\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

On Al Wahida Street, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people, according to Gaza health officials. A few buildings on the street collapsed, burying families alive. Israel says it was attacking a militant tunnel deep underground and that the buildings\u2018 foundations collapsed.Article continues after sponsor message<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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_{Palestinians assess the damage in their home, hit by Israeli bombardment, in Gaza City on Friday after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.Mohammed Abed\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

On Al Wahida Street, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people, according to Gaza health officials. A few buildings on the street collapsed, burying families alive. Israel says it was attacking a militant tunnel deep underground and that the buildings\u2018 foundations collapsed.Article continues after sponsor message<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Palestinians assess the damage in their home, hit by Israeli bombardment, in Gaza City on Friday after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.Mohammed Abed\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

On Al Wahida Street, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people, according to Gaza health officials. A few buildings on the street collapsed, burying families alive. Israel says it was attacking a militant tunnel deep underground and that the buildings\u2018 foundations collapsed.Article continues after sponsor message<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

\u201eWe\u2019re finally leaving our houses. We\u2019re going out in the streets to celebrate this holiday, to visit our relatives. And we are seeing with our own eyes the pain and the destruction,\u201c said Tahani,a 30-year-old who was walking with her husband and three daughters. All wore matching pink outfits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Palestinians assess the damage in their home, hit by Israeli bombardment, in Gaza City on Friday after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.Mohammed Abed\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

On Al Wahida Street, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people, according to Gaza health officials. A few buildings on the street collapsed, burying families alive. Israel says it was attacking a militant tunnel deep underground and that the buildings\u2018 foundations collapsed.Article continues after sponsor message<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

Families walked together in the streets, dressed-up in fancy clothes \u2014 holiday clothes for Eid, the Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramadan and started last week. Due to the war, people had not been able to visit friends and relatives during the holiday, so they celebrated it today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eWe\u2019re finally leaving our houses. We\u2019re going out in the streets to celebrate this holiday, to visit our relatives. And we are seeing with our own eyes the pain and the destruction,\u201c said Tahani,a 30-year-old who was walking with her husband and three daughters. All wore matching pink outfits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Palestinians assess the damage in their home, hit by Israeli bombardment, in Gaza City on Friday after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.Mohammed Abed\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

On Al Wahida Street, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people, according to Gaza health officials. A few buildings on the street collapsed, burying families alive. Israel says it was attacking a militant tunnel deep underground and that the buildings\u2018 foundations collapsed.Article continues after sponsor message<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n

In Gaza City, fully intact buildings stood right next to where others had been flattened. One building looked like a layer cake, with one story stacked on top of the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Families walked together in the streets, dressed-up in fancy clothes \u2014 holiday clothes for Eid, the Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramadan and started last week. Due to the war, people had not been able to visit friends and relatives during the holiday, so they celebrated it today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eWe\u2019re finally leaving our houses. We\u2019re going out in the streets to celebrate this holiday, to visit our relatives. And we are seeing with our own eyes the pain and the destruction,\u201c said Tahani,a 30-year-old who was walking with her husband and three daughters. All wore matching pink outfits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Palestinians assess the damage in their home, hit by Israeli bombardment, in Gaza City on Friday after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.Mohammed Abed\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

On Al Wahida Street, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people, according to Gaza health officials. A few buildings on the street collapsed, burying families alive. Israel says it was attacking a militant tunnel deep underground and that the buildings\u2018 foundations collapsed.Article continues after sponsor message<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n

Friday was the first day that foreign journalists were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip since the fighting began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Gaza City, fully intact buildings stood right next to where others had been flattened. One building looked like a layer cake, with one story stacked on top of the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Families walked together in the streets, dressed-up in fancy clothes \u2014 holiday clothes for Eid, the Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramadan and started last week. Due to the war, people had not been able to visit friends and relatives during the holiday, so they celebrated it today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eWe\u2019re finally leaving our houses. We\u2019re going out in the streets to celebrate this holiday, to visit our relatives. And we are seeing with our own eyes the pain and the destruction,\u201c said Tahani,a 30-year-old who was walking with her husband and three daughters. All wore matching pink outfits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Palestinians assess the damage in their home, hit by Israeli bombardment, in Gaza City on Friday after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.Mohammed Abed\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

On Al Wahida Street, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people, according to Gaza health officials. A few buildings on the street collapsed, burying families alive. Israel says it was attacking a militant tunnel deep underground and that the buildings\u2018 foundations collapsed.Article continues after sponsor message<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

After 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas, a cease-fire went into effect at 2 a.m. local time Friday. Gaza health officials say at least 240 people were killed there by waves of airstrikes from Israel. Twelve people died in Israel from more than 4,000 rockets fired by militants in Gaza, according to Israeli officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday was the first day that foreign journalists were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip since the fighting began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Gaza City, fully intact buildings stood right next to where others had been flattened. One building looked like a layer cake, with one story stacked on top of the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Families walked together in the streets, dressed-up in fancy clothes \u2014 holiday clothes for Eid, the Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramadan and started last week. Due to the war, people had not been able to visit friends and relatives during the holiday, so they celebrated it today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eWe\u2019re finally leaving our houses. We\u2019re going out in the streets to celebrate this holiday, to visit our relatives. And we are seeing with our own eyes the pain and the destruction,\u201c said Tahani,a 30-year-old who was walking with her husband and three daughters. All wore matching pink outfits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Palestinians assess the damage in their home, hit by Israeli bombardment, in Gaza City on Friday after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.Mohammed Abed\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

On Al Wahida Street, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people, according to Gaza health officials. A few buildings on the street collapsed, burying families alive. Israel says it was attacking a militant tunnel deep underground and that the buildings\u2018 foundations collapsed.Article continues after sponsor message<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

Page 2 of 4 Previous 1 2 3 4 Next

\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/05\/21\/999302436\/the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city?t=1621804721967<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas, a cease-fire went into effect at 2 a.m. local time Friday. Gaza health officials say at least 240 people were killed there by waves of airstrikes from Israel. Twelve people died in Israel from more than 4,000 rockets fired by militants in Gaza, according to Israeli officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday was the first day that foreign journalists were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip since the fighting began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Gaza City, fully intact buildings stood right next to where others had been flattened. One building looked like a layer cake, with one story stacked on top of the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Families walked together in the streets, dressed-up in fancy clothes \u2014 holiday clothes for Eid, the Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramadan and started last week. Due to the war, people had not been able to visit friends and relatives during the holiday, so they celebrated it today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eWe\u2019re finally leaving our houses. We\u2019re going out in the streets to celebrate this holiday, to visit our relatives. And we are seeing with our own eyes the pain and the destruction,\u201c said Tahani,a 30-year-old who was walking with her husband and three daughters. All wore matching pink outfits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Palestinians assess the damage in their home, hit by Israeli bombardment, in Gaza City on Friday after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.Mohammed Abed\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

On Al Wahida Street, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people, according to Gaza health officials. A few buildings on the street collapsed, burying families alive. Israel says it was attacking a militant tunnel deep underground and that the buildings\u2018 foundations collapsed.Article continues after sponsor message<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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While some laid blame on one side or the other, leaders overwhelmingly called for a lasting political solution to the conflict.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gaza-Israel conflict in pictures: 11 days of destruction","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gaza-israel-conflict-in-pictures-11-days-of-destruction","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5306","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5296,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:31:34","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:31:34","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/05\/21\/999302436\/the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city?t=1621804721967<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas, a cease-fire went into effect at 2 a.m. local time Friday. Gaza health officials say at least 240 people were killed there by waves of airstrikes from Israel. Twelve people died in Israel from more than 4,000 rockets fired by militants in Gaza, according to Israeli officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday was the first day that foreign journalists were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip since the fighting began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Gaza City, fully intact buildings stood right next to where others had been flattened. One building looked like a layer cake, with one story stacked on top of the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Families walked together in the streets, dressed-up in fancy clothes \u2014 holiday clothes for Eid, the Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramadan and started last week. Due to the war, people had not been able to visit friends and relatives during the holiday, so they celebrated it today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eWe\u2019re finally leaving our houses. We\u2019re going out in the streets to celebrate this holiday, to visit our relatives. And we are seeing with our own eyes the pain and the destruction,\u201c said Tahani,a 30-year-old who was walking with her husband and three daughters. All wore matching pink outfits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Palestinians assess the damage in their home, hit by Israeli bombardment, in Gaza City on Friday after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.Mohammed Abed\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

On Al Wahida Street, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people, according to Gaza health officials. A few buildings on the street collapsed, burying families alive. Israel says it was attacking a militant tunnel deep underground and that the buildings\u2018 foundations collapsed.Article continues after sponsor message<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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\n

Presidents and prime ministers worldwide have welcomed the ceasefire, brokered by Egypt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While some laid blame on one side or the other, leaders overwhelmingly called for a lasting political solution to the conflict.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gaza-Israel conflict in pictures: 11 days of destruction","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gaza-israel-conflict-in-pictures-11-days-of-destruction","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5306","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5296,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:31:34","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:31:34","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2021\/05\/21\/999302436\/the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city?t=1621804721967<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

After 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas, a cease-fire went into effect at 2 a.m. local time Friday. Gaza health officials say at least 240 people were killed there by waves of airstrikes from Israel. Twelve people died in Israel from more than 4,000 rockets fired by militants in Gaza, according to Israeli officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Friday was the first day that foreign journalists were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip since the fighting began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Gaza City, fully intact buildings stood right next to where others had been flattened. One building looked like a layer cake, with one story stacked on top of the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Families walked together in the streets, dressed-up in fancy clothes \u2014 holiday clothes for Eid, the Muslim festival that marks the end of Ramadan and started last week. Due to the war, people had not been able to visit friends and relatives during the holiday, so they celebrated it today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201eWe\u2019re finally leaving our houses. We\u2019re going out in the streets to celebrate this holiday, to visit our relatives. And we are seeing with our own eyes the pain and the destruction,\u201c said Tahani,a 30-year-old who was walking with her husband and three daughters. All wore matching pink outfits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Palestinians assess the damage in their home, hit by Israeli bombardment, in Gaza City on Friday after a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.Mohammed Abed\/AFP via Getty Images<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

On Al Wahida Street, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 40 people, according to Gaza health officials. A few buildings on the street collapsed, burying families alive. Israel says it was attacking a militant tunnel deep underground and that the buildings\u2018 foundations collapsed.Article continues after sponsor message<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The street is now a wall of rubble where apartments stood. A sofa lay crushed under a large piece of cement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who won this battle? Gazans say that they did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a video-game shop, a young gamer named Hossam Ashour said that Hamas and Palestinians were defending Jerusalem, its Al-Aqsa Mosque and a neighborhood where Israel was set to evict Palestinians. Still, he said, Gazans don\u2019t deserve all this death and destruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

_{Ashraf and four daughters dressed up for Eid holiday, celebrated a week late, in Gaza.Daniel Estrin\/NPR<\/em><\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n}

That destruction means a need for major rebuilding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed. For now, Gazans are marking the rubble with signs that carry the name and phone number of the owner, so that they can be contacted when aid arrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And there is the present danger of unexploded bombs. Also on Al Wahida Street, workers were removing two large unexploded missiles, under the watch of militants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The fighting has stopped for now, but dangerous clearance work lies ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NPR\u2019s Daniel Estrin reported from Gaza City. NPR\u2019s Laurel Wamsley reported from Washington, D.C.<\/em><\/p>\n","post_title":"The Bombing Has Stopped, But Pain And Destruction Remain In Gaza City","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-bombing-has-stopped-but-pain-and-destruction-remain-in-gaza-city","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5296","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5284,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-23 21:18:02","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 21 May 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/news.un.org\/en\/story\/2021\/05\/1092482<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking from Gaza, Matthias Schmale from the UN relief agency for Palestinians UNRWA, said that there was no \u201cgoing back to normal\u201d in the enclave, after more than 10 days of rocket fire and airstrike exchanges between the warring parties that have killed more than 250 people and injured thousands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoing back to normal life means having to watch very carefully where we are going; unexploded devices, we know that at least one school, one of our 278 schools, where we have established two deeply buried bombs, and we have alerted the Israeli authorities\u201d, he said. \u201cObviously we cannot just rush back into our buildings and schools, we have to make sure they\u2019re safe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The senior UNRWA official also noted that the Kerem Shalom crossing was due to open for several hours on Friday but that for the duration of the clashes, it had not been possible to get people out for medical treatment, or aid reinforcements in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Schmale noted that UNRWA staff who are mainly residents of the region said that the violence had been \u201cworse in intensity and terror than 2014\u201d, before echoing the UN Secretary-General\u2019s call<\/a> for a meaningful political process to resolve the grievances of both Palestinians and Israelis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

War still looms<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNormality here also means 50 per cent employed and rising\u2026I\u2019m convinced after being here two and a half years that we will be back in war unless underlying causes are not addressed; and from a Gaza perspective that means giving people and especially young people a dignified perspective of a dignified life\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf you have your own money and take home your own money to buy food instead of depending on handouts from the UN\u201d, the top UN official added, \u201cyou\u2019re less likely to run into groupings like Hamas\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mark Lowcock, allocated $4.5 million towards the cost of meeting rising needs across Gaza on Friday. The money comes from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF<\/a>), which is in addition to some $18 million allocated from the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund, making for a total of $22.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is expected that an inter-agency Flash Appeal for the occupied Palestinian territory will be issued next week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNICEF delivers aid containers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The UN Children\u2019s Fund, UNICEF<\/a>, delivered 18 containers of aid on Friday following the resumption of relative calm in the Gaza Strip, through the Kerem Shalom crossing, to support children and families in need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the items delivered were first-aid kits, blood supply bags and solution, fire extinguishers, antibiotics and other infection-control kits, together with 10,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19<\/a> vaccine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are extremely thankful that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza strip came into effect at 2am this morning, because the human toll there has been huge\u201d, said Lucia Elmi<\/a>, UNICEF Special Representative in Palestine. \u201cThis will allow families to have much-needed respite and allow for the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance and personnel to the Gaza Strip\u201d, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UN rights experts call for ICC probe<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

UN independent human rights experts on Friday called on all parties<\/a> to the conflict in Gaza and Israel to respect the ceasefire, and urged an investigation by the International Criminal Court<\/a> (ICC) into the attacks on civilian populations and other \u201cgross violations of human rights\u201d, according to a statement released through the UN rights office (OHCHR<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts pointed to the forced evictions of Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan, in Occupied East Jerusalem, as the spark that set off a full-blown war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They said that at least 222 people, including 63 children, were killed in Gaza and 12 people died in Israel as a result of the fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More than 450 buildings in the Gaza Strip were completely destroyed or damaged by missiles, the statement continued. Among them were six hospitals, nine healthcare centres and a water desalination plant, supplying around 250,000 Palestinians with clean drinking water, as well as a tower which housed media outlets including the Al Jazeera network, and Associated Press (AP). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Asymmetry of power\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOwing to the vast asymmetry of power, the victims of this conflict are disproportionately Palestinians in Gaza, of whom over 74,000 have been forcibly displaced and made homeless, mostly women and children\u201d, the experts said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe conflict has led to a new wave of unprecedented mass destruction of civilian homes and infrastructure, including electrical grids in Gaza, and indiscriminate or deliberate missile attacks on civilians and residential areas in Israel and Gaza, that violate not only international human rights standards, but amount as well to crimes under international law for which there is individual and State responsibility\u201d, the experts continued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The experts said that all \u201cindiscriminate or deliberate bombardment of civilians and towers housing civilians, media organizations and refugee camps in Gaza and Israel are war crimes that are, prima facie, not justified by the requirements of proportionality and necessity under international law. All parties who engage in such attacks must bear individual and State responsibility as appropriate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Independent Special Rapporteurs, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council<\/a> to monitor specific countries or thematic issues.\u202f They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor are they paid by the Organization.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Ceasefire can\u2019t hide scale of destruction in Gaza, UN warns, as rights experts call for ICC probe","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"ceasefire-cant-hide-scale-of-destruction-in-gaza-un-warns-as-rights-experts-call-for-icc-probe","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5284","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5226,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-16 18:00:00","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 03 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2021\/sc14428.doc.htm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Security Council underscored today the importance of addressing the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism and violent extremism in West Africa and the Sahel, as well as the need for a holistic approach to address the causes of intercommunal violence in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The representative of the United Kingdom, Council President for February, issued a presidential statement (S\/PRST\/2021\/3<\/a>), requesting the Secretary-General to explore the feasibility of a civilian joint project between the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS) and regional organizations, such as the G5 Sahel (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union, with the aim of stemming and preventing intercommunal violence.  The Council likewise requested the Secretary-General to include in his next UNOWAS report recommendations with viable options for establishing such a project, and his Special Representative to update the 15-member organ on these recommendations during his next briefing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In that context, the Council condemned in the strongest terms the 2 January terrorist attacks in the villages of Tchoma Bangou and Zaroumadareye in Niger, also condemning the 28 November 2020 attacks against civilians in Nigeria\u2019s Borno State and the 11 December 2020 abduction of more than 300 children in Katsina State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stressing the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women in all efforts to maintain peace and security \u2014 as recognized in resolution 1325 (2000) \u2014 the Council, in later provisions of its statement, commended country efforts to advance women\u2019s participation in political processes, with a view to increasing the number of females appointed to senior Government positions.  It welcomed in that regard the active leadership of women in recent electoral processes in Burkina Faso, C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea and Niger, as well as the appointment of a new female Prime Minister in Togo and proportion of women in the new cabinet of Liberia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the humanitarian front, the Council expressed concern over the deterioration in the overall humanitarian situation in the region, exacerbated by COVID-19 and notably characterized by the impact of forced displacement, extreme poverty, food insecurity, social inequalities and violence \u2014 including sexual and gender-based violence.  It called for safe, sustained and unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian and medical aid, including access to comprehensive health care and services for survivors of sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, without discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acknowledging the effort of West African countries to respond to COVID-19, the Council noted that the pandemic \u2014 and more so, its second wave \u2014 has exacerbated conflict drivers and caused severe socioeconomic, political and security repercussions.  It called for continued support to ensure a comprehensive response, including equal, affordable access to a vaccine.  It likewise called for actions to prevent the harmful effects of the pandemic on the right of every child to education, and to support education that is inclusive and equitable, using distance-learning solutions to close the digital gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Security Council reaffirms that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes a threat to international peace and security,\u201d members said through the presidential statement, expressing concern over the threat that piracy and armed robbery in the Gulf of Guinea pose to international navigation, security and development in the region.  Welcoming the 2020 initiative to deploy an African Union-led force in the Sahel, which it \u201clooks forward to\u201d, the Council underlined the need for security efforts to be aligned with political objectives and to promote the restoration of civilian security, among other initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the adverse effects of climate change, ecological changes and natural hazards on the stability of West Africa and the Sahel region, the Council continued to stress the need for long-term strategies, based on comprehensive risk assessments by Governments and the United Nations, to support stabilization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Council went on to welcome the holding of presidential and legislative elections in 2020 in some countries of West Africa and the Sahel, which has \u201cstrengthened the roots of democracy in these countries\u201d.  It encouraged national stakeholders in other regional countries with upcoming elections to work together to facilitate the preparation for, and holding of, genuinely free and fair, credible, timely, inclusive and peaceful elections.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Security Council Presidential Statement Underlines Importance of Addressing Terrorism, Violent Extremism in West Africa, Sahel","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"sahel-counter-terrorism-takes-a-heavy-toll-on-civilians","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:44","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5226","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":5127,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_date_gmt":"2021-05-02 20:03:08","post_content":"\n

originally published:<\/em> 13 April 2021<\/strong> | origin:<\/em> https:\/\/www.al-monitor.com\/originals\/2021\/04\/gold-industry-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip \u2014 Al-Qaysariyya gold market<\/a> is regarded as one of the oldest historical monuments in Gaza City, and is a hub for gold trading that was established during the Mamluk period by Sheikh Shams al-Din Zanki al-Himsi, a Gazan judge, who ordered its construction in 1476.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The market first served as a hub for merchants who flocked in on their horses, which were tied up to stables that later became gold shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a corner of the ancient gold market, opposite the Omari Mosque<\/a> \u2014 also known as the Great Mosque of Gaza \u2014 that dates back to the fifth century, sits al-Badrasawi jewelry shop, which began making gold in 2000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop has gradually developed its gold industry, which climaxed during the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020. This was when all crossings with the Gaza Strip were closed as part of the precautionary measures to stem the spread of the virus, which affected the gold imports \u2014 thus encouraging local industries to work on replacing the gold products usually imported from the Gulf, Turkey and other countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The shop owner, Mohammad al-Badrasawi, 48, began working in the gold business about 30 years ago. He then shifted to gold manufacturing in 2000 to meet the market demands. Badrasawi now has five employees who are skilled in manufacturing gold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe now supply gold jewelry to all stores in and outside the gold market in the Gaza Strip,\u201d Badrasawi told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the great success in the gold industry in Gaza, some challenges are expected, mainly \u201cthe Israeli blockade that prevents the entry of raw materials, considered as dual-use materials [civilian and military] such as nitrate that helps us filter impurities from the gold,\u201d Badrasawi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gazan merchants rely on imported ready-made wax molds from Turkey, which help in modernizing designs and diversifying the available products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIsrael, however, also bans the importation of several machines that are used to make more fashionable jewelry designs, such as the CNC technique<\/a>, which is a computerized digital control technology to design new shapes. This is not to mention the laser machines to create new molds and get creative in our designs,\u201d Badrasawi added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Egyptian authorities, in agreement with Hamas that controls the Gaza Strip, have closed the Rafah border crossing<\/a> with Gaza since March 2020; it was reopened in February<\/a> under strict measures from Hamas to allow the passage of urgent humanitarian cases only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Abu Alaa Habboub is the owner of the Habboub jewelry shop, who purchases gold products from local manufacturers in Gaza, including the Badrasawi factory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSince the onset of the blockade in 2007, gold manufacturing has increased in Gaza to cover about 40% of the local market\u2019s needs. This is due to restrictions on gold imports, which do not exceed 60% of the gold products in the local market,\u201d Habboub told Al-Monitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cWith the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, however, the local gold industry began to boom and now covers 100% of the market\u2019s needs.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub, who has been managing his shop for over 30 years, said, \u201cPeople in general \u2014 and not only in the Gaza Strip \u2014 like to invest in gold<\/a> especially during hard times. In Gaza, we had to reprocess gold and manufacture it locally to meet the local demand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also explained that in the Gaza Strip, buying gold is a tradition especially for weddings. \u201cAccording to customs and traditions, the bride would purchase gold using part of her dowry, which ranges between $1,000 and $4,000, depending on the family\u2019s economic situation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Habboub noted that the Israeli blockade and the deterioration of the economic situation has had an adverse impact on purchasing and dealing in gold, compared to the period prior to the blockade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBuyers now purchase gold to hoard it. Amid the deteriorating economic conditions the gold trade has drastically decreased. Due to the political sanctions imposed on the Palestinian Authority-appointed government employees in Gaza have been getting 70% of their monthly salary only since 2018, while the Hamas-appointed public servants receive 40%. People mostly buy gold for hoarding and not for ornamental purposes,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bader Tarazi, a member of the Palestinian Union of Precious Metals<\/a>, told Al-Monitor, \u201cThe gold industry in Gaza has boomed during the coronavirus crisis in terms of enhanced quality and variety of products compared to past years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said, \u201cDespite all the challenges facing gold manufacturers \u2014 including power cuts \u2014 the absence of government support and compensation for damages caused by the wars, this sector has remained resilient and continues to provide job opportunities for many unemployed skilled workers in the industry.\u201c<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tarazi explained that Gaza has about 20 small workshops and factories for gold jewelry manufacturing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGoldsmiths in Gaza lack modern capabilities and are banned from traveling abroad to train and develop their skills, but given the needs in the markets many are trying to import the necessary available tools to be able to develop their industry albeit within limited capabilities,\u201d he concluded.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Gold industry in Gaza booms amid coronavirus outbreak","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"gold-industry-in-gaza-booms-amid-coronavirus-outbreak","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:35:45","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=5127","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":2},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};

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