Media blackout? International journalists report being barred from entering, exiting Gaza

Date: 11 / 11 / 2008  Time:  17:01
Gaza/Bethlehem – Ma’an –

The Israeli occupation government has limited food and fuel shipments into Gaza, and now appears to be preventing journalists from entering and even leaving the area.

Several journalists have speculated that Israel hopes to limit press coverage of the effects of its latest blockade.

On Tuesday Dirk Jan Visser, a photographer with a foreign news service, was denied entry into the Gaza Strip, on Monday BBC journalist Aleem Maqbool and his colleague were denied entry into Gaza, and a French journalist, “V” was denied permission to leave.

Security officer for UNRWA Andrew Pollock said that there had indeed been some fluxuation in the number of journalists allowed in and out of Gaza, and added that this had been the case since the security situation in the area became after 4 November.

Spokesperson for the UN Media office in Gaza (OCHA) Hamada Al-Bayari confirmed that restrictions had been placed on internationals wishing to enter and exit Gaza, and added that the case is even worse for Gazans. “Since the Israeli invasion that saw the killing of the six Hamas activists,” he said, “crossing activity has been limited.” Al-Bayari noted that only severe humanitarian cases are being allowed to leave Gaza.

Given the fluxuation of Israeli security procedures as of Tuesday, Al-Bayari said, we will have to “wait and see” if reports of the barring of journalists from the area represent a strict Israeli policy.

The Israeli army offices in charge of the Erez crossing, the only point of entry or exit for human traffic, refused to comment on the situation.

Israeli journalists have been barred from Gaza for over two years.

UNRWA food distribution for 750,000 will stop Friday if Gaza closure continues

Date: 11 / 11 / 2008  Time:  15:52
Bethlehem – Ma’an –

UNRWA announced that it will be forced to halt food distribution to over 750,000 refugees in the Gaza Strip by Friday unless the flour, oil, milk and meat waiting to be delivered through the closed Gaza crossings are not transferred in to the Strip soon.

While the international agency affirmed that it had back-up fuel supplies to ensure that their trucks could make deliveries to needy Gazans, they said that they would be forced to shut-down food distribution because supplies and reserves would run out.

UNRWA condemned the blockade imposed over Gaza, and especially since it prevented an internationally recognized aid organization from distributing essential supplies to the depressed population.

Candle Procession in Gaza

Monday November 10, 2008 22:09 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC News

Hundreds of residents and peace activists participated in a candle procession in Gaza organized by the Popular Committee Against the Siege, as the Gaza Strip plunges in darkness due to the Israeli siege and Israel’s rejection to allow fuel supplies into the coastal region.

Palestinian Legislator, Jamal El Khodary, head of the Committee, and several members of the Committee in addition to a number of figures participated in the procession and expressed their rejection of the unjust Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip and Israel’s cutting of power supply. 

The protesters carried Palestinian flags and slogans rejecting the siege, the occupation and demanding an Arab, Islamic, and international intervention.

EL-Khodary saluted the people of Gaza and their steadfastness while Israel continues its siege and aggression.

El-Khodary also called on the nations of the world, Arabs and Muslims, to hold massive protests in support of the Palestinian people and make their best effort to end this siege.

He also said that the committee will increase its nonviolent activities against the siege in the coming period, and will continue its activities until this siege if fully lifted.

El-Khoudary: Gaza Strip in Darkness again!

Monday November 10, 2008 22:06 by The Popular Committee Against the Siege

 With the Nahl Oz fuel transfer point running at only 40% of its regular capacity for almost a week, Chairman of Popular Committee against Siege, Jamal El Khoudary, warned that power outages could follow.

When the sun set in Gaza on Sunday the Strip was plunged into darkness and no electric lights illuminated Gazan cityscapes.

 The sounds of small generators were heard around the city so main roads and shops could continue to function.

 Independent Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Jamal El Khoudary warned of complete electricity blackouts in the Gaza Strip earlier on Sunday. His foreboding statements also cautioned citizens and the international community that the decreased supplies getting into the exhausted area could cause the humanitarian situation in Gaza to mushroom.

 Only two crossings into Gaza remain partially open, the northern Nahl Oz and the southern Kerem Shalom transfer point which operated at 15% of usual capacity and is used to move food products

 According to El Khoudary the electricity station in Gaza was already operating below capacity. He appealed to the international community to place pressure on Israel in order to end the siege and rescue the 1.5 million people in Gaza from a looming explosion of the already acute humanitarian disaster.

Fuel for Gaza is provided by a Palestinian company, which must coordinate with Israeli border control at the Gaza crossings to ensure that the fuel gets to the right people. El Khoudary called the halting of such deliveries “Israeli piracy,” and demanded that the fuel paid for by Palestinians be delivered to its owners.