A ship, The Conscience, carrying aid to Gaza organised by The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was hit by drone strikes when it was in international waters off Malta.

Israel has been blocking any aid getting into Gaza for over two months. This is a war crime.

The International Committee of the Red Cross stated that under international humanitarian law, Israel has an obligation to use all means available to ensure that the basic needs of the civilian population under its control are met. If the blockage continues, programmes such as the ICRC common kitchens—which often provide the only meal people receive each day—will only be able to operate for a few more weeks.  

Pascal Hundt, ICRC Deputy Director of Operations said:

“Civilians in Gaza are facing an overwhelming daily struggle to survive the dangers of hostilities, cope with relentless displacement, and endure the consequences of being deprived of urgent humanitarian assistance. This situation must not—and cannot—be allowed to escalate further.”

The ICRC statement continued, The ICRC remains committed to serving civilians in Gaza, but the deteriorating security situation is severely limiting the work and movement of ICRC personnel and our partners. International humanitarian law is clear: medical personnel and facilities must be respected and protected in all circumstances. All parties must ensure that hospitals and medical facilities remain sanctuaries to preserve human life. 

Peace campaigners in Orkney welcome anyone who wishes to join them on Saturday 3 May on the Kirk Green, Broad Street, Kirkwall. The vigil starts at 1 and runs until 2pm.

Images from Saturday 26 April credit Mike Robertson.

Catherine Russell UNICEF Executive Director issued a statement about the impact Israel’s policy of starvation and blocking all aid was having on children in Gaza.

She said:

“More than 9,000 children have been admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition since the beginning of the year. Hundreds more children in desperate need of treatment are not able to access it due to the insecurity and displacement.

“International humanitarian law requires authorities to ensure that the population under their control is treated humanely. This not only includes ensuring that civilians have the food, medicine, and essential supplies they need, but also ensuring sufficient hygiene and public health standards. All parties to the conflict must allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian assistance. And they must allow and facilitate all relevant UN entities to carry out those activities for the benefit of the local population.

“UNICEF remains in the Gaza Strip, doing what we can to support and protect children. But the aid blockade and more than 18 months of war are pushing Gaza’s children to the brink. We reiterate our call for the aid blockade to be lifted, for the entry of commercial goods into Gaza, for the release of the hostages, and for the protection of all children.” 

Tom Fletcher, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, condemned Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian assistance as a “cruel collective punishment” of the Palestinian population.

He said:

“International law is unequivocal: As the occupying power, Israel must allow humanitarian support in.

“Aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip,” 

The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners report severe shortages of essential medicines and medical equipment. 

Violence by Israeli forces and armed illegal settlers continues in The West Bank. A hundred days since the Israeli military operation in the north began, around 40,000 Palestinians remain displaced, unable to return home. The UN and partners are providing food, water, sanitation, health services, psycho-social support and cash assistance, reaching nearly 7,000 families to date.

People attending the Orkney Vigil on Saturday 26 April, where they are often joined by visitors to the islands, were filmed by Mike Robertson for The Orkney News.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said that the situation is “A manmade and politically motivated starvation.”

“Calls to bring in supplies are going unheeded.”

Fiona Grahame