CrossFireArarbia

Palestinians Return to North Gaza in Thousands

CrossFireArabia
January 27, 2025

Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians in Gaza are crossing today the Netzarim Corridor and returning home to their loved ones in northern Gaza for the first time since Israel’s genocide on the enclave began.

Israel’s military said Palestinians will be allowed to cross al-Rashid Street by foot starting at 7am (05:00 GMT) and Salah al-Din Street by vehicle from 9am (07:00 GMT) on Monday.

Earlier on Sunday, Israel had blocked tens of thousands of Palestinians waiting to return to their homes in northern Gaza. Ismail al-Thawabta, director general of Gaza’s Government Media Office, said there were “between 615,000 and 650,000” people waiting to go past the Israeli military positions in the Netzarim Corridor, which runs through the centre of the Gaza Strip according to the Quds News Network.

Opinion

Calls to Displace Palestinians is a New Battle For Jordan

CrossFireArabia
January 27, 2025

By Samih Maaitah

As Jordan has only just recovered from the aggression on Gaza and has seen some relief along its northern borders, the issue of displacement has resurfaced once again. This time, it arises either from Gaza, exploiting the humanitarian and political catastrophe it faces, or from the occupied West Bank, where Netanyahu’s most right-wing government continues to escalate security and military tensions.

🇯🇴🇺🇸 Jordan rejects Trump's initiative to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring countries, — DW

"Jordan rejects any relocation of Palestinians, and our position is firm and unwavering," Foreign Minister said. pic.twitter.com/rRgggW8Owt
— Charlie (@Acuteremod) January 26, 2025

From the beginning of the aggression on Gaza, Jordan understood that the goal was to displace its people. Alongside its Egyptian brothers and other Arab and international parties, Jordan worked to confront this scheme. Jordan is fully aware that displacement is not just about relocating Gaza’s residents to another country; it is about dismantling the Palestinian cause and undermining its major pillars. Amman is cognizant that Israel seeks a Palestine without Palestinians and, through displacement, it seeks to destroy the prospects for a Palestinian state and the right of return.

Jordan, which has already received millions of Palestinians and millions of others due to the region’s endless crises and wars, has paid a heavy price in terms of its limited resources and political stability. Each wave of migration—most recently from Syria—has come at a significant cost. Jordan is aware that accepting any number of people from Gaza or elsewhere is no longer acceptable or tolerable, especially given the political implications for Jordan’s demographic composition, its national identity, and the Palestinian national identity.

Logic dictates that after all these wars and acts of aggression, the world should seek to resolve the Palestinian issue by granting Palestinians their rights on their national soil. It should not seek solutions to address Israel’s so-called security concerns by emptying Palestinian land of its people and displacing them to other countries.

Jordanians will not accept any solution at the expense of their national identity, homeland, and state. Those who truly seek peace must understand that the path to peace lies in granting Palestinians their rights on their land, not through displacement or the illusion of peace based on a scheme that can only be described as a liquidation of the Palestinian cause.

The writer is a columnist in the Jordan Times

News

EuroMed Condemns Arrest of Palestinian Journalist Ali Abu Nimah in Zurich

CrossFireArabia
January 26, 2025

The Swiss authorities’ arrest of Ali Abu Nimah, the journalist and executive director of Electronic Intifada, before his participation at a pro-Palestine solidarity event in Zurich is strongly condemned.

His arrest is a concerning and dangerous development that reflects a growing trend in Western governments to censor free speech and target journalists and activists who document the suffering of victims and stand up for Palestinian rights, all in blatant defiance of pressure and incitement.

Following hours of questioning at Zurich airport on Friday, Abu Nimah was taken into custody before his planned speech tour about the Israeli occupation and the persecution of Palestinians.

This arbitrary arrest gives the false impression that showing solidarity with the victims of the Israeli occupation peacefully is now illegal.

The action taken by Swiss authorities is extremely concerning, as it marks an unprecedented low level of respect for human rights, particularly in a nation that has long been known for upholding democratic principles and protecting fundamental liberties.

Targeting journalists and human rights advocates is indicative of a significant decline in European governments’ dedication to upholding human rights and freedom of expression. Additionally, this arrest is part of a larger campaign that has seen harassment and similar arrests in other European nations, demonstrating the growing extent of repression and limitations on Palestinian rights advocates.

The Swiss authorities must immediately and unconditionally release “Ali Abu Nimah” and ensure respect for his legal and human rights.

All international organisations, institutions, and journalists’ unions must express their strong opposition to these persistent abuses and seek to protect the rights of journalists and activists, particularly those who represent under-represented groups.

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor

News

CrossFireArabia
January 26, 2025

#BreakingNews | The Lebanese News Agency: A female soldier was injured after occupation forces opened fire on her car in the town of Deir Mimas.

News

1000s of Palestinians Wait at Netzarim to Cross Into North Gaza

CrossFireArabia
January 26, 2025

Thousands of displaced Palestinians have been gathering at the closest point to the Netzarim Corridor in central Gaza since Saturday, spending the entire night on the streets as they await a permit from the Israeli occupation to return to their homes in northern Gaza.

Women, children, and elderly people have been lining up along Al-Rashid Street (west), waiting for the Israeli military to permit them to begin streaming into northern Gaza. Meanwhile, vehicles filled with residents and their belongings are also waiting on Salah al-Din Street (east), where they will undergo searches before being allowed to cross into the northern areas.

The movement was expected to resume after Hamas handed over four Israeli soldiers as part of the ceasefire agreement on Saturday.

Aerial footage shows tens of thousands of Palestinians waiting to return to northern Gaza after months of displacement caused by bombardment and genocide.

Israel has not fulfilled its part of the deal so far and is preventing the displaced from crossing back to their homes. pic.twitter.com/A7IV9DOy5e
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) January 26, 2025

According to the agreement, the Israeli army is required to withdraw completely from west of the Netzarim axis, including the coastal Al-Rashid Street, to Salah al-Din Street in the east.

Under the deal, Israeli forces must dismantle military positions in the Netzarim area. Once completed, Palestinians would regain freedom of movement between Gaza’s north and south. Hamas sources confirmed this and said displaced Palestinians would be allowed to return to their homes unarmed. Humanitarian aid would also move freely via Al-Rashid Street.

Earlier on Saturday, Hamas said that Israel is delaying the ceasefire terms. In a statement, Hamas said, “The occupation continues to stall in implementing the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement by keeping Al-Rashid Street closed and blocking displaced civilians from returning north.”

Hamas warned Israel against further delays, holding it accountable for any disruptions to the agreement.

The ceasefire, which began on January 19, is set to last 42 days in its first phase. Egypt, Qatar, and the United States brokered the agreement.

From October 7, 2023, to January 19, 2025, Israel’s genocide in Gaza caused catastrophic losses. Over 158,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, were killed or injured. More than 14,000 remain missing, making this one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters according to the Quds News Network.