Emergencies in the Palestine

Post-war Gaza

Post-war Gaza

Now there’s a ceasefire in Gaza, assisting communities in the Strip is of the highest priority. The week-long war between Gaza and Israel has left many people in desperate need of medical items, drinking water and blankets, among other things. Caritas Jerusalem’s health team – two coordinators, medical staff and two psychiatrists – are making ...

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Gaza: the bloodshed continues

Gaza: the bloodshed continues

Harout Bedrossian is a communications officer for Caritas Jerusalem. He’s been sending us frequent updates on the situation in Gaza. Here’s the latest. We’re technically into day 8 of Operation Pillar of Cloud. I woke up very optimistic today after last night’s announcement of a ceasefire being brokered by Egypt, but was very disappointed when ...

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Killed by fear in Gaza

Killed by fear in Gaza

Salem Boulos Sweilem, a father of five, dies from fear when bombs fall near his home, writes Ameen Sabbagh from Caritas Jerusalem. On the 19th of November 2012, in the middle of the roar of Israeli warplanes that are constantly bombing Gaza.  Salem, a close neighbour to the Caritas Health Centre in Shate Refugee Camp died. ...

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Near miss for Caritas health centre as nearby house is bombed

Near miss for Caritas health centre as nearby house is bombed

The Gaza-Israeli conflict is in its sixth day and the bombardments and lack of adequate help is weighing heavily on the Gazan population. Israel also continues to come under rocket attack from militants in Gaza.  Today we spoke to Caritas staff on the ground in Gaza, Jerusalem and Ramallah. Ameen Sabbagh, a coordinator for Caritas ...

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Caritas Jerusalem brings hope as Gaza crisis deepens

Caritas Jerusalem brings hope as Gaza crisis deepens

Caritas Jerusalem’s outgoing director Claudette Habesch says there is an urgent need for humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza in response to an upsurge in attacks between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants. Speaking to Caritas Italy staff in Rome, she  expressed deep concern over the rising casualties. Mrs. Habesch feared the possibility of an end to ...

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International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people

International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people

On 29th November, the world is called to show its solidarity with the Palestinian people. Here is a letter from Claudette Habesch, secretary general of Caritas Jerusalem, to mark this special day. International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people Journée internationale de solidarité avec le peuple palestinien

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Caritas ambulances run out of fuel in Gaza

Caritas ambulances run out of fuel in Gaza

By Caritas Jerusalem Communications Department, Since end of February, Caritas Jerusalem operations in Gaza have been impacted by an oil supply crisis. “It started with difficulties in communicating with our staff in the field” said Jameel Khoury, health department coordinator based in Jerusalem. “Phones lines and emails were not functioning due to power cuts”. Now, ...

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Peace Is Possible’: Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

Peace Is Possible’: Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People

Joseph Cornelius Donnelly is based in New York for Caritas. He writes: Today, the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is commemorated solemnly at United Nations headquarters in New York and around the world. The necessity is two-fold: to remember the long struggle of Palestinians in their homeland and beyond, and to educate ...

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