Around 100 hectares of Palestinian land were reportedly confiscated to make way for the new route.
This would mark a new step towards progressive fragmentation of the West Bankwarned the head of OHCHRUN Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Ajith Sunghay.
“We are alarmed to learn that Israel has started building a new barrier and a new road in the heart of the Jordan Valley,” he said Friday.
“This is the most fertile land in the West Bank and the road will likely separate Palestinian communities from each other and Palestinian farmers in Tubas from the…land they own on the other side of the planned barrier.” »
Mr. Sunghay argued that the move would consolidate Israel’s annexation of the West Bank and remove all sources of income for Palestinians.
He also noted that Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams camps emptied and after almost a year, residents were not allowed to return.
This raises concerns about forced transfers which are prohibited under international law, the UN human rights chief said, before expressing concern over warnings to continue bulldozing Palestinian camps.
General Assembly gives UNRWA a boost
The General Assembly on Friday gave “firm support” to a decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which claims that the United Nations agency serving Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) infiltrated by Hamas militants in Gaza, lack substance.
This is what the head of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini, says, tweeted this The resolution, supported by 139 states, also rejected allegations that the main aid provider in the Gaza Strip was not a neutral organization.
“This vote is an important sign of support for UNRWA from the overwhelming majority of the international community.. As the ICJ has emphasized, UNRWA is the key humanitarian actor in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and everything must be done to facilitate our work, not to hinder or prevent it.
Nineteen countries abstained and 12 voted against. The United States, Argentina, Bolivia and Hungary were among those who joined Israel in opposition.
U.N. deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters at the daily briefing that the U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres was “encouraged by the enormous support” given to UNRWA by Member States.
Winter storms worsen humanitarian crisis
Heavy rains in the Gaza Strip flooded more displacement sites, collapsed damaged buildings in Jabalya and Gaza City and caused further casualties, including children.
Humanitarian agencies warn that overflowing drainage systems and contaminated water sources increase the risk of waterborne disease outbreaks.
“Immediate and sustainable entry of essential spare parts and machinery must be facilitated», aid coordination office, OCHApointed out, emphasizing that waste collection and safe disposal are now severely limited.
As temperatures drop, families without access to gas or electricity struggle to stay warm and repeatedly move in search of higher, safer ground.
Shortage of tents
Humanitarian partners are distributing winter clothing, tarpaulins and tents, but an estimated 1.3 million people still need urgent shelter assistance.
Since the ceasefire two months ago, fewer than 50,000 tents have entered Gaza to accommodate around 270,000 people. Thousands of pallets of shelter materials were rejected and many NGOs were prevented from operating.
Restrictions on the entry of aid must be lifted, OCHA said, including the ban on UNRWA, which stores supplies for more than a million people outside Gaza.
In the West Bank, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been displaced this year in Area C and East Jerusalem, largely due to demolitions lacking Israeli permits that are almost impossible to obtain.
OCHA continues to record an average of five Israeli settler attacks per day, with serious humanitarian consequences. The UN calls for increased protection of Palestinians and an end to illegal demolitions and settler violence.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
