Hundreds of wounded in Gaza stand up against power cuts

Raed Moussa - Gaza

The Palestinian wounded at the hands of the Palestinian National Authority cut their salaries two months ago, as part of what the injured consider as "the PA's sanctions against the Gaza Strip."

Al-Gharra, who is coordinating the mobility of the wounded, cuts their salaries, along with other companions, for seven days to draw attention to their cause, which they say is "marginalized" and does not receive the attention of political factions and forces, human rights organizations and civil society.

Just as the strikers know that President Mahmoud Abbas is responsible for the decision to cut their salaries, as part of his policy of punitive measures against Gaza since April 2017, Zarif and his colleagues also realize that their problem is solved by Abbas alone, and remind him repeatedly of his appreciation to the martyrs, the wounded and the captives .

Abbas promises
"Where is President Abbas from his statements that he will not be subject to pressure, even if there is one penny in the hands of the Authority, and he will pay it to the families of martyrs, prisoners and wounded, so why justify cutting our salaries in Gaza?"

"If President Abbas is not directly responsible for the decision to cut the salaries of the wounded, we call on him to return them immediately, and to hold those involved in this decision to account," said the coordinator of the wounded movement.

Ghara, who was permanently incapacitated by Israeli fire with the start of the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000 and was then 15 years old, distanced himself and his comrades from any "political strife and strife" demanding everyone to neutralize any differences.

Difficult situations
He was overwhelmed when he spoke of the condition of many of the wounded who had not lost their blood and parts of their bodies. They were disabled, hoping only to live in dignity, and today they were cut off from their only source of livelihood, unable to provide the minimum living requirements for their families.

Al-Gharra, a father of three and his father's father, also said he lived in a rented house. He was helping his brother, who supports a family of seven. He also called for power penalties and cut his salary. "We are dying every day and not with what we feed our children."

The wounded people paid their salaries to the Board of Grievances of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights and lodged a complaint against the PNA. They will continue with the ICRC, the forces and the factions in order to defend their cause and restore their rights.

They began their protest in conjunction with the anniversary of the Palestinian wounded on March 13, but coinciding with anti-tax protests in Gaza prompted the security forces to ask them to break the sit-in to prevent any problems.