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This year the traditional image of Christmas as a peaceful celebration with Christian roots uniting families and society is showing major signs of wear and tear. Commentators take a closer look.

The ruling party's Daniel Chapo is confirmed as the winner of the disputed presidential election.

Un nouveau jalon vient d’être franchi dans la réalisation du projet de ligne à grande vitesse (LGV) algérienne. La pose des rails sur le pont […]

L’article L’Algérie se dote de l’un des plus hauts ponts ferroviaires du monde (VIDÉO) est apparu en premier sur .

Thirteen generators were distributed from the UNICEF warehouse in Deir Al Balah, to be used to operate critical water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in south Gaza. Credit: UNICEF/Mohammed Nateel

By Oritro Karim
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 23 2024 (IPS)

As talks of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine intensify, bombardments in Gaza continue, raising the number of civilian casualties and internal displacements. A December 19 report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) condemned Israeli authorities for committing acts of genocide upon the people in the Gaza Strip, including the deprivation of water and the destruction of critical water sanitation infrastructures.

According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), a person needs between 50 to 100 liters of water on a daily basis in order to ensure that “basic needs are met.” In emergency situations, it is estimated that people can survive off of 15 liters per day. Officials from HRW estimate that Gazans only have access to approximately 2 to 9 liters of water per day, which is inadequate for drinking, cooking, and washing.

“Water is essential for human life, yet for over a year the Israeli government has deliberately denied Palestinians in Gaza the bare minimum they need to survive. This isn’t just negligence; it is a calculated policy of deprivation that has led to the deaths of thousands from dehydration and disease that is nothing short of the crime against humanity of extermination, and an act of genocide,” said HRW Executive-Director Tirana Hasan.

On January 26 this year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued provisional measures mandating that Israel prevent genocide in Gaza by enabling the delivery of humanitarian assistance and basic services. However, numerous violations were recorded throughout the year.

An Oxfam International analysis estimates that approximately 47,634 cubic meters of water are produced in Gaza every day. However, roughly 80 percent of this water supply is lost in leakages due to the damage of water filtration systems caused by Israeli airstrikes. Only about 10,714 cubic meters reach the Gazan population on a daily basis. This is entirely avoidable as the minimum water quantity required by the population is approximately 33,900 cubic meters.

Satellite photos and videos obtained by HRW showed extensive damage to water sanitation infrastructures from Israeli bombardments. It has also been reported that Israeli authorities have cut off electricity in the enclave, which essentially renders critical infrastructures such as water pumps, desalination plants, and generators ineffective.

Additionally, HRW has documented instances of Israeli bombardments that have killed water utility workers, destroyed water equipment warehouses, and impeded the delivery of water-related aid from the United Nations (UN) and other humanitarian organizations. HRW also states that Israeli authorities had also “deliberately” restricted the delivery of fuel in Gaza, which has essentially choked civilians off from rescue efforts, healthcare services, hygienic resources, and bakery operations.

According to a statement from the Union of Gaza Strip Municipalities, the depletion of water services has resulted in “solid waste accumulation, and wastewater leakage onto streets and residential areas.” A spokesperson from WHO informed HRW that “damaged water and sanitation systems, and dwindling cleaning supplies have made it almost impossible to maintain basic infection prevention and control measures (in healthcare facilities).”

This has led to the rampant development of disease among millions of displaced Gazans. WHO reports that there have been 132,000 cases of jaundice, a symptom of hepatitis A. 225,000 cases of skin infections have also been recorded, which have largely been attributed to the spread of over 1 million cases of acute respiratory diseases.

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), documented cases of diarrhea among children under age five has risen from 48,000 to 71,0000. This marks a 2000 percent increase since October 7, 2023. Doctors in Gaza have told HRW personnel that dehydration and malnutrition are so severe that it is almost impossible to treat patients that are struggling with disease, as their immune systems have been severely weakened.

In early December, talks of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine were reported in the media, with authorities from both parties expressing satisfaction at the possibility of an imminent agreement. Humanitarian organizations including the UN have also expressed optimism.

Georgios Petropoulos, the Head of OCHA’s (Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) sub-office in Gaza, informed reporters on December 20 that there would likely be a loosening of restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities, resulting in increased security for the people of Gaza and more effective deliveries of humanitarian aid. Petropoulos also predicted that people would begin returning home, rubble would begin to be cleared, and basic services would begin running again.

Despite this, Israel continues to coordinate hostilities within the enclave, threatening the lives of thousands on a daily basis. The Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that a series of airstrikes took place on December 19 in Jabalia, Tuffah, Gaza City, and Beit Lahiya, killing a total of 41 civilians.

A recent report from the humanitarian and medical aid organization, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), states that the repeated airstrikes, enforced mass displacements, and sustained blockages of humanitarian aid constitute “ethnic cleansing”.

“People in Gaza are struggling to survive apocalyptic conditions, but nowhere is safe, no one is spared, and there is no exit from this shattered enclave,” said MSF Secretary-General Christopher Lockwood. “The recent military offensive in the north is a stark illustration of the brutal war the Israeli forces are waging on Gaza, and we are seeing clear signs of ethnic cleansing as Palestinians are forcibly displaced, trapped, and bombed.”

IPS UN Bureau Report

 

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Alors que les Croates se rendront aux urnes pour le premier tour de l’élection présidentielle ce dimanche 29 décembre, les fonctionnaires et les autorités de régulation de l’Union européenne (UE) travaillent d’arrache-pied pour garantir le bon déroulement du scrutin.

L’aéroport international de Cheremetievo, l’une des plateformes aéroportuaires de la Russie, a une nouvelle fois mis à l’honneur l’excellence dans le secteur aérien. Lors de […]

L’article Perfect Timing Awards 2024 : Air Algérie reconnue comme N°1 de la gestion des bagages à Moscou est apparu en premier sur .

South Africa's Cameron Carolissen hopes his appearance at the 2025 PDC World Championship can boost darts on the continent despite his first-round exit.

South Africa's Cameron Carolissen hopes his appearance at the 2025 PDC World Championship can boost darts on the continent despite his first-round exit.

Les conseillères et conseillers fédéraux souhaitent de joyeuses fêtes à divers destinataires triés sur le volet. L'un des Sages s'est montré particulièrement appliqué dans l'écriture de ses cartes.

Deux pêcheurs expliquent à la BBC pourquoi ils ont décidé de devenir des pirates à la recherche de grosses rançons.

Deux pêcheurs expliquent à la BBC pourquoi ils ont décidé de devenir des pirates à la recherche de grosses rançons.

Spanische Mandelbauern kritisieren die millionenschweren Turrón-Hersteller für den Import von Nüssen aus Kalifornien. Stattdessen fordern sie, dass die Unternehmen lokale Produkte für die Herstellung der ikonischen Wintersüßigkeit verwenden.

Lawyers and activists are concerned that the wider use of the drastic security measures put in place during the Paris Olympics could become the norm for other major public events.

The post France boosts security for Christmas, rights defenders cry foul appeared first on Euractiv.

Les rencontres comptant pour la 13e journée de la Ligue Professionnelle ont pris fin de la soirée de ce dimanche 22 décembre. Coton FC a encore fait un faux pas. En déplacement chez AS Cotonou, le club de Lionel Talon s'est contenté d'un simple nul et rentre avec 1 point. Dadjè FC a maitrisé Bani Gansè FC avec une victoire 2-1. Loto-Popo de son côté, a été défait. Les Loto Boys ont perdu 1-0 sur la pelouse de Panthères FC.

Les résultats de la 13e journée :

AS POLICE (0-0) ADJIDJA FC

DYNAMIQUE FC (1-0) DYNAMO P

HODIO FC (1-0) BÉKÉ FC

AS TONNERRE (0-1) DAMISSA FC

AS COTONOU (0-0) COTON FC

JSO (2-0) REQUINS FC

JAK FC (1-0) DRAGONS FC

SITATUNGA FC (1-3) SOBEMAP FC

BUFFLES FC (2-2) CAVALIERS FC

BOA FC (0-1) ESPOIR SAVALOU

DADJÈ FC (2-1) BANI GANSÉ FC

PANTHÈRES FC (1-0) LOTO-POPO

RÉAL SPORT (2-1) ABEILLES FC

TAKUNNIN FC (0-2) DYNAMO D'ABOMEY

AVRANKOU OMN (1-1) ASVO

AYÉMA FC (1-1) ASPAC

AZIZA FC (4-2) USS KRAKÉ

ÉTOILES FILANTES (0-0) JSP

J.S