Photo essay: A dark night in Gaza

Published in the Electronic Intifada with Photo slides:

http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article9990.shtml

Over the past few weeks, Israel has tightened its inhumane siege of the Gaza Strip's 1.5 million residents. Ignoring international appeals, Israel closed all border crossings with Gaza thereby preventing basic supplies from entering the tiny coastal strip. This included industrial fuel for Gaza's sole power plant leaving roughly one million people without power as well as food supplies for the UN Agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, despite the call by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to end the siege.

The recent power blackout has pervaded every Palestinian house. Several hospitals have been forced to suspended surgeries and medical treatment. Today, at Shifa hospital, Gaza's largest medical center, one of the generators stopped working leaving parts of the hospital without power. In addition, prices of alternative sources of fuel have increased dramatically and are unaffordable to most in the impoverished Strip.

Without power, Palestinian homes and farms do not have access to fresh water, forcing Gazans to travel long distances for potable water. Moreover, sewage water is not being treated and officials fear that it will leak into and contaminate groundwater wells, spreading disease across Gaza.

On Saturday, 22 November, I toured Gaza City and authenticated the bleak reality of people through my camera. The dark streets further demonstrating the physical and spiritual fatigue experienced by Palestinians, now enduring the 18th month of Israel's siege while the world remains indifferent to their suffering.

Sameh A. Habeeb is a photojournalist, humanitarian and peaceactivist based in Gaza, Palestine. He writes for several news websites on a freelance basis.

Gaza Strip, Palestine

Mob: 00972599306096

Tel: 0097282802825

E-mail: Sam_hab@hotmail.com

Sameh.habeeb@gmail.com

Skype: Gazatoday, Facebook: Sameh A. habeeb

Web: http://www.gazatoday.blogspot.comdaily/

Photos:http://picasaweb.google.com/sameh.habeeb

Gaza Challenges siege by Songs and Music

Part of Palestinian non-violent resistance, International Palestinian Campaign to end Gaza Siege in PNGO is preparing a music concert on Thursday. The concert is a brand-new way to lift the siege imposed in Gaza strip a year and half ago.

The concert would be performed by Palestinian youths who are victims of siege. Amongst, the performers there would be young children as well. They will sing in both Arabic and English language in protest of Israeli cruel policy against 1.5 trapped gazans.

Organizers say that this concert aims at sending a message to the free world that Palestinians seek peace. It is a message to highlight on the great suffering experienced by people and to spot the light on Israeli violations which hit all life aspects in Gaza.

The concert would include around 7 songs and musical pieces performed by only Palestinians. National songs would be sang and a kind of fun is being planned to be drawn on the faces of depressed and frustrated faces of Gazans.
Dana, 11, a child who would take part in the concert says, " I want to sing for peace, for my family, siblings and friends. I hope I can have peace and freedom. I don't want more people to die."

The concert is organized in partnership with Italian solidarity group "Peace Action" in a symbolic sign to protest the Israeli siege and occupation. A website would be released during the concert and would be a linkage for next concerts.
International Palestinian Campaign to end Gaza Siege in PNGO is planning sets of actions to end Israeli siege and considers this initiative as the one part only.

The concert comes up through hard time of flaming siege and violence in Gaza. Israel has completely closed border points and crossings and blocked UNRWA services to for 750.000 civilians.

It's remarkable that Israeli policy of unlawful collective punishment has always had its serious impact on the lives of the Palestinian civilians. Collective punishment is expressly forbidden under international humanitarian law

Gaza: A Dire life Zone Still Clings to Hope

Gaza: A Dire life Zone Still Clings to Hope


Gaza Strip, 20, Nov, 2008- Following Israeli raids that killed around 15 Palestinians within one week, many rockets were fired into Israel in a reprisal of Israeli’s provocation. As usual Israel started to blame Palestinians despite it was the one who initiated with violence again. The Israeli assault was an obvious breach of an agreed calm held with Palestinian fighting groups 5 months ago. It has provoked some Palestinians to fire some light rockets into Israel. Afterwards, Israel started a new phase of collective punishment and began more violent prevocational measures against 1.5 million people.

With the last Israeli maneuvers’ of tightening the siege imposed on Gaza, more life necessities vanished. The key power plant shut down 8 days ago and resulted in tremendous direful outcomes. More than 75% of the Gaza strip faces severe power cuts and some other areas completely plunged into darkness.

Power cuts and daily blackouts resulted in hindering of all facilities depending on power. The remaining power shares provided by Israel and Egypt are not enough to cover the whole costal strip. Pumped fresh water is not reaching all living places, farms and central water wells. Sewage and treatment water machines are halted. Additionally around 40 million tons of sewage water leaked into the Mediterranean contaminating it and damaging fish resources.


It was a due on Israel to open commercial crossings completely during the calm. But, Israel didn't abide by that condition as she partially opened them. But within the last week; Israel totally closed them causing a huge humanitarian crisis. According to UNRWA, around 750,000 of its beneficiaries don't get their devoted share of food parcels. With the Israeli ban on UNRWA aid, it is ensuring that a dire humanitarian crisis will occur within days. As UNRWA is also under siege from assisting Palestine in humanitarian causes, long time projects such as housing are halted to the loss of $350 million.

Yesterday, wheat and flour mills in Gaza announced inability of continuing work and feared starvation would be a factor in Palestine if the closure lasts much longer. Today, some hospitals partially stopped working due to power cuts and medical shortages. Tomorrow for sure will bring another crisis if closure lasts more.


The people of Gaza are outraged by the Israeli collective punishment. I spoke to some Gazan residents and I observed some differences amongst them. Mr. Muhammad who refuses to identity his full name said that this siege is unjust and it's a way to pressure on people to give up their rights.

"We have been patient for 60 years now. We passed more cruel time than this. Thus, why to give up this year. We have to be adamant and patient and the siege will be lifted eventually." Mr. Muhammad said.

I spoke to a jobless resident from Al Shati' refugee camp. Mr. Khalil Barakat, who is in his mid 50’s, says he is outraged by this siege. "I'm fed up; bored I feel we are caged like animals in Gaza. If I could get a chance to immigrate to live my remaining years in peace, then I would love to." He said with anger.

Accidentally, I met old friend of mine, Um Muhammad Abu Ouf; a mother in her twenties. It was good for me to explore her views about the siege as well. As a Mother and a female, her perspective is most important. We met at 6 pm at AL Omar al Moktar Street which was plunging into deep darkness.

She had her outstanding comments about siege. I asked: How badly you are affected by siege?

"Well, the siege became a daily nightmare midday and night. Electricity cuts off and that frightens my 11-month infant. It makes conditions unsafe for him. Further, I'm trying to get some fortified food for him. I went to many stores and shops but in vain. I could not find any food nor needed supplies for my son as there is a shortage in a lot of the basic products needed to care for infants' such as milk, diapers and so forth”.

I spoke to Hatem Shurab; an International Relief Worker. Hatem is a siege victim who lost a scholarship of training in the U.S lately. Despite that, he seemed to be optimist in contrary to the majority here. Hatem is currently preparing a music concert along with his friends.

His view was quite interesting and brand-new, Hatem stated "I'm trying to highlight on people's suffering through music. We try to end siege through our voices and to tell those who don't like to watch news what's going on. On the 27th of November they might know the suffering of Gazans through songs as we are doing a concert. Regardless of pain, we will sing for Gaza." Hatem with smiling face said.

However, Hatem is somewhat worried about the current status of Gaza. He needs to have his concert on time and to give Gazan a glimpse of hope and some fun. His concerns rise up that more violence could ignite.

Israeli defense Ministry announced today that Gaza crossings would remain closed until further notice. Gazans are to expect more mayhem as time advances. Meanwhile, Om Muhammad is still desperate to have food for her baby, while Hatem is determined to have his music concert on time. But the decisive element for them would surely rely on the rival parts in the region.

--

Sameh A. Habeeb, B.A.

Photojournalist & Peace Activist

Humanitarian, Child Relief Worker

Gaza Strip, Palestine

Mob: 00972599306096

Tel: 0097282802825

E-mail: Sam_hab@hotmail.com

Sameh.habeeb@gmail.com

Skype: Gazatoday, Facebook: Sameh A. habeeb

Web: www.gazatoday.blogspot.com

Daily Photos:http://picasaweb.google.com/sameh.habeeb

Gaza in crisis: Israel turns away UN food convoy at border; blackouts as power plant shuts down

Gaza – Ma’an – Israel went back on a pledge to ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip on Thursday, turning away critical deliveries of fuel and food at the borders for the seventh consecutive day.

In reneging on its pledge, Israel blocked delivery of United Nations food aid intended for 750,000 Palestinians.

Gaza was plunged into darkness as the territory’s only power plant shut down at 6:00pm local time due to a lack of fuel. Just before dark, Palestinans went into the streets in a frantic search for candles and bread.

As night fell, sirens sounded accross the Gaza Strip in protest of the closure.

Earlier in the day, 20 European consuls who planned to visit Gaza were turned away at the Erez border crossing. Aid workers were also denied entry to the Strip and medical patients were prevented from entering Israel for treatment.

John Ging, the director of UN operations in Gaza, warned of an impending “humanitarian disaster” if Israel continues to bar food and other supplies from the territory.

“We cannot describe the situation in the Gaza Strip except as a terrible and terrifying one. There are 750,000 refugees who depend on what we offer them in food supplies. Israel is preventing us from distributing these supplies,” he told Ma’an.

Ging said UN food storehouses are nearly empty. He said the Israeli closure, in that it punishes civilians, is a violation of international law.

Pledge reversed

On Wednesday Israel had pledged to allow minimum shipments of fuel and 33 truckloads of food into Gaza.

Ra’ed Fattouh, coordinator of the border crossings department in the Palestinian government in Gaza, said that his agency was informed by Israel on Wednesday evening its intention to open the Kerem Shalom crossing to allow the 33 truckloads of food to cross.

However, the trucks were turned away at 1pm Thursday afternoon.

Eight of the trucks contained sesame oil, milk and canned meats intended to be shipped to UNRWA, the UN’s relief agency for Palestinian refugees, which is responsible for feeding 750,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

UNRWA announced earlier this week that its food program would be forced to shut down if food was not delivered by Friday.

Nine of the trucks contained dairy products and six contained frozen meat, also sent by humanitarian organizations.

Blackouts

Member of Parliament Jamal Al-Khudari, the Chairman of the Popular Committee Against the Siege said that the Gaza Strip’s sole power plant would shut down at 6:30pm local time on Thursday due to a lack of industrial fuel.

Al-Khudari said that the resulting power cuts would also disrupt critical health, water, and sanitation services, endangering the health and life of thousands of Gaza residents.

The power plant was already shut down for two days this week because of the fuel blockade, leaving hundreds of thousands in darkness.

Al-Khudari held a candle-light press conference in Gaza just after sunset, condemning Israel's punishment of the civilian population of Gaza as a violation of international law.

Bakeries shutting down

Bakeries will likely shut down on Thursday because of a lack of cooking gas due to the blockade, said Abdel Nasser Al-Ajrami, the head of the Bakeries’ Owners’ Federation in Gaza.

Al-Ajrami told Ma’an that that 13 bakeries out of 30 in the association have already shut down.

He noted that each bakery has its own emergency supplies of gas which could last a few more days, but many have already run out.

Al-Khudari, at his press conference, said that the remaining bakeries would likely shutdown with the beginning of the blackouts.