5 mar 2015
Deputy Foreign Minister of Norway Bard Pedersen called on the Israeli authorities to open the border crossings with Gaza and to permit the entry of construction materials into the Strip as well as allowing commercial traffic.
At the same time, Pedersen called on the international donors to abide by their pledges for Gaza reconstruction.
In a news conference held in Gaza on Thursday, Pedersen stressed the need, now more than ever, for taking an urgent action to accelerate the reconstruction process.
The Norwegian official revealed that both Foreign Ministers of Norway and Egypt are writing to the donor countries asking them to abide by their pledges for Gaza reconstruction.
The Deputy Foreign Minister said that “the State of Norway is working on supporting the Palestinian Authority and is keen on the arrival of reconstruction funds in the Gaza Strip”.
Pedersen stressed the need to draw the attention of the international community to what is happening in the Israeli besieged Gaza Strip, again demanding to open the Gaza border crossings and to facilitate the entry of construction materials.
The Norwegian chief diplomat reached the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning through “Erez” crossing on a few-hour visit. He had a look at the devastation caused by last summer’s Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip where he also met with UN and Palestinians officials.
At the same time, Pedersen called on the international donors to abide by their pledges for Gaza reconstruction.
In a news conference held in Gaza on Thursday, Pedersen stressed the need, now more than ever, for taking an urgent action to accelerate the reconstruction process.
The Norwegian official revealed that both Foreign Ministers of Norway and Egypt are writing to the donor countries asking them to abide by their pledges for Gaza reconstruction.
The Deputy Foreign Minister said that “the State of Norway is working on supporting the Palestinian Authority and is keen on the arrival of reconstruction funds in the Gaza Strip”.
Pedersen stressed the need to draw the attention of the international community to what is happening in the Israeli besieged Gaza Strip, again demanding to open the Gaza border crossings and to facilitate the entry of construction materials.
The Norwegian chief diplomat reached the Gaza Strip on Thursday morning through “Erez” crossing on a few-hour visit. He had a look at the devastation caused by last summer’s Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip where he also met with UN and Palestinians officials.
Israeli soldiers, stationed across the border fence east of Gaza city, fired several smoke bombs and rounds of live ammunition, targeting Palestinian homes and agricultural lands.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) said the soldiers, stationed on military towers behind the fence, fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition, and smoke bombs, causing property damage but no injuries.
WAFA added that several armored Israeli military vehicles and tanks have been seen driving close to the border fence, and fired smoke bombs, while army helicopters hovered overhead.
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli navy ships opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats in Gaza territorial waters, northwest of Gaza city, shot and injured two fishers, and kidnapped four others.
The Palestinian News & Info Agency (WAFA) said the soldiers, stationed on military towers behind the fence, fired dozens of rounds of live ammunition, and smoke bombs, causing property damage but no injuries.
WAFA added that several armored Israeli military vehicles and tanks have been seen driving close to the border fence, and fired smoke bombs, while army helicopters hovered overhead.
Earlier on Thursday, Israeli navy ships opened fire on Palestinian fishing boats in Gaza territorial waters, northwest of Gaza city, shot and injured two fishers, and kidnapped four others.
A Palestinian official source said that two Palestinian fishermen suffered bullet injuries and three others were detained on Thursday morning when the Israeli occupation navy attacked them off the northern shores of the Gaza Strip.
The official source, who works for the Palestinian ministry of agriculture, told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the Israeli navy opened machinegun fire at the fishermen as they were working off the coast of al-Sudaniya area and wounded two of them, identified as Eid Mohsen and Ziyad Fahed.
He added that the naval forces confiscated a boat belonging to fisherman Mahmoud Zaidan and detained three others on board, pointing out that another fishing boat sustained damage in the gunfire attack.
The Israeli navy did not comply with the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement concluded between Israel and the Palestinian resistance on August 26, 2014, and it has committed, since then, many violations against fishermen and their boats.
This agreement includes allowing Palestinian fishermen to sail and fish within six nautical miles in the Gaza Sea; however, all Israeli attacks took place within these nautical miles, which proves that Israel deliberately tightens restrictions on Gaza fishermen and their livelihoods.
The official source, who works for the Palestinian ministry of agriculture, told the Palestinian Information Center (PIC) that the Israeli navy opened machinegun fire at the fishermen as they were working off the coast of al-Sudaniya area and wounded two of them, identified as Eid Mohsen and Ziyad Fahed.
He added that the naval forces confiscated a boat belonging to fisherman Mahmoud Zaidan and detained three others on board, pointing out that another fishing boat sustained damage in the gunfire attack.
The Israeli navy did not comply with the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire agreement concluded between Israel and the Palestinian resistance on August 26, 2014, and it has committed, since then, many violations against fishermen and their boats.
This agreement includes allowing Palestinian fishermen to sail and fish within six nautical miles in the Gaza Sea; however, all Israeli attacks took place within these nautical miles, which proves that Israel deliberately tightens restrictions on Gaza fishermen and their livelihoods.
4 mar 2015
Israeli navy boats fired, on Wednesday morning, rounds of live ammunition on a number of Palestinian fishing boats, in territorial waters in the Sudaniyya area, northwest of Gaza City.
Eyewitnesses said the navy attacked the fishing boats close to the shore, causing excessive damage, and forcing the fishers to sail back to the shore.
The Israeli navy frequently attacks Palestinian fishers and their boats in Gaza territorial waters, and in many cases while on shore.
The attacks led to excessive damage, in addition to scores of casualties and arrests.
On Monday morning, Israeli gunboats opened fire towards fishermen's boats in the Gaza Strip, this time off the coasts of Sudaniyya, and Khan Younis.
Eyewitnesses said the navy attacked the fishing boats close to the shore, causing excessive damage, and forcing the fishers to sail back to the shore.
The Israeli navy frequently attacks Palestinian fishers and their boats in Gaza territorial waters, and in many cases while on shore.
The attacks led to excessive damage, in addition to scores of casualties and arrests.
On Monday morning, Israeli gunboats opened fire towards fishermen's boats in the Gaza Strip, this time off the coasts of Sudaniyya, and Khan Younis.
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) raided Wednesday morning Palestinian lands to the east of Rafah, in southern Israeli-besieged Gaza Strip.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that four Israeli military bulldozers advanced into the southern Gaza Strip land for a limited distance estimated at 200 meters.
The Israeli bulldozers entered from Sofa military checkpoint, east of Rafah, and started leveling and razing farmers’ lands.
The IOF has been conducting incursions and bombardment targeting the eastern outskirts of the blockaded enclave despite signing a ceasefire agreement in August, 2014 following 51 days of brutal aggression.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that four Israeli military bulldozers advanced into the southern Gaza Strip land for a limited distance estimated at 200 meters.
The Israeli bulldozers entered from Sofa military checkpoint, east of Rafah, and started leveling and razing farmers’ lands.
The IOF has been conducting incursions and bombardment targeting the eastern outskirts of the blockaded enclave despite signing a ceasefire agreement in August, 2014 following 51 days of brutal aggression.
For more than five months, Yousuf Abu Odeh's boat was confiscated by the Israeli naval forces along with scores of other boats as part of the Israeli punitive policy against Gaza fishermen.
Abu Odeh told the PIC reporter: "My 22-meter-long launch trawler boat was confiscated by the Israeli naval forces on 22nd September and the fishermen who were on board were arrested including my son Muhammad. They were released later on and the boat was towed to a port under the Israeli control and remained confiscated until last week."
Economic suffering
According to Abu Odeh, confiscating the boat deprived 60 fishermen from their only source of income and worsened their economic conditions already exacerbated by the siege.
Abu Odeh was lucky enough to get his boat back, but there are scores of other fishermen still waiting for the release of their only way of making a decent living.
Two fishermen, Jihad and Sha'ban, said that the Israeli naval forces chased them, arrested them and confiscated their boats almost a year ago. They were released hours later but their boats are still confiscated until now, they added.
Confiscated boats
Engineer Jihad Salah from the Fisheries Department in the Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza affirmed in a statement to the PIC that the Israeli navy is currently detaining 65 "Hasaka Motor" fishing boats along with their fishing nets.
He charged that the Israeli occupation authority is adopting this policy to starve the fishermen and their families and to deny them their only source of income as part of its economic strangulation of Gaza economy.
Driving fishermen away from the sea
Nizar Ayyash, chairman of the Palestinian Fishermen Syndicate, said in a statement to the PIC that 65 to 75 "Hasaka Motor" fishing boats with their fishing nets have been confiscated.
He highlighted that the Israeli navy is carrying out many violations against the fishermen including shooting, killing, arresting, interrogating, torturing, and prohibiting fishing in the areas rich with fish other than confiscating boats.
Fifty thousands are under threat
Ayyash pointed out that for four years now; the Israeli navy has been confiscating boats and keeping them at Israeli ports, which lead to damaging the boats and their motors.
He recalled that there are about 3,500 fishermen in Gaza and the number of their families' members is more than fifty thousand.
The price of the small boat is about ten thousand dollars, and the big boats about 150 thousand dollars.
Abu Odeh told the PIC reporter: "My 22-meter-long launch trawler boat was confiscated by the Israeli naval forces on 22nd September and the fishermen who were on board were arrested including my son Muhammad. They were released later on and the boat was towed to a port under the Israeli control and remained confiscated until last week."
Economic suffering
According to Abu Odeh, confiscating the boat deprived 60 fishermen from their only source of income and worsened their economic conditions already exacerbated by the siege.
Abu Odeh was lucky enough to get his boat back, but there are scores of other fishermen still waiting for the release of their only way of making a decent living.
Two fishermen, Jihad and Sha'ban, said that the Israeli naval forces chased them, arrested them and confiscated their boats almost a year ago. They were released hours later but their boats are still confiscated until now, they added.
Confiscated boats
Engineer Jihad Salah from the Fisheries Department in the Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza affirmed in a statement to the PIC that the Israeli navy is currently detaining 65 "Hasaka Motor" fishing boats along with their fishing nets.
He charged that the Israeli occupation authority is adopting this policy to starve the fishermen and their families and to deny them their only source of income as part of its economic strangulation of Gaza economy.
Driving fishermen away from the sea
Nizar Ayyash, chairman of the Palestinian Fishermen Syndicate, said in a statement to the PIC that 65 to 75 "Hasaka Motor" fishing boats with their fishing nets have been confiscated.
He highlighted that the Israeli navy is carrying out many violations against the fishermen including shooting, killing, arresting, interrogating, torturing, and prohibiting fishing in the areas rich with fish other than confiscating boats.
Fifty thousands are under threat
Ayyash pointed out that for four years now; the Israeli navy has been confiscating boats and keeping them at Israeli ports, which lead to damaging the boats and their motors.
He recalled that there are about 3,500 fishermen in Gaza and the number of their families' members is more than fifty thousand.
The price of the small boat is about ten thousand dollars, and the big boats about 150 thousand dollars.
The Gaza Strip needs 130,00 housing units to shelter the hundreds of civilian families who have gone homeless since Israel’s latest offensive on the blockaded Strip, Palestinian Minister of Public Affairs and Housing, Mufeed al-Hassayna said.
Talking to the Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour during a stopover in Jordan on Tuesday, Hassayna raised alarm bells over the 7,000 homeless Palestinians sheltering in the UNRWA schools after they lost their homes in the Israeli aggression.
Hassayna briefed his Jordanian host on latest developments as regards delays in the rebuilding process and the huge discrepancies between Gaza’s needs and actual resources.
He further pointed out the reluctance maintained by the donor countries to dispatch the funds pledged in the Cairo Reconstruction Conference.
In a related development, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday, slammed the UN envoy to the Middle East, Robert Serry, for having failed to work out the reconstruction crisis in Gaza.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs voiced disappointment over what it described as a series of “misleading” statements released by Serry in an attempt to cover up breakdowns in his reconstruction agenda.
The ministry spoke out against Serry’s dragging of his feet regarding the need to gather funds from regional and international parties as a means to boost up the rebuilding process.
Spokesperson for the ministry, Ambassador Badr Abdel Ati, reiterated Egypt’s serious adoption of a pro-Palestine position and its unyielding back-up of Palestinians’ legitimate rights.
Talking to the Jordanian Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour during a stopover in Jordan on Tuesday, Hassayna raised alarm bells over the 7,000 homeless Palestinians sheltering in the UNRWA schools after they lost their homes in the Israeli aggression.
Hassayna briefed his Jordanian host on latest developments as regards delays in the rebuilding process and the huge discrepancies between Gaza’s needs and actual resources.
He further pointed out the reluctance maintained by the donor countries to dispatch the funds pledged in the Cairo Reconstruction Conference.
In a related development, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday, slammed the UN envoy to the Middle East, Robert Serry, for having failed to work out the reconstruction crisis in Gaza.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs voiced disappointment over what it described as a series of “misleading” statements released by Serry in an attempt to cover up breakdowns in his reconstruction agenda.
The ministry spoke out against Serry’s dragging of his feet regarding the need to gather funds from regional and international parties as a means to boost up the rebuilding process.
Spokesperson for the ministry, Ambassador Badr Abdel Ati, reiterated Egypt’s serious adoption of a pro-Palestine position and its unyielding back-up of Palestinians’ legitimate rights.
3 mar 2015
UNRWA Director of Operations in Gaza Robert Turner expressed his solidarity with the Palestinian refugees in the besieged Gaza Strip in light of the tragic living condition they are forced to experience.
This came during his meeting with representatives of Refugees Popular Committees and NGOs in addition to other key figures in the camps of Central Gaza on Monday in the UNRWA headquarters in Nusairat camp.
Turner disclosed that the rebuilding of the damaged houses in the Israeli-besieged Gaza Strip in full is beyond the control of UNRWA. He underlined that the agency has suspended cash assistance for tens of thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip due to a lack of funds.
He pointed out that the UNRWA continues asking the donors to abide by their pledges for Gaza reconstruction which they undertook in the latest Cairo conference.
Turner pointed to the youth and graduates issues, saying they live under very harsh conditions because of the Israeli siege which must be lifted.
“We must not make the people of Gaza hostages because of the current political situation which Israel is exploiting very well”, he added.
Turner promised to work on increasing distribution of aid to include new poor families and to find them jobs.
This came during his meeting with representatives of Refugees Popular Committees and NGOs in addition to other key figures in the camps of Central Gaza on Monday in the UNRWA headquarters in Nusairat camp.
Turner disclosed that the rebuilding of the damaged houses in the Israeli-besieged Gaza Strip in full is beyond the control of UNRWA. He underlined that the agency has suspended cash assistance for tens of thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip due to a lack of funds.
He pointed out that the UNRWA continues asking the donors to abide by their pledges for Gaza reconstruction which they undertook in the latest Cairo conference.
Turner pointed to the youth and graduates issues, saying they live under very harsh conditions because of the Israeli siege which must be lifted.
“We must not make the people of Gaza hostages because of the current political situation which Israel is exploiting very well”, he added.
Turner promised to work on increasing distribution of aid to include new poor families and to find them jobs.
Israeli soldiers fired, on Monday morning, rounds of live ammunition targeting a number of Palestinian farmers, in their own lands, east of Gaza City.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers, stationed on military towers across the border fence, fired live rounds and smoke bombs on Palestinian agricultural lands, in the Zeitoun and Sheja’eyya neighborhoods, in addition to Juhr Ed-Deek area.
They stated the farmers had to leave their lands, fearing harm and additional Israeli military escalation.
Israeli soldiers constantly attack farmers, and workers, in Palestinian lands close to the border fence, in the northern and eastern parts of the coastal region.
The attacks are largely accompanied by assaults on local fishers, and their boats, in Palestinian territorial waters, and even while docked on shore.
Eyewitnesses said the soldiers, stationed on military towers across the border fence, fired live rounds and smoke bombs on Palestinian agricultural lands, in the Zeitoun and Sheja’eyya neighborhoods, in addition to Juhr Ed-Deek area.
They stated the farmers had to leave their lands, fearing harm and additional Israeli military escalation.
Israeli soldiers constantly attack farmers, and workers, in Palestinian lands close to the border fence, in the northern and eastern parts of the coastal region.
The attacks are largely accompanied by assaults on local fishers, and their boats, in Palestinian territorial waters, and even while docked on shore.
2 mar 2015
The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, called Monday on Israel and Egypt to change their failed policies and adopt a ‘Gaza first’ strategy.”
Following his two-day visit to Gaza, Serry said in a statement that “Gaza is a political problem which must be addressed as part of ending the occupation and achieving a two-state solution.”
“I am convinced that there can be no peace without addressing Gaza’s needs first,” he underlined.
“I urgently call on all stakeholders, including… Palestinian factions, Israel, Egypt, the international community and donors, to change their failed policies and adopt a ‘Gaza first’ strategy.”
Moreover, Serry continued, the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip had rendered the area “more isolated than ever” due to the many restrictions still in place at Israeli crossings and with the Rafah crossing “practically closed.”
“We, in the UN, have always been in the forefront in calling for an end to the blockade as a prerequisite for a stable, functioning economy in Gaza. You also cannot have a stable, functioning economy without a more durable ceasefire and a recognized, legitimate and inclusive government leading Gaza’s recovery.”
The Egyptian army decided to close the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only terminal to the outside world, and to demolish the underground tunnels along the border since the ouster of the freely elected president Mohamed Morsi on early July 2013.
Serry, whose seven-year mandate is set to expire shortly, said he was encouraged that “some progress” towards the reconstruction of Gaza was being made but still lamented the “overall slow pace” of rebuilding.
“To date, over 72,000 people have been cleared to receive construction material… and around 55,000 have actually purchased material to rebuild their homes.”
“I fully understand the frustration of the people in Gaza,” the Special Coordinator declared. “Many of those who now have access to building materials lack the money to buy them or to carry out the works.”
He noted that only a small percentage of the $5.4 billion pledged at the Cairo Reconstruction Conference last October had been disbursed.
According to a recent UN assessment, as it stands now, over 100,000 homes were damaged or destroyed in Gaza during last summer’s 51-day Israel war on the blockaded Strip. The destruction affected more than 600,000 people and many still lack access to the municipal water network. Meanwhile, blackouts of up to 18 hours per day are common.
Following his two-day visit to Gaza, Serry said in a statement that “Gaza is a political problem which must be addressed as part of ending the occupation and achieving a two-state solution.”
“I am convinced that there can be no peace without addressing Gaza’s needs first,” he underlined.
“I urgently call on all stakeholders, including… Palestinian factions, Israel, Egypt, the international community and donors, to change their failed policies and adopt a ‘Gaza first’ strategy.”
Moreover, Serry continued, the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip had rendered the area “more isolated than ever” due to the many restrictions still in place at Israeli crossings and with the Rafah crossing “practically closed.”
“We, in the UN, have always been in the forefront in calling for an end to the blockade as a prerequisite for a stable, functioning economy in Gaza. You also cannot have a stable, functioning economy without a more durable ceasefire and a recognized, legitimate and inclusive government leading Gaza’s recovery.”
The Egyptian army decided to close the Rafah crossing, Gaza's only terminal to the outside world, and to demolish the underground tunnels along the border since the ouster of the freely elected president Mohamed Morsi on early July 2013.
Serry, whose seven-year mandate is set to expire shortly, said he was encouraged that “some progress” towards the reconstruction of Gaza was being made but still lamented the “overall slow pace” of rebuilding.
“To date, over 72,000 people have been cleared to receive construction material… and around 55,000 have actually purchased material to rebuild their homes.”
“I fully understand the frustration of the people in Gaza,” the Special Coordinator declared. “Many of those who now have access to building materials lack the money to buy them or to carry out the works.”
He noted that only a small percentage of the $5.4 billion pledged at the Cairo Reconstruction Conference last October had been disbursed.
According to a recent UN assessment, as it stands now, over 100,000 homes were damaged or destroyed in Gaza during last summer’s 51-day Israel war on the blockaded Strip. The destruction affected more than 600,000 people and many still lack access to the municipal water network. Meanwhile, blackouts of up to 18 hours per day are common.
Israeli gunboats again opened fire, Monday morning, towards fishermen's boats in the Gaza Strip, this time off the coasts of Sudaneya and Khan Younis.
Safa correspondence, according to Al Ray, said that the Israelis chased some fishing boats off the coast of Sudaneya and the Sea of Khan Younis, and fired at them, forcing them to fish near the coast.
He pointed out that the medical staff did not record any casualties among fishermen.
Gaza fishing boats are exposed to almost daily harassment from Israeli naval boats scattered along the coast of the Gaza Strip, causing injuries and casualties among fishermen and often damaging or confiscating their boats.
Safa correspondence, according to Al Ray, said that the Israelis chased some fishing boats off the coast of Sudaneya and the Sea of Khan Younis, and fired at them, forcing them to fish near the coast.
He pointed out that the medical staff did not record any casualties among fishermen.
Gaza fishing boats are exposed to almost daily harassment from Israeli naval boats scattered along the coast of the Gaza Strip, causing injuries and casualties among fishermen and often damaging or confiscating their boats.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it would take decades to rebuild the war-torn Gaza Strip if the reconstruction progress continued at its current slow pace.
Head of the Red Cross in Gaza Mamadou Sow stated in a recent report that six months after the Israeli war on Gaza, tens of thousands of its population continue to suffer, with little or no help to rebuild their lives.
"Without viable shelter and essential infrastructure, heavy winter storms at the end of 2014 and beginning of 2015 have further exacerbated the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip."
"Progress on reconstruction has been agonizingly slow, while the economic slowdown and damage to homes, and water and sanitation systems all combine to make the daily lives of Gazans extremely tough."
"Relief is being provided by the ICRC and Palestine Red Crescent, but it is not enough, and thousands are still struggling to cope. The impact of the conflict is still being acutely felt by civilians. It will take decades to rebuild Gaza, but right now our priority is to meet the urgent humanitarian needs."
Sow also explained the relief and aid efforts that the Red Cross had made in cooperation with the Red Crescent following the war.
"Immediately after the heavy fighting stopped, the ICRC and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) expanded their relief work to provide shelter and basic aid (food and cooking, hygiene and bedding items) for over 140,000 of the most vulnerable people."
"The ICRC has also made major repairs to water and electricity systems, restored almost half of the farmland to a state fit for farming, repaired damage to hospitals, and provided psycho-social support to exhausted emergency workers."
The ICRC also said it has recently completed its analysis of the overall humanitarian impacts of the war, focusing in particular on how the conflict was waged by both sides, pointing out that it shared its findings written in confidential reports with the concerned authorities.
In July last year, Israel waged a devastating war on Gaza for 51 days, during which its army massacred 2,311 Palestinians, wounded thousands, and destroyed entire neighborhoods and scores of homes.
Head of the Red Cross in Gaza Mamadou Sow stated in a recent report that six months after the Israeli war on Gaza, tens of thousands of its population continue to suffer, with little or no help to rebuild their lives.
"Without viable shelter and essential infrastructure, heavy winter storms at the end of 2014 and beginning of 2015 have further exacerbated the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip."
"Progress on reconstruction has been agonizingly slow, while the economic slowdown and damage to homes, and water and sanitation systems all combine to make the daily lives of Gazans extremely tough."
"Relief is being provided by the ICRC and Palestine Red Crescent, but it is not enough, and thousands are still struggling to cope. The impact of the conflict is still being acutely felt by civilians. It will take decades to rebuild Gaza, but right now our priority is to meet the urgent humanitarian needs."
Sow also explained the relief and aid efforts that the Red Cross had made in cooperation with the Red Crescent following the war.
"Immediately after the heavy fighting stopped, the ICRC and the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) expanded their relief work to provide shelter and basic aid (food and cooking, hygiene and bedding items) for over 140,000 of the most vulnerable people."
"The ICRC has also made major repairs to water and electricity systems, restored almost half of the farmland to a state fit for farming, repaired damage to hospitals, and provided psycho-social support to exhausted emergency workers."
The ICRC also said it has recently completed its analysis of the overall humanitarian impacts of the war, focusing in particular on how the conflict was waged by both sides, pointing out that it shared its findings written in confidential reports with the concerned authorities.
In July last year, Israel waged a devastating war on Gaza for 51 days, during which its army massacred 2,311 Palestinians, wounded thousands, and destroyed entire neighborhoods and scores of homes.
Secretary of State warns council over 'deeply concerning record on Israel', says it risks undermining its own credibility.
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday delivered a vigorous defense of Israel before the United Nations Human Rights Council, urging its members to end what he branded an "unbalanced focus" on Israel that could undermine its credibility.
His remarks came as the Obama administration attempts to blunt complaints that it has not been strong enough in its support for Israel, criticism now centered on its pursuit of a nuclear deal with Iran.
Even as a bitter US-Israel dispute over a possible Iran deal was expected to heat up in Washington later Monday, Kerry affirmed America's steadfast commitment to its top Mideast ally and called on the council to take a more balanced approach toward Israel.
In a speech denouncing rights abuses in places like Syria, North Korea and Ukraine, Kerry spent several minutes on what he called the council's "deeply concerning record on Israel."
"No one in this room can deny that there is an unbalanced focus on one democratic country," he said, decrying the fact that no country other than Israel has a permanent agenda item on the council's schedule. "It must be said the (council's) obsession with Israel actually risks undermining the credibility of the entire organization."
The council frequently targets Israel for criticism in resolutions and investigations, notably over military action it has taken against Palestinian militants in Gaza. A new report commissioned by the council about last year's Gaza war is expected to be released later this month.
Kerry and other US officials have said the Obama administration's commitment to Israel's defense is unbreakable. On Sunday, and again at the council on Monday, Kerry noted the administration has intervened to protect Israel from condemnation at the United Nations and other international forums several hundred times in the last two years.
"We will oppose any effort by any group or participant in the UN system to arbitrarily and regularly delegitimize or isolate Israel," he said. "When it comes to human rights no country on earth should be free from scrutiny but neither should any country be subject to unfair or unfounded bias."
Kerry noted in particular that the human rights council would this year consider a resolution sponsored by Syria denouncing Israel's conduct in the Golan Heights. Kerry said it made no sense to consider this when thousands of Syrians are fleeing to the Golan and many are getting medical treatment there from Israeli physicians.
Kerry's speech to the council was the first of several addresses on Monday that focus on the U.S.-Israel relationship. Later Monday in Washington, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, and President Barack Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are to speak to America's leading pro-Israel lobby. Netanyahu on Tuesday is to deliver a speech to a joint session of Congress, warning about the threat posed by Iran and arguing against a nuclear agreement that may result from the current negotiations.
The row over Netanyahu's speech to Congress has been waging since it was announced last month and is likely to continue after it has been delivered. Netanyahu arrived in the US on Sunday night, ahead of Tuesday's address, which is being skipped by dozens of Democratic lawmakers, among them Vice President Joe Biden.
Shortly after his speech in Geneva, Kerry was to resume nuclear negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the Swiss city of Montreux.
Those talks are expected to last through at least midday Wednesday, after which Kerry will travel to Saudi Arabia to discuss the talks with the country's new king and then to London where he will brief foreign ministers of the other Gulf Arab states. Both Israel and the Sunni Gulf Arabs have grave concerns about Shiite Iran's nuclear program.
US Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday delivered a vigorous defense of Israel before the United Nations Human Rights Council, urging its members to end what he branded an "unbalanced focus" on Israel that could undermine its credibility.
His remarks came as the Obama administration attempts to blunt complaints that it has not been strong enough in its support for Israel, criticism now centered on its pursuit of a nuclear deal with Iran.
Even as a bitter US-Israel dispute over a possible Iran deal was expected to heat up in Washington later Monday, Kerry affirmed America's steadfast commitment to its top Mideast ally and called on the council to take a more balanced approach toward Israel.
In a speech denouncing rights abuses in places like Syria, North Korea and Ukraine, Kerry spent several minutes on what he called the council's "deeply concerning record on Israel."
"No one in this room can deny that there is an unbalanced focus on one democratic country," he said, decrying the fact that no country other than Israel has a permanent agenda item on the council's schedule. "It must be said the (council's) obsession with Israel actually risks undermining the credibility of the entire organization."
The council frequently targets Israel for criticism in resolutions and investigations, notably over military action it has taken against Palestinian militants in Gaza. A new report commissioned by the council about last year's Gaza war is expected to be released later this month.
Kerry and other US officials have said the Obama administration's commitment to Israel's defense is unbreakable. On Sunday, and again at the council on Monday, Kerry noted the administration has intervened to protect Israel from condemnation at the United Nations and other international forums several hundred times in the last two years.
"We will oppose any effort by any group or participant in the UN system to arbitrarily and regularly delegitimize or isolate Israel," he said. "When it comes to human rights no country on earth should be free from scrutiny but neither should any country be subject to unfair or unfounded bias."
Kerry noted in particular that the human rights council would this year consider a resolution sponsored by Syria denouncing Israel's conduct in the Golan Heights. Kerry said it made no sense to consider this when thousands of Syrians are fleeing to the Golan and many are getting medical treatment there from Israeli physicians.
Kerry's speech to the council was the first of several addresses on Monday that focus on the U.S.-Israel relationship. Later Monday in Washington, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, and President Barack Obama's national security adviser, Susan Rice, as well as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are to speak to America's leading pro-Israel lobby. Netanyahu on Tuesday is to deliver a speech to a joint session of Congress, warning about the threat posed by Iran and arguing against a nuclear agreement that may result from the current negotiations.
The row over Netanyahu's speech to Congress has been waging since it was announced last month and is likely to continue after it has been delivered. Netanyahu arrived in the US on Sunday night, ahead of Tuesday's address, which is being skipped by dozens of Democratic lawmakers, among them Vice President Joe Biden.
Shortly after his speech in Geneva, Kerry was to resume nuclear negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in the Swiss city of Montreux.
Those talks are expected to last through at least midday Wednesday, after which Kerry will travel to Saudi Arabia to discuss the talks with the country's new king and then to London where he will brief foreign ministers of the other Gulf Arab states. Both Israel and the Sunni Gulf Arabs have grave concerns about Shiite Iran's nuclear program.
1 mar 2015
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) opened machinegun fire at agricultural lands to the east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip on Sunday morning.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that the IOF soldiers based on the borderline of the Israeli security fence fired machineguns at Palestinian farmers and bird hunters with no casualties reported.
Every now and then, the Israeli forces open indiscriminate fire and launch limited incursions into Gaza Strip, breaching the ceasefire agreement signed with Egyptian mediation late August.
Local sources told the PIC reporter that the IOF soldiers based on the borderline of the Israeli security fence fired machineguns at Palestinian farmers and bird hunters with no casualties reported.
Every now and then, the Israeli forces open indiscriminate fire and launch limited incursions into Gaza Strip, breaching the ceasefire agreement signed with Egyptian mediation late August.
The Israeli navy, Saturday, again opened machine gun fire on Palestinian fishermen offshore the al-Sudaniya, to the northwest of Gaza.
According to WAFA correspondence, Israeli naval boats indiscriminately opened heavy gunfire on fishermen sailing within the unilaterally-imposed six-nautical-miles fishing zone offshore al-Sudaniya, causing damages to at least one boat.
No injuries were reported among the fishermen who fled the scene for fear of being injured, killed, or arrested.
Israeli naval boats routinely open fire on Palestinian fishermen sailing within the six-nautical-miles zone and farmlands along the border, flagrantly violating the ceasefire deal.
Israel and the Palestinian factions inked a ceasefire deal on August 26, ending the latest 2014 summer deadly Israeli onslaught on Gaza that claimed the lives of over 2,200 people, overwhelmingly civilians.
The ceasefire deal stipulated that Israel would immediately ease the blockade imposed on the strip and expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore, and would continue to expand the area gradually.
Israel has, however, failed to do so, repeatedly violating the ceasefire deal through opening fire on Palestinian fishermen within the fishing zone and reducing their intake.
Continuing the Cairo-brokered talks on the other key issues was repeatedly postponed in the wake of November attacks against Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula.
Israel has imposed a tightened blockade since 2007, after Hamas won the democratic legislative elections and took over power in the Strip.
The current six-nautical-mile fishing zone falls drastically short of the twenty nautical miles allocated to Palestinian fishermen in the 1993 Oslo Accords.
According to WAFA correspondence, Israeli naval boats indiscriminately opened heavy gunfire on fishermen sailing within the unilaterally-imposed six-nautical-miles fishing zone offshore al-Sudaniya, causing damages to at least one boat.
No injuries were reported among the fishermen who fled the scene for fear of being injured, killed, or arrested.
Israeli naval boats routinely open fire on Palestinian fishermen sailing within the six-nautical-miles zone and farmlands along the border, flagrantly violating the ceasefire deal.
Israel and the Palestinian factions inked a ceasefire deal on August 26, ending the latest 2014 summer deadly Israeli onslaught on Gaza that claimed the lives of over 2,200 people, overwhelmingly civilians.
The ceasefire deal stipulated that Israel would immediately ease the blockade imposed on the strip and expand the fishing zone off Gaza's coast, allowing fishermen to sail as far as six nautical miles from shore, and would continue to expand the area gradually.
Israel has, however, failed to do so, repeatedly violating the ceasefire deal through opening fire on Palestinian fishermen within the fishing zone and reducing their intake.
Continuing the Cairo-brokered talks on the other key issues was repeatedly postponed in the wake of November attacks against Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai Peninsula.
Israel has imposed a tightened blockade since 2007, after Hamas won the democratic legislative elections and took over power in the Strip.
The current six-nautical-mile fishing zone falls drastically short of the twenty nautical miles allocated to Palestinian fishermen in the 1993 Oslo Accords.
28 feb 2015
Naji Abu Sabaleh 21
One man was killed and his brother wounded, Saturday afternoon, as a result of the explosion of a suspicious object in the airport area east of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.
According to the PNN, spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Dr. Ashraf, announced on his Facebook page that 21-year-old Naji Abu Sabaleh died today, and his brother Akram,18, was severely wounded on his face and abdomen.
Israeli artillery shells and bombs left over from the military offensive on Gaza that began on July 8 are countless and deadly dangerous.
Exactly one month ago, in January, a Palestinian minor was injured after a similar device went off in the Ein al-Hilwa area of the Jordan Valley.
One man was killed and his brother wounded, Saturday afternoon, as a result of the explosion of a suspicious object in the airport area east of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.
According to the PNN, spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Dr. Ashraf, announced on his Facebook page that 21-year-old Naji Abu Sabaleh died today, and his brother Akram,18, was severely wounded on his face and abdomen.
Israeli artillery shells and bombs left over from the military offensive on Gaza that began on July 8 are countless and deadly dangerous.
Exactly one month ago, in January, a Palestinian minor was injured after a similar device went off in the Ein al-Hilwa area of the Jordan Valley.
Truce violations List of names Pictures of martyrs
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