On the Brink of Its Own Coronavirus Crisis, Gaza Appeals to Israel and the World for Help
Faced with shortages, poor equipment and a sore lack of protective gear, Gaza’s doctors work in fear, with everyone betting on underfunded prevention
Gaza aid
Gaza aid has increased substantially since the December 2009 Gaza War when the Israeli army invaded the Hamas-run territory in an attempt to put an end to the torrent of rocket attacks on its cities and civilians. The coastal enclave has been under siege since the Hamas militant organization was elected into power in 2007, making it difficult to transfer aid into the coastal territory. Israel has enforced a blockade, preventing the import of basic necessities and Gaza aid from European and international aid agencies with the fear that Gaza aid money will be used by Hamas to increase its terrorist activities against Israeli civilians.
After the end of hostilities between Israel and Hamas, Arab states organized a donors’ conference in Egypt in order to raise funds for Gaza aid. Gaza’s infrastructure suffered terrible destruction during Operation Cast Lead, and the Gaza aid is meant to help the people of Gaza rebuild after the devastating conflict; however, Israel and the United States expressed reservations that any Gaza aid much be handed to nongovernmental organizations and the Palestinian Authority and must not reach the hands of Hamas.
In addition, there have been attempts by pro-Palestinian Gaza aid groups from Europe and North America to break through Israel’s blockade of the strip. These attempts to bring in Gaza aid have been unsuccessful and only resulted in occasional confrontations between activists and Israeli authorities and their deportation, such as the deadly attack on the Turkish-flagged Gaza aid ship Mavi Marmara in May 2010, in which 9 Islamic activists were killed after the ship refused to adhere to Israel Defense Forces instructions.
Doctors Warn of Gaza Strip’s Collapse After First Coronavirus Cases Surface
Medical and human rights organizations call on Israel to lift its blockade of the Strip to boost supplies of medical equipment and protective gear
First Coronavirus Cases Confirmed in Gaza
The two Palestinians who tested positive for coronavirus had returned from Pakistan and entered Gaza through Egypt
Analysis Hamas Uses Israeli Election Mayhem to Extract Concessions for Gaza
Israel’s easing of Gaza blockade is most far-reaching since Hamas took power in the Gaza Strip
Opinion Why Israel Should Let Palestinians Hold Elections
Palestinians are fed up with Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. The planned elections could allow new, pragmatic parties to emerge and offer a way out of the deadlock in Gaza Strip
Gaza Officials Warn of Escalation Over Israel's 'Foot-dragging' in Implementing Ceasefire Agreements
Hamas's rocket stockpile will surprise Israel, military commander says
Israel Approves Renewal of Fuel Deliveries to Gaza After Cease-fire Takes Hold
General closure imposed on West Bank and Gaza for Israeli Memorial Day and Independence Day ■ Palestinians welcome Qatari pledge of $480 million
Opinion Israel's Leftist Media Pushing for War With Gaza
This is journalism that betrays its mission, fully and voluntarily co-opted over the most important issue of all
Analysis Qatari Money Calms Hamas, but Doesn’t Guarantee Long-term Quiet in Gaza
The Israeli government would have liked a quieter Gaza front in the run-up to election, but Netanyahu will no longer be able to halt Qatari money flow, which, in a win for Hamas, is now provided by official channels
Analysis Israel Is Relatively Optimistic About Gaza. But in the Long Term, It's Cosmically Pessimistic
One of the powder kegs in the Strip is the strained health services, struggling to care of more than 15,000 wounded since the border protests began in March ■ Meanwhile, a new report claims ISIS lost physical ground, but still drives majority of suicide attacks
Analysis Images of Qatari Cash Flowing Into Gaza May Embarrass Netanyahu - but Alternative Is War
Continued pressure on the Strip will lead to an explosion, an Israeli ground operation with heavy casualties, followed by desperate negotiations over who will assume responsibility for Gaza's population – or in other words, a return to square one
Gaza Protests to Go On, but With Less Violence, Organizers Say
Despite the positive diplomatic developments and improved conditions in the Strip in recent days, a leading activist told Haaretz that the marches will continue until the blockade on Gaza is totally removed
Israel-Qatar Deal to Transfer Funds to Hamas Officials Underway, Gaza Reports Say
The agreement was made possible after Israel negotiated with Qatar and received guarantees that the money will be transferred only for salary payments
Polluted Water Leading Cause of Child Mortality in Gaza, Study Finds
With 43 Olympic swimming pools worth of sewage water flowing from Gaza toward Israel and Egypt daily, researchers say local epidemic is only a matter of time
Analysis The International Committee for Subsidizing the Israeli Occupation
Lacking the willingness to put political pressure on Israel, the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee will be discussing the scenario of further economical deterioration of the Palestinian economy
Israeli Defense Officials: Swift U.S. Cuts in UNRWA Funding Would Create Vacuum That Hamas Would Fill
Netanyahu supports breaking up the UN agency, which he says perpetuates the refugee status of the Palestinians
Report: Trump to Demand Recognized Palestinian Refugees Be Capped at Tenth of Current Number
According to the Israel Television News Company, Trump administration will also announce freezing funding to UNRWA in the West Bank and asking Israel to limit its activities
Opinion The UN's Insanity on Gaza
When the UN chief ignores Hamas and highlights another one-sided mandate focused only on Palestinian civilians, he once again makes the body he represents irrelevant for Israel and dangerous for Palestinians
Number of Trucks Going Into Gaza Strip at Low Point After Israel Announces Closure of Key Crossing
Only 193 trucks entered Gaza from Israel, down from 508 the week before. It remains unclear how much this matters given the dire economic situation and the lack of residents' purchasing power
Editorial A Futile Round in Gaza
It’s doubtful that the Israeli arsenal has a means for deterring 2 million people under brutal closure for 11 years now
Democrats Claim Trump Secretly Froze All Humanitarian Aid to Palestinians
'We are deeply concerned that there seems to be no information available,' warn members of Congress. All U.S. assistance, including lifesaving humanitarian aid, has been frozen since January 2018
'Israel's Closure of Gaza Crossing Is Like Shooting a Dying Man'
Gazan traders tell Haaretz Israel's decision to close the only commercial crossing 'is the final nail in the coffin'
Analysis Abbas Is Key Obstacle to Gaza Rehabilitation, Top Israeli Security Brass Warns
Israeli leadership has been showing willingness to promote aid projects for the Strip. But Abbas, who is busy shaping a legacy ahead of retirement, is ignoring signals from Israel, the U.S. and the UN
Analysis Only Freedom of Movement Can Save the Gaza Strip From Imminent Collapse
Gaza's condition could improve if Israel lets Gazans work, thereby increasing their income sources. But the government's policy is to divide the Strip from the West Bank– which only serves Hamas
Australia Ends Direct Aid to Palestinian Authority Amid Fears Money Is Going to Terrorists
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says she's concerned funds may be spent on activities that 'Australia would never support' ■ Palestinian President Abbas says Palestinians are talking to Australian gov't following announcement
Hamas Seeks a Major Conflict With Israel, Defense Officials Warn
Israel believes that Hamas sees another round of conflict as a possible fix for the crisis in Gaza, but the group is also afraid of the implications of a full-scale war
Top Democratic Donor Saban Blasts Party's Senators for Supporting U.S. Aid to Gaza
Haim Saban emails six senators who signed letter initiated by Bernie Sanders: 'Accusing Israel of being the main culprit is outrageous, misinformed, offensive'
Analysis Israel's Defense Chief Calls Idea of Aiding Gaza 'Delusional.’ But He's Intentionally Misleading
Avigdor Lieberman knows his government and military support such assistance, but wants to appear as the right flank
Opinion A Practical Solution to the Crisis in Gaza
Israel could act behind the scenes to establish an international task force, without being part of it. It would bring together experts and include European countries acceptable to both sides
Israeli Navy Stops Palestinian Flotilla Attempting to Sail From Gaza to Cyprus
Navy fires warning shots, takes control of ship that violates blockade ■ Flotilla, consisting of several small ships, embarks to mark eight years since the Marmara flotilla incident