Tag: gaza

Palestinians Earning a Living in No Man’s Land

EREZ BORDER CROSSING, Northern Gaza – Crossing through the metal-caged tunnel that leads from the Israeli side of the border into northern Gaza toward the Palestinian checkpoint, several groups of young Palestinian men and boys can be seen scavenging through piles of rubble. The twisted metal and shattered concrete are all that remain of Palestinian … Continue reading “Palestinians Earning a Living in No Man’s Land”

In Gaza, No Drugs, but the Coffins Do Come In 

GAZA CITY – Samir Tahseen Al-Nadeem died after waiting 35 days for an exit permit for treatment for his heart condition. He was 26. The medicines he needed could not get in. But the coffins do. The health ministry now lists 375 deaths due to shortage of life-saving medicines. The medicines sit just outside the … Continue reading “In Gaza, No Drugs, but the Coffins Do Come In “

In Gaza, Dreaming of Fish and Flowers

GAZA CITY — As the many colors of the fish and flowers slowly disappear from the Gaza landscape, the already grim prospects of the besieged residents begins to look even bleaker. Fishing was a profession that used to keep thousands of fishermen and their families fed, but with Israel restricting the movements of fishermen, the … Continue reading “In Gaza, Dreaming of Fish and Flowers”

Lights Out in Gaza

GAZA CITY – The Muslim festival Eid approaches, but not the end to power cuts that have darkened the month-long Ramadan fasting leading up to the festival. Or to the agony of Gazans, made worse by the reminder that it’s approaching a festive time. The prolonged electricity cuts, lasting from 12 to 16 hours daily, … Continue reading “Lights Out in Gaza”

Palestinian Patients Suffer From Hamas-Fatah Rivalry

RAMALLAH – Cancer patient Ahmed Abu Fuad needs chemotherapy to survive. Muhammad Subeh needs an eye transplant, while paramedic Alaa Sarhan desperately needs surgery to remove shrapnel from his body. But these Gazans are unable to leave the area to seek the required medical treatment elsewhere, and it is not because of the Israeli siege. … Continue reading “Palestinian Patients Suffer From Hamas-Fatah Rivalry”

Gazans Stitching Together a Living, Somehow

GAZA CITY – Just off Omar Al-Mukhtar Street, Gaza City’s main thoroughfare, in a narrow, sandy alley way is a little second-hand clothing shop. In the dimly lit store, with only intermittent electricity for some hours a day at best, sits a single battered and aging sewing machine. This is where Khaled Nassan, a father … Continue reading “Gazans Stitching Together a Living, Somehow”

New Book Assembles Eyewitness Accounts from Mavi Marmara

A growing number of activists is contradicting the claims of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) regarding the Gaza Freedom Flotilla debacle in May, including a large faction of both Israeli and U.S. Jews. This faction was evidenced by the distinguished array of Jewish scholars, journalists and professionals who contributed to Moustafa Bayoumi’s new book, Midnight … Continue reading “New Book Assembles Eyewitness Accounts from Mavi Marmara“

Injured Workers Man Gaza’s Battered Services

GAZA CITY – Outside the battered Civil Defense station in northern Gaza’s Jabaliya region, Mohammed Zidan, a seven-year veteran of fire-fighting and rescue services, stands on crutches in front of battered Civil Defense vehicles. Zidan, 31, lost his right leg during the 2008-2009 Israeli war on Gaza. He is one of more than 30 Civil … Continue reading “Injured Workers Man Gaza’s Battered Services”

Egypt Punishes Gaza More

CAIRO – Almost two months since Egypt announced it would reopen its Rafah border terminal with the Gaza Strip, operation of the crossing remains sorely limited. “Rafah has only been opened to passengers and some medical supplies,” Hatem al-Buluk, journalist and resident of al-Arish, located some 25 miles west of Rafah, told IPS. “Everything else, … Continue reading “Egypt Punishes Gaza More”

Ending the Gaza Blockade Might Help Israel as Much as Gaza

In the wake of Israel’s botched attack on a Turkish ship bringing relief to Gazans from Israel’s (and Egypt’s) economic blockade of Gaza, the Israelis have responded to intensely negative world opinion by relaxing the blockade. That move may help Israel as much as Gazans. Ending the counterproductive economic embargo and blockade would help both … Continue reading “Ending the Gaza Blockade Might Help Israel as Much as Gaza”