Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

32 Palestinian and Syrian Refugees Drown, 212 Survive Another Sinking Incident Near Coasts of Malta and Italy

October 17, 2013

212 refugees survived sinking incident near coasts of Malta and Italy

[ 16/10/2013 - 11:14 AM ]
GAZA, (PIC)--

Palestinian official sources affirmed that 212 Palestinians and Syrians survived drowning after the ship they were aboard sank off the Maltese and Italian coasts a few days ago.

The sources added that 146 survivors were taken in by Malta and the 66 others were allowed to stay in Italy, noting that the bodies of 32 refugees were pulled out of the sea after the sinking incident.

For its part, the Hamas Movement called on the international community to investigate the incident and safeguard the rights of the Palestinians in the countries of refuge.

Hamas also demanded the countries of refuge to give the Palestinians fleeing the Syrian war good treatment and a decent life, and urged the UN, the Arab League and the organization of Islamic cooperation to assume their responsibilities towards the Palestinian refugees.

Haneyya invites Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria and Egypt to come to Gaza

[ 16/10/2013 - 08:41 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

Palestinian premier Ismail Haneyya called on the Palestinian refugees fleeing Syria and Egypt by sea to come to the Gaza Strip instead of risking their lives.

"On this day of the holy Eid Al-Adha, I'd like to say to the Palestinian refugees who are fleeing from Syria to the Egyptian territories or anywhere, to those who may die today over the sea that we are your brothers, kinsfolk and friends, so stop risking yourselves and the lives of your children. If you found no land to take you in, Gaza, despite the siege, are always big enough for you," premier Haneyya stated following the Eid prayers on Tuesday in Gaza city.

"On behalf of your people and brothers in Gaza, I call upon and urge all the Palestinians who want to cross the sea for asylum and shelter to come to stay in Gaza, which is part of the blessed Palestinian land," Haneyya added.

The premier also expressed his hope and optimism that the Palestinian people would triumph against the occupation and would be back to their homes and land sooner or later.

Gaza gov’t asks Arab states not to close borders before Palestinian refugees

[ 16/10/2013 - 09:07 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

 Palestinian government in Gaza Strip stressed its readiness to receive the Palestinian refugees fleeing from the war in Syria, after a boat carrying hundreds of them capsized in the Mediterranean Sea.

Dozens of Palestinian refugees drowned in the incident off Malta's coast on Friday, while 15 other Palestinians drowned two days earlier in a similar incident off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt.

"We welcome them in their home and among their brothers in the Gaza Strip," the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ghazi Hamad said on Monday in a press conference.

He called on the Arab states not to close their doors before the Palestinian refugees, and work seriously to offer help to them.

Hamad also called upon the United Nations and UNRWA to bear their responsibilities towards the Palestinian refugees' suffering, and to pressure refugee host countries to respect the international law and agreements they have signed.

"We are surprised at the inability of countries where fleeing Palestinians seek refuge to rescue them and to offer help to them," Hamad said.

He added that the Palestinian refugees' plight should draw the attention of the Arab League and the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, which should exert all efforts possible to end their suffering.

The Palestinian official condemned firing on the Palestinian refugees by the Libyan navy, calling for an investigation into the incident.