PLO: Over 485,000 People Now Displaced in Gaza

(PNN/WAFA) “A temporary ceasefire of 72 hours has been reached. Minutes before the ceasefire went into effect on Monday midnight, Israeli occupation forces targeted Khan Younes killing at least 2 Palestinians and injuring several others. While the Israeli military troops are withdrawing from Gaza, Israel continues to maintain its occupation by controlling maritime borders, sea space and also Gaza’s connection with the rest of Occupied Palestine,” the report further stated.

“Israel continues to deliberately target civilians. Since July 8th Israeli Forces have killed over 1940 people (including at least 467 children, 243 women and 87 elderly) and injured over 9890 people (including at least 3009 children, 1912 women and 359 elderly). At least 16,735 buildings cannot be inhabited and another 41,420 buildings have been damaged. At least 277 schools have been damaged by Israeli attacks; including: 141 government schools and 136 UNRWA schools...

“Over 485,000 people began to return to their areas of residence, in many cases to find their homes completely destroyed or simply not fit for living. There is no safe place for civilians in Gaza. Public and private sectors, including schools (governmental, UNRWA and private), places of worship, hospitals, ministries, heritage sites, factories, agricultural areas, fisheries and farms among others were all targeted and extensively damaged. Many of those who returned to their homes are fleeing once again due to the resumption of the attacks.”

Note: As of January 2014, there were approximately 5.4 million Palestinians registered as refugees in various parts of the world. Palestinians now make up the largest refugee group in the entire world.

According to the Palestinian News Network (PNN), the PLO’s Negotiations Affairs Department underscored that “Israeli disregard to the lives of Palestinians have resulted in the killing of hundreds. Instead of learning from previous experiences, some countries gave green light to Israeli forces to bombard and invade the Gaza Strip,” further stating:

“The international community has the legal and moral responsibility to protect the Palestinian population living under Israeli occupation and to hold Israel accountable regarding its severe violations of the international humanitarian law. Lack of accountability will continue to fuel Israeli atrocities and crimes. Lack of international action will continue to increase the list of people killed...

“The international community must hold Israel responsible for its crimes.”

For statistics regarding the latest casualties and destruction by Israel in Gaza, as detailed in the report, please refer to the original PNN article.


Related Link(s): "Gazans Again Fleeing to UN Schools as Israeli Strikes Resume" http://www.imemc.org/article/68805