25 dec 2014
The number of Palestinians confirmed killed in Syria during the ongoing civil conflict has reached around 1,200-1,300, while an equal number are considered missing, the Palestinian Embassy in Syria announced Thursday.
The statistics reveal the devastating impact the war has had on Palestinian life in Syria, which previously was considered one of the most integrated and receptive host countries for those expelled from their homes in what became Israel in 1948.
The Palestinian Embassy in Syria said that 2,200 Palestinians, meanwhile, are being held as prisoners in Syrian regime jails, though only a small percentage of those were jailed for involvement in the uprising and conflict.
The head of the Palestine Liberation Organization delegation to Syria Ahmad Majdalani said that the numbers of people killed since 2011 are still not exact, however, with low estimates around 1,000.
The Palestinian Embassy in Lebanon gives a figure of around 1,300, meanwhile, which is on the high end of the spectrum, he added.
When combined with the number missing, which is thought to be roughly equivalent to those killed, the total numbers of those killed or missing reach around 2,500.
Majdalani pointed out that during the initial stages of the "crisis," Palestinians in Syria remain relatively uninvolved. However, the turning point was when armed groups moved into Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, directly involving the camp in the war.
Their appearance in the camp, in turn, led to a siege by pro-regime forces and armed conflict, he added, which continues to consume the camp and has led to hundreds of deaths, many from starvation.
After months of siege and blockade, the camp eventually stopped being a major theater of war in the conflict and deaths have fallen sharply there since the beginning of the year.
But the decline in deaths also reflects the mass flight of Palestinians from Syria, and the fact that they have found themselves refugees yet again.
Majdalani said that the PLO had managed to transfer thousands of Palestinian to three main camps in the wake of the destruction of several refugee camps.
The more dire reality, he warned, is that many people have began fleeing the region by boat, leading to many drownings.
Palestinians from Syria have represented a high proportion of the thousands of people who have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe so far this year, joining nationals of many Sub-Saharan African states as well as Palestinians from Gaza in the deadly exodus.
The Syrian conflict, which began as peaceful protests in March 2011 but developed into a civil war, has killed more than 200,000 people and prompted millions to flee their homes.
Prior to the conflict, up to 600,000 Palestinian refugees lived in Syria, though the UN's Palestine refugee agency UNRWA estimates that more than half have been forced to leave their homes in Syria due to violence in the country.
Between 7-800,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes inside Israel during the 1948 conflict that led to the creation of the State of Israel, and today their descendants number around five million, spread across the world.
About 100,000 of the Palestinian refugees in Syria, meanwhile, are descendants of Palestinians who fled in 1948 but were forced out of their homes again in the ethnic cleansing of the Golan Heights by Israel in 1967.
A smaller number fled the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and took up residence in Syria.
The statistics reveal the devastating impact the war has had on Palestinian life in Syria, which previously was considered one of the most integrated and receptive host countries for those expelled from their homes in what became Israel in 1948.
The Palestinian Embassy in Syria said that 2,200 Palestinians, meanwhile, are being held as prisoners in Syrian regime jails, though only a small percentage of those were jailed for involvement in the uprising and conflict.
The head of the Palestine Liberation Organization delegation to Syria Ahmad Majdalani said that the numbers of people killed since 2011 are still not exact, however, with low estimates around 1,000.
The Palestinian Embassy in Lebanon gives a figure of around 1,300, meanwhile, which is on the high end of the spectrum, he added.
When combined with the number missing, which is thought to be roughly equivalent to those killed, the total numbers of those killed or missing reach around 2,500.
Majdalani pointed out that during the initial stages of the "crisis," Palestinians in Syria remain relatively uninvolved. However, the turning point was when armed groups moved into Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, directly involving the camp in the war.
Their appearance in the camp, in turn, led to a siege by pro-regime forces and armed conflict, he added, which continues to consume the camp and has led to hundreds of deaths, many from starvation.
After months of siege and blockade, the camp eventually stopped being a major theater of war in the conflict and deaths have fallen sharply there since the beginning of the year.
But the decline in deaths also reflects the mass flight of Palestinians from Syria, and the fact that they have found themselves refugees yet again.
Majdalani said that the PLO had managed to transfer thousands of Palestinian to three main camps in the wake of the destruction of several refugee camps.
The more dire reality, he warned, is that many people have began fleeing the region by boat, leading to many drownings.
Palestinians from Syria have represented a high proportion of the thousands of people who have died trying to cross the Mediterranean to reach Europe so far this year, joining nationals of many Sub-Saharan African states as well as Palestinians from Gaza in the deadly exodus.
The Syrian conflict, which began as peaceful protests in March 2011 but developed into a civil war, has killed more than 200,000 people and prompted millions to flee their homes.
Prior to the conflict, up to 600,000 Palestinian refugees lived in Syria, though the UN's Palestine refugee agency UNRWA estimates that more than half have been forced to leave their homes in Syria due to violence in the country.
Between 7-800,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes inside Israel during the 1948 conflict that led to the creation of the State of Israel, and today their descendants number around five million, spread across the world.
About 100,000 of the Palestinian refugees in Syria, meanwhile, are descendants of Palestinians who fled in 1948 but were forced out of their homes again in the ethnic cleansing of the Golan Heights by Israel in 1967.
A smaller number fled the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 and took up residence in Syria.
24 dec 2014
Unknown gunmen assassinated Mohammed Ahmed Mustafa, the Fatah faction secretary in the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria, on Tuesday night.
Eyewitnesses said that two masked gunmen fired at Mustafa, 54, on leaving the scouts commission in the camp killing him on the spot.
No party declared responsibility for the assassination.
More than half a million Palestinian refugees have been residing in Syria before the eruption of the armed conflict in that country, according to UN statistics. Many of them live in Yarmouk while the rest are scattered in a number of other refugee camps across the country.
Eyewitnesses said that two masked gunmen fired at Mustafa, 54, on leaving the scouts commission in the camp killing him on the spot.
No party declared responsibility for the assassination.
More than half a million Palestinian refugees have been residing in Syria before the eruption of the armed conflict in that country, according to UN statistics. Many of them live in Yarmouk while the rest are scattered in a number of other refugee camps across the country.
21 dec 2014
Human rights activists have warned of a new humanitarian crisis threatening the Palestinian refugees in al-Yarmouk camp, south of the Syrian capital Damascus.
The Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria said in a report on Saturday that UNRWA has stopped providing al-Yarmouk camp with food aid for the second week in a row.
It said that the stoppage was a result of the shooting incidents the residents of the camp are exposed to when they head to receive the food basket, in addition to the clashes that break out in the aid distribution spots.
The group stressed that the suffering of the Palestinian refugees at al-Yarmouk camp is exacerbating due to the closure of Beit Sahem checkpoint and preventing the entry of food supplies through it.
The report also pointed to the continued water cut-offs for 102 uninterrupted days, let alone the essential services and power outages.
The Working Group for the Palestinians in Syria said in a report on Saturday that UNRWA has stopped providing al-Yarmouk camp with food aid for the second week in a row.
It said that the stoppage was a result of the shooting incidents the residents of the camp are exposed to when they head to receive the food basket, in addition to the clashes that break out in the aid distribution spots.
The group stressed that the suffering of the Palestinian refugees at al-Yarmouk camp is exacerbating due to the closure of Beit Sahem checkpoint and preventing the entry of food supplies through it.
The report also pointed to the continued water cut-offs for 102 uninterrupted days, let alone the essential services and power outages.
19 dec 2014
Al-Wafa European Campaign’s delegation is expected to visit Saturday Turkey to check on the living conditions of Palestinian refugees fleeing from the civil war in Syria.
The delegation’s visit aims to extend humanitarian help to Palestinian refugees who were forcibly displaced to the south of Turkey due to the ongoing events in Syria.
The delegation consists of 12 members from different European countries representing a number of civil society organizations in Europe.
Early Friday, deputy head of al-Wafa Campaign Mohamed Kais confirmed that preparations for the delegation’s visit to Turkey were finished.
“We will, therefore make, every effort to help assisting those displaced refugees everywhere.”
The delegation is expected to visit Palestinian refugees’ shelters and camps in the south of the Turkey and to distribute basic human needs, including food parcels, blankets, and heaters.
The delegation’s visit aims to extend humanitarian help to Palestinian refugees who were forcibly displaced to the south of Turkey due to the ongoing events in Syria.
The delegation consists of 12 members from different European countries representing a number of civil society organizations in Europe.
Early Friday, deputy head of al-Wafa Campaign Mohamed Kais confirmed that preparations for the delegation’s visit to Turkey were finished.
“We will, therefore make, every effort to help assisting those displaced refugees everywhere.”
The delegation is expected to visit Palestinian refugees’ shelters and camps in the south of the Turkey and to distribute basic human needs, including food parcels, blankets, and heaters.
17 dec 2014
The European al-Wafa campaign declared its intention to organize a new campaign to extend relief materials to Palestinian refugees in Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey as winter takes its toll.
Head of the European Campaign Amin Abu Rashid clarified that “Together for Warm Winter Campaign” is a humanitarian relief convoy set up to help providing humanitarian emergency assistance to Palestinian refugees who are deprived from their basic human needs in the current cold weather.
The campaign relief aids are expected to be distributed in four main countries due to the poor and difficult living conditions suffered by those forcibly displaced refugees, he added.
Abu Rashid called upon the international humanitarian institutions to contribute in the relief campaign in order to provide immediate assistance for the refugees.
Earlier, the European al-Wafa Campaign had organized a number of relief campaigns and sent several delegations to check on the living condition of the Palestinian refugees in an attempt to alleviate their suffering and plight.
In the same context, al-Wafa Campaign ended up its “dressing the wounds and re-housing the displaced” campaign which started early November aiming to restore the destroyed homes and to shelter the homeless in Gaza Strip in the aftermath of the Israeli summer attack.
In July 2014, Israeli forces launched a military operation against the Gaza Strip, which completely destroyed or partially damaged tens of thousands of residential buildings, in addition to massive damage to infrastructure in towns, villages, and refugee camps.
Around a quarter of a million Palestinians found themselves without shelter in an already overpopulated Gaza Strip, bursting with inhabitants; the majority of them refugees without the resources essential for life.
Head of the European Campaign Amin Abu Rashid clarified that “Together for Warm Winter Campaign” is a humanitarian relief convoy set up to help providing humanitarian emergency assistance to Palestinian refugees who are deprived from their basic human needs in the current cold weather.
The campaign relief aids are expected to be distributed in four main countries due to the poor and difficult living conditions suffered by those forcibly displaced refugees, he added.
Abu Rashid called upon the international humanitarian institutions to contribute in the relief campaign in order to provide immediate assistance for the refugees.
Earlier, the European al-Wafa Campaign had organized a number of relief campaigns and sent several delegations to check on the living condition of the Palestinian refugees in an attempt to alleviate their suffering and plight.
In the same context, al-Wafa Campaign ended up its “dressing the wounds and re-housing the displaced” campaign which started early November aiming to restore the destroyed homes and to shelter the homeless in Gaza Strip in the aftermath of the Israeli summer attack.
In July 2014, Israeli forces launched a military operation against the Gaza Strip, which completely destroyed or partially damaged tens of thousands of residential buildings, in addition to massive damage to infrastructure in towns, villages, and refugee camps.
Around a quarter of a million Palestinians found themselves without shelter in an already overpopulated Gaza Strip, bursting with inhabitants; the majority of them refugees without the resources essential for life.
Kathem Ayesh
Palestinian refugees in Jordan endure the hardships and poor living conditions on the hope of returning one day to their native homeland Palestine.
In Jordan, there are 13 camps, 10 of them are recognized by UNRWA. The latest statistics indicated that the number of refugees in Jordan is more than 3.3 million which is the biggest number of refugees compared to other host countries.
Camps residents are the poorest
Kathem Ayesh, the director of ‘The Right of Return’ association, described the living conditions of the refugees in those camps saying: "residents of those camps are the poorest of all Palestinian refugees. Camps in Jordan are very crowded, hygiene is virtually non-existent, waste piles up in the streets and the housing units are uninhabitable".
He told the PIC: "because of these tragic living conditions, refugees in those camps are leaving whenever their financial situations improve and only 18% of the refugees are still living in camps".
He noted that 31% of camps’ residents suffer chronic diseases because buildings are very close to each other and unhygienic. Ayesh added: "Gaza camp in north Jordan is the worst in terms of services. Until this day there are no sewerage services there."
In the same context, Ayesh pointed out that some camps in Amman are witnessing the demolition of old houses to pave way for building main roads and modern stores, which annulled their status as refugee camps.
The right to return
Ayesh accused some parties, which he did not identify, of trying to erase the idea of return from the Palestinians' minds by removing the lessons that address this matter from the curriculums and totally ignoring it in the media.
He also pointed out that Zionists said when they occupied Palestine: "Old Palestinians will die and young Palestinians will forget!” He urged parents to raise their children's awareness about their cause, and hoped that schools would also play a role in this regard.
Resettlement and the alternative homeland
About the "alternative homeland", Ayesh described the idea as “Zionist”, since many Israelis had declared that Jordan should be the homeland for Palestinians … arguing that they enjoy citizenship rights and are represented in the parliament.
However, Ayesh emphasized that the Palestinian refugees refuse to have Jordan as an alternative homeland for Palestine.
The PIC correspondent met an old lady with wrinkles all over her face in an alley in Hittin camp, she said: "I don’t accept any substitute for Palestine, and I still have the key of my house in Aqer where I was born, I took it from my father and if I die before I return I will give it to my children, Israel will be gone and we will eventually restore our rights."
Palestinian refugees in Jordan endure the hardships and poor living conditions on the hope of returning one day to their native homeland Palestine.
In Jordan, there are 13 camps, 10 of them are recognized by UNRWA. The latest statistics indicated that the number of refugees in Jordan is more than 3.3 million which is the biggest number of refugees compared to other host countries.
Camps residents are the poorest
Kathem Ayesh, the director of ‘The Right of Return’ association, described the living conditions of the refugees in those camps saying: "residents of those camps are the poorest of all Palestinian refugees. Camps in Jordan are very crowded, hygiene is virtually non-existent, waste piles up in the streets and the housing units are uninhabitable".
He told the PIC: "because of these tragic living conditions, refugees in those camps are leaving whenever their financial situations improve and only 18% of the refugees are still living in camps".
He noted that 31% of camps’ residents suffer chronic diseases because buildings are very close to each other and unhygienic. Ayesh added: "Gaza camp in north Jordan is the worst in terms of services. Until this day there are no sewerage services there."
In the same context, Ayesh pointed out that some camps in Amman are witnessing the demolition of old houses to pave way for building main roads and modern stores, which annulled their status as refugee camps.
The right to return
Ayesh accused some parties, which he did not identify, of trying to erase the idea of return from the Palestinians' minds by removing the lessons that address this matter from the curriculums and totally ignoring it in the media.
He also pointed out that Zionists said when they occupied Palestine: "Old Palestinians will die and young Palestinians will forget!” He urged parents to raise their children's awareness about their cause, and hoped that schools would also play a role in this regard.
Resettlement and the alternative homeland
About the "alternative homeland", Ayesh described the idea as “Zionist”, since many Israelis had declared that Jordan should be the homeland for Palestinians … arguing that they enjoy citizenship rights and are represented in the parliament.
However, Ayesh emphasized that the Palestinian refugees refuse to have Jordan as an alternative homeland for Palestine.
The PIC correspondent met an old lady with wrinkles all over her face in an alley in Hittin camp, she said: "I don’t accept any substitute for Palestine, and I still have the key of my house in Aqer where I was born, I took it from my father and if I die before I return I will give it to my children, Israel will be gone and we will eventually restore our rights."
10 dec 2014
The Global Conference for Asylum and Immigration, held in South Africa’s capital of Johannesburg, reiterated at its closing stages Tuesday, Palestinians’ right of return to their native soil.
The conference, staged by the World Social Forum for Migration to mark the first anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, was joined by a Palestinian delegation, along with representatives of the Arab communities based in the U.S. and Latin America.
The attendants voiced their firm denunciation of Israel’s apartheid and racist policies perpetrated in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The conference called attention to Palestinians’ right to restore their self-determination and to establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, as is already stipulated by the international legitimacy.
Speakers at the conference dubbed Israel’s racist policies barefaced violations of human rights and intolerable breaches of international laws.
A presentation delivered by the Palestinian MP Jihad Abu Zneid briefed the audience on Israel’s violations of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories and occupied Jerusalem and updated them on Israel’s apartheid policies and terrorism against Islamic holy places and the peaceful Muslim congregations in holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
The conferees voiced joint disapproval of Israel’s chauvinistic and imperialistic tactics, accentuating Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland—Palestine.
The conference, staged by the World Social Forum for Migration to mark the first anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death, was joined by a Palestinian delegation, along with representatives of the Arab communities based in the U.S. and Latin America.
The attendants voiced their firm denunciation of Israel’s apartheid and racist policies perpetrated in the occupied Palestinian territories.
The conference called attention to Palestinians’ right to restore their self-determination and to establish an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, as is already stipulated by the international legitimacy.
Speakers at the conference dubbed Israel’s racist policies barefaced violations of human rights and intolerable breaches of international laws.
A presentation delivered by the Palestinian MP Jihad Abu Zneid briefed the audience on Israel’s violations of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories and occupied Jerusalem and updated them on Israel’s apartheid policies and terrorism against Islamic holy places and the peaceful Muslim congregations in holy al-Aqsa Mosque.
The conferees voiced joint disapproval of Israel’s chauvinistic and imperialistic tactics, accentuating Palestinians’ right of return to their motherland—Palestine.
7 dec 2014
461 Palestinian refugees were killed during the first half of 2014 in the ongoing civil war in Syria, the action group for the Palestinians of Syria reported on Saturday.
219 of them were killed in al-Yarmouk refugee camp, 49 others in Daraa, 48 in Damascus and its countryside, 24 in Aleppo and its refugee camps, 16 in Khan al-Sheikh camp, and the rest in different areas of Syria, the action group explained.
The group also reported the death of a young man called Ayham Abdul-Rahim after his exposure to excruciating torture in a Syrian jail.
As a result, the number of Palestinians tortured to death in Syrian prisons rose to 277 victims.
The group noted that the refugee camps and neighborhoods are still exposed to ongoing projectile attacks and arrest campaigns.
219 of them were killed in al-Yarmouk refugee camp, 49 others in Daraa, 48 in Damascus and its countryside, 24 in Aleppo and its refugee camps, 16 in Khan al-Sheikh camp, and the rest in different areas of Syria, the action group explained.
The group also reported the death of a young man called Ayham Abdul-Rahim after his exposure to excruciating torture in a Syrian jail.
As a result, the number of Palestinians tortured to death in Syrian prisons rose to 277 victims.
The group noted that the refugee camps and neighborhoods are still exposed to ongoing projectile attacks and arrest campaigns.
26 nov 2014
Spokesman for Hamas Movement Sami Abu Zuhri said Tuesday that U.S. latest statements that Israel is a Jewish state will encourage racism.
“Such statements encourage racism and ignore all values of democracy,” Abu Zuhri charged, adding that “It eliminates the Palestinians' right of return.”
The Israeli government had on Sunday overwhelmingly voted in favor of approving the Jewish state law for the state of Israel.
The decision created large controversy among Palestinians in Palestine 48 as it threatens their presence in their own lands.
Hamas said that Israel's decision aims to ignite a religious war in the region.
The Movement added, in the statement, that the law “sets off alarm bells for Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims about Zionist ambitions in the region."
Meanwhile, the Palestinian unity government said in a press statement that the Israeli government's approval of the law “paves the way for more racist laws in light of the escalated racist attacks against Palestinians.”
The law represents a clear declaration of Israel's adoption of the Apartheid system, the statement added.
The statement called on the international community and all the free world “to carry out practical steps not only to halt Israeli actions, but also to bring Israel to account.”
For his part, Palestinian MP Mushir al-Masri considered the Israeli law as a second Nakba (catastrophe) to the Palestinian people, and a new blow to those who still believe in the negotiation process.
In an exclusive interview with the PIC, MP al-Masri said that the law reinforces Israeli racist and arbitrary policies against Palestinians as it poses a real threat to a million and a half million Palestinians within the Green Line.
In his turn, Chairman of the Palestinian National Initiative MP Dr. Mustafa Barghouti also slammed Tuesday the law, saying that it “exposes Israel's racist image and Apartheid system.”
"This law reinforces our demands to boycott and impose sanctions on Israel", according to his statement.
Although a Knesset vote on the bill has been delayed until next week due to the government coalition crisis, Israel's premier Netanyahu has promised to push forward with the "Jewish state bill," with or without his coalition partners' backing.
“Such statements encourage racism and ignore all values of democracy,” Abu Zuhri charged, adding that “It eliminates the Palestinians' right of return.”
The Israeli government had on Sunday overwhelmingly voted in favor of approving the Jewish state law for the state of Israel.
The decision created large controversy among Palestinians in Palestine 48 as it threatens their presence in their own lands.
Hamas said that Israel's decision aims to ignite a religious war in the region.
The Movement added, in the statement, that the law “sets off alarm bells for Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims about Zionist ambitions in the region."
Meanwhile, the Palestinian unity government said in a press statement that the Israeli government's approval of the law “paves the way for more racist laws in light of the escalated racist attacks against Palestinians.”
The law represents a clear declaration of Israel's adoption of the Apartheid system, the statement added.
The statement called on the international community and all the free world “to carry out practical steps not only to halt Israeli actions, but also to bring Israel to account.”
For his part, Palestinian MP Mushir al-Masri considered the Israeli law as a second Nakba (catastrophe) to the Palestinian people, and a new blow to those who still believe in the negotiation process.
In an exclusive interview with the PIC, MP al-Masri said that the law reinforces Israeli racist and arbitrary policies against Palestinians as it poses a real threat to a million and a half million Palestinians within the Green Line.
In his turn, Chairman of the Palestinian National Initiative MP Dr. Mustafa Barghouti also slammed Tuesday the law, saying that it “exposes Israel's racist image and Apartheid system.”
"This law reinforces our demands to boycott and impose sanctions on Israel", according to his statement.
Although a Knesset vote on the bill has been delayed until next week due to the government coalition crisis, Israel's premier Netanyahu has promised to push forward with the "Jewish state bill," with or without his coalition partners' backing.
25 nov 2014
Around 988 Palestinian refugees were killed in Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution, the Working Group for Palestinians in Syria documented in a new report.
399 of the martyrs were killed in bombing attacks, while 157 others were starved to death due to the tight siege imposed on the camp, according to the report.
“150 other martyrs were killed by gunfire, while 130 martyrs were shot by sniper fire. Meanwhile, 96 of those martyrs were tortured to death in the Syrian regime prisons.”
The report pointed out that 15 Palestinian refugees were executed in Yarmouk camp by the Syrian regime forces, while 11 others were kidnapped and killed. Nine other refugees were killed in unknown circumstances.
Nine Palestinian refugees were also killed in a bombing car, while six victims were assassinated in the besieged camp.
Three refugees were killed either by hanging, or burning, or stabbing, while three others died after building collapses in the camp and due to the overcrowding in receiving aid supplies.
On the other hand, the Syrian regime forces continued artillery bombardment against opposition-controlled areas throughout Syria. Casualties were reported.
Armed clashes were also reported between the opposition and regime forces in the outskirts of Damascus and Aleppo amid heavy bombing.
Casualties were documented when Syrian regime forces carried out several airstrikes over the rural areas of Idlib northern Syria.
399 of the martyrs were killed in bombing attacks, while 157 others were starved to death due to the tight siege imposed on the camp, according to the report.
“150 other martyrs were killed by gunfire, while 130 martyrs were shot by sniper fire. Meanwhile, 96 of those martyrs were tortured to death in the Syrian regime prisons.”
The report pointed out that 15 Palestinian refugees were executed in Yarmouk camp by the Syrian regime forces, while 11 others were kidnapped and killed. Nine other refugees were killed in unknown circumstances.
Nine Palestinian refugees were also killed in a bombing car, while six victims were assassinated in the besieged camp.
Three refugees were killed either by hanging, or burning, or stabbing, while three others died after building collapses in the camp and due to the overcrowding in receiving aid supplies.
On the other hand, the Syrian regime forces continued artillery bombardment against opposition-controlled areas throughout Syria. Casualties were reported.
Armed clashes were also reported between the opposition and regime forces in the outskirts of Damascus and Aleppo amid heavy bombing.
Casualties were documented when Syrian regime forces carried out several airstrikes over the rural areas of Idlib northern Syria.
22 oct 2014
A Palestinian refugee was killed last night during clashes that broke out between the Syrian regime forces and opposition forces in Damascus, rising the number of Palestinian refugees killed in Syria to 2525 since the beginning of the revolution in February 2011. The Working Group for Palestinian Refugee in Syria said in a statement on Tuesday that the Palestinian refugee Qusay Osama Salman died of injuries he sustained during the clashes in Jober area in the Syrian capital city.
In a related context, an armed group affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) kidnapped two Palestinian refugees after stopping a bus carrying Palestinian refugees while on their way to Turkey.
The sources pointed out that Yarmouk refugee camp was subjected to heavy shelling by the Syrian regime forces. No casualties were reported.
Yarmouk camp has been under siege for 472 days and without power for 555 days and suffered water crisis for 42 days. As a result, 155 Palestinian refugees starved to death in the refugee camp.
Civilians in Palestinian refugee camps suffer severe lack of humanitarian needs and medical services other than unemployment.
In a related context, an armed group affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) kidnapped two Palestinian refugees after stopping a bus carrying Palestinian refugees while on their way to Turkey.
The sources pointed out that Yarmouk refugee camp was subjected to heavy shelling by the Syrian regime forces. No casualties were reported.
Yarmouk camp has been under siege for 472 days and without power for 555 days and suffered water crisis for 42 days. As a result, 155 Palestinian refugees starved to death in the refugee camp.
Civilians in Palestinian refugee camps suffer severe lack of humanitarian needs and medical services other than unemployment.
21 sept 2014
Thousands of Palestinian refugees sheltering at Yarmouk camp are on the verge of facing death as the Syrian regime has not provided drinking water for at least ten days, an activist in the camp said on Thursday.
"Death is threatening the lives of 20,000 civilians due to the water shortage, with no water around Yarmouk," Rami Sayyid told Anadolu Agency, claiming the humanitarian situation was worsening in southern Syria.
"The camp residents are in unbearable conditions and are drinking contaminated well water provided by aid agencies, which he said is causing concern amongst health officials who fear the spread of contagious diseases."
Tens of thousands of people, mostly Palestinian women and children, live in the camp, which has remained under siege of the Syrian regime forces and pro-regime militias since last September.
Located on the outskirts of Damascus, eight kilometers from the city center, the camp accommodated more than 160,000 Palestinian refugees before the Syrian civil war started in March 2011.
Around 140,000 refugees had to leave the camp due to the Syrian civil war which has killed more than 160,000 people and displaced millions of others since then
"Death is threatening the lives of 20,000 civilians due to the water shortage, with no water around Yarmouk," Rami Sayyid told Anadolu Agency, claiming the humanitarian situation was worsening in southern Syria.
"The camp residents are in unbearable conditions and are drinking contaminated well water provided by aid agencies, which he said is causing concern amongst health officials who fear the spread of contagious diseases."
Tens of thousands of people, mostly Palestinian women and children, live in the camp, which has remained under siege of the Syrian regime forces and pro-regime militias since last September.
Located on the outskirts of Damascus, eight kilometers from the city center, the camp accommodated more than 160,000 Palestinian refugees before the Syrian civil war started in March 2011.
Around 140,000 refugees had to leave the camp due to the Syrian civil war which has killed more than 160,000 people and displaced millions of others since then
15 sept 2014
A boat carrying nearly one hundred migrants, including dozens of Palestinians fleeing from Gaza, overturned in the Mediterranean Sea near Egypt, on Saturday, killing fifteen of those on board, according to Al-Anadolu news agency. An additional 72 passengers were rescued by the Egyptian navy.
The boat left the Egyptian shore Saturday night bound for Italy, but capsized when it hit a rock. Fifteen Palestinians from Gaza drowned, and their bodies were pulled from the sea by the Egyptian navy. The other passengers were rescued and taken to an Egyptian immigration prison.
The Palestinians who attempted to flee from the sealed, blockaded Gaza Strip had traveled via tunnel to Egypt, then boarded a boat bound for Europe along with migrants from Egypt and Syria.
The boat that sank on Saturday had been dubbed the 'Abu Othman', and was off the coast of al-Ajami, near Alexandria, when it hit a rock. The migrant boats travel by dead of night in order not to be noticed, and often lack the technology to detect obstacles, like rocks, in the water.
Following the sinking of the boat, Egyptian authorities arrested 153 migrants who were attempting to board a fishing boat near Alexandria, at the port of Abu Qir, before they could get underway. According to the Star-Tribune, each migrant had paid $3500 USD for passage.
Those arrested included 43 Palestinians, 35 Sudanese and 18 Syrians, and they included men, women and children.
The Palestinians who have risked escaping from the Gaza Strip, to try to reach Europe, say they have nothing left to live for in their native land, which has been sealed off with no ability to export or import, and no economy, since 2006. Such a voyage is expensive and risky, but an estimated 100,000 Palestinians have attempted the trip in 2014 alone.
The boat left the Egyptian shore Saturday night bound for Italy, but capsized when it hit a rock. Fifteen Palestinians from Gaza drowned, and their bodies were pulled from the sea by the Egyptian navy. The other passengers were rescued and taken to an Egyptian immigration prison.
The Palestinians who attempted to flee from the sealed, blockaded Gaza Strip had traveled via tunnel to Egypt, then boarded a boat bound for Europe along with migrants from Egypt and Syria.
The boat that sank on Saturday had been dubbed the 'Abu Othman', and was off the coast of al-Ajami, near Alexandria, when it hit a rock. The migrant boats travel by dead of night in order not to be noticed, and often lack the technology to detect obstacles, like rocks, in the water.
Following the sinking of the boat, Egyptian authorities arrested 153 migrants who were attempting to board a fishing boat near Alexandria, at the port of Abu Qir, before they could get underway. According to the Star-Tribune, each migrant had paid $3500 USD for passage.
Those arrested included 43 Palestinians, 35 Sudanese and 18 Syrians, and they included men, women and children.
The Palestinians who have risked escaping from the Gaza Strip, to try to reach Europe, say they have nothing left to live for in their native land, which has been sealed off with no ability to export or import, and no economy, since 2006. Such a voyage is expensive and risky, but an estimated 100,000 Palestinians have attempted the trip in 2014 alone.
