PNGO STATEMENT OF CONDEMNATION OF ISRAELI ATTACK ON NORTH GAZA AND A CALL ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR INTERVENTION

The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO) calls upon the United Nations, and the international community, to intervene and stop the Israeli attacks on the Palestinian people, which have been concentrated in the northern Gaza Strip since the night of 28 September 2004. The serious escalation of Israeli attacks against Palestinian citizens and property utilizing heavy arms, including tanks and air force, caused outrageous impacts of civilian life and property. During 11 days of the attack, codenamed "Days of Penitence", 115 Palestinians were killed, including 31 children, at least 75 Palestinian houses were destroyed, and about 400 dunams of agricultural land was leveled by the Israeli forces.

It should be noted here that the Israeli attack has been concentrated on Jabaliya Refugee Camp, the most densely populated area in the world, in addition to major parts of north Gaza towns of Beit Lahia and Beit Hanoun. Thousands of Palestinian citizens are suffering due to the tight closures imposed by Israeli forces on the area, the lack of food and water, and the continuous electricity cut-off. Additionally, Israeli occupation forces continue to impose closure and siege on the Gaza Strip, closing borders and the international crossing point, and dividing the Strip into three isolated cantons.

The PNGO, a coordinating body for more than 100 NGOs, condemns the United States' unconditioned support for Israel, which was recently embodied in vetoing of the United Nations Security Council draft resolution on this attack. The resolution, which was tabled by Algeria and Tunisia, demanded halt to Israeli military action in Gaza and that Israel respects international law. The U.S.'s veto allowed the attack to continue.

The PNGO calls upon the international community to stop its silence and act to protect civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). PNGO believes that condemnation of the Israeli violations is not sufficient, and demands effective pressure on Israel to ensure respect for international law and treaties, including the Fourth Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Times of War.

PNGO also calls on the international community and human rights organizations to intensify their actions to stop the Israeli attack on Palestinian civilians, especially children, and their property. The PNGO calls on the United Nations to dispatch a monitoring and protection mission to the OPT, as a critical step to spare civilian life and property, and to take the necessary measures to ensure respect for international law.