|
Qatar Red Crescent (QRC) has issued an emergency appeal to raise $3mn (QR10.95mn) in response to the tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza. |
The money will be used to implement a six-month relief programme for 40,000 people (6,000 families) affected by the Israeli raids on Gaza.
To meet the most urgent needs of medical and fuel supplies for Gaza hospitals, QRC allocated QR2 million from its Disaster Response Fund for urgent intervention.
QRC condemned Israeli army’s violations of the international humanitarian law in Gaza, considering their actions against all international principles and conventions in respect to armed conflict and protection of civilians.
Since the eruption of the current crisis on July 7th, 2014, the Israeli forces have committed stark violations: systematic targeting of civilian public properties; bombing hospitals, schools, mosques, offices of international organisations, clinics, Palestinian Red Crescent (PRC) ambulances, and a centre for children with special needs.
QRC strongly condemns the inhumane practices of the Israeli forces, which on July 9 targeted the PRC headquarters in Jabalia, injuring 12 volunteers and paramedics, while doing their humanitarian work.
The list of violations also includes intercepting a PRC ambulance and detaining its operators for almost two hours in Al-Eizariya, Jerusalem, July 13. On July 14, three ambulances were destroyed and the PRC headquarters was bombed again, which resulted in the devastation of PRC’s warehouse and damage of the premises.
In light of the fact that these practices are in violation of Article 63 of IHL in the Fourth Geneva Convention, which stipulates that “recognised National Red Cross (Red Crescent, Red Lion and Sun) Societies shall be able to pursue their activities,” QRC calls upon the international community to act and take all necessary measures to stop these violations and end the disruption of humanitarian services for the affected population of Gaza.
Gaza hospitals and health facilities continue to provide medical services for huge numbers of casualties, even though the Gaza European Hospital is partly damaged and a whole department of Al-Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital is totally levelled, in addition to shortages in medicines, medical supplies, and fuel due to the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
