RAFIF ESLEEM

Gaza- The Israel-Palestine conflict that started following “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” by Al-Qassam Brigades, military wing of Hamas, has entered its fourth day. In an interview with NuJINHA, Palestinian activist Zarifa Abu Qura said that they have not witnessed such an attack in the Gaza Strip before.

‘Civilians, women and children pay the price’

Speaking about the warning of Israel for people living in certain areas to leave, she said, “Women living in the border areas face a difficult condition. There is a stampede because people try to flee from these areas. Many civilians, including children and women, were killed and injured without receiving any warning. Civilians, women and children pay the price of this conflict. After the warning of Israel for people living in certain areas to leave in 10 minutes, women had a difficult time because mothers did not want to leave their children. This caused a stampede injuring many people, especially children.”

‘Women and girls are subjected to rape and harassment’

Zarifa Abu Qura also said that the main roads connecting the Gaza Strip to other areas are completely damaged so people cannot go to safe places. “This situation increases the suffering of women and people with special needs. Just yesterday, 160 buildings were targeted and destroyed within hours. The Gaza Strip has become like an abandoned house. The situation in schools is not better; some of them were targeted in the airstrikes. We have learned that women and girls are subjected to rape and harassment in the places they have taken shelter due to the chaos in the besieged city.”

‘There is no safe place for women and girls to take shelter’

Highlighting that there is no safe place for women and girls to take shelter, she said, “There is no safe place in the Gaza Strip where women can take shelter, there are no shelters available to protect themselves from attacks by warplanes and drones. The buildings of some centers and organizations providing services to women were also targeted. The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that some hospitals and ambulances were also targeted by airstrikes. Since Israel cuts electricity supplies, generators have been used in hospitals to maintain essential services. There are many people waiting for treatment in the courtyards and corridors of hospitals due to the lack of beds.”

At the end of her speech, Zarifa Abu Qura called on the international community to immediately push both parties to declare a ceasefire and lift the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip.