The ceasefire that isn’t has continued to see civilians killed and injured in Gaza as fragile tented encampments were again hit by Israeli military fire this week.

A United Nations NGO partner who was working on flood control measures in the Rafah region had to abandon the crucial work they were doing as it was no longer safe for their staff to work there.

On 4 November the UN brought in fuel and food, as well as more than 260 pallets of medicines, vaccines and nutrition supplies, despite persistent restrictions imposed by Israel that limit what it can bring in.

UN partners have also been working in child protection in Gaza where it is estimated that 58,000 children have lost one or both parents. The child protection agencies were able to reach nearly 4,500 boys and girls and more than 2,000 caregivers with mental health and psychosocial support. 800,000 children remain displaced, many with no home to return to.

A United Nations briefing stated that partner organisations had “identified almost 200 children in need of individually tailored support, including 20 who are unaccompanied or separated from their families and 17 who are injured. Follow-up support continues for more than 2,000 children identified earlier as needing such help. Partners also provided vouchers to buy autumn clothes for more than 1,000 children without parental care.”

Settler violence continues in The West Bank as Palestinian farmers attempt to get in their olive harvest. Last week we reported on the Israeli General Election where there was no party able to form a majority government. The result has made no difference to the violence and thuggery being perpetrated on Palestinian families by illegal Israeli settlers.

“the latest figures on settler attacks in the context of the ongoing olive harvest across the West Bank indicate that 377 such incidents have resulted in casualties or property damage since September, a record number of attacks during the olive harvest season since 2006, when the UN began recording them.” – OCHA

80,000 to 100,000 Palestinian families across the West Bank depend on the annual olive harvest for their livelihoods and income.

Disturbing footage has appeared across social media of settlers not only attacking those trying to gather in their olives, but of the Israeli settler gangs stealing livestock and meting out hideous levels of cruelty against the animals they have rounded up. Some animals have been beaten to death.

Today, Saturday 7 November Peace campaigners in Orkney will again be standing in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and in The West Bank. The vigil is held from 1 to 2pm on the Kirk Green, outside St Magnus Cathedral, Broad Street, Kirkwall. All are invited to join with them in raising awareness of the Genocide in Gaza and in calling for a permanent ceasefire, and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.

For over three years the islanders in Orkney have been holding the Peace vigils. The Orkney News has documented each one. Here is a short film of last weekend’s.

Fiona Grahame

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