Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: The Israeli Occupation Forces continued
imposing the siege and closure they had
imposed on the Gaza Strip despite the
progress of the completion of evacuation of
Jewish settlers and the demolition of almost all
the structures in the settlements.
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) continued imposing the siege and
closure they had imposed on the Gaza Strip despite the progress of the
completion of evacuation of Jewish settlers and the demolition of almost all
the structures in the settlements. The internal restrictions resulted in
depriving hundreds of Palestinian students from their right to education
since they have been denied access to schools and universities within the
Strip.
According to Al Mezan Center’s fieldworkers, the IOF continue to prevent
movement in the Strip’s main Salah Ad-Din Street, which connects north
and south areas. The Checkpoint closing this street opens only on Friday
evening and Saturday. On the other hand, the IOF have completely
isolated people in the besieged areas of Al Mawasi in Rafah and
Khanyounis, Al Maani in Deir Al Balah, Abu Nahia, and Al Syafa in the north.
According to the fieldwork reports, the IOF have prevented approximately
200 university and high school, science section, students from returning
their homes in Al Mawasi area. IOF notified them that they would be
allowed to return after one month from their exit of the area. They also
deprived 84 students in Al Ma'ani and Abu Nahia areas from going to their
schools for the second day. In As Syafa area, IOF notified the residents
that the 17 schoolchildren would be allowed to exit at 7:00am yesterday
and return at 1:30pm. They allowed them to exit, but let 11 of them to
return in the afternoon. Students who are over 16-years-old were denied
entry to their homes inside the area. This arrangement also prevents
students whose schools start in the afternoon shift from education.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns the policy of closure imposed
on Palestinian civilians inside the Gaza Strip. This policy, which has been
intensified since 16 August 2005, gravely affected different life aspects,
especially access to health care, education and economic activity. Al Mezan
emphasizes that these restrictions at this particular time, by the
commencement of the school year, are expected to seriously violate the
Palestinians basic rights to education, movement and access and only add
to the deterioration of the human rights situation in the OPT. The Center
also asserts that such violations constitute grave breaches under the
international humanitarian law.
As such, Al Mezan calls upon the international community to pressure Israel
to put an end to such conducts and to lift the restrictions of their
movement, especially considering the outrageous suffering IOF’s policies
incur on civilian life and safety. Israel’s38-years-old occupation and
restrictions should not continue under the disengagement.
END