12 jan 2015
The Israeli Occupation Army opened machinegun fire at agricultural lands in southern Gaza Strip on Monday.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli forces, stationed on the borders east of Rafah, opened fire at the outskirts of the city. This caused minor damage to crops with no casualties reported, according to medical sources.
Palestinian officials in the Strip said the occupation forces almost daily shoot at fishing boats in Gaza and agricultural lands on the borders in a “clear violation” of the calm agreement.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Israeli forces, stationed on the borders east of Rafah, opened fire at the outskirts of the city. This caused minor damage to crops with no casualties reported, according to medical sources.
Palestinian officials in the Strip said the occupation forces almost daily shoot at fishing boats in Gaza and agricultural lands on the borders in a “clear violation” of the calm agreement.
American senators have threatened Palestinian leadership with a "strong response" over the recent decision to join the International Criminal Court.
Press TV reports, via PNN, that Senators Lindsey Graham, Robert Menendez, Chuck Schumer, and Mark Kirk issued the warning in a statement, on Friday.
The statement described the Palestinian move as "deplorable" and "counterproductive."
PA President Mahmoud Abbas signed an application to join the Hague-based ICC after the United Nations Security Council rejected a Palestinian proposal for statehood on December 30, 2014.
"Existing US law makes clear that if the Palestinians initiate an ICC judicially authorized investigation, or actively support such an investigation, all economic assistance to the PA must end," the senators said, adding:
"In light of this legal requirement, Congress will reassess its support for assistance to the PA and seek additional ways to make clear to President Abbas that we strongly oppose his efforts to seek membership in the ICC."
Related: Israel To Ask US Congress To Cut Aid To Palestinians
Earlier this week, the US State Department issued a similar warning.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that the Palestinian Authority does not qualify for legal membership to the international court because Palestine is not yet a sovereign state.
However, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recently stated: "The statute will enter into force for the State of Palestine on April 1, 2015."
Press TV reports, via PNN, that Senators Lindsey Graham, Robert Menendez, Chuck Schumer, and Mark Kirk issued the warning in a statement, on Friday.
The statement described the Palestinian move as "deplorable" and "counterproductive."
PA President Mahmoud Abbas signed an application to join the Hague-based ICC after the United Nations Security Council rejected a Palestinian proposal for statehood on December 30, 2014.
"Existing US law makes clear that if the Palestinians initiate an ICC judicially authorized investigation, or actively support such an investigation, all economic assistance to the PA must end," the senators said, adding:
"In light of this legal requirement, Congress will reassess its support for assistance to the PA and seek additional ways to make clear to President Abbas that we strongly oppose his efforts to seek membership in the ICC."
Related: Israel To Ask US Congress To Cut Aid To Palestinians
Earlier this week, the US State Department issued a similar warning.
State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said that the Palestinian Authority does not qualify for legal membership to the international court because Palestine is not yet a sovereign state.
However, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon recently stated: "The statute will enter into force for the State of Palestine on April 1, 2015."
11 jan 2015
Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo is expected to visit the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, to check on the Strip’s conditions, during his tour that will also take him to Jordan, Israel and the West Bank.
The spokesman of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Adnan Abu Hasnah told the Anadolu Agency that the Spanish Foreign Minister will seek, during his visit to Gaza, to have an idea about the conditions of the territory and the needs of the Gazan people.
He will also seek to know the needs of the people affected by the latest Israeli offensive on Gaza, Abu Hasna added.
The Spanish Foreign Minister started a Middle East tour on Saturday to get firsthand information on the current conditions in the region.
This coincides with granting Spain a non-permanent member status at the United Nations Security Council, according to a statement from the Spanish Foreign Ministry.
Margallo’s tour in the region follows a visit he made to Egypt two weeks ago.
The Minister is expected to start his tour with Jordan where he will meet with the Jordanian King Abdullah II, the Jordanian Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Naser Joudeh, Defense Minister Abdullah al-Nusur and a number of Spanish businessmen working in the Hashemite Kingdom.
This tour followed the call made, on November 18, by the Spanish parliament for recognizing Palestine as a state.
The Spanish Minister will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during his stay in the Jordanian Capital Amman a few hours prior to his travel to the Palestinian territories.
After meeting with President Abbas, Margallo will head on Tuesday to Gaza Strip where he will meet with UNRWA’s Commissioner General Pierre Krahenbuhl.
Margallo will conclude his tour by a visit to Israel. He will hold a series of meetings with Israeli officials.
The spokesman of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Adnan Abu Hasnah told the Anadolu Agency that the Spanish Foreign Minister will seek, during his visit to Gaza, to have an idea about the conditions of the territory and the needs of the Gazan people.
He will also seek to know the needs of the people affected by the latest Israeli offensive on Gaza, Abu Hasna added.
The Spanish Foreign Minister started a Middle East tour on Saturday to get firsthand information on the current conditions in the region.
This coincides with granting Spain a non-permanent member status at the United Nations Security Council, according to a statement from the Spanish Foreign Ministry.
Margallo’s tour in the region follows a visit he made to Egypt two weeks ago.
The Minister is expected to start his tour with Jordan where he will meet with the Jordanian King Abdullah II, the Jordanian Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Naser Joudeh, Defense Minister Abdullah al-Nusur and a number of Spanish businessmen working in the Hashemite Kingdom.
This tour followed the call made, on November 18, by the Spanish parliament for recognizing Palestine as a state.
The Spanish Minister will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during his stay in the Jordanian Capital Amman a few hours prior to his travel to the Palestinian territories.
After meeting with President Abbas, Margallo will head on Tuesday to Gaza Strip where he will meet with UNRWA’s Commissioner General Pierre Krahenbuhl.
Margallo will conclude his tour by a visit to Israel. He will hold a series of meetings with Israeli officials.
The civil defense teams also carried out dozens of other assignments that involved securing homes in flood-prone areas, pulling stuck cars, extinguishing fires, rescuing citizens and providing them with first aid.
In a related context, the extreme weather conditions since last Tuesday in Gaza has claimed the lives of four Palestinians, three of them children, the Palestinian ministry of health stated in a press release on Saturday.
It said that the cold spell that hit the Palestinian territories caused the death of four Palestinians last Friday and Saturday.
All the victims were living in unsuitable homes that had been partially damaged during the last Israeli war on Gaza.
In a related context, the extreme weather conditions since last Tuesday in Gaza has claimed the lives of four Palestinians, three of them children, the Palestinian ministry of health stated in a press release on Saturday.
It said that the cold spell that hit the Palestinian territories caused the death of four Palestinians last Friday and Saturday.
All the victims were living in unsuitable homes that had been partially damaged during the last Israeli war on Gaza.
Salma Zeidan al-Masri, two months
Ahmad Sufian al-Lahham, 22
Another Palestinian infant died from the cold on Saturday, as well as a fisherman on the Gaza coast. This brings the death toll up to four in the last two days -- three of the dead have been infants under one year old.
The winter storm has severely impacted the people of Gaza, many of whom are still living in temporary shelters since they have been unable to rebuild after the Israeli assault in July and August of 2014 that left over 2100 people dead and tens of thousands homeless.
The latest casualty in the bitter cold of the winter storm has been identified as Salma Zeidan al-Masri, two months old.
She was staying with her family in a temporary shelter in Beit Hanoun, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, since their home was destroyed in the Israeli assault this past summer.
One of the baby's relatives said that she turned blue from the cold, since there was no heating available in the temporary shelter.
In addition, Ahmad Sufian al-Lahham, 22, was found dead on the Gaza shore near Khan Younis in southern Gaza. He was apparently attempting to secure fishing equipment on his family's boat when he collapsed from the cold, and was later found dead.
The 1.4 million Palestinians living in Gaza have been suffering tremendously from the winter storm over the last several days, including flooding in many parts of the Strip and freezing temperatures.
The Turkish government had offered to provide Gaza with a 'floating power station', to provide some electricity and heat throughout the winter, but Israel prevented the Turkish government from donating the power station.
As a result, and due to the ongoing Israeli blockade of Gaza, most Palestinians whose homes were destroyed by Israeli bombs in the summer have been unable to import the necessary materials to be able to rebuild their homes. The main Gaza power stations also suffered extreme damage, and have been unable to return to even half their capacity in the months since the Israeli invasion
Ahmad Sufian al-Lahham, 22
Another Palestinian infant died from the cold on Saturday, as well as a fisherman on the Gaza coast. This brings the death toll up to four in the last two days -- three of the dead have been infants under one year old.
The winter storm has severely impacted the people of Gaza, many of whom are still living in temporary shelters since they have been unable to rebuild after the Israeli assault in July and August of 2014 that left over 2100 people dead and tens of thousands homeless.
The latest casualty in the bitter cold of the winter storm has been identified as Salma Zeidan al-Masri, two months old.
She was staying with her family in a temporary shelter in Beit Hanoun, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, since their home was destroyed in the Israeli assault this past summer.
One of the baby's relatives said that she turned blue from the cold, since there was no heating available in the temporary shelter.
In addition, Ahmad Sufian al-Lahham, 22, was found dead on the Gaza shore near Khan Younis in southern Gaza. He was apparently attempting to secure fishing equipment on his family's boat when he collapsed from the cold, and was later found dead.
The 1.4 million Palestinians living in Gaza have been suffering tremendously from the winter storm over the last several days, including flooding in many parts of the Strip and freezing temperatures.
The Turkish government had offered to provide Gaza with a 'floating power station', to provide some electricity and heat throughout the winter, but Israel prevented the Turkish government from donating the power station.
As a result, and due to the ongoing Israeli blockade of Gaza, most Palestinians whose homes were destroyed by Israeli bombs in the summer have been unable to import the necessary materials to be able to rebuild their homes. The main Gaza power stations also suffered extreme damage, and have been unable to return to even half their capacity in the months since the Israeli invasion
10 jan 2015
Adel al-Lahham 1 month
The extreme cold weather in the Gaza Strip claimed the life of another infant in Khan Younis area after a baby girl froze to death on Friday.
Spokesman for the health ministry Ashraf al-Qudra said that a one-month-old boy named Adel al-Lahham died on Saturday morning as a result of the freezing weather conditions in Khan Younis.
The temperature in Gaza dropped to two degrees yesterday, but on Saturday afternoon, the cold spell started to recede.
A two-month-old girl, also from Khan Younis, was proclaimed dead on Friday after she suffered from a pulmonary obstruction caused by the cold, spokesman Qudra said.
War-displaced Gazan families have complained in recent days about the freezing cold they have had to endure in damaged or makeshift homes.
Several mobile homes in Gaza have been flooded as heavy rains and cold winds continue to pound the region this week.
Despite their modest means, the Palestinian authorities in Gaza have been working for days on evacuating residents from flood-hit areas and helping others affected or injured by the rainy storms.
The extreme cold weather in the Gaza Strip claimed the life of another infant in Khan Younis area after a baby girl froze to death on Friday.
Spokesman for the health ministry Ashraf al-Qudra said that a one-month-old boy named Adel al-Lahham died on Saturday morning as a result of the freezing weather conditions in Khan Younis.
The temperature in Gaza dropped to two degrees yesterday, but on Saturday afternoon, the cold spell started to recede.
A two-month-old girl, also from Khan Younis, was proclaimed dead on Friday after she suffered from a pulmonary obstruction caused by the cold, spokesman Qudra said.
War-displaced Gazan families have complained in recent days about the freezing cold they have had to endure in damaged or makeshift homes.
Several mobile homes in Gaza have been flooded as heavy rains and cold winds continue to pound the region this week.
Despite their modest means, the Palestinian authorities in Gaza have been working for days on evacuating residents from flood-hit areas and helping others affected or injured by the rainy storms.
9 jan 2015
Rahaf Abu Asi 2 months
A four-month-old baby girl froze to death on Friday as a result of the cold weather conditions as she was in her family’s partially damaged home in Khan Younis.
A spokesman for the health ministry told the PIC reporter that four-month-old Rahaf Abu Asi died after her body temperature decreased.
Many Gazan families, who have no other option, still live in damaged homes, although they are no good shelter from the cold winter and harsh weather conditions.
Gaza child whose home was bombed by Israel dies in freezing weather
A Palestinian infant fell ill and died due to severe cold in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday, as winter storm Huda pummeled the region for a third day.
Gaza Ministry of Health spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said that two-month-old Rafah Ali Abu Assi died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a result of the severely cold weather affecting the region.
Ashraf al-Qidra said that the infant was taken to the Gaza European Hospital early Thursday for treatment but was pronounced dead at noon on Friday.
The infant's family lives east of Khan Younis in an area that was heavily damaged during Israel's offensive on Gaza over summer.
Her family reportedly continued living in their damaged home despite the destruction. Due to lack of alternative shelter, many of the nearly 110,000 Palestinians left homeless by Israeli bombardment have done the same, including many living in just tents.
Temperatures in Gaza have been hovering only a few degrees above freezing in recent days as a freezing winter storm buffeted the region, flooding some areas in the small coastal enclave.
The situation is aggravated by the lack of fuel for electric power, meaning that power is available roughly eight hours a day, with occasional cuts on top of that.
The lack of fuel is a result of Israel's eight-year-old blockade of the Strip, which limits Palestinians' ability to import fuel for the electric power station in Gaza as well as for domestic needs.
A four-month-old baby girl froze to death on Friday as a result of the cold weather conditions as she was in her family’s partially damaged home in Khan Younis.
A spokesman for the health ministry told the PIC reporter that four-month-old Rahaf Abu Asi died after her body temperature decreased.
Many Gazan families, who have no other option, still live in damaged homes, although they are no good shelter from the cold winter and harsh weather conditions.
Gaza child whose home was bombed by Israel dies in freezing weather
A Palestinian infant fell ill and died due to severe cold in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday, as winter storm Huda pummeled the region for a third day.
Gaza Ministry of Health spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said that two-month-old Rafah Ali Abu Assi died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a result of the severely cold weather affecting the region.
Ashraf al-Qidra said that the infant was taken to the Gaza European Hospital early Thursday for treatment but was pronounced dead at noon on Friday.
The infant's family lives east of Khan Younis in an area that was heavily damaged during Israel's offensive on Gaza over summer.
Her family reportedly continued living in their damaged home despite the destruction. Due to lack of alternative shelter, many of the nearly 110,000 Palestinians left homeless by Israeli bombardment have done the same, including many living in just tents.
Temperatures in Gaza have been hovering only a few degrees above freezing in recent days as a freezing winter storm buffeted the region, flooding some areas in the small coastal enclave.
The situation is aggravated by the lack of fuel for electric power, meaning that power is available roughly eight hours a day, with occasional cuts on top of that.
The lack of fuel is a result of Israel's eight-year-old blockade of the Strip, which limits Palestinians' ability to import fuel for the electric power station in Gaza as well as for domestic needs.
The heavy rainfall in Gaza has exacerbated the humanitarian suffering of the war-displaced Palestinian families living in prefabricated homes in Khuza'a area, east of Khan Younis.
Head of the municipal council in Khuza'a Shehadeh Abu Rok told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the rains wiped out the makeshift dykes that had been built around the mobile homes and flooded the entire neighborhood.
Abu Rok appealed to the Palestinian government and the UNRWA to open shelters for the families from the flooded neighborhood, affirming that the municipal workers and volunteers are doing their best to alleviate the suffering of the affected citizens.
Head of the municipal council in Khuza'a Shehadeh Abu Rok told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the rains wiped out the makeshift dykes that had been built around the mobile homes and flooded the entire neighborhood.
Abu Rok appealed to the Palestinian government and the UNRWA to open shelters for the families from the flooded neighborhood, affirming that the municipal workers and volunteers are doing their best to alleviate the suffering of the affected citizens.
Israeli soldiers, stationed on across the border fence, opened fire on Thursday evening targeting Palestinian homes and lands east of the Khan Younis district, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Local sources said soldiers stationed on military towers across the border fence, and on a number of armored vehicles, fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition, and several flares, into border areas.
They said the soldiers opened sporadic fire for more than an hour, while many armored vehicles left the Kissufim military base, and army helicopters hovered the entire area.
The Israeli army carries out repeated similar assaults against Palestinian farmers and workers, in Palestinian lands close to the border fence, and targets nearby homes, in addition to frequent assaults against fishers in Gaza territorial waters.
Local sources said soldiers stationed on military towers across the border fence, and on a number of armored vehicles, fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition, and several flares, into border areas.
They said the soldiers opened sporadic fire for more than an hour, while many armored vehicles left the Kissufim military base, and army helicopters hovered the entire area.
The Israeli army carries out repeated similar assaults against Palestinian farmers and workers, in Palestinian lands close to the border fence, and targets nearby homes, in addition to frequent assaults against fishers in Gaza territorial waters.
8 jan 2015
The Arab Center for Communication and Solidarity announced the intention to hold the “International forum for justice in Palestine” in coordination with many Arab and Muslim forums, unions, and organizations on 22-23 February, 2015.
The head of the Beirut-based Center Maen Beshur told Quds Press that the conference’s preparatory committee agreed on three axes to be discussed during the event. They include the Israeli racism, Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity, and finally Israeli longstanding assassination crimes, which have been admitted by some Zionist leaders.
The conference will also discuss the methods and procedures to prosecute the Israeli war criminals, Beshur added.
He said that the conference is a continuation to the Center’s activities since its inception in 2007. The activities started with a conference on the Palestinian refugees’ right of return held in coordination with al-Quds International Institution, Beshur said.
The head of the Beirut-based Center Maen Beshur told Quds Press that the conference’s preparatory committee agreed on three axes to be discussed during the event. They include the Israeli racism, Israeli war crimes and crimes against humanity, and finally Israeli longstanding assassination crimes, which have been admitted by some Zionist leaders.
The conference will also discuss the methods and procedures to prosecute the Israeli war criminals, Beshur added.
He said that the conference is a continuation to the Center’s activities since its inception in 2007. The activities started with a conference on the Palestinian refugees’ right of return held in coordination with al-Quds International Institution, Beshur said.
After three Israeli wars on the Palestinian people in Gaza over the past six years, thousands of civilians remain homeless, infrastructure is failing, the siege is being tightened, but Gaza insists on living and struggling for a better life.
The Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip are encountering an extreme cold wave with modest capabilities and continuing power outages. There are fears that crises may take place.
Despite the promises that the power station in Gaza would increase the hours of providing electricity during the cold wave, the people of Gaza are experiencing the opposite as the electricity is provided for only six hours, and even less.
For the first time in the Gaza Strip, the temperature approached zero at night at a time there are no abilities to operate the heating systems. The streets were empty of cars and passers-by. Furthermore, the gas stations in the Strip have no fuel to provide for the people to operate their own generators and the cooking gas stations are empty as well.
The Municipality of Gaza has warned of the consequences of the expected low pressure on the severely affected infrastructure of Gaza by the latest Israeli aggression. The Municipality said that it has formed an emergency committee to face any humanitarian crisis the low pressure may cause.
The Municipality added that the emergency staff has already finished equipping 8 pumps to drain the rainwater flowing from different parts of Gaza to the alternative pond in Al-Nafaq area in the north of Gaza City. It also expressed its readiness to face the rainwater floods in all areas of Gaza.
Work around the Clock
The Municipality mentioned that the emergency staff is working around the clock to respond to all incoming complaints from the citizens or the operations room of the Interior Ministry. The Municipality confirmed that it would be preparing for the expected heavy rains throughout the weekend. It recommended the citizens to follow the instructions of how to deal with the low pressure that the Municipality has shared recently. It also referred to the importance of avoiding blocking the drains.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza has also announced its readiness to deal with the low pressure. The ministry’s spokesman, Ashraf Al-Qidra, called on the citizens to follow the necessary precautionary measures while operating the heating devices and walking in the streets.
The civil defense also suggested the citizens should abide by the safety procedures during the low pressure. It called on the citizens in a statement to stay at home and to keep up with the instructions it provides and not to leave their homes unless there is a need. In addition, it demanded the citizens to cooperate to drain the water that may accumulate around the houses. It also warned of using the automobiles unless there is an acute need for that, and to be very careful, and to follow the instructions of the civil defense, Ministry of Transportation, and traffic police regarding the road conditions.
General Instructions:
The Civil Defense provided the people of the Strip with some general instructions. The citizens should:
1. Not leave their houses at night, in the early morning and during the extremely cold weather.
2. Be careful of the road and weather conditions while driving cars and do not drive except when there is a necessity.
3. Keep the flammable materials away from the heating devices and keep appropriate ventilation while using these devices to avoid suffocation.
4. Keep children away from the heating devices and do not use these devices for other purposes like heating water and cooking while kids are around.
5. Do not let the flammable materials, such as curtains and wires, come near to the heating devices.
6. Call 102 immediately in emergency; or call the Interior Ministry’s operations room.
7. Do not touch the electricity poles and the dangling electric wires and avoid walking between the buildings during the extreme winds in order to avoid any falling objects from the roofs.
8. Avoid the water drains.
The last cold wave that struck the Gaza Strip around a month ago resulted in drenching many areas especially Al-Nafaq area in the north of Gaza.
Likewise, the winter storm Alexa that hit the Strip almost a year ago caused significant damage and casualties.
The Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip are encountering an extreme cold wave with modest capabilities and continuing power outages. There are fears that crises may take place.
Despite the promises that the power station in Gaza would increase the hours of providing electricity during the cold wave, the people of Gaza are experiencing the opposite as the electricity is provided for only six hours, and even less.
For the first time in the Gaza Strip, the temperature approached zero at night at a time there are no abilities to operate the heating systems. The streets were empty of cars and passers-by. Furthermore, the gas stations in the Strip have no fuel to provide for the people to operate their own generators and the cooking gas stations are empty as well.
The Municipality of Gaza has warned of the consequences of the expected low pressure on the severely affected infrastructure of Gaza by the latest Israeli aggression. The Municipality said that it has formed an emergency committee to face any humanitarian crisis the low pressure may cause.
The Municipality added that the emergency staff has already finished equipping 8 pumps to drain the rainwater flowing from different parts of Gaza to the alternative pond in Al-Nafaq area in the north of Gaza City. It also expressed its readiness to face the rainwater floods in all areas of Gaza.
Work around the Clock
The Municipality mentioned that the emergency staff is working around the clock to respond to all incoming complaints from the citizens or the operations room of the Interior Ministry. The Municipality confirmed that it would be preparing for the expected heavy rains throughout the weekend. It recommended the citizens to follow the instructions of how to deal with the low pressure that the Municipality has shared recently. It also referred to the importance of avoiding blocking the drains.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza has also announced its readiness to deal with the low pressure. The ministry’s spokesman, Ashraf Al-Qidra, called on the citizens to follow the necessary precautionary measures while operating the heating devices and walking in the streets.
The civil defense also suggested the citizens should abide by the safety procedures during the low pressure. It called on the citizens in a statement to stay at home and to keep up with the instructions it provides and not to leave their homes unless there is a need. In addition, it demanded the citizens to cooperate to drain the water that may accumulate around the houses. It also warned of using the automobiles unless there is an acute need for that, and to be very careful, and to follow the instructions of the civil defense, Ministry of Transportation, and traffic police regarding the road conditions.
General Instructions:
The Civil Defense provided the people of the Strip with some general instructions. The citizens should:
1. Not leave their houses at night, in the early morning and during the extremely cold weather.
2. Be careful of the road and weather conditions while driving cars and do not drive except when there is a necessity.
3. Keep the flammable materials away from the heating devices and keep appropriate ventilation while using these devices to avoid suffocation.
4. Keep children away from the heating devices and do not use these devices for other purposes like heating water and cooking while kids are around.
5. Do not let the flammable materials, such as curtains and wires, come near to the heating devices.
6. Call 102 immediately in emergency; or call the Interior Ministry’s operations room.
7. Do not touch the electricity poles and the dangling electric wires and avoid walking between the buildings during the extreme winds in order to avoid any falling objects from the roofs.
8. Avoid the water drains.
The last cold wave that struck the Gaza Strip around a month ago resulted in drenching many areas especially Al-Nafaq area in the north of Gaza.
Likewise, the winter storm Alexa that hit the Strip almost a year ago caused significant damage and casualties.
Seven people suffered moderate injuries when a house roof collapsed at dawn Thursday in Zawaida town in Gaza Strip due to the heavy rains and snowstorm that it is currently hitting the Palestinian lands.
Zawaida mayor Hassan Abu Mazid told the PIC reporter that a local home’s roof totally collapsed due to the heavy rains, which led to the injury of seven family members including a child.
The child was transferred to Shifa hospital suffering from a fractured skull.
In the West Bank, the stormy weather led to the stop of all ground activities amid a closure of roads and a power outage in several towns, in addition to the destruction of many greenhouses. Many car accidents were also reported.
Two homes under construction were totally demolished in Araba town in Jenin due to the heavy rains and winds, while large numbers of greenhouses were also reportedly destroyed.
Complete crop losses were also reported when the heavy rains poured onto the greenhouses, local sources in Jenin said.
Also in Jenin, the civil defense confirmed that 42 accidents were reported in the governorate Wednesday including fires and car crashes.
Local residents in the city complained about the poor roads infrastructure that worsened due to the heavy rains.
In Tubas, farmers confirmed that heavy direct and indirect losses were reported as the strong winds destroyed large numbers of greenhouses and uprooted the plants and seedlings.
A massive snow storm and heavy rains hit Palestine while tens of thousands are still homeless in Gaza following the latest Israeli offensive.
Zawaida mayor Hassan Abu Mazid told the PIC reporter that a local home’s roof totally collapsed due to the heavy rains, which led to the injury of seven family members including a child.
The child was transferred to Shifa hospital suffering from a fractured skull.
In the West Bank, the stormy weather led to the stop of all ground activities amid a closure of roads and a power outage in several towns, in addition to the destruction of many greenhouses. Many car accidents were also reported.
Two homes under construction were totally demolished in Araba town in Jenin due to the heavy rains and winds, while large numbers of greenhouses were also reportedly destroyed.
Complete crop losses were also reported when the heavy rains poured onto the greenhouses, local sources in Jenin said.
Also in Jenin, the civil defense confirmed that 42 accidents were reported in the governorate Wednesday including fires and car crashes.
Local residents in the city complained about the poor roads infrastructure that worsened due to the heavy rains.
In Tubas, farmers confirmed that heavy direct and indirect losses were reported as the strong winds destroyed large numbers of greenhouses and uprooted the plants and seedlings.
A massive snow storm and heavy rains hit Palestine while tens of thousands are still homeless in Gaza following the latest Israeli offensive.
Two citizens sustained injuries after a wildfire rocked Palestinian family homes at the Nuseirat refugee camp in the blockaded Gaza Strip.
By-standers at the scene said the fire flared up due to the low seasonal temperatures that have recently hit the besieged enclave, leading to chronic power blackouts that amount to as high as 18 hours per every single day.
A PIC correspondent quoted local security sources as reporting that the family home of the Palestinian citizen Mohamed Lotfi Sakr, at the camp, went up in flames due to an abrupt short circuit.
Two Palestinian civilians sustained critical breathing disorders due to heavy inhalation of the toxic fumes. The civil defense crews further detected heavy material damage in the process.
Another house fire broke out in Deir al-Balah due to a candle lit in a Palestinian family home in power-starved Gaza.
The house of the Palestinian civilian Said al-Masri sustained heavy material damage, civil defense crews further told the PIC.
The fire was another episode in a series of house fires that mostly started by candles lit due to the frequent power blackouts in electricity-famished Gaza.
By-standers at the scene said the fire flared up due to the low seasonal temperatures that have recently hit the besieged enclave, leading to chronic power blackouts that amount to as high as 18 hours per every single day.
A PIC correspondent quoted local security sources as reporting that the family home of the Palestinian citizen Mohamed Lotfi Sakr, at the camp, went up in flames due to an abrupt short circuit.
Two Palestinian civilians sustained critical breathing disorders due to heavy inhalation of the toxic fumes. The civil defense crews further detected heavy material damage in the process.
Another house fire broke out in Deir al-Balah due to a candle lit in a Palestinian family home in power-starved Gaza.
The house of the Palestinian civilian Said al-Masri sustained heavy material damage, civil defense crews further told the PIC.
The fire was another episode in a series of house fires that mostly started by candles lit due to the frequent power blackouts in electricity-famished Gaza.
The rate of Gaza’s electricity deficit has reached 70% due to frequent outages in the Israeli-run power lines and networks, the Energy Authority in the blockaded Strip said Wednesday.
The Energy Authority said in a statement that ten power lines running from Israel to Gaza supply about 120MW while Gaza’s power plant and the Egyptian power lines provide around 27 MW each.
The deficit level has hit 70%, the statement reported, warning of the power blackouts rocking the besieged enclave and amounting to 12 hours per day.
Some 959 liters of fuel reserves, estimated at 7 million shekels paid on two batches, have been purchased by Gaza’s authorities last Thursday, the statement added, pointing out the acute shortages in the fuel quantities needed to operate the two electricity generators.
The Energy Authority warned of the serious repercussions of the crisis particularly with the advent of a freezing winter and the torrents of heavy rains and snowstorms rocking Palestine.
The situation has gone from bad to worse due to the low temperatures, estimated below seasonal norms, which have brought consumption needs to two or three times as much as the enclave’s habitual requirements.
The Energy Authority has been working in collaboration with Gaza’s Electricity Distribution Company to repair any unexpected breakdowns and manage the power-supply schedules in the very best and even way possible.
The Energy Authority said in a statement that ten power lines running from Israel to Gaza supply about 120MW while Gaza’s power plant and the Egyptian power lines provide around 27 MW each.
The deficit level has hit 70%, the statement reported, warning of the power blackouts rocking the besieged enclave and amounting to 12 hours per day.
Some 959 liters of fuel reserves, estimated at 7 million shekels paid on two batches, have been purchased by Gaza’s authorities last Thursday, the statement added, pointing out the acute shortages in the fuel quantities needed to operate the two electricity generators.
The Energy Authority warned of the serious repercussions of the crisis particularly with the advent of a freezing winter and the torrents of heavy rains and snowstorms rocking Palestine.
The situation has gone from bad to worse due to the low temperatures, estimated below seasonal norms, which have brought consumption needs to two or three times as much as the enclave’s habitual requirements.
The Energy Authority has been working in collaboration with Gaza’s Electricity Distribution Company to repair any unexpected breakdowns and manage the power-supply schedules in the very best and even way possible.
8 jan 2015
Millions of Palestinians bunkered down at home, this Wednesday, as they faced down the first day of a huge winter storm which has brought a mixture of rain, hail and snow, accompanied by heavy winds crashing into the region this week.
According to Ma'an News Agency, Palestinian authorities have announced that all official business will be closed Thursday because of the storm, nicknamed "Huda" in Palestine and Jordan and "Zina" in Lebanon. Officials have urged people to take safety measures in the coming days.
The storm is expected to last until Sunday, bringing snow in higher areas around Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Hebron in the occupied West Bank as well as in northern Israel, while flooding is expected along the coastal plain, including in the Gaza Strip.
Temperatures in the West Bank are expected to hover around freezing both day and night, over the next week.
Already in some areas across the region temporary electricity cuts have been reported, but many fear the worst is yet to come.
According to Ma'an News Agency, Palestinian authorities have announced that all official business will be closed Thursday because of the storm, nicknamed "Huda" in Palestine and Jordan and "Zina" in Lebanon. Officials have urged people to take safety measures in the coming days.
The storm is expected to last until Sunday, bringing snow in higher areas around Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Hebron in the occupied West Bank as well as in northern Israel, while flooding is expected along the coastal plain, including in the Gaza Strip.
Temperatures in the West Bank are expected to hover around freezing both day and night, over the next week.
Already in some areas across the region temporary electricity cuts have been reported, but many fear the worst is yet to come.
In a statement posted on the UN's treaty website Tuesday night, United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said: "The statute will enter into force for the State of Palestine on April 1, 2015."
On Monday, ICC registrar Herman von Herbel confirmed that the body has received documents by Palestine declaring its acceptance of the body's jurisdiction, the Palestinian News Network (PNN) reports.
This paves the way for the court's investigation of Israeli crimes committed during the recent war on Gaza which killed over 2,000 people, mostly from the civilian population.
When Palestine accedes to the Rome Statute, the Hague-based court would be able to prosecute Israeli officials for crimes they have committed, over the past months, in Gaza and the West Bank.
The ICC started its work in early July of 2002, when the Rome Statute entered into force as the foundational and governing document. Currently, there are 122 states, which are party to the Rome Statute and, thus, members of the ICC.
The United States and Israel, along with Sudan, have said that they no longer intend to become states parties and, therefore, have no legal obligations arising from their former representatives' signature of the Statute.
Israel and the US are extremely angry about Palestine's attempt to join the ICC, with US officials calling the move "counter-productive". Israel has also halted the transfer of more than USD 120 million in taxes belonging to the Palestinians, in retaliation for their application to join the ICC, and have vowed collective punishment, Press TV also reported.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed the request to join the ICC after the United Nations Security Council rejected a Palestinian proposal for statehood on December 30.
On Monday, ICC registrar Herman von Herbel confirmed that the body has received documents by Palestine declaring its acceptance of the body's jurisdiction, the Palestinian News Network (PNN) reports.
This paves the way for the court's investigation of Israeli crimes committed during the recent war on Gaza which killed over 2,000 people, mostly from the civilian population.
When Palestine accedes to the Rome Statute, the Hague-based court would be able to prosecute Israeli officials for crimes they have committed, over the past months, in Gaza and the West Bank.
The ICC started its work in early July of 2002, when the Rome Statute entered into force as the foundational and governing document. Currently, there are 122 states, which are party to the Rome Statute and, thus, members of the ICC.
The United States and Israel, along with Sudan, have said that they no longer intend to become states parties and, therefore, have no legal obligations arising from their former representatives' signature of the Statute.
Israel and the US are extremely angry about Palestine's attempt to join the ICC, with US officials calling the move "counter-productive". Israel has also halted the transfer of more than USD 120 million in taxes belonging to the Palestinians, in retaliation for their application to join the ICC, and have vowed collective punishment, Press TV also reported.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signed the request to join the ICC after the United Nations Security Council rejected a Palestinian proposal for statehood on December 30.
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