Gaza aid deliveries should go on despite tumulties-Diepresse.com
According to the Palestinian rescue worker, there were three deaths when a distribution center was stormed. In the contested coastal strip, the despair of people continues.
The distribution of relief goods in the contested Gaza Strip by a new foundation should continue despite the initial tumult. This was shared by the Gaza Humanitrian Foundation (GHF) after reports about the Storming of a distribution center and looting with, According to the Palestinian information, there are said to have been several dead and many injuries. Trucks with other relief goods are to drive into the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the delivery quantities are larger every day.
After the opening of the GHF Center in the south of the densely populated area – a total of four centers are planned – according to Israeli media reports and eyewitnesses, there were chaotic scenes. U.S. wax people therefore emitted warning shots that people had broken out in panic. Palestinian rescue workers later reported that three people were killed by shots by the Israeli army and dozens were injured. The army initially did not comment on the incident.
The foundation announced that in view of the large rush at the distribution center in Rafah, the GHF team had withdrawn selectively « to allow a small number of Gaza residents to take relief goods in a safe way and to disperse again ». The team adhered to the security protocol to prevent victims. The normal work was then resumed.
Foundation complains of disabilities by Hamas
In view of a month -long blockade of relief goods by Israel, which had recently been relaxed, the desperate location of many people has worsened again in the contested coastal strip. In the area populated by around two million Palestinians, which is largely destroyed, there is a lack of food, drinking water, medication and almost all things in everyday needs.
According to the will of the Israeli government, the GHF should in future be responsible for the distribution of the relief goods. So far, around 8,000 food packages have been distributed, the foundation said. Each package can feed about five to six people for three and a half days. A total of 462,000 meals. However, due to disabilities by the Islamist Hamas, there were several hours of delay in delivery.
Hamas using a new distribution method: « Total failure »
After the incident, the Hamas media office announced that the mechanism initiated by Israel to distribute relief goods was a « total failure ». The Interior Ministry controlled by the terrorist organization had previously called up the residents of the Gaza Strip to boycott the new distribution mechanism.
With the distribution strategy supported by the United States, the Israeli government claims to prevent Hamas from branching and resold deliveries for its own purposes, in order to then pay fighters and weapons. UN representatives say that Israel has not submitted any evidence of this.
The four GHF distribution centers in the south and in the center of the Gaza Strip are to be operated by US security companies. Israel wants to deal with the UN and other international helpers so aid organizations.
Netanyahu speaks of « current loss of control »
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on Tuesday evening of a « current loss of control » in the distribution of the aid goods. « We brought it back under control, » he said in a speech. Further centers will be opened.
« The idea is basically to take the looting of humanitarian aid as a war instrument and to give it to the population, » says Netanyahu. The aim is to « have a sterile zone in the south of Gazas in which the entire population can move to their own protection ».
Many Palestinians fear a new wave of flight and displacement from the Gaza Strip, similar to during the war in the course of the foundation of Israeli in 1948 and during the 1967 Six Day War. On Israel’s approach in the coastal area, where dozens of deaths are reported as a result of Israeli attacks.
Foundation boss resigned shortly before the help started
The US government welcomed the newly launched distribution of relief goods in the Gaza Strip – and at the same time went at a distance to the foundation behind it. The spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry, Tammy Bruce, emphasized that the GHF does not speak for the GHF. Criticism of the United Nations and international aid organizations that the foundation is not independent and acted in the interests of Israel, Bruce called « regrettable ». It is « the height of the hypocrisy » to complain about who brings the help or how it is organized.
The United Nations (UN) and other international aid organizations boycott the foundation of the controversial GHF organization, which is to help people in the Gaza Strip on behalf of the United States. According to the aid organizations, the Foundation undergrow the principle that humanitarian aid should be distributed regardless of the parties to the conflict and as required.
« Humanitarian aid must not be politicized or militarized, » said Christian Cardon, main spokesman for the International Committee from the Red Cross. In New York, the UN spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, told reporters that the UN and their partners had a solid auxiliary plan « to provide help to the desperate population », and that Israel allow them to help them, but with many obstacles.
Shortly before starting the help, GHF chairman Jake Woods – a US military veteran – resigned. According to reports, he did not consider it possible to implement the plan developed under his leadership and at the same time maintain « the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence ». (APA/dpa/Reuters)
