” The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” Albert Einstein

As the situation in the Middle East deteriorates ever further the Scottish Government is sending £250,000 in response to a Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Appeal towards Humanitarian aid. £200,000 will contribute to a fund shared between DEC’s 15 member organisations helping to provide food, water, medical assistance and shelter to displaced people in the region. SCIAF and Mercy Corps will each receive £25,000 to support aid activities.

United Nations Peacekeepers Determined to Fulfil their Mandate

On 16th of October UNIFIL, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon issued the following statement following an attack on the peacekeepers by Israeli forces:

“This morning, peacekeepers at a position near Kafer Kela observed an IDF Merkava tank firing at their watchtower. Two cameras were destroyed, and the tower was damaged. Yet again we see direct and apparently deliberate fire on a UNIFIL position. We remind the IDF and all actors of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times.”

The UN-patrolled Blue Line separates southern Lebanon and Israel.

 Andrea Tenenti, Spokesperson for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon said that the UN peacekeeping force that’s stationed there is determined to fulfil its mandate from the Security Council and assist civilians wherever possible.

“Despite [Israel Defense Forces] demands to move from positions close to the Blue Line, a unanimous decision was taken by all UNIFIL Troop Contributing Countries and the UN Security Council, and our peacekeepers remain deployed in all their positions along the Blue Line.

“We need to be here, we need to try to bring back stability and peace to this region, ” he said.

As the apartheid state of Israel continues its attacks on Lebanon, the obliteration of Gaza, and increasing settler violence in the West Bank, Spain and Ireland have called on the EU to suspend its free trade agreement with Israel. Both Spain and Ireland have troops serving in the peacekeeping force in Lebanon. Italy has imposed an arms embargo on Israel. The main supplier of weapons and military aid to Israel comes from America, Germany and the UK whose base in Cyprus is used for air support.

Northern Gaza is facing obliteration.

Muhannad Hadi, Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, UNRWA, stated that:

“Since 1 October 2024, Israeli authorities have increasingly cut off northern Gaza from essential supplies. Erez and Erez West crossings have been kept closed, and no essentials have been allowed from the south. Three renewed orders have been issued – on 7, 9 and 12 October – directing people’s displacement. In parallel, hostilities continue to escalate, resulting in more civilian suffering and casualties.

“In the past two weeks, over 50,000 people have been displaced from the Jabalya area, which is cut off, while others remain stranded in their homes amid increased bombardment and fighting. A military siege that deprives civilians of essential means of survival is unacceptable.  

“The latest military operations in northern Gaza have forced the closure of water wells, bakeries, medical points and shelters, as well as the suspension of protection services, malnutrition treatment, and temporary learning spaces. At the same time, hospitals have seen an influx of trauma injuries.”

According to UNICEF, these latest evacuation orders threaten the lives of premature babies in incubators and critically ill children in intensive care units in the Kamal Adwan Hospital, the only hospital with a paediatric unit in northern Gaza. The evacuation orders also threaten the survival of patients in the other two major hospitals in the north.

No one can say they don’t know what is going on as war crimes and atrocities are being committed on a daily basis.

In the early hours of Monday Israel attacked the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital complex in Deir el-Balah and sent flames sweeping through a packed tent filled camp where people, mostly women and children had sought safety. According to hospital records four people were burned alive in their tents and the charred bodies of the wounded littered the area. Many were so badly injured they didn’t survive long enough to get to ICU. Graphic images were posted on social media.

No one can say they don’t know what is going on.

This Saturday, 19th October, between 1 and 2pm, islanders in Orkney, will continue to hold their vigil on the Kirk Green, Broad Street, Kirkwall, calling for an immediate ceasefire. All are welcome who wish to join them in their call for peace.

“Gaza is the real-world embodiment of hell on earth for its one million children. And it’s getting worse, day by day, as we see the horrific impact of the daily airstrikes and military operations on Palestinian children.” said James Elder of UNICEF

No one can say they don’t know what is going on.

Why are islanders in Orkney standing in vigil every Saturday and determined to do so until there is an immediate and permanent ceasefire ? Watch the latest film by Mike Robertson for The Orkney News

All images by Mike Robertson. Art work by Suzy Shearer.

Fiona Grahame