GAZA, Palestine

Having been forced to take shelter in a UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school following Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip, the displaced families look forward to returning to their homes.

As a result of Israeli attacks, hundreds of families abandoned their homes and took shelter in UNRWA schools. One of them is the Sabbag family, with their home in northern Beit Lahia town of Gaza Strip severely damaged following artillery shots and airstrikes by “Israel”.

The family took shelter in one of the UNRWA schools, named "New Gaza," and they struggle there without basic needs and now their sole dream is to return home.

Shadi Sabbag plays games with his little son in a class full of displaced people and tries to make his beloved child forget about the sound of bombs and images of destruction.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Sabbag said life in the school was like a disaster as they lacked basic needs such as clean clothes, bed, water, and electricity. He said they had to take shelter in the school due to the “Israeli” bombardment.

"I built this house by selling my wife's gold, but the occupants came and reduced it to rubbles for no reason. There is neither mercy nor humanity in them," he said, referring to “Israel”.

Given the grave living conditions in the school, he said he hoped Arab countries and international organizations would extend a helping hand.

In a classroom right next to where the Sabbag family, lives an old woman, Asma Al-Asgar (82), together with her daughter, who were forced to leave their home because of “Israeli” attacks.

Asgar said life in the school was difficult and hygiene was one of the core issues of the problems, she said she wanted to return home.

Although she wished she could spend Eid al-Fitr in her house, she said this did not happen due to attacks and all she experienced was war and destruction instead of the joy of marking the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Hours-long power cuts in school

Sema Al-Basyouni, 9, used to live in the Beit Hanoun town of northern Gaza Strip, but she then took refuge in the school as her house was partly damaged and her relatives were wounded.

She said none of the entertainment teams providing psychological support had visited the school and her 2-year-old sibling was crying all night long and the family failed to comfort her.

There are power cuts for hours and the weather is too hot, she said, adding that the UNRWA fell short of providing basic needs so far.

The little girl said she hoped they could go back to their room, her house, and once again attend school alongside her teachers.

Authorities not providing urgent, essential assistance

Mohammed al-Attar, 25, said the “Israeli” air force targeted one of the houses in the region and the heavy bombardment led to the death of many Palestinians.

"We were forced to abandon our house and take shelter in schools due to the intense bombardment. But the authorities are not providing us with urgent, essential assistance," he said.

"We left our houses, money, and land behind to save our lives," he said, adding that the school lacked means of security and basic needs.

Since April 13, clashes erupted across the occupied territories due to “Israeli” attacks and restrictions on Palestinians in East Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and an “Israeli” court order to evict 12 Palestinian families from their homes in favor of “Israeli” settlers.

The tension spread to Gaza on May 10, leading to a military confrontation between “Israeli” forces and Palestinian resistance groups, and to “Israeli” warplanes wreaking unprecedented destruction on Palestinian homes and infrastructure.

A cease-fire between “Israel” and Hamas, a Palestinian resistance group, took effect at 2 a.m. Friday (2300GMT Thursday).

The Egyptian-brokered truce came after 11 days of “Israeli” airstrikes on the blockaded Gaza Strip.

A total of 243 Palestinians, including 39 women and 66 children, have been killed by “Israeli” attacks on Gaza since May 10./aa

Hundreds of Kuwaitis demonstrated on Wednesday in support of Palestinians and burned an ‘Israeli’ flag to protest at the bombardment of Gaza after authorities allowed the rally to proceed despite coronavirus restrictions.

Protesters, who were only granted access to a main square on foot to limit numbers, chanted “Death to Israel” and held banners rejecting normalization accords struck by the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain to forge ties with ‘Israel’.

“We send a message to our friends in GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries that any normalization with the Zionists will not help. It helps the killer against the Palestinian people,” said 43-year-old Osama al-Zaid, a Kuwaiti political activist.

‘Israeli’ aerial bombardments of Gaza have killed 227 people in the 10-day conflict while rocket attacks by militant group Hamas have killed 12 people in ‘Israel’.

Hamas began firing rockets on May 10 in retaliation for what it said were ‘Israeli’ rights abuses against Palestinians in Jerusalem and following Israeli police clashes with worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

“Palestine and Al-Aqsa are in our hearts. We absolutely refuse it (normalization),” said 30-year-old Kuwaiti employee Zahraa Habeeb.

Other protesters, who included dozens of expatriates, chanted slogans calling for rocket attacks on Tel Aviv.

In neighboring states such as the UAE, some citizens have criticized Hamas for provoking Israeli air strikes.

Kuwait, which launched a relief campaign for Palestinians this week, prevented a similar rally, citing COVID-19 concerns.

Protests are rare in the Gulf region, where governments keep a lid on dissent and political parties are not allowed. Qatar has also permitted a pro-Palestinian protest.

Gulf states have condemned what they called flagrant ‘Israeli’ violations of Palestinian rights and called for a halt to hostilities./ (Reuters)

 Turkey’s communications director criticized a statement on Wednesday by the US State Department on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent comments regarding ‘Israel’. 

"Speaking about an Israeli Prime Minister who expressed his enjoyment of killing Muslims is not anti-Semitism. It is an unfortunate reality of some ‘Israeli’ leaders’ mindset," Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter.

He accused the US of being hypocritical, and said: "We categorically reject any attempt to misrepresent our President Erdogan’s words."

His remarks came after the State Department on Tuesday condemned what it called "Erdogan’s recent anti-Semitic comments regarding the Jewish people.”

Opposing [Israel’s] persecution of Palestinians, Erdogan "consistently called out anti-Semitism as well as Islamophobia and xenophobia," said Altun. "Our President simply pointed out (and he will continue to do so) that the U.S. administration is complicit in [Israel’s] expanding occupation and the apartheid regime. The U.S.’s continued military support and prevention of meaningful UNSC action are just a few examples," he said.

"The attempt to stain our courageous and outspoken leader’s struggle with a despicable charge of anti-Semitism is appalling. It is a cowardly statement to divert international attention away from Israel’s crimes against humanity," he stressed.

Highlighting the importance of Turkey's effort to call on the international community and those with a clear conscience to stand up to Israel’s occupation and attacks on innocent civilians, he said: "Those who have no courage to call Israel out are the real inciters of violence."

"Trying to tie our leader Erdogan to anti-Semitism is a clear symptom of guilt conscience," he said.

Erdogan criticized ‘Israel’ for attacks on civilians in Gaza and the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Monday. He also criticized US arms sales to Israel.

Accusing ‘Israel’ of being a "terrorist state" and violating Jerusalem, he also said it was "ruthlessly" bombing civilians in Gaza.

Erdogan said those supporting Israeli actions in Jerusalem and Gaza would go down in history as being complicit in child murder and crimes against humanity.

Since last weekend, worldwide protests have been conducted to voice solidarity with Palestinians after ‘Israel’ launched relentless airstrikes on Gaza since May 10. 

At least 227 Palestinians have been killed, including 64 children and 36 women, and 1,620 others injured in ‘Israeli’ attacks on the Gaza Strip since May 10, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

Recent tensions that started in East Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan spread to Gaza as a result of Israeli assaults on worshippers in the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood./aa

 As ‘Israel’ continues incessant attacks on Palestinians, celebrities across the world have raised their voice against the onslaught.

Palestinian-American models Bella and Gigi Hadid have been vocal on their social media accounts since the start of the protests in Palestine.

Bella Hadid also attended protests in New York in solidarity with Palestinian people.

The sisters have been sharing stories, videos, and infographics on their social media accounts on a daily basis.

Dua Lipa, an award-winning singer, also took to social media and said: “The ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people must come to an end. NO MORE!! This is a human rights issue!!!! WAKE UP PEOPLE.”

“I stand with the Palestinian people. My heart aches for the families who have lost loved ones. We cannot stand as silent witnesses to children being orphaned and murdered and not demand for the human rights of all Palestinians! This must end. Free Palestine,” said Zayn Malik, singer and former One Direction member, and also Gigi Hadid’s partner, on Twitter.

English rock musician Roger Waters has condemned ‘Israel’ over evictions of Palestinians in occupied East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

Waters, best known as bass player, co-lead vocalist, lyricist and principal songwriter in the rock band Pink Floyd, defined ‘Israel’ as "an apartheid state" in a video he posted on Twitter.

Calling on US President Joe Biden, he said: "Biden is still going ‘Oh, I support ‘Israel’ in anything’ Oh, wait you support them in this genocidal removal of people from their homes.

"How would you like it, Joe Biden? You're sitting at home, there that's your home, it's where your family have lived for hundreds of years. And some …. comes along and goes, that’s ours. I'm a settler I'm going to take your house from you. I don't care what you do. Die ... that would be the very best."

Noting that B'Tselem, a leading Israeli human rights organization, called ‘Israel’ "an apartheid state” a few months ago, he said that Human Rights Watch has now followed their lead.

“I’m starting a campaign to try and persuade FIFA to stop playing soccer against them. That will focus the attention. It certainly did to the South Africans.”

Canadian musician The Weeknd shared an illustration on his Instagram story showing a group of people holding signs that read “Palestinians will remain” and “No more ethnic cleansing.”

Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis also posted images depicting the evictions in Sheikh Jarrah with the caption “Let’s talk about what’s going on.”

Lena Headey, who played Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones, also shared several videos showing the events surrounding Sheikh Jarrah titled “Save Sheikh Jarrah. Zionist ‘Israeli’ Apartheid.”

Call for sanctions

Mark Ruffalo, a star of the multimillion-dollar Avengers movie franchise, said Israel should be sanctioned to liberate Palestine.

"Sanctions on South Africa helped free its black people – it’s time for sanctions on Israel to free Palestinians. Join the call," he said on Twitter.

At least 221 Palestinians have been killed, including 63 children and 36 women, and 1,530 others injured in ‘Israeli’ attacks across the blockaded territory since May 10, according to the Health Ministry.

Twelve Israelis have also been killed in Palestinian rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Recent tensions that started in East Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan spread to Gaza as a result of ‘Israeli’ assaults on worshippers in the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

On the other hand, football stars from around the world have shared social media posts expressing solidarity with Palestinians, amid a recent escalation in ‘Israeli’ violence in Jerusalem and Gaza. 

Over the past week, ‘Israeli’ forces have violently cracked down on protests against the imminent eviction of six Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in occupied East Jerusalem. 

‘Israeli’ police have also repeatedly attacked al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, with tear gas, sound grenades and rubber bullets, injuring several hundred people. 

Footballers have led the way among celebrities, using their large platforms to raise awareness about the situation. / agencies

Several Jewish people against the violence on Palestinian people have called on ‘Israelis’ to resist the mandatory military draft. 

While women have two-and-a-half years and men have three years of mandatory military service in ‘Israel’, tens of people are prosecuted every year in the country for refusing to join the armed forces.

There are two Jews currently serving time in jail for refusing to join the military because they do not support [Israel's] occupational policies. One of them is Eran Avid, the other one chose to remain anonymous, according to refuser support network Mesarvot.

Maya Hadasi, one of the few people who refused to serve, said, "One of the main functions of the ‘Israeli’ army is to maintain the occupation of the Palestinian people, and I don't want to take part in such an organization that uses force to do those things."

About civilians killed in ‘Israeli’ army attacks on Gaza, she told Anadolu Agency, "As a human being, I feel terrible for what's happening. I think this is yet another piece of evidence that you can't occupy and oppress other people in a sustainable way."

Hadasi stressed that the war is not a game, adding, "It's not two states and two militaries fighting each other. It's very clear that there's a civil population [Palestinians] and they have been under a very long occupation and blockade."

"I urge ‘Israeli’ citizens to not join the army and also those who are in it now, I call on you to stop doing what you're doing and join those who want to solve this in a humane, political way," she added.

Hilel Garmi, another Israeli citizen who refused mandatory military service, said t ‘Israeli’ army's entire target is to create a good place for the Jews, regardless of what happens to the Palestinians, adding they are creating a hierarchy between Jews and Palestinians.

"I don't want to serve an organization [the Israeli army] whose entire aim is to create a hierarchy. That's obvious, without even mentioning the extreme violence that ‘Israel’ is using to execute this hierarchy plan and Judaization of the entire (Palestinian) land," he said.

"Almost every military operation ‘Israeli’ is launching (against the Palestinians) confirms my decision. I can't call on anyone not to join the army because it's a very serious crime in ‘Israel’. I call on the entire Israeli public to resist in any non-violent way they can."

Garmi urged all ‘Israeli’ soldiers who took part in the war to try to think for themselves about what they're doing in this war and why this war is happening and to not take for granted everything that comes out of the officers' or army spokesmen's mouths.

Another ‘Israeli’, Atalya Benabba, said the incident in Gaza maker her "very angry," adding the policy of the ‘Israeli’ government is "so cruel, dehumanizing" and not seeing the Palestinians as human beings is depriving them of fundamental rights.

"So I think I made the right choice by not joining the ‘Israeli’ military. It's a terrible bombing. Gaza is one of the most densely packed places in the world. I want to fight against that. I don't want to be a part of it. I'm also happy that I'm not taking part now," she said.

"Teenagers that are being put in (military) uniforms and are being given guns, they're responsible for what they do and they need to be conscious of what they are doing, but the biggest responsibility is on the ‘Israeli’ government," Benabba told.

"I think in ‘Israel’ there is a lot of propaganda (spread) through the media and through news outlets and we see this now. There are videos on what happened in Al-Aqsa, but these are nowhere to be seen in the ‘Israeli’ media, nobody shows them," she added.

"So the ‘Israeli’ public doesn't have a full scope of knowledge. The general public, their knowledge about what's happening is through the news. They just don't know, there are just so many things happening that they aren't aware of," Benabba concluded./agencies