PNGO Press Release on the Latest Development in The Gaza Strip
n April 5, 2018, the Palestinian Non Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO Network) conducted a video conference meeting with PNGO members including West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip to discuss the recent tragic developments in the Gaza Strip.
On March 30, 2018 which marked the 42nd annual commemoration of Land Day also the day Palestinian factions billed as a peaceful March of Return, over two hundred fifty thousand gathered to advocate for the return of Palestinian refugees to their original homelands in historic Palestine, now present day Israel. Palestinians also protested against the 11-year continuous Siege on the Gaza Strip, with dire socioeconomic & sever humanitarian conditions, encompassing shortages in basic needs, such as water, food, and medical equipment, and the destruction of all aspects of life therein. In response, the Israeli Occupying Forces (IOF) had extensively prepared for and deployed additional forces and equipment in the area, including snipers, drones, bulldozers, attack dogs, and issued explicit orders to use live fire against Palestinian peaceful protestors.
Since March 30, 2018,
21 Palestinians were premeditated murdered by the Israeli Occupation Forces whom bear full responsibility for the shooting of Palestinians and the wounding of over 1500 Palestinian citizens including women and children.
PNGO condemns Israels systematic and continuous widespread targeting of Palestinians across the occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt), especially in the Gaza Strip. PNGO warns against the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip and calls for international immediate and urgent action to provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and combat Israels longstanding impunity in the face of human rights violations, grave breaches, and crimes committed against Palestinians.
PNGO calls upon the international community to hold Israel accountable for the premeditated murdering of innocent Palestinian people, to provide international protection to the Palestinian people, and assist the occupied Palestinian people in obtaining their freedom, independence and right to self determination.
PNGO calls upon the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to convene an urgent meeting, addressing Israelis serious breaches of the Convention and accordingly protection for the Palestinian civilian population
PNGO calls upon the establishment of an independent investigation commissioned by the UN Secretary General into the killing committed on March 30, 2018.
Protect, realize and facilitate Palestinian refugees right of return, including protecting and ensuring the functions of UNRWA facilitates and services.
PNGO calls upon the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open an investigation into the situation in Palestine and to examine all the international crimes cases committed in the oPt.
