By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
SvennoJ on 04 February 2024
Edit Thread

Smear campaign on Unwra continues

UNRWA is entangled with Hamas: Israel’s FM

Israel Katz claims on X that UNRWA “perpetuates the false narrative of Palestinian ‘refugees’ needing to return to Israel.” “We are actively working to disengage UNRWA from Gaza. They are a part of the problem and not a part of the solution,” he said. This comes after Israel alleged that several UNRWA staff were part of the October 7 attacks. Some states decided to halt funds to the UN agency pending an investigation.

Israel has provided no evidence to back UNRWA accusations: Lazzarini

UNRWA’s commissioner-general told the Financial Times (FT) that Israel has yet to provide evidence of its claims that about a dozen UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7 attacks. Philippe Lazzarini said although he was taking the allegations against the organisation seriously, he could not comment on the progress of the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services investigation.

The FT report said the intelligence assessment did not provide evidence for the claims, which include an accusation that a staff member kidnapped a woman. The claims have led 15 donor countries to withdraw their funding to the UNRWA, a move that Lazzarini said could lead to the UNRWA being forced to end lifesaving assistance and operations in the Gaza Strip by the end of February.

Limited clean water access puts thousands at risk in Gaza: UNRWA

The UN Agency for Palestine Refugees has said there is very limited access to clean water and sanitation amid relentless bombardment in Gaza. “The humanitarian crisis, antagonised by limited aid deliveries and destruction of infrastructure, puts thousands of vulnerable people at risk of disease,” the UNRWA said on X.

Humanitarian disaster at Al-Amal Hospital: Red Crescent

The PRCS says that after 14 days of continuous siege, food for displaced families has been depleted, and the quantity of fuel needed to operate the hospital is sufficient for only one week. “Some medical supplies and medicines are at zero stock, with a significant shortage of essential drugs for chronic diseases,” the Red Crescent says.

Israeli attack drones shoot at every moving object in Gaza City


An Israeli soldier releases a drone near the border with Gaza

More reports are emerging from Gaza City and the northern Gaza Strip where there are renewed air strikes and artillery shelling in the eastern part of the city in the Shujayea neighbourhood. In the western part of Gaza City, multiple attack drones are shooting at people and any moving objects.

So far, the situation is getting worse despite the talks about a possible ceasefire deal. A lot of people here in Rafah are hopeful because the last thing they want to see is the military operation expanded here. The displaced people have nowhere else to go from here. There is nothing but an Egyptian border to the south which they don’t want to cross as they fear a permanent displacement.

Israeli bombardment kills tens of people in Deir el-Balah

Heavy Israeli bombardment has hit Deir el-Balah, an overcrowded city in central Gaza where many are seeking refuge. The number of drones hovering in the skies has also increased here, after a few quieter days. One of the air raids has hit Al-Shuhada mosque, while two others have flattened family homes. The terrifying sound of bombing is relentless as ambulances rush to reach victims. We are hearing that there are tens of people killed and wounded.

Palestinian journalist recounts torture, ill-treatment during 33 days in Israeli detention

Diaa Al-Kahlout, a Palestinian journalist from Gaza working for Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper, has spoken about the constant torture and ill-treatment he was subjected to during his 33 days in Israeli detention. Al-Kahlout said he was denied medical treatment despite suffering from a herniated disk and was subject to physical and psychological violence, including six hours of “shabeh”, a torture method used by Israeli soldiers, which involves sensory isolation, sleep deprivation, and infliction of pain.

Palestinian doctor resumes work after 45 days in Israeli detention


Palestinian doctor Said Abdulrahman Marouf examines patients at Abu Yousef Al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah

Abdulrahman Marouf says Israeli forces subjected him to abuse during 45 days of captivity, including sleep deprivation and constant shackling and blindfolding, according to Reuters news agency. Dr Said Abdulrahman Maarouf, who was released last week, was working at al-Ahli al-Arab hospital in Gaza City when it was surrounded by Israeli forces in December. Maarouf’s arrest was the last moment he had news of his family, and he still does not know if they survived the onslaught as Israeli forces advanced into Gaza City under an intense artillery barrage.


At least 14 Palestinians arrested overnight in West Bank

Israeli forces have arrested at least 14 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank since Saturday evening, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society. The group said the arrests, which also targeted former prisoners, mainly took place in the cities of Qalqilya and Nablus, but also in Tulkarem, Ramallah and Jenin.

The total number of Palestinians arrested since October 7 rose to 6,512, the group added.

Death toll in Gaza goes up

At least 27,365 Palestinians have been killed and 66,630 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, the Palestinian Health Ministry says. Almost 130 of them were killed in the last 24 hours, it added. In addition, at least 382 people have been killed in Israeli army and settler attacks across the occupied West Bank.

Israeli army officials admit staff was behind graphic Gaza Telegram channel

The Israeli army has been operating an unofficial psychological warfare Telegram channel called “72 Virgins – Uncensored” that regularly dehumanised Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Israeli publication Haaretz. On the channel, Palestinians were called “cockroaches” and graphic videos were posted to celebrate their mutilation, maiming, killing and humiliation, the publication reported.