Mass protests and strikes have been taking place in Israel over the continued bombardment of Gaza and the loss of more lives, including those of hostages taken captive on 7th October 23 Hamas attack.
Last week the UK Labour Government committed to stopping some military component parts which are being used by Israeli forces in the slaughter taking place in Gaza, UK support in reconnaissance and the use of our military bases continues. The USA and Germany continue to be the top suppliers of military weaponry to Israel and are complicit in the war crimes being committed by Israel against the civilian population.
On Saturday 7th September islanders in Orkney will stand in solidarity with the people of Gaza in the vigil on the Kirk Green, Broad Street, Kirkwall between 1 and 2 pm and welcome all those who wish to see an immediate ceasefire, a release of all the hostages, and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to join with them.
On 4th September Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, posted on X that “The first phase of #polio vaccination in central #Gaza is complete. Over 187,000 children under the age of ten were vaccinated, well over the target of 156,500. The numbers are being finalised. Four fixed sites will continue to offer polio vaccination for the next three days in central Gaza to ensure no child is missed. Preparations are underway today to roll out the vaccine campaign in south Gaza, which will start tomorrow. We are grateful for the dedication of all the families, health workers and vaccinators who made this part of the campaign a success despite the dire conditions in the Gaza Strip. We ask for the humanitarian pauses to continue to be respected. We continue to call for a ceasefire.”
In southern Gaza in a pause to the fighting UNRWA along with partners provided the first dose of polio vaccine to children under 10 years old at the Japanese Health Centre in the devastated city of Khan Younis.
One mother said she rushed to get her children vaccinated “since I am scared that polio will spread due to the sewers and the lack of hygiene, especially with the absence of cleaning products.”
UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag said:
“You see people proud to be here, protecting their children, giving the vaccinations. And at the end of the day, it shows when there is political will, a lot is possible on the humanitarian front. That’s what we need. This is a prime-time example of that,” she said.
Over the next four days, health workers will target an estimated 340,000 children, in southern Gaza. Some 517 teams will be deployed, including 384 mobile teams, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
A third and final phase will be implemented in northern Gaza from 9 to 11 September, targeting around 150,000 boys and girls.
Polio appeared in Gaza after 25 years due to the dreadful conditions people are being forced to endure with the Israeli bombardments. WHO said the presence of a substantial number of children eligible for vaccination who were unable to reach vaccination sites due to insecurity, necessitated special missions to three areas – Al-Maghazi, Al-Bureij and Al-Mussader – just outside of the agreed zone for the humanitarian pause.
The updated Global Report on Food Crises has reported on the situation for children affected by severe malnutrition in Gaza.
Víctor Aguayo, UNICEF Director of Child Nutrition, said:
“The nutrition situation in Gaza is one of the most severe that we have ever seen…it is important to remember that the nearly half of Gaza’s population suffering from this devastation are children.”
He commented that the impact of the war and severe restrictions on humanitarian response have led to a “complete collapse” of food, health and protection systems, with catastrophic consequences.
“The fact is that the diets of children in Gaza are extremely poor. It is estimated that over 90 per cent of children are eating at best two types of food per day for weeks or months, in the context of very severe…lack of access to safe water and sanitation,” he said.
Estimates suggest that more than 50,000 children need immediate treatment for acute malnutrition, requiring medical professionals and nutrition workers.
“I walked through markets and neighbourhoods, or what is left of markets and neighbourhoods…there is no doubt in my mind there is a famine and a large-scale nutrition crisis,” he emphasized, calling for an immediate ceasefire and sustained humanitarian access.
In Israel the protests have involved hundreds of thousands of people over several days. Strikes and widespread anger of Netanyahu and his right wing government’s failure to bring all the hostages home is resulting in Israelis taking to the streets and blocking roads.
Israeli Settler violence and the murder of Palestinians continues in The West Bank. According to OCHA, between 7 October 2023 and 2 September 2024, 652 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Separately, UNICEF confirmed that over 150 children have been killed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, during the period, 7 October 2023 to 22 July 2024. UNWRA situation report
According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, and as reported by OCHA, between 7 October 2023 and 4 September 2024, at least 40,861 Palestinians were reported killed and 94,224 injured. The figures for the numbers killed is most likely to be a significant underestimate as unknown numbers of bodies lie under the rubble of buildings where they sought refuge.
On 3 September ACAPS released a thematic report on the impact of the conflict on mental health and psychosocial support needs in Gaza. The report highlighted that since October 2023, the 2.1 million Palestinians living in Gaza have witnessed or experienced an unprecedented number of violent and traumatic events, including direct violence, repeated displacement, and the loss of loved ones, homes, and belongings. Such experiences have increased anxiety, depression, and other mental health and psychosocial problems. Extensive destruction of the healthcare system prevents even basic treatment of these conditions in the immediate and long term.
On Saturday 24th August, Amnesty Orkney and Orkney Friends of Palestine organised a kite flying event at the Peedie Sea as part of the Healing Arts Scotland week. The kites were flown as a symbol of solidarity with the people of Palestine with thoughts of those taking part particularly on the children of Gaza.
The vigils taking place for Gaza on the Kirk Green, Broad Street Kirkwall, on Saturdays between 1 and 2pm, are an extraordinary response from the people in Orkney – a quite unique one for the islands – such is the strength of the feelings for the people of Gaza during this time of appalling slaughter.
Fiona Grahame