Euro-Med Monitor calls for holding the occupation accountable for its crimes against the Palestinian Athletes

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor stressed the need to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for the crimes it has committed and continues to commit against Palestinian athletes.

In a statement today, the monitor called on the International Olympic Committee and the International Football Association to take serious measures against the Israeli occupation, which killed at least 270 Palestinian athletes and destroyed infrastructure, facilities and sports stadiums. It noted that the occupation deliberately turned the “Yarmouk” stadium in Gaza City into a detention center to hold and humiliate hundreds of Palestinians, including children.

The monitor explained that it documented the destruction of 31 sports facilities, football playgrouds, gyms, headquarters, sports training halls, and 28 sports and fitness centers, meaning more than 80 percent of the sports facilities in Gaza Strip.

The Euro-Med monitor pointed out that the occupation prevented hundreds of players from the Gaza Strip to practice their right to move and travel in order to represent Palestine in various international tournaments. In addition, the Israeli aggression on Gaza Strip has caused the cessation of all sports activities, events and tournaments.

In another statement, the Monitor said that “Israel’s continued closure of the crossing since the 7th of this month exacerbates the serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza, escalates the crime of genocide, prevents the flow of humanitarian and medical supplies and further undermines the work of the small remaining number of local hospitals in the Strip.”

The Monitor added that more than 11,000 Palestinians, who were wounded as a result of the Israeli aggression, urgently need to travel outside Gaza Strip at a time and more than 10,000 cancer patients, including about 750 children, and at least two thousand patients with other diseases, are at risk of death.

It called on the international community and the international humanitarian institutions to intervene urgently to pressure the occupation as to open the crossings, especially the Rafah crossing, and allow a smooth, sustainable and adequate flow of humanitarian aid without conditions or restrictions, to ensure its delivery to the Palestinians throughout Gaza Strip

Souha Suleiman