Israel and Islamic Jihad agreed to an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire ending the seize that lasted several days. The death toll from the Israeli assault on Gaza rose to at least 44, including 15 children. More than 300 people have been injured.
United Nations (UN) Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland expressed his “deep concern” over the attack on Gaza. “I am deeply concerned by the ongoing escalation between Palestinian militants and Israel, including the targeted killing of a Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader inside Gaza,” he said, condemning the Israeli assassination of Islamic Jihad commander Tayseer Al-Jaabari.
The UN envoy continued: “The progress made is gradually opening Gaza since the end of the May [2021] escalation risks being undone, leading to even greater humanitarian needs at a time when global resources are stretched, and international financial support for a renewed humanitarian effort in Gaza will not be easily available.”
“The UN is fully engaged with all concerned in an attempt to avoid a further conflict which would have devastating consequences, mainly for civilians. The responsibility is with the parties to avoid this from happening.”
Ziad Nakhaleh, Palestinian resistance leader and Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, announced a ceasefire in the Israeli aggression on Gaza and the Palestinian resistance’s response. This statement made clear that the Palestinian prisoners are at the heart of the battle and of the Palestinian resistance and that the unity of the Palestinian people in all areas of geography could never be undermined or disrupted by 75 years of colonization.
In particular, Nakhaleh emphasized that the resistance had imposed its conditions, specifically for the protection of the Palestinian prisoners. Nakhaleh emphasized that if the occupation violates these conditions, the resistance will not hesitate to return to the battle by all means to liberate these imprisoned Palestinian strugglers. The Palestinian resistance, taking up arms, taking to the streets, rising up by all forms, defends and protects Palestinian life, from the massacres of the occupation warplanes and the violent raids of mass arrest and political incarceration.
Human Rights Groups have also condemned the Israeli attack on Gaza and the killing of Palestinians, including a woman and children. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) posted on Twitter: “Gaza has been under illegal siege for fifteen years – creating inhuman conditions for the inhabitants, more than half of whom are children.” The PSC described the Israeli bombing of Gaza as “barbaric” and reiterated it is a “violation of international law.” The PSC blamed the UK, which does not impose sanctions on Israel, but regularly approves military technology and arms exports to it.
Defense for Children International accused Israel of targeting: “Densely populated civilian areas with complete disregard for the international laws.”
Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network salutes the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and the courage and dedication of the Palestinian resistance in the deep level of sacrifice and struggle undertaken to confront the policy of arrest and assassination raids throughout occupied Palestine. “We emphasize that this is not a time to bring our popular mobilization and pressure to an end but rather to continue and escalate. We must make it clear to the Israeli occupation regime that the resistance is not alone and that the people of the world demand the implementation of these achievements of the resistance, the liberation of these Palestinian prisoners”.
Samidoun also says that the Israeli occupation regime and the Egyptian state — which is complicit in the blockade of Gaza for over 15 years and normalizes with the occupier — cannot be trusted, and all of our vigilance must continue to ensure the liberation of Awawdeh and al-Saadi, the achievements of the Palestinian resistance gained through selfless struggle and deep sacrifice.
These crimes were backed throughout by the United States, Canada, European Union countries, Britain and other imperialist powers, who affirmed the colonizer’s nonexistent “right to defend itself” from a colonized people resisting mass incarceration, targeted assassinations and indiscriminate massacres. The reactionary normalizing Arab regimes continued their collaboration with the occupier, even as the Arab people throughout the region made clear that Palestine was and remains the compass for all people in the region to achieve justice and liberation. The Palestinian Authority continued to engage in “security coordination” and imprison political detainees for their role in the resistance with the occupation even as it made press statements criticizing Israeli crimes.
Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network emphasizes the need to build on the achievements and sacrifices of the Palestinian people and their steadfast Resistance, affirming that the Palestinian prisoners are at the heart of the liberation struggle. We must not lessen our efforts, but rather escalate our organizing and action to free Khalil Awawdeh, Bassam al-Saadi, and all of the 4,700 Palestinian resistance leaders and strugglers for freedom locked up behind Zionist bars, who continue to point the way forward to the liberation of Palestine from the river to the sea.
Leave a Reply