19 nov 2016
The first blocks of an isolation wall were erected around the largest Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon this week, as a plan to build security cordons and watchtowers around Ein al-Hilweh came into effect.
The isolation wall is set to be completed within the next 15 months, according to a report by Lebanon-based al-Modon news site.
For thousands living in the overcrowded camp of Ein al-Hilweh, located southeast of the port city of Sidon, life will only get from bad to worse due to the separation fence.
Angry Palestinian refugees dubbed the fence "the wall of shame" and compared it to Israeli apartheid walls in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Authorities in Lebanon maintain the security watchtower will enable the army to better control the camp amid claims that militants seek refugee there.
However, observers compared the wall to an open-air prison inside which Palestinian refugees will be confined.
Ein al-Hilweh camp, covering an area of one square kilometer, is home to over 80,000 Palestinian refugees, who were recently joined by thousands of displaced Palestinians fleeing warfare in beleaguered Syria.
The isolation wall is set to be completed within the next 15 months, according to a report by Lebanon-based al-Modon news site.
For thousands living in the overcrowded camp of Ein al-Hilweh, located southeast of the port city of Sidon, life will only get from bad to worse due to the separation fence.
Angry Palestinian refugees dubbed the fence "the wall of shame" and compared it to Israeli apartheid walls in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Authorities in Lebanon maintain the security watchtower will enable the army to better control the camp amid claims that militants seek refugee there.
However, observers compared the wall to an open-air prison inside which Palestinian refugees will be confined.
Ein al-Hilweh camp, covering an area of one square kilometer, is home to over 80,000 Palestinian refugees, who were recently joined by thousands of displaced Palestinians fleeing warfare in beleaguered Syria.
18 nov 2016
The Palestinian activist Mahmoud Abu Salah was killed in Syrian and Russian airstrikes that targeted Khan al-Sheih refugee camp in Syria.
Abu Salah was one of the Civil Defense teams in the Palestinian refugee camp.
Head of the Palestinian Return Center Majed Zeer strongly condemned the killing of Abu Salah, saying that “this crime did not only target Abu Salah but it also targeted Khan al-Sheih refugee camp’s steadfastness and struggle.”
Zeer stressed the urgent importance of providing civilians in the refugee camp with international protection.
He concluded by offering his deepest condolences to Abu Salah family.
Abu Salah was one of the Civil Defense teams in the Palestinian refugee camp.
Head of the Palestinian Return Center Majed Zeer strongly condemned the killing of Abu Salah, saying that “this crime did not only target Abu Salah but it also targeted Khan al-Sheih refugee camp’s steadfastness and struggle.”
Zeer stressed the urgent importance of providing civilians in the refugee camp with international protection.
He concluded by offering his deepest condolences to Abu Salah family.
31 oct 2016
The Action Group for Palestinians of Syria (AGPS) kept record of the death of 3,379 Palestinian refugees in war-torn Syria due to unbroken shelling, the blockade, and torture in regime jails.
According to AGPS data, onslaughts via explosive barrels and missiles took away the lives of 1,923 Palestinian refugees.
At the same time, 453 Palestinian refugees were tortured to death in Syrian regime lock-ups.
Over 12,000 Palestinian civilians taking shelter in Khan Al-Shih Camp have raised concerns over the attempts by the Syrian regime militias to break into the area and grab hold of the camp.
The refugees sounded distress signals over the dire living conditions they have been made to endure in the arm-free camp.
They also called for lifting the siege and allowing a safe passage for humanitarian and relief convoys out of and into the camp.
The displaced Palestinians further urged the UN to take up its responsibility and to seriously work on lifting the tough siege and halting human rights violations in the camp.
According to AGPS data, onslaughts via explosive barrels and missiles took away the lives of 1,923 Palestinian refugees.
At the same time, 453 Palestinian refugees were tortured to death in Syrian regime lock-ups.
Over 12,000 Palestinian civilians taking shelter in Khan Al-Shih Camp have raised concerns over the attempts by the Syrian regime militias to break into the area and grab hold of the camp.
The refugees sounded distress signals over the dire living conditions they have been made to endure in the arm-free camp.
They also called for lifting the siege and allowing a safe passage for humanitarian and relief convoys out of and into the camp.
The displaced Palestinians further urged the UN to take up its responsibility and to seriously work on lifting the tough siege and halting human rights violations in the camp.
28 oct 2016
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) declared a contribution of US$ 5 million received from the State of Kuwait in support of the Agency’s Syria Regional Crisis Emergency Appeal.
This follows pledges made by Kuwait at the Fourth International Pledging Conference in London earlier this year, the UN agency explained.
Acknowledging this generous donation from Kuwait, Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl stated, “I am very grateful for this renewed solidarity from the State of Kuwait towards Palestine refugees in Syria. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the government and people of Kuwait for this valuable support. It will allow us to respond to essential needs of some 440,000 Palestine refugees deeply affected by the dramatic conflict in Syria.”
“This latest donation is a strong illustration of UNRWA’s trustful partnership with Kuwait,” he added.
Kuwait has long been a consistent and reliable donor, contributing a total of US$ 45 million over three consecutive years in support of the Agency’s efforts to assist Palestine refugees in Syria.
Additionally, a contribution of US$ 17 million from the State of Kuwait in 2015 enabled UNRWA to open its school-year on time.
In 2016, UNRWA has appealed for US$ 414 million to meet the minimum humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria.
This follows pledges made by Kuwait at the Fourth International Pledging Conference in London earlier this year, the UN agency explained.
Acknowledging this generous donation from Kuwait, Commissioner-General Pierre Krähenbühl stated, “I am very grateful for this renewed solidarity from the State of Kuwait towards Palestine refugees in Syria. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the government and people of Kuwait for this valuable support. It will allow us to respond to essential needs of some 440,000 Palestine refugees deeply affected by the dramatic conflict in Syria.”
“This latest donation is a strong illustration of UNRWA’s trustful partnership with Kuwait,” he added.
Kuwait has long been a consistent and reliable donor, contributing a total of US$ 45 million over three consecutive years in support of the Agency’s efforts to assist Palestine refugees in Syria.
Additionally, a contribution of US$ 17 million from the State of Kuwait in 2015 enabled UNRWA to open its school-year on time.
In 2016, UNRWA has appealed for US$ 414 million to meet the minimum humanitarian needs of Palestine refugees affected by the ongoing conflict in Syria.
21 oct 2016
via Christopher Gunness, UNRWA.
[Jerusalem, 21 October, 2016]
Four Palestine refugees were killed on the night of 18 October as they attempted to leave the Khan Eshieh Palestine refugee camp, south of the Syrian capital, Damascus, to which access has been highly restricted. Nofeh Mohammed Jarad, who was in her 60’s, her daughter Ibaa Saeed al-Nader, 22, their driver and a one-year old baby were all killed when their vehicle was shelled around 10 p.m. The mother of the baby, a Syrian citizen, also died in the incident.
UNRWA condemns this attack and the killing and wounding of all civilians including Palestine refugees. It calls on those responsible to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and demands that the parties to the conflict do their utmost to protect civilian life in accordance with international law.
Tightened security around the area has severely reduced the ability of residents to move safely and readily access humanitarian aid and medical support. Camp residents face grave risks when attempting to leave Khan Eshieh.
UNRWA renews its call for full humanitarian access to Khan Eshieh to deliver emergency food, cash assistance and medicines. Access to humanitarian assistance has been constrained since 2013 and UNRWA is particularly concerned about a lack of medicines and the impact this will have on children, chronic disease patients and the elderly in Khan Eshieh. UNRWA calls on the parties to allow civilians, who wish to leave the area, to do so in safety.
We are deeply concerned about the situation of Palestine Refugees in Khan Eshieh and the real risk of it becoming another Yarmouk, the Refugee Camp in Damascus devastated by years of fighting and terrifying violence.
Khan Eshieh camp, home to about 8,000 Palestine refugees, is located in the rural area south of Damascus. It has experienced intensified armed conflict since 17 May 2016. This has resulted in an increasing number of civilian casualties, including Palestine refugees and other civilians, with at least 31 Palestine refugees killed since May 2016 – and many more injured – in Khan Eshieh camp in the past three months.
~ Christopher Gunness, Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy and Strategic Communications, UNRWA
[Jerusalem, 21 October, 2016]
Four Palestine refugees were killed on the night of 18 October as they attempted to leave the Khan Eshieh Palestine refugee camp, south of the Syrian capital, Damascus, to which access has been highly restricted. Nofeh Mohammed Jarad, who was in her 60’s, her daughter Ibaa Saeed al-Nader, 22, their driver and a one-year old baby were all killed when their vehicle was shelled around 10 p.m. The mother of the baby, a Syrian citizen, also died in the incident.
UNRWA condemns this attack and the killing and wounding of all civilians including Palestine refugees. It calls on those responsible to abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and demands that the parties to the conflict do their utmost to protect civilian life in accordance with international law.
Tightened security around the area has severely reduced the ability of residents to move safely and readily access humanitarian aid and medical support. Camp residents face grave risks when attempting to leave Khan Eshieh.
UNRWA renews its call for full humanitarian access to Khan Eshieh to deliver emergency food, cash assistance and medicines. Access to humanitarian assistance has been constrained since 2013 and UNRWA is particularly concerned about a lack of medicines and the impact this will have on children, chronic disease patients and the elderly in Khan Eshieh. UNRWA calls on the parties to allow civilians, who wish to leave the area, to do so in safety.
We are deeply concerned about the situation of Palestine Refugees in Khan Eshieh and the real risk of it becoming another Yarmouk, the Refugee Camp in Damascus devastated by years of fighting and terrifying violence.
Khan Eshieh camp, home to about 8,000 Palestine refugees, is located in the rural area south of Damascus. It has experienced intensified armed conflict since 17 May 2016. This has resulted in an increasing number of civilian casualties, including Palestine refugees and other civilians, with at least 31 Palestine refugees killed since May 2016 – and many more injured – in Khan Eshieh camp in the past three months.
~ Christopher Gunness, Spokesperson, Director of Advocacy and Strategic Communications, UNRWA
15 oct 2016
The European Network of Palestinians of Syria has appealed in letters sent to the Russian embassy, the UN office and the parliament in the Netherlands to intervene to stop aerial attacks on the Palestinian refugee camp of Khan al-Sheih near Damascus.
In a recent press release, the network said that the Palestinian camps, especially Khan al-Sheih, are exposed to violent bombing and blockade and there is urgent need to spare them the conflict in Syria.
In its letters, the pro-Palestinian group called for an immediate halt to all forms of Syrian and Russian attacks that claimed the lives of innocent Palestinian refugees, including children and women, in Khan al-Sheih camp.
It stressed the need for neutralizing the Palestinians camps in Syria and securing safe paths to deliver aid and services to their residents.
In a recent press release, the network said that the Palestinian camps, especially Khan al-Sheih, are exposed to violent bombing and blockade and there is urgent need to spare them the conflict in Syria.
In its letters, the pro-Palestinian group called for an immediate halt to all forms of Syrian and Russian attacks that claimed the lives of innocent Palestinian refugees, including children and women, in Khan al-Sheih camp.
It stressed the need for neutralizing the Palestinians camps in Syria and securing safe paths to deliver aid and services to their residents.
7 oct 2016
The European Union (EU) has earmarked 12 million euros to support the UNRWA’s efforts to reconstruct the ravaged Palestinian refugee camp of Nahr el‑Bared in Lebanon.
These funds come in addition to the 24 million euros previously donated by the EU to contribute to rebuilding the NBC," according to a statement by the EU.
"We hope that this support will contribute to settling grievances surrounding the 2007 conflict and to provide better protection, shelter and dignity to the lives of many Palestinian refugees in this country," Christina Lassen, the EU ambassador to Lebanon, said.
These funds come in addition to the 24 million euros previously donated by the EU to contribute to rebuilding the NBC," according to a statement by the EU.
"We hope that this support will contribute to settling grievances surrounding the 2007 conflict and to provide better protection, shelter and dignity to the lives of many Palestinian refugees in this country," Christina Lassen, the EU ambassador to Lebanon, said.
3 oct 2016
Palestinians in a north Lebanon refugee camp Monday demonstrated against the UN's refugee agency for Palestinians (UNRWA), which they blamed for the death of a five-year-old Palestinian girl and her grandmother.
The National News Agency said that refugees in the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp blocked the main road at the entrance of the camp after Israa Ismail and her grandmother succumbed to their wounds at the al-Khair Hospital in Minyeh.
Israa and her grandmother, Widad Mustapha, were hit by a car on the Muhammara highway.
Hamas leader Ahmad al-Asadi, in charge of the Nahr al-Bared file, denounced the conditions endured by the Palestinian refugees in Lebanese camps.
Shortly before the casualties' breathed their last, their families appealed to the Lebanese Health Minister, Wael Abu Faour, and the UNRWA to urgently step in. But none of those parties responded.
He added in a statement that Israa passed away after she had spent over two hours at al-Khair hospital waiting to be transferred to another facility, as she required the assistance of a respirator.
Rallies are expected to be held outside the UNRWA offices in Lebanon in protest at the agency’s reduction of its health services.
The National News Agency said that refugees in the Nahr al-Bared refugee camp blocked the main road at the entrance of the camp after Israa Ismail and her grandmother succumbed to their wounds at the al-Khair Hospital in Minyeh.
Israa and her grandmother, Widad Mustapha, were hit by a car on the Muhammara highway.
Hamas leader Ahmad al-Asadi, in charge of the Nahr al-Bared file, denounced the conditions endured by the Palestinian refugees in Lebanese camps.
Shortly before the casualties' breathed their last, their families appealed to the Lebanese Health Minister, Wael Abu Faour, and the UNRWA to urgently step in. But none of those parties responded.
He added in a statement that Israa passed away after she had spent over two hours at al-Khair hospital waiting to be transferred to another facility, as she required the assistance of a respirator.
Rallies are expected to be held outside the UNRWA offices in Lebanon in protest at the agency’s reduction of its health services.
25 sept 2016
16 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Syria since the armed violence started in the country, according to the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate.
In a report released on Saturday, the syndicate's commission of freedoms appealed to international and regional media and press unions to work on exposing serious violations that had been committed against Palestinian journalists in Syria and following up disappearance incidents that happened to some of them.
The report mentioned several Palestinian journalists who had been killed in different circumstances, including photojournalists Jihad Shahabi, Fadi Abu Ajaj, Jamal Khalifa and Iyas Farahat as well journalist Ghassan Shahabi, head of al-Shajarah Center.
In a report released on Saturday, the syndicate's commission of freedoms appealed to international and regional media and press unions to work on exposing serious violations that had been committed against Palestinian journalists in Syria and following up disappearance incidents that happened to some of them.
The report mentioned several Palestinian journalists who had been killed in different circumstances, including photojournalists Jihad Shahabi, Fadi Abu Ajaj, Jamal Khalifa and Iyas Farahat as well journalist Ghassan Shahabi, head of al-Shajarah Center.