France bans pro-Palestine protests
“France's Socialist government provoked outrage today by becoming the first in the world to ban protests against Israeli action in Palestine,” the Daily Mail on July 18.
“In what is viewed as an outrageous attack on democracy, Socialist Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said mass demonstrations planned for the weekend should be halted … Thousands were set to march against the ongoing slaughter in Gaza.
“Anyone who turns up to an illegal demonstration now faces up to a year in prison, and a 15,000 euro fine ... Even those who publish details of an illegal rally on social media face up to a year in prison, and a 15,000 euro fine.”
Gaza health ministry declares emergency
“As Israel continues to bomb hundreds of targets in the Gaza Strip, hospitals are facing a shortage of medical supplies,” , a United Nations humanitarian news and information service, on July 14.
Pre-existing shortages were worsened by heightened need caused by Israel's bombings, as well as by the border policies of the Egyptian government, which continues to limit entry into Gaza.
Gaza’s health ministry announced a state of emergency, with the danger of acute shortages of basic medication. Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qedra said the needs would soon become critical.
“We are already facing a severe shortage — 35 to 40% — of needed medicines and disposables, which impacts the treatment of the growing number of injuries because of the current escalation,” he told IRIN.
The World Health Organisation said 3% of the essential drug list and half the disposable medical supplies were out of stock in Gaza before the current crisis began.
US blames Hamas for Israel's slaughter
The US State Department absolved Israel of responsibility for the murder of four Palestinian children in Gaza on July 16, squarely on Hamas.
The four children were killed and three others badly wounded by Israeli fire as they played on a beach in Gaza. Dozens of international journalists stationed at the nearby Al-Deira Hotel watched in horror as after an initial strike, Israeli fire chased after the terrified children as they ran for their lives screaming for help, firing at them a second time.
As of July 17, 46 children have been killed and hundreds more injured during Israel’s relentless bombing of the besieged Gaza Strip, now in its 10th day.
During a press briefing on July 17, US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said the loss of life in Gaza is “absolutely tragic”, but she blamed Hamas for the deaths. Psaki cited Hamas’ rejection of a unilateral ceasefire proposal by Egypt and Israel, which Hamas was never consulted on.
Reporters continued to raise questions about the rising civilian death toll caused by Israeli air strikes in Gaza, and each time Psaki blamed Palestinian rocket fire on Israel, saying, “Hamas is putting their own people in Gaza at risk by continuing their actions.”
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