The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on January 13 that nearly all of Gaza’s 1.1 million children need mental health and psychosocial support — the result of Israel’s bombardment, repeated displacement and catastrophic living conditions in the winter cold.
At least 19,000 children have been left with no parents as a result of the genocidal war, now in its 16th month.
While the Gaza Health Ministry said on January 12 that Israel has killed 46,565 Palestinians, The Lancet estimated on January 9 that the figure for “traumatic injury mortality” was closer to 64,260 deaths — and just for the period between October 7, 2023 to June 30 last year. It said its findings “show an exceptionally high mortality rate in the Gaza Strip during the period studied.
“These results underscore the urgent need for interventions to prevent further loss of life and illuminate important patterns in the conduct of the war.”
The Gaza Health Ministry estimated that 109,660 people have been injured in the war.
The elusive ceasefire deal, which United States President Joe Biden has proclaimed is “imminent” for most of the war, is still nowhere in sight as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to make extra demands on what has seemingly been finalised.
Now, Netanyahu is both trying to appease Biden’s demands for a ceasefire of sorts and his own far-right government, which has rejected a ceasefire.
The 100-day siege on Northern Gaza has only intensified as talk continues of a potential agreement between Hamas and Israel, Al Jazeera said.
Just days before the Republicans, headed by Donald Trump, take charge in the US, pro-Palestine protests across Australia continued to demand that Labor cut military ties with Israel and demand it allow more aid to the suffering people of Gaza.
Healthcare workers were prominent in many of the protests over the first week of January, demanding that Australia’s government pushes Israel to release 51-year-old pediatrician Dr Hussam Abu Safiya who was detained without charge on December 28 because he refused to leave his patients amid a prolonged siege and assault on the Kamal Adwan Hospital.
According to people released from the Sde Teiman torture prison in southern Israel, Abu Safiya was tortured before arriving at Sde Teiman and that has continued inside the notorious lockup. He may have been moved to Ofer Prison in the West Bank, Common Dreams reported.
An Israeli court has ordered that Abu Safiya — whose distressed mother reportedly died earlier this week — be held without charge until February 13.
The largest professional association of US pediatricians is also calling on the US State Department to intervene.
geelong_01_matt_hrkac.jpg
Sarah Hathway reports that healthcare workers stood outside Geelong University Hospital in Djilang/Geelong on January 11 demanding the immediate release of Abu Safiya.
Free Palestine Geelong (FPG) said: “Dr Safiya has devoted his life to healing children in one of the most devastated regions on earth, yet his critical work has been silenced”.
“Health care workers amongst others should be treated fairly and free from attack as they do the vital work to help save lives and treat the injured.
“The systematic targeting of doctors and hospitals is a cruel attempt to strip Palestinians of even the right to survive.”
Ann, a nurse based in Apollo Bay, spoke about witnessing first-hand the oppression and apartheid experienced by Palestinians when she visited Jerusalem.
“I can’t stress how important it is to speak up in solidarity with Palestine and speak out against genocide … I hope more nurses will join us.”
geelong_friday_01_helen_blythe.jpg
A day earlier, on January 10, Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) Geelong and Victoria Southwest activists roared back into action for their weekly peak hour traffic action for Palestine.
IPAN activist Jaimie Jeffrey told Green Left: “We got more supportive toots than usual at the waterfront which is very encouraging. “One guy yelled ‘Get a job’, to which we replied ‘Get a conscience’.”
“Watch this space as we ramp up our attack on ‘Minister for Warmongering’ Richard Marles, in the lead up to the federal election.”
naarm_01_adam_b.jpg
Adam Bremner reports that the refugee rights and Palestine solidarity movement held a joint protest in Naarm/Melbourne on January 12, with the theme “Stand against racism in the new year”.
Thousands gathered in thunder and heavy rain to listen to the passionate speeches of long-term refugees and advocates, sharing the power of grassroots activism and community building.
Speakers highlighted the unity that developed through the 100-day refugee encampment outside the Department of Immigration last year.
As the rain cleared, activists’ energy grew marching loudly down Swanston Street to Flinders Street Station.
naarm_02_adam_b.jpg
Early on in the march, a small group of Zionists tried interference, without success: protesters continued chanting and gestured to them with peace signs.
A refugee contingent called for an end to temporary visas, chanting “12 years, too long!”.
Despite the pouring rain, and Zionist distractors, the rally was positive and energetic, with a promise to continue to protest for Palestine in rain, hail or storm.
sydney_01_lisa_arnold.jpg
Kerry Smith reports that the rally against Israel’s genocide in Gaza on January 12 in Gadigal Country/Sydney was the 66th consecutive weekly rally.
Speakers included Gazan activist and researcher Shamikh Badra, Mark from Nurses and Midwives for Palestine (NAM4P), an eight-year-old girl from a village in southern Lebanon and Palestinian filmmaker Ala’a Al Qaisi.
katoomba_01.jpg
Kaat DeMaere reports that the Blue Mountains for Palestine organised a rally in Katoomba on January 11 to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid access to Gaza.
Speakers including Denise McMullen from NAMP4P and Dr Elizabeth Barret from Central West NSW for Palestine. Tey spoke about the more than 1150 medical staff killed so far by Israel.
“Gaza faces the deliberate destruction of its health system by Israel ... hospitals, like Al Shifa, have been attacked and falsely labeled as Hamas bases.
“The IDF continue to carry out daily atrocities killing civilians and medical staff unabated ... We join the international community to condemn this action and to demand the safe return of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya.”
sydney_04_nam4pal.jpg
naarm_04_adam_b.jpg
geelong_friday_02_helen_blythe.jpg
sydney_03_nam4pal.jpg
sydney_02_lisa_arnold_princess.jpg
geelong_02_matt_hrkac.jpg
