948 conflict that led to the creation of “Israel”, and today their descendants number around five million, spread across the world.
20 apr 2014
Nasrallah al-Akhras (L)
Palestinian refugee, Nasrallah al-Akhras, from the Gaza Strip city of Rafah, was killed due to an explosion in front of a mosque in the Syrian city of Homs,. Local sources said Nasrallah was killed due to a car explosion in front of Bilal al-Habashi mosque after Friday service.
Al-Akhras family in Rafah received the death news of Nasrallah through their relatives in Syria, pointing out that he was an engineer and spent several years in Syria.
Hundreds of Palestinian refugees were killed, thousands injured, and ten thousands forced to leave Syria, due to the clashes between the regime army and the rebellions since 2011.
Palestinian refugee, Nasrallah al-Akhras, from the Gaza Strip city of Rafah, was killed due to an explosion in front of a mosque in the Syrian city of Homs,. Local sources said Nasrallah was killed due to a car explosion in front of Bilal al-Habashi mosque after Friday service.
Al-Akhras family in Rafah received the death news of Nasrallah through their relatives in Syria, pointing out that he was an engineer and spent several years in Syria.
Hundreds of Palestinian refugees were killed, thousands injured, and ten thousands forced to leave Syria, due to the clashes between the regime army and the rebellions since 2011.
Ibrahim Taha
Three Palestinians on Saturday were killed due to heavy attacks by Syrian regime army against Yarmouk and Dara’a refugee camps. According to “Yarmouk news page” on facebook, Abed Al-rahman Bro,16, and Ibrahim Taha were killed in a heavy bombing against Yarmouk camp on Saturday evening.
In Dar’aa camp Anas Al-tera’ti was hit by an artillery shell fired by Syrian regime army. He died instantly.
Syrian regime and the Popular Front have imposed a restricted siege on Yarmouk camp for more than five months. They denied the entry of food and medical supplies into the camp and prevented the people from the movement outside and into it.
Three Palestinians on Saturday were killed due to heavy attacks by Syrian regime army against Yarmouk and Dara’a refugee camps. According to “Yarmouk news page” on facebook, Abed Al-rahman Bro,16, and Ibrahim Taha were killed in a heavy bombing against Yarmouk camp on Saturday evening.
In Dar’aa camp Anas Al-tera’ti was hit by an artillery shell fired by Syrian regime army. He died instantly.
Syrian regime and the Popular Front have imposed a restricted siege on Yarmouk camp for more than five months. They denied the entry of food and medical supplies into the camp and prevented the people from the movement outside and into it.
19 apr 2014
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Three Palestinians died on Friday evening when a booby-trapped vehicle exploded near Aideen refugee camp, the action group for the Palestinians of Syria said on Saturday.
The victims were among nine civilians who died as they were leaving a mosque in the nearby Ikrima neighborhood following Friday prayers. Many other civilians also suffered injuries in the car blast. In another incident, several mortar shells fell on Friday evening in different areas of Al-Yarmouk refugee camp, with no reported casualties. The UNRWA is still unable to send humanitarian aid to the camp because of the blockade imposed by militant groups supporting the Syrian regime. |
A Syrian warplane also bombed yesterday Daraa refugee camp with barrel bombs, which caused widespread damage to many homes, while several projectiles landed in Jaramana camp. The action group did not report any casualties among the residents in both camps.
18 apr 2014
The Egyptian prosecution have released on Thursday Palestinian and Syria refugees after being arrested while trying to reach Europe from Egyptian beaches.
The Action Group for the Palestinians in Syria confirmed that Alexandria prosecution released 25 illegal immigrants, including 21 Syrians, while Dekheila prosecution released 6 Palestinians and Syrians.
The Egyptian media sources have earlier revealed the arrest of 25 persons while trying to emigrate from Alexandria shores to Italy.
Regarding Palestinian refugee camps, the group affirmed that Yarmouk camp is still subjected to unfair siege for 279 consecutive days, where Syrian regime forces and armed groups are still preventing the entry of aid and medical supplies.
More than 144 Palestinian refugees died of starvation in Yarmouk Refugee Camp.
In Damascus, Khan Sheikh Refugee Camp has been subjected to heavy shelling, causing a state of panic among the refugees, while the refugee Ali Ghali was killed in Aidin refugee camp in Homs.
The Action Group for the Palestinians in Syria confirmed that Alexandria prosecution released 25 illegal immigrants, including 21 Syrians, while Dekheila prosecution released 6 Palestinians and Syrians.
The Egyptian media sources have earlier revealed the arrest of 25 persons while trying to emigrate from Alexandria shores to Italy.
Regarding Palestinian refugee camps, the group affirmed that Yarmouk camp is still subjected to unfair siege for 279 consecutive days, where Syrian regime forces and armed groups are still preventing the entry of aid and medical supplies.
More than 144 Palestinian refugees died of starvation in Yarmouk Refugee Camp.
In Damascus, Khan Sheikh Refugee Camp has been subjected to heavy shelling, causing a state of panic among the refugees, while the refugee Ali Ghali was killed in Aidin refugee camp in Homs.
17 apr 2014
Tareq Dakakni
Four Palestinian refugees were proclaimed dead on Wednesday in different areas of the war-torn Syria. According to the action group for the Palestinians in Syria, two refugees identified as Tareq Dakakni and Ali Ghali were killed a few days ago by sniper fire in Moadamiyeh town to the west of Damascus.
Another refugee named Younis Ibrahim died of serious wounds he had sustained a few days ago when a projectile landed near his house in Suleimaniya neighborhood in Aleppo.
Ahmed Numairi, a Palestinian refugee living in Al-Hajar Al-Aswad city near Damascus countryside, died of starvation and malnutrition, the action group added.
The group also said that widespread destruction to civilian homes happened in Daraa refugee camp after its exposure on Wednesday to intensive artillery and projectile attacks by the Syrian regime forces.
In Al-Yarmouk refugee camp, the Syrian regime forces and its militias still refuse to end their tight blockade on the population or allow UNRWA to resume the distribution of humanitarian aid, which has been halted for eight days.
Four Palestinian refugees were proclaimed dead on Wednesday in different areas of the war-torn Syria. According to the action group for the Palestinians in Syria, two refugees identified as Tareq Dakakni and Ali Ghali were killed a few days ago by sniper fire in Moadamiyeh town to the west of Damascus.
Another refugee named Younis Ibrahim died of serious wounds he had sustained a few days ago when a projectile landed near his house in Suleimaniya neighborhood in Aleppo.
Ahmed Numairi, a Palestinian refugee living in Al-Hajar Al-Aswad city near Damascus countryside, died of starvation and malnutrition, the action group added.
The group also said that widespread destruction to civilian homes happened in Daraa refugee camp after its exposure on Wednesday to intensive artillery and projectile attacks by the Syrian regime forces.
In Al-Yarmouk refugee camp, the Syrian regime forces and its militias still refuse to end their tight blockade on the population or allow UNRWA to resume the distribution of humanitarian aid, which has been halted for eight days.
