Sunday, 11 May 2025
No Result
View All Result
eudebates.tv
  • EU Policies
  • World
  • Special Debates
  • Events
  • Vote & Polls
eudebates.tv
No Result
View All Result

Hamas fights Israel in Gaza and death toll of civilian casualties climbs

EUdebates Team by EUdebates Team
15/05/2021
in Middle East
Reading Time: 6 mins read
0
Israel Jerusalem The Dome of the Rock - Arabic قبة الصخرة‎ Qubbat al-Sakhrah - Hebrew כיפת הסלע‎ Kippat ha-Sela
128
SHARES
1.3k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

Join EU debates

Middle East: Tensions in Israel could escalate to a ‘full-scale war’

EU debates and supports the future of Syria and the region

Syria: Grim 10-year anniversary of ‘unimaginable violence and indignities’

Syria war: Average of one child injured or killed every eight hours

The UN Secretary-General on Friday issued an urgent appeal for all parties involved in this week’s escalation of violence in the occupied Palestinian enclave of Gaza, and Israel, to “immediately cease the fighting”, or risk creating an “uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis”.

“The ongoing military escalation has caused great suffering and destruction”, said a statement issued on behalf of António Guterres by his Spokesperson. “It has claimed scores of civilian lives, including, tragically, many children. The fighting has the potential to unleash an uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis and to further foster extremism, not only in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, but in the region as a whole. “

Middle East: Tensions in Israel could escalate to a ‘full-scale war’

Secretary-General @antonioguterres appeals to all parties to immediately cease the fighting in Gaza and Israel.

The parties must allow for mediation efforts to intensify with a view to ending the fighting immediately: https://t.co/M9OWjPBfiZ

— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) May 14, 2021

UN ‘actively involved’ in mediation- Gaza Violence must stop!

The UN chief called for meditation efforts to intensify and said the UN was “actively involved in such efforts”, which are also key to maintaining the lifesaving flow of aid to Gaza. The UN humanitarian affairs coordination office (OCHA) also raised the alarm on Friday over the continued escalation of violence, noting that civilians on both sides were bearing the brunt.

According to latest news reports, the day has seen the most intense exchanges of the week between Israeli Defense Forces and that of the militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza. The enclave continues to be bombed by Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire, while Hamas rocket barrages continue into Israel.

Casualty figures issued by the UN late on Friday, indicated that according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, 119 Palestinians had been killed and 869 injured. The death toll in Israel, has risen to nine, with hundreds injured, based on official data and media reports. The UN Security Council announced that it will convene on Sunday for an open meeting to discuss the worsening situation. Diplomatic efforts are reportedly underway in the region, to negotiate an end to the spiralling violence.

10,000 flee in Gaza as deadly Israeli air strikes pound Gaza

In a statement, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in the region, Lynn Hastings, said some 10,000 Palestinians had fled their homes in Gaza, with limited access to water, food, hygiene, and health services. Hospitals and access to water and sanitation services depend on electricity, the fuel for which will run out on Sunday, she added.

“The Israeli authorities and Palestinian armed groups must immediately allow the United Nations and our humanitarian partners to bring in fuel, food, and medical supplies and to deploy humanitarian personnel. All parties must always adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws”, she said.

‘Extensive damage’ – Gaza Violence must stop!

“Civilians are suffering”, spokesperson Jens Laerke told journalists earlier, at a media briefing in Geneva, noting that extensive damage has been reported to civilian property in densely populated areas all across the Gaza Strip, with over 200 housing units destroyed or severely damaged.

Growing #humanitarian crisis in #Gaza. Now 10,000 displaced within Gaza. Israeli and Palestinian authorities must allow humanitarian relief and access. READ my statement here: https://t.co/rIpBOIRZoW pic.twitter.com/7EcVttILgw

— Lynn Hastings (@LynnHastings) May 14, 2021

There are also reports of hundreds of people, many from refugee camps in Gaza, seeking safety and shelter in schools run by UNRWA, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, especially in the northern Gaza Strip.

Humanitarian response affected

While humanitarians continue to deliver assistance on the ground, it has been “significantly restricted” by the prevailing insecurity, Mr. Laerke added. He noted also that Israeli authorities had closed the Erez crossing in the north of the Gaza Strip on 10 May, including for humanitarian workers, as well as the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south, a crucial channel for goods and fuel into the enclave.

“Given the limited fuel reserves, Gaza’s sole power plant”, is running “on only two of its four turbines, resulting in rolling daily power cuts of 8-12 hours”, he said. Mr. Laerke stressed it was “critical” that fuel for the power plant enters regularly to ensure basic services function. “Without further provision, fuel is due to run out in the coming days. This will cause significant reduction in electricity supply, again impacting the availability of health, water and sanitation services”.

UNFPA warning over ‘already strained’ health system

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) said in a statement that it was “alarmed by the number of civilian casualties, including children and women caused by the current escalation”, calling for end to the destruction of health facilities, schools, and homes across Gaza. The UN sexual and reproductive health agency in the region said the struggling health sector was already strained “after years of protracted crisis further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic with a 20% increase in active cases in April alone”.

There are currently some 210,000 pregnant and lactating women in Palestine, according to UNFPA. And around 365 women give birth every day – 150 in Gaza, 215 in West Bank. “Our immediate priority is to ensure safe delivery for these women and their babies”, said UNFPA’s Arab States Regional Director, Dr. Luay Shabaneh.

He called on all parties to stop the fighting, “to ensure the full protection of civilians and the safety of Palestinian and Israeli women and adolescent girls, ensure maternity wards are fully operational and equipped with designated operating rooms and sufficient staff, ensure the availability of essential supplies for safe delivery, and implement emergency referral mechanisms”.

Josep Borrell urges Israelis and Palestinians to prevent broader conflict.

The European Union’s foreign policy chief on Wednesday called for an immediate end to violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories.

Josep Borrell Fontelles

The grave escalation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the major upsurge in violence in and around Gaza, must stop. This follows days of tension and clashes in Jerusalem, including at the holy sites and increasing violence in towns in Israel and the West Bank.

The EU is dismayed at the large numbers of civilian deaths and injuries, including children. The priority must be to protect civilians. All efforts should be directed at avoiding civilian casualties, and supporting de-escalation.

The indiscriminate launching of rockets from Hamas and other groups towards Israeli civilians is unacceptable.

While recognising Israel’s legitimate need to protect its civilian population, this response needs to be proportionate and with maximum restraint in the use of force.

The EU calls for an immediate end to the ongoing violence. Everything must be done to prevent a broader conflict, which will, first and foremost, affect the civilian populations on both sides. In Jerusalem, the status quo at the holy sites must be respected and freedom of worship guaranteed.

I am in contact with the relevant parties in the region and with the international community, including through the Middle East Quartet, to de-escalate the situation as a matter of priority and to support efforts aimed at ending further violence.

Gaza violence must stop

Share this debate with your friends!
Follow #eudebates on Google News and on Facebook
Tags: guns violenceIsraelJosep Borrell FontellesMiddle EastMiddle East SecurityPalestinePeacePeace DealViolence and harassmentwar
Share51Tweet32

Related EU debates

Temple Mount Haram al-Sharif Jerusalem Israel
Middle East

Middle East: Tensions in Israel could escalate to a ‘full-scale war’

12/05/2021
Josep Borrell Fontelles
Middle East

EU debates and supports the future of Syria and the region

30/03/2021
Syria: Grim 10-year anniversary of ‘unimaginable violence and indignities’
Middle East

Syria: Grim 10-year anniversary of ‘unimaginable violence and indignities’

16/03/2021
child in war in Syria
Middle East

Syria war: Average of one child injured or killed every eight hours

14/03/2021
Yemen remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis
Middle East

Syrian crisis ‘remains a living nightmare’ for more than ten years

11/03/2021
International Criminal Court ICC
Middle East

ICC Prosecutor opens probe into alleged crimes in occupied Palestine

07/03/2021

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

SOTEU 2022 - State of the Union speech

Watch State of the Union live: Ursula von der Leyen gives 2022 address #SOTEU

14/09/2022
Volunteers preparing food for Ukrainian refugees arriving at Berlin Central Station

EU steps up solidarity with refugees fleeing Ukraine

08/03/2022
pump jack oil diesel

REPowerEU to get rid of the dependencies of Russian fossil fuel

08/03/2022
Ursula von der Leyen President of the European Commission

EU sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine

26/02/2022
Finnish PM Sanna Marin

Finland: NATO membership ‘will change’ after Russian invasion

24/02/2022
NATO - EU joint Press Conference

EU responds to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with massive sanctions

24/02/2022
  • Social Media Facebook twitter

    DeleteFacebook? What is the best Facebook european alternative?

    268 shares
    Share 107 Tweet 67
  • Travelling in Europe with COVID19 country colour travel code zones

    238 shares
    Share 95 Tweet 60
  • Why don’t Mediterranean boat migrants take the plane? Why don’t refugees fly?

    222 shares
    Share 89 Tweet 56
  • EU nasty and vindictive? Nigel Farage criticizes EU vaccines strategy

    202 shares
    Share 81 Tweet 51
  • Burkini Debate: To Ban or Not to Ban the Burkini, Burka and Niqab in EUROPE?

    193 shares
    Share 77 Tweet 48

Join eudebates newsletter!

Enter your email to receive our newsletter.

Don't worry, we don't spam
eudebates_logo

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • Watch State of the Union live: Ursula von der Leyen gives 2022 address #SOTEU
  • EU steps up solidarity with refugees fleeing Ukraine
  • REPowerEU to get rid of the dependencies of Russian fossil fuel
  • EU sanctions against Russia following the invasion of Ukraine
  • Finland: NATO membership ‘will change’ after Russian invasion

Newsletter

Join eudebates newsletter!

Enter your email to receive our newsletter.

Don't worry, we don't spam
SOTEU 2022 - State of the Union speech

Watch State of the Union live: Ursula von der Leyen gives 2022 address #SOTEU

14/09/2022
Volunteers preparing food for Ukrainian refugees arriving at Berlin Central Station

EU steps up solidarity with refugees fleeing Ukraine

08/03/2022
pump jack oil diesel

REPowerEU to get rid of the dependencies of Russian fossil fuel

08/03/2022
  • Home
  • EU Policies
  • Special Debates
  • Events
  • Vote & Polls
  • Video

© 2022 eudebates - EU debates, dialogue, communication for a better Europe - Privacy Policy.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • EU Policies
  • World
  • Special Debates
  • Events
  • Vote & Polls

© 2022 eudebates - EU debates, dialogue, communication for a better Europe - Privacy Policy.

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.