UN: Humanitarian Crisis Worsening in Gaza

[Nothing1234 2]

The UN has said that there is an "a worsening and an increasingly alarming" humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

John Holmes, the UN humanitarian chief, told reporters on Monday that officials believed as many as 25 per cent of the 548 people killed in the fighting were civilians and that Gaza's health system, overwhelmed by the more than 2,500 injured, was "increasingly precarious".

"This is, in our view, a humanitarian crisis," Holmes said. "It's very hard for me to see any other way you could describe it, given the conditions in which the population are living."

Holmes added that "cluster munitions are being used", and that it was "a fair presumption" that most of the civilians killed were women and children. He also said there were fears that the humanitarian situation would further deteriorate as the strip, home to 1.5 million people, was suffering from acute shortages of fuel, food and medical supplies.

Israeli leaders have maintained that there is no humanitarian crisis for the Palestinians living in the densely populated territory, and that they have been keeping border crossings open and are delivering vital supplies.

Several times last week, Tzipi Livni, the Israeli foreign minister, denied there was a humanitarian crisis.

She said in Paris on Saturday that Israel had been careful to protect civilians and there was no need for a humanitarian truce, since there was no humanitarian crisis.

Iyad Nasr of the Red Cross in Gaza City said Israel's offensive against Gaza had worsened the hardships created by the Israeli blockade over the last 18 months.

"The size of the operations and the size of the misery we are seeing here on the ground is just overwhelming," he said.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleea...4547963392.html

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

The UN has said that there is an "a worsening and an increasingly alarming" humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.

John Holmes, the UN humanitarian chief, told reporters on Monday that officials believed as many as 25 per cent of the 548 people killed in the fighting were civilians and that Gaza's health system, overwhelmed by the more than 2,500 injured, was "increasingly precarious".

:blink: :blink:

[doodlebugg 10]

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I posted this on my blog earlier today, but I think it bears repeating:

In Imam Nawawi’s collection of 40 ahadith, we find that our beloved Prophet (saws) said:

“When any one of you sees anything that is disapproved, let him change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his heart, though that is the weakest faith.”

Do you see it?

With your hand, change it. In a recent SP class, we were talking about figurative and literal meanings. The Prophet (saws) told his wives that the ones with the longest hands would be the first to join him. The wives thought he meant literally who had the biggest hands, and measured against each other. In the end, the first wife to pass on was the one who had given the most in charity. She had stretched her hand out to give charity, making it the longest. Use your hands to reach into your bank account and give. Islamic Relief must have some access, because we received a letter from them yesterday saying they had delivered $130,000 worth of medical supplies within the first 48 hours. With your hand, change it.

With your tongue, change it. Write a letter to the editor. Write your representative and/or senator. With your tongue, change it.

With your heart, change it. Make abundant dua. Turn to Allah (swt) and rely on Him, because He is the one who will change these conditions. Our Lord! Bestow on us Mercy from Thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way! [18:10]. With your heart, change it.

[doodlebugg 10]

I posted this on my blog earlier today, but I think it bears repeating:

In Imam Nawawi’s collection of 40 ahadith, we find that our beloved Prophet (saws) said:

“When any one of you sees anything that is disapproved, let him change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his heart, though that is the weakest faith.”

Do you see it?

With your hand, change it. In a recent SP class, we were talking about figurative and literal meanings. The Prophet (saws) told his wives that the ones with the longest hands would be the first to join him. The wives thought he meant literally who had the biggest hands, and measured against each other. In the end, the first wife to pass on was the one who had given the most in charity. She had stretched her hand out to give charity, making it the longest. Use your hands to reach into your bank account and give. Islamic Relief must have some access, because we received a letter from them yesterday saying they had delivered $130,000 worth of medical supplies within the first 48 hours. With your hand, change it.

With your tongue, change it. Write a letter to the editor. Write your representative and/or senator. With your tongue, change it.

With your heart, change it. Make abundant dua. Turn to Allah (swt) and rely on Him, because He is the one who will change these conditions. Our Lord! Bestow on us Mercy from Thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way! [18:10]. With your heart, change it.

Rahma,

Thank you so much for this! I hope you don't mind but I posted it in another forum as well as sending it of via email to all the people I think will do some good action here. I swear everytime I'm in a religious funk you pull me out of it without even asking!!!

[UmmSqueakster 54]

If you could, please post a link to my blog, although if it's a salafi site, it may get deleted. I think they don't let me link to my blog on islamway sisters, but I haven't had any trouble yet with LI. JazakAllah khair.

[doodlebugg 10]

If you could, please post a link to my blog, although if it's a salafi site, it may get deleted. I think they don't let me link to my blog on islamway sisters, but I haven't had any trouble yet with LI. JazakAllah khair.

I did and it was egyptsearch so no problems.

[Nita&Assaad 0]

[morocco4ever 63]

I posted this on my blog earlier today, but I think it bears repeating:

In Imam Nawawi’s collection of 40 ahadith, we find that our beloved Prophet (saws) said:

“When any one of you sees anything that is disapproved, let him change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his heart, though that is the weakest faith.”

Do you see it?

With your hand, change it. In a recent SP class, we were talking about figurative and literal meanings. The Prophet (saws) told his wives that the ones with the longest hands would be the first to join him. The wives thought he meant literally who had the biggest hands, and measured against each other. In the end, the first wife to pass on was the one who had given the most in charity. She had stretched her hand out to give charity, making it the longest. Use your hands to reach into your bank account and give. Islamic Relief must have some access, because we received a letter from them yesterday saying they had delivered $130,000 worth of medical supplies within the first 48 hours. With your hand, change it.

With your tongue, change it. Write a letter to the editor. Write your representative and/or senator. With your tongue, change it.

With your heart, change it. Make abundant dua. Turn to Allah (swt) and rely on Him, because He is the one who will change these conditions. Our Lord! Bestow on us Mercy from Thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way! [18:10]. With your heart, change it.

Does anyone know for sure that if we donate to the Islamic Relief Society that we will not have our husbands deported, and we will not be charged with funding terrorists?

[doodlebugg 10]

I posted this on my blog earlier today, but I think it bears repeating:

In Imam Nawawi’s collection of 40 ahadith, we find that our beloved Prophet (saws) said:

“When any one of you sees anything that is disapproved, let him change it with his hand. If he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his tongue. And if he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his heart, though that is the weakest faith.”

Do you see it?

With your hand, change it. In a recent SP class, we were talking about figurative and literal meanings. The Prophet (saws) told his wives that the ones with the longest hands would be the first to join him. The wives thought he meant literally who had the biggest hands, and measured against each other. In the end, the first wife to pass on was the one who had given the most in charity. She had stretched her hand out to give charity, making it the longest. Use your hands to reach into your bank account and give. Islamic Relief must have some access, because we received a letter from them yesterday saying they had delivered $130,000 worth of medical supplies within the first 48 hours. With your hand, change it.

With your tongue, change it. Write a letter to the editor. Write your representative and/or senator. With your tongue, change it.

With your heart, change it. Make abundant dua. Turn to Allah (swt) and rely on Him, because He is the one who will change these conditions. Our Lord! Bestow on us Mercy from Thyself, and dispose of our affair for us in the right way! [18:10]. With your heart, change it.

Does anyone know for sure that if we donate to the Islamic Relief Society that we will not have our husbands deported, and we will not be charged with funding terrorists?

Time will tell...I'll let ya know! Actually I would be the one charged since I put it on my account. I wonder if they have laptops in prison.

here's some info:

http://www.irw.org//aboutus

Islamic Relief USA is a non-profit 501©(3) humanitarian organization, incorporated in the state of California in 1993. As an international relief and development organization, Islamic Relief strives to alleviate the poverty and suffering of the world's poorest people. Since its establishment, Islamic Relief has expanded greatly with permanent locations in more than 35 countries worldwide.

Islamic Relief operates a wide variety of projects, including education and training, water and sanitation, income generation, orphan support, health and nutrition, and emergency relief.

In addition to its international relief and development projects, Islamic Relief also operates domestic projects to help disadvantaged communities right here in the United States. Some of Islamic Relief’s domestic projects have included: homeless feedings, toy fairs for children, financial assistance, healthcare in underserved areas, the annual ‘Day of Dignity’ program, providing food, medical care, hygiene kits, clothes, blankets, and more to homeless and underserved communities across the United States, and more. Islamic Relief’s largest and most comprehensive domestic relief project was in response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in the Gulf Coast. Islamic Relief provided over $3 million in aid to help hurricane victims.

Islamic Relief Worldwide is a member of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (special category), and is a signatory to the Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief. It is committed to implementing the Code of Best Practice in the Management and Support of Aid, as stated by “People In Aid.” Islamic Relief Worldwide always aims to meet U.N. standards in all of the projects it implements.

For five years in a row, Islamic Relief USA has been recognized as a 4-star charity by Charity Navigator, its highest rating. This prestigious award puts Islamic Relief among the top 3% of charities in the nation.

Islamic Relief’s work has been mentioned in several national and international media outlets, including CNN, the BBC, PBS, “ABC World News Tonight,” the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, the Washington Post, USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Houston Chronicle, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, San Diego Union-Tribune, and many more.

Edited January 8, 2009 by humpkinpumpkin

[UmmSqueakster 54]

I've been donating to Islamic Relief for many years and have complete confidence in them. The husband has donated to them since he's come and he's been a-ok as well. The government has investigated them and has found nothing. They're transparent in their operations, and outside non muslim charity rating services have consistently given them high marks. They're the only non local muslim charity I donate to.

[UmmSqueakster 54]

The UN is suspending relief operations in Gaza.

The BBC is carrying a diary of an Islamic Relief Worker. According to their latest update, they're still offering aid.

[Nothing1234 2]

http://www.adc.org/

They have an GAZA attacks resource center that you can check latest news and actions you can take to make your voice heard.

Over 763 Dead including 219 Children, 89 Women, 12 paramedics and Over 3,100 Injured, including 46% Women and Children. 12 Mosques Destroyed...

[tanyakaraman 0]

From Yahoo News today...makes me so sad

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090108/ap_on_...el_palestinians

UN, Red Cross curtail Gaza aid, criticize Israel

The U.N. and the Red Cross curtailed aid shipments in the Gaza Strip on Thursday after accusing Israeli forces of firing on their drivers, killing one. The threat of a wider conflict arose when militants in Lebanon fired two rockets into northern Israel.

One rocket crashed into a retirement home, but there were no serious injuries. Israel responded with mortar shells.

During a three-hour pause in the fighting to allow in food and fuel and let medics collect the dead, nearly three dozen bodies were found beneath the rubble of bombed out buildings in Gaza City.

Many of the dead were in the same neighborhood where the international Red Cross said rescuers discovered young children too weak to stand who had stayed by their dead mothers. The aid group accused Israel of an "unacceptable" delay in allowing workers to reach the area.

Relations between Israel and humanitarian organizations have grown increasingly tense as civilian casualties have mounted.

The United Nations demanded an investigation after Israel earlier this week fired shells at a target next to a U.N. school filled with Gazans seeking refuge from fighting that has left nearly 750 Palestinians dead, according to Palestinian hospital officials and human rights workers. Israel said militants had launched an attack from the area, and then ran into a crowd of civilians for cover. Nearly 40 Palestinians died.

"We've been coordinating with them (Israeli forces) and yet our staff continue to be hit and killed," said a U.N. spokesman, Chris Gunness, announcing the suspension. The U.N. is the largest aid provider in Gaza.

Israeli police, meanwhile, said militants in the Gaza Strip fired 24 rockets into Israel on Thursday, injuring four people, one of them seriously. Militants fired larger numbers of rockets in the early days of the conflict.

The Israeli military said one soldier attached to a tank battalion was killed by gunfire in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

Twelve Israelis, including nine soldiers, have died since the Dec. 27 beginning of the offensive against the Hamas militants in charge of Gaza, meant to halt years of Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israel. But with roughly half the Palestinian dead believed to be civilians, international efforts to broker a cease-fire have been gaining steam.

Israeli envoys traveled to Egypt on Thursday to discuss the proposal being brokered by France and Egypt and now backed by the U.S.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said any time lost will play into the hands of those who want war.

"The weapons must go quiet, the escalation must stop, Israel must obtain security guarantees and leave Gaza," he said in Paris.

The U.N. provides food aid to around 750,000 Gaza residents — about half of Gaza's population — and runs dozens of schools and clinics throughout the territory. They have some 9,000 locally employed staffers inside Gaza, and a small team of international staffers who work there.

Elena Mancusi Materi, UNRWA's spokeswoman in Geneva, said the suspension concerned all truck movement in Gaza.

"If someone comes to one of our food distribution centers, we will give that person food," she said. "If people come to our clinics with injuries, we will treat them."

For a second straight day, Israel suspended its Gaza military operation for three hours to allow in humanitarian supplies. Shortly before the pause took effect, however, the U.N. said one of its aid trucks came under fire from a gunner on an Israeli tank, killing the driver.

U.N. spokesman Adnan Abu Hasna said the U.N. coordinated the delivery with Israel, and the vehicle was marked with a U.N. flag and insignia when it was shot in northern Gaza. The Israeli army said it was investigating.

In Geneva, the international Red Cross said it would restrict its aid operations to Gaza City for at least one day after one of its convoys came under Israeli fire at the Netzarim crossing during the three-hour lull in fighting Thursday. One driver was lightly injured.

Dr. Moaiya Hassanain of the Palestinian Health Ministry said 35 bodies were discovered Thursday during the three-hour pause in fighting in several areas around Gaza City that have seen fierce fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas militants.

He said it was unclear how many militants were killed because the remains were in poor condition, but that women and children were among the dead. Hassanain said 746 Palestinians have died in Israel's 13-day offensive.

Many of the dead found Thursday were in Gaza City's Zeitoun neighborhood, where the international Red Cross said it found four small children alive next to their mothers' bodies in the rubble of a home hit by Israeli shelling. The aid group says a total of 15 dead were recovered from two houses in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City on Wednesday.

A Red Cross spokesman says rescuers had been refused permission by Israeli forces to reach the site for four days. It said the delay in allowing rescue services access was "unacceptable."

The Red Cross statement was a rare public criticism from the aid group, which normally conducts confidential negotiations with warring parties.

The Israeli military said in a statement that Hamas militants used Palestinian civilians as human shields, and that Israeli forces work closely with international aid groups to help civilians during the fighting in Gaza.

In other Gaza violence, Israel killed at least 12 people, including the U.N. driver and three people who were fleeing their homes, according to Palestinian medical officials.

The rockets from Lebanon raised the specter of renewed hostilities on Israel's northern frontier, just 2 1/2 years after Israel battled the Hezbollah guerrilla group to a 34-day stalemate. War broke out between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 as Israel battled Palestinian militants in Gaza, on Israel's southern borders.

No group claimed responsibility. Lebanon's government condemned the attack, and Hezbollah — which now plays an integral role in Lebanon's government — denied any responsibility for the rocket fire, which lightly injured two Israelis at a retirement home.

"The rocket entered through the roof, hurling the water heaters into the air. It went through bedrooms upstairs and then into the kitchen," said Henry Carmelli, the home's manager.

Israel has repeatedly said it was prepared for a possible attack on the north since it launched its bruising campaign against Hamas militants in Gaza, to the south. Israel has mobilized thousands of reserve troops for such a scenario, and leaders have warned Hezbollah of dire consequences if it enters the fighting.

"We are prepared and will respond as necessary," Defense Minister Ehud Barak told reporters.

The Israeli offensive has reduced Palestinian rocket fire, but not stopped it altogether. Several barrages were reported Thursday, including one strike that damaged a school and sports center in the southern city of Ashkelon, police said. Both buildings were empty.

For Israel to accept a proposed cease-fire deal, "there has to be a total and complete cessation of all hostile fire from Gaza into Israel, and ... we have to see an arms embargo on Hamas that will receive international support," said government spokesman Mark Regev.

For its part, Hamas said it would not accept a truce deal unless it includes an end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza — something Israel says it is not willing to do. Israel and Egypt have maintained a stiff economic embargo on Gaza since the Hamas takeover.

[me_4_musa 1]

This is nothing new or surprising. The killing of innocent civilians did not begin 2 weeks ago. Where was the shock and outrage in 2006 when all 7 members of the same family were slaughtered on the beach in Gaza. Where was the outrage when 19 Palestinians were killed and 40 injured in the shelling of a home in Beit Hanoun, Gaza. Israel did apologize and explained it was a “technical malfunction”. During the Lebanon Israeli war Israel bombed and destroyed a UN observer post killing peacekeepers. Israel expressed “deep regret” for the deaths. This is just a tiny example of what they have done. The list goes on and on. Nothing Israel does surprises me anymore.

What’s happening today in Gaza will just be swept under the rug just as everything else Israel has gotten away with.