Ramallah, 17-05-07: Dr. Barghouthi, Minister of information and spokesperson of the National Unity government called tonight for the international community to immediately intervene to stop the Israeli crimes in the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Strip, with its 1,4 million inhabitants living in 360 km2 , is an open sky prison surrounded by the Israeli military. Since yesterday it is submitted to constant bombardment by the Israeli army: 6 air strikes, tank and artillery fire, and an ongoing military invasion in the North.
These attacks have already killed 11 Palestinians and injured more than 50, mostly women and children. This afternoon an attack on a civilian car left 2 dead and 4 injured: the Lolahi family was traveling in a civilian car from the municipality of Rafah when the Israeli army attacked, killing Yussef and Mohamad, respectively 18 and 17 years old, and injuring their brother Ahmad, 10 years old, their sister Aisheh, 12 years old, as well as their other sister and their father.
These Israeli crimes are not exceptional. Since the establishment of the Palestinian National Unity Government, two months ago, not one single Israeli was killed, while Israel killed 40 Palestinians, including 5 children, and injured more than 100. These constant attacks show that Israel has no interest in peace.
The Israeli government knows the way to stop the missiles, it has to accept the complete, comprehensive and reciprocal cease-fire that the National Unity Government offered two months ago. But Israel refused and keeps refusing this offer, just as it is refusing the Arab initiative for a comprehensive peace and chooses instead to escalate the violence against the Palestinians. This behavior proves that there is no Israeli partner for peace.
The international community must stop the Israeli crimes, and especially these latest attacks on the Gaza Strip which seem to be preparing the ground for a large scale military assault maybe lasting for up to a month.
The Gaza Strip is under siege from Israel, the Palestinian people there suffer from appalling conditions with 90% of the population below the poverty line, and the sanctions of the international community are making the situation worse. These must be lifted, and the Israeli government must release the 800 million US$ of Palestinian tax revenue it is withholding in violation of the Paris agreement.