By Mohammed Asad
Millions in promised aid from the International community to support the rebuilding of thousands of Palestinian civilian homes in the Gaza Strip destroyed during Israeli military terrorism continues to be delayed.
The delays come at the worst time for hundreds of thousands of civilians who are struggling to live without proper homes, food or work during the harsh and cold weather.
The delays are caused by Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip, a blockade that has heightened political tensions that Israel has exploited to use as the excuse for three past brutal wars that have targeted civilians.
Israel’s policies are deemed as being driven by racism to drive Palestinians out of the region and to allow Israel to expand its control of territory. Although Israeli withdrew its military from the Gaza Strip because of years of successful resistance by Palestinians, the government of Occupied Palestine has continued to encircle the Gaza Strip and impose harsh restrictions on the movement of people, food, products, electricity, water and international aid.
More than $5.4 billion has been pledged by many nations during the international donors conference held in Cairo, Egypt in October 2014, following the war crimes committed by Israel the previous summer where more than 2,200 civilians were murdered including more than 500 children and teenagers.
Many Palestinians continue to live in tents and their homes remain destroyed without repairs or rebuilding.
The situation continues to pose a major threat to the tentative ceasefire and may provoke more conflict, which many believe is Israel’s intention.
photographer Mohammed Asad's photo of Dalia Khalifa won an award in March 2015 at a competition organised by the UN.
'Unbreakable' - is the photo of 9yr old Dalia Khalifa, taken at Al-Shifa Hospital on Aug 9th, 2014. Dalia was badly injured in an Israeli air strike during Operation 'Protective Edge'.
'Unbreakable' is the Grand Jury Winner in the photography competition, organised by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Middle East and North Africa (UN OCHA).
[EDITOR'S NOTE: Mohammed Asad's home in Shujaiyya was destroyed by Israeli missiles, mortars and tank fire on Friday August 1, 2014 while he was documenting the Israeli massacre of civilians in the Gaza Strip. He is now living in temporary housing as he scrambles to find Internet access to share his photographs when possible.]
- UN Secretary General visits Palestine, Israel - August 30, 2017
- Fadi Thabit photo exhibit documents Gaza Life - July 14, 2017
- Palestinian children celebrate Ramadan Eid in besieged Gaza Strip - June 27, 2017
