Israel and the occupied and autonomous territories: ICRC relief for Beit Hanoun
The ICRC has been particularly active in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, since an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operation began there on 29 June.
While continuing to monitor the humanitarian situation in all parts of the town, the ICRC has focused its efforts on three neighbourhoods where many people have been unable to leave their homes and work places owing to the tight curfew currently in place.
Since 1 July, the ICRC has brought drinking water, food, hygiene items and medicine purchased by the Palestine Red Crescent Society to over 900 people. It has also distributed tents, blankets, stoves and cooking utensils to families whose homes have been destroyed.
On 4 July, an ICRC water and habitat engineer entered Beit Hanoun to assess the status of its sewage, water and electricity networks. The next day, the ICRC made arrangements with IDF for Beit Hanoun municipality workers to enter the town and carry out much-needed emergency repairs.
The ICRC continues to coordinate the safe passage of Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulances through various Beit Hanoun military checkpoints with the IDF and stands ready to respond to further needs.
Since the beginning of the military operation, the ICRC has been in constant dialogue with the Palestinian and Israeli authorities so as to facilitate its humanitarian work as well as that of the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
For more information, please contact:
Iyad Nasr, ICRC Gaza, tel. ++972 82 828 874
Simon Schorno, ICRC Jerusalem, tel. ++972 52 956 371
Document Sources: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
Subject: Humanitarian relief, Palestine question, Situation in the OPT including Jerusalem
Publication Date: 08/07/2004