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400,000 citizens face the horrors of starvation and forced displacement in northern Gaza

400,000  citizens face the horrors of starvation  and forced displacement in northern Gaza

For 377 days, the occupation state is still committing the crime of genocide against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and for the thirteenth consecutive day, the Israeli occupation continues to commit the most heinous crimes in the northern Gaza Strip, where it has imposed its tight military blockade on the areas of Jabalia, Jabalia camp, Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun. The Ministry of Health has so far announced the death of nearly 400 martyrs, including about 80 bodies still lying in the streets, and the occupation prevents access to them. Anyone who tries to retrieve the bodies is at risk of being targeted. In addition, there is an unknown number of missing persons still under the rubble as a result of the policy of bombing houses on the heads of their inhabitants.

In addition to the criminal record of hundreds of wounded, the occupation forces some citizens to follow illegal forced displacement orders under the threat of death,  50,000 citizens were immediately displaced from their homes, while a suffocating siege was imposed on those who remained, intending to starve them. At the same time, the occupation forces deliberately deprived them of treatment and health services, by targeting health workers, health facilities, ambulances, and civil defense. IDF forces even went so far as to target the “Al-Yaman Al-Said Hospital”, taking it out of service, killing and wounding those inside it, including doctors, nurses, patients and displaced persons. They are also threatening the “Kamal Adwan Hospital” with the need to evacuate. Kamal Adwan Hospital is the most important and largest medical center that provides health services to northern Gaza, although it suffers from a severe shortage of all medical supplies. All those who currently receive treatment in this hospital, especially premature babies, are on the verge of death due to the occupation's blockade of the north, which prevents the entry of aid and medical supplies.

The occupation also deliberately targets journalists. The press helmet and protective shield have flagrantly made journalists an easy target to prevent them from reporting on the horrors committed against citizens and their properties in the north. Many journalists have been martyred or injured at the very sight of the world without any reaction whatsoever. The occupation is targeting journalists in a direct attempt to silence them and prevent them from documenting their crimes or providing their affidavits and evidence for the prosecution of the occupation state in international courts. Internationally, the occupation continues to enjoy impunity and has not been held to account.

With regard to infrastructure and citizens’ property, the occupation destroyed the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which is one of the most prominent stations for the distribution of aid, without any regard for the legal status of the United Nations institutions established by international will. The occupation also deliberately destroyed seven water wells, in addition to destroying sewage networks, main roads, official headquarters, the premises of some civil institutions, sports clubs, schools, and communication networks. It further closed with sand berms all entries and exits to the mentioned areas, In addition to placing explosive barrels next to citizens' homes and detonating them without any regard for their lives, in order to blow up as many homes and residential structures as possible, specifically in the western area of Jabalia camp. The occupation has continued – until the writing of this statement – to target every moving object, thus imposing house arrest on everyone who remained in their homes. It does not allow Gazans to try to survive and imposes death as their only available option, either by the bullets of the drones that never leave the skies of residential neighborhoods, or by artillery shelling or fighter jets that continue to demolish houses on the heads of their inhabitants or by bombing houses with explosive barrels, or dying of hunger and thirst.

Considering these atrocities that are committed before the eyes of a silent world, and in the absence of any serious effort to hold the occupation accountable for its crimes that aim to eliminate any Palestinian presence on the land, we reiterate what follows:

    • All countries must take urgent and concrete measures to immediately stop the genocidal crime practiced by the occupation against the Gaza Strip.
    • All countries must stop supplying weapons to the Israeli occupation army, and all countries and their officials must refrain from providing any political cover for the crimes committed.
    • Urgently demand the opening of a humanitarian corridor and ensure the entry of medical and food aid convoys to northern Gaza, under international supervision, with measures to ensure their arrival without being targeted by the occupation forces.
    • The need to prevent the occupation from continuing its plan to displace Palestinian citizens from their lands, especially northern Gaza.
    • Stop the deliberate targeting of medical staff and facilities to prevent them from carrying out their humanitarian duty, and oblige the occupation to facilitate their work.
    • Prevent the occupation from continuing to target journalists, punish it for its crimes against journalists and prevent impunity.
    • Allow humanitarian and medical aid to enter the northern Gaza Strip on a daily basis under UN supervision, without any restrictions or conditions.
    • Allow for the urgent repair of infrastructure to enable citizens to have access to water and sanitation services at the very least.
    • Hold the occupation accountable for its crimes, in accordance with the requirements of international law and international humanitarian law.

 

Signatory organizations:

Coalition for Integrity and Accountability- AMAN

Bisan Center for Research and Development

Qader for Community Development

Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)

Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC)

Filastiniyat – Ramallah

The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary (Istiqlal)

The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (Musawa)

Women’s Center for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC)

Teacher Creativity Center

Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (Miftah)

Human Rights and Democracy Media Center (Shams)

Hurryat Center for the Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights

Al-Haq Institute

 

 

 

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