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Nine university students kidnapped in Gaza

3 July 2007


On Monday morning, 2 July 2007, nine students of the Islamic University in Gaza were kidnapped by militants from the “Army of Islam” in response to the abduction of one of its leaders by the Executive Force. According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:30 on Monday, 2 July 2007, a number of militants from the “Army of Islam” raided a house near al-Salam Mosque in al-Sabra neighborhood in Gaza City and kidnapped a number of members of the Student Council of the Islamic University who live in the house. 

UNHCR calls for evacuation of seriously ill Palestinian children

3 July 2007


BAGHDAD, 2 July 2007 (IRIN) - The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has called for an immediate evacuation of at least a dozen seriously ill Palestinians, mostly children who are stuck in Baghdad and in a makeshift camp on the Iraq-Syria border. The agency said the children could die if they are not evacuated. “We currently have 12 cases in urgent need of medical evacuation, the youngest just 15 months old. Without evacuation and life-saving medical help, they could die or suffer lifelong complications,” UNHCR spokesperson Ron Redmond said on 29 June. 

Al Jazeera interviews EI's Ali Abunimah

Laila El-Haddad 3 July 2007


For nearly 20 years, the two-state solution has been promoted as the agreed framework for negotiations and ultimately peace to end the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. But two decades on, it has failed to bear fruit. Co-founder of the Electronic Intifada and author of the book, One Country: A Bold Proposal to End the Israeli-Palestinian Impasse, discusses his book with Al Jazeera’s Laila El-Haddad. 

Concern for Gaza patients who cannot go abroad for treatment

2 July 2007


JERUSALEM, 2 July 2007 (IRIN) - Many Palestinian patients in the Gaza Strip have been unable to access health care and advanced medical treatment since 9 June, when the Rafah crossing to Egypt was closed. The medical infrastructure in Gaza is not able to provide certain services to its residents, including many types of surgery, and the Palestinian ministry of health refers patients to hospitals in countries such as Egypt and Israel. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2003 some 7,844 cases were referred abroad, of which 62.5 percent were sent to Egypt for treatment via Rafah. 

Economic siege of Gaza leading to humanitarian crisis

2 July 2007


PCHR is gravely concerned for the tightened siege imposed on the Gaza Strip by Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) through the closure of all border crossings, including the Rafah International Crossing Point on the Egyptian border. PCHR warns of the consequences of the policy of collective punishment practiced against the Palestinian civilian population. PCHR calls upon all states and all humanitarian organizations to immediately take steps to pressurize IOF to allow the normal flow of basic supplies into the Gaza Strip to avoid an imminent crisis. 

Declaration from Palestinian Popular Conference preparatory meeting

3 July 2007


More than 50 Palestinians from across the United States gathered in Chicago June 15-17, 2007, for an organizing meeting to prepare for the US Popular Palestinian National Conference, a conference that includes the broadest sectors of the Palestinian community in the US, scheduled to coincide with the 60th anniversary of al-Nakba. The organizing focused on realizing the objectives of establishing a network that will act as an open arena where Palestinians residing in the US will come together, regardless of their organizational or political affiliation. 

Consolidation of Jerusalem annexation continues with the Light Rail

2 July 2007


An international tender was issued in 2000 for preliminary qualification for the construction and operation of the first line of the Light Rail Transportation system. As early as 2001, land belonging to Palestinians in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Shu’fat was confiscated by the Jerusalem Municipality for the future light rail. Utilities work was completed in 2005, and on 17 July 2005, two French companies signed an agreement with the Israeli government. 

New Israeli air strikes on Gaza kill seven

1 July 2007


The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) launched two air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip yesterday. Two attacks targeted a metal workshop in the middle Gaza refugee camp of al-Maghazi, killing four Palestinians and destroying the workshop. Earlier, another attack targeted a car in south Gaza’s town of Khan Younis, killing three. According to the Center’s initial investigations, at approximately 8:10pm on Saturday, 30 June 2007, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at a metal workshop in the al-Maghazi Refugee Camp when the owners and workers were inside it. 

Volvo: Symbol of safety or human rights abuses?

Adri Nieuwhof 2 July 2007


The automotive manufacturer Volvo writes on its website that is has the vision of being “the most desired and successful premium car brand by creating the safest and most exciting car experience,” and “choosing a car is about the comfort and safety of your passengers, most especially your children.” However, the Palestinian people in Israel, including the Bedouins, and the occupied territories might have another view on Volvo, whose vehicles were used by Israel to destroy the homes of Bedouin villagers in the Naqab (Negev). Adri Nieuwhof reports for EI. 

Lebanese army fires on nonviolent demonstration, kills two

Rania Masri 29 June 2007


Today, during the second day of a three-day peaceful protest in the Palestinian refugee camp of Baddawi in solidarity with Palestinian refugees from Nahr al-Bared, the Lebanese army opened fire on the protesters in Baddawi refugee camp, killing two people and injuring 25, seven critically. A peaceful protest began within the Baddawi Palestinian refugee camp in north Lebanon. The protesters had signs reading “Nahr al-Bared is in our soul” and “Nahr al-Bared, we won’t forget you.” The protesters were calling for an end to the violence.