Gaza: Catholic Church told to evacuate ahead of Israeli bombing

Independent Catholic News      

July 29, 2014

Description: Gaza: Catholic Church told to evacuate ahead of Israeli bombing |  Holy Family Latin Church in Gaza , Israel, evacuation order

Holy Family Church, Gaza

The Holy Family Latin Church in Gaza has just received an evacuation order warning them that Israei is planning to bomb their neighbourhood tonight.  In a message,  a priest writes: " The church of Gaza has received an order to evacuate.. they will bomb the Zeitun area and the people are already fleeing. The problem is that the priest Fr George and the three nuns of Mother Teresa have 29 handicapped children and nine old ladies who can't move.

"How will they manage to leave?? If anyone can intercede with someone in power, and pray, please do it. We are trying.. may our impotence be taken up by his Omnipotence!!"

The House of Christ in Gaza, is a care home dedicated to looking after disabled children. The disabled children were removed from the care home into the Holy Family Church recently because Israel was targeting the area.

The parish appeal for prayers. [Already Two Churches and one Christian cemetery have been Partially Damaged].

http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=25263

State of Palestine

Palestine Liberation Organization

Negotiation Affairs Department

30 July 2014

SPECIAL REPORT

GAZA UNDER FIRE

Israel's Criminal Assault on the Occupied State of Palestine

OVERVIEW:

 The Israeli ground invasion in Gaza continued, injuring at least 7,110 people and taking the lives of over 1,269. Only since midnight 54 Palestinians were killed and 170 injured.  The humanitarian crisis has been expanded all over Gaza, and mainly the eastern side that has been occupied by Israeli Forces (44% of the total size of the Gaza Strip). Effects of Israeli bombardments can be seen in the lack of access to basic services whereby for first time since the beginning of the latest Israeli aggression, all of the Gaza Strip Palestinians had their electricity and water systems interrupted, either completely or partially. Hospitals and medical centers continue to be targeted by Israeli forces as well as the Palestinian Civil Defense (firefighters). UN buildings sheltering refugees have been targeted, including the Jabalya Refugee Camp School were 15 people were killed and 190 injured. Once again Israel has targeted offices providing services to Palestinian and International media. Over 240,000 people have been forcibly displaced[1].

 Statistics of 23 Days of Israeli Aggression Against the Gaza Strip[2]

July 8th 00:00 AM – July 30rd 12:00 PM

 ·        Palestinians killed – 1269 (up until midnight, 287 were children and 57 elderly).

·        Palestinians Injured – 7,110 (up until midnight, 2164 were children and 282 elderly).

·        Demolished Structures[3]: 2333   

·        Partially Demolished Structures[4]: 2080

·        Damaged Homes[5]: 23,160.  

·        Schools Damaged –133

·        Damaged Hospitals and Health Centers – 13 hospitals and 10 PHC clinics were damaged, 34 health facilities were closed, 12 ambulances were damaged, and 38 health personnel injured, 2 pharmacists, 3 paramedics, 1 assistant pharmacist, 1 Labs and blood bank manager. 1 nurse and 1 administration manager died after Israeli airstrikes

·        Attacks against Religious Sites – Eight mosques destroyed; 80 mosques partially damaged. Two Churches and one Christian cemetery have been Partially Damaged.

·             Over 240,000 people have been displaced –1,700,000 people (all the population of the Gaza Strip) have been affected by

the destruction of electricity, water and waste water infrastructures.

Israeli disregard to the lives of Palestinians have resulted in the killing of hundreds. Instead of learning from previous experiences, some countries gave green light to Israeli forces to bombard and invade the Gaza Strip. The international community has the legal and moral responsibility to protect the Palestinian population living under Israeli occupation and to hold Israel accountable regarding its severe violations of the international humanitarian law. Lack of accountability will continue to fuel Israeli atrocities and crimes. Lack of international action will continue to increase the list of people killed.

 [1] The number is believed to be higher since it counts mainly people requesting the UN of humanitarian support. There are also civil society and church organizations hosting internally displaced people.

[2] Sources: Palestine Monitoring Group and Palestinian Government Media Center

[3] Updated July 28th

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid