GAZA - april 2004 Text and pictures from A.A. 13th swiss civile mission |
Eretz, entry to Gaza Strip: before 2nd intifada, tens of thousands Palestinians crossed every day that border to go to work in Israel. |
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Since the beginning of intifada, israeli government destroyed more than 5'000 houses in Gaza Strip, generating 38'215 homeless persons among which 19'372 children; in Rafah alone 2'200 houses were destroyed (15'622 homeless persons, 7'839 children). |
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Rafah, refugee camp: a child flying a kite... |
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To pass the checkpoint each car has to count 2 passengers minimum. Many children go back and forth through that checkpoint to allow single drivers to pass, in exchange they ask for small money. A child was asked what he thought of the current situation, he said: "I'm praying every day for the situation not to change!" The economy is so desastrous (more than 60% live below poverty level), that this small mone earned by the children at the checkpoints has become vital to their families… |
KhanYunis, Tuffah checkpoint. |
KhanYunis,Tuffah checkpoint, entry of el-Mawasi - very strict rules are applied: - only residents are authorized - they can enter only by day at fixed hours - only by foot and by groups of 5 persons - ambulances are not allowed (sick people and dead corpses have to be evacuated by foot...) Furthermore the inhabitants of el-Mawasi (and other "yellow zones") are subject to discriminatory and humiliating treatments (body search at each passage, insults, etc). |
KhanYunis: humiliating body search at Tuffah checkpoint |
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« Where will all these people go? In Rafah refugee camp that israeli army is currently devastating, 92'000 inhabitants living on a few square kilometers. In Khan Yunis refugee camp there live 62'000 persons on 2 square kilometers, in Jabalyia, close to the city of Gaza, 120'000 inhabitants on 2 km, it's awful. In the Gaza strip there are 8 refugee camps and their density of population is one of the highest in the world. » |
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KhanYunis: the entry of the refugee camp... |
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Eretz: the exit... |
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texts and pictures: A.A. April 2004 |