Palestinians in the Gaza Strip will use any ceasefire to retrieve bodies from the rubble of collapsed buildings as wealthy families try to buy their way out, residents of the besieged enclave say. I.
Israeli bombing continued on Thursday, the first day of a four-day ceasefire, with talks on terms still ongoing.
Residents of the Gaza Strip, who have witnessed repeated violence between Israel and Hamas, say the hours before a ceasefire are often the most dangerous. Thursday was no exception, said Maha Hussaini, a journalist and director of strategy for Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Geneva.
“Last night [and] “On Thursday morning we witnessed the most brutal explosions we have ever seen since our deportation to central Gaza,” she said. “Israeli naval, air and artillery bombardment hit several locations… including areas where Israeli residents were ordered to seek refuge.
“Last night, many residential buildings around us were bombed, and an unexploded Israeli rocket fell near our shelter.”
Ms Hussaini said she fled her home in devastated Gaza City on October 13 and now lives with her family and 55 others in a house in the center of the Gaza Strip, where they face severe shortages of food and medicine.
The ceasefire provides an opportunity to secure supplies while increasing the flow of aid, she said, adding that the return of thousands of bodies believed to be lying under the rubble of destroyed buildings will be a priority.
“Residents of the Gaza Strip will finally be able to remove the bodies of their loved ones from the streets and rubble and bury them in mass graves,” Ms. Hussaini said.
Israeli forces obstructed Palestinian aid workers’ efforts to recover bodies and sometimes attacked them, she added.
The journalist is not sure of the value of the proposed ceasefire. “It’s hard to describe how much the attacks and killings are easing, and we still have a few days to be relatively confident that we will survive before death threatens us again,” she said.
Khalil Abu Shammala, a media consultant who has been relocated from north to south Gaza, said the pause would bring some calm.
“Four days can help people at least breathe and move freely,” he said.
“The humanitarian crisis is getting worse, all the goods are disappearing from the markets – even if you have money, you won’t be able to buy anything,” he added, noting that the UN, Red Cross and other aid workers are overwhelmed.
The crisis has left many wondering about their future in Gaza. “I think hundreds of thousands will leave if given the opportunity,” Abu Shammala said, adding that he was also considering leaving the country for the sake of his three children.
Travel from Gaza has so far been limited to seriously ill people and people with dual citizenship. But Mr Abu Shammala says he has heard of cases of wealthy residents bribing Egyptian authorities to include them on the list of people allowed through the Rafah border crossing.
“Some people paid $5,000 (£4,000) a head,” he said. “I know a man who paid $30,000 for six family members. Those who can coordinate their actions will be handed over to Egyptian border officials so they can leave the border. Some people have good connections with the Egyptian government.”
Independent Palestinian sources, who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, said they were aware of the practice of paying money to leave Gaza. Similar cases were reported in Canada this week. Global news and Al Jazeera in 2019, although Egypt denies this.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Source: I News
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