Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By simmons on August 28, 2015

Human face ... A woman and her child walk in front of rabbles in the neighbourhood of Beit Hanoun. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: Supplied

The Israeli Defence Force has deployed its Iron Dome missile batteries to its southern border with Gaza with threats from Islamic militants on the one-year anniversary of the conflict on the Palestinian strip.

Today marks one year since the ceasefire of an intense seven-week conflict between the Hamas and IDF that left more than 2000 mostly Palestinian civilians killed, 11,000 injured and more than 100,000 people displaced with rocket fire levelling their homes.

As a precaution, the IDF has deployed Iron Dome defence systems on its borders to intercept any missiles should there be any attack on the anniversary or from the death of a Palestinian prisoner who has been on a hunger strike and on life support in Israeli detention for the past two months.

Destruction ... a woman looks out of a dilapidated house in the town of Beit Hanoun. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: Supplied

Both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movements military arm al-Quds Brigades have threatened an attack on Israel.

It comes amid conflicting reports that Hamas has begun long-term truce talks, via mediator and former British PM Tony Blair, with the Israelis in a bid to lift a land, sea and air blockade over Gaza and its 1.8 million population.

Israel has denied there have been any talks with the militant movement but exiled Palestinian Hamas head Khaled Meshaal said there has been positive contact. We cannot say today that we have something in our hand, there are only discussions, Meshaal is reported as saying.

The continuing blockade of Gaza has hampered reconstruction of some 17,000 homes destroyed during the conflict on the Strip.

Innocent face ... A child watches on in his heavy-shelled neighbourhood in north Gaza. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: Supplied

Save the Children Australia CEO Paul Ronalds has appealed to the Federal Government to pressure Israel to lift the blockade.

The charity group has a longstanding presence in Gaza and Australian donations has recently led to water tanks being procured and installed in worst affected areas.

Humanitarian effort ... With Australian funds, Save the Children was able to install water tanks to households. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: Supplied

Mr Ronalds said the Australian Government had given $15 million in aid last year toward the humanitarian crisis but has now cut aid to Palestinian territories.

The situation for children and families in Gaza is still dire, and it is critical that sufficient funding levels be maintained.

A sign at the entry to Gaza city. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: Supplied

Save the Children is urging Australia and other nations to use their diplomatic influence to promote the lifting of the blockade to allow the entry of essential humanitarian aid and enable the rebuilding of homes and schools, and support a return to some level of normality for the many distressed children in Gaza.

About 455,000 tons of rubble from the conflict has been cleared but still 1.5 million tons remains rendering many families to simply live in the rubble that was their homes.

We need a new solution, one local, who asked not to be named, told News Ltd.

One year on ... The Hamas side at the Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza. Picture: Ella Pellegrini Source: Supplied

Many people have lost faith and trust in the (Hamas) political administration. They are not doing anything for us and we have nothing, not even a vote since there are no elections here like in your country or Britain and America.

Read more about the embattled Gaza strip one year on from the devastating conflict in News Corp Australia publications on Saturday.

Continued here:
Life on the Gaza strip with NGO Save the Children on one ...

Category: Gaza Strip
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