Our latest letter to Blaine Calkins

Mr. Blaine,

After reading your response about Gaza, I got to the conclusion that you and the CPC are not well educated on the matter, so I decided to send you this update, just to keep you in the loop.

Feb 27,2024

Updates

• 96 Palestinians killed, 172 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours

• Israeli occupation forces recaptured teen Ma’wad Omar al-Hajj, who was originally released in the November hostage swap. A total 9 Palestinians have been re-abducted since being released, a clear violation of the agreement

• Reuters: Israel agrees on preliminary framework for a deal including 40-day truce + release of 400 Palestinian hostages and 40 Israeli hostages. However it falls short of demanding a permanent ceasefire as Israel continues to pledge an invasion of Rafah — Hamas reiterated that a permanent ceasefire on day 1 of a deal is one of the conditions it won’t compromise on

🇺🇸 Biden claims there’ll be a ceasefire by Monday, but this is likely an attempt at easing domestic concerns rather than pressuring Israel, making more premature unverified claims that Israel agreed to no military action during Ramadan

🇺🇸 Data for Progress poll: 67% of US voters support a permanent ceasefire

Feb 28,2024

• 76 Palestinians killed, 110 injured in Gaza in past 24 hours

• 6 children in Gaza killed by starvation from severe malnourishment and dehydration, including 4 kids in the north where 300,000+ Palestinians have not had aid for a month as Israel blocks entry of aid through Rafah crossing + intense bombardment obstructs aid distribution throughout Gaza

🏥 Kamal Adwan Hospital, the only functioning hospital in northern Gaza is now out of service leaving thousands without access to medical care

🇱🇧 Israeli air strike on Kafra (southern Lebanon) kills 2 civilians, despite Israel’s claim of attacking “Hezbollah infrastructure”

• Israeli Channel 12: Israel war cabinet decides not to impose restrictions on Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan against far right minister Ben-Gvir’s proposal, stripping away his power to manage the site during Ramadan. But Israel previously conducts many military raids on Al-Aqsa during Ramadan + since Oct 7 has been restricting access to the mosque.

This update is just from the last 48 hours, you get to imagine what has been happening for the last 143 days.

Canada should stop providing Israel with the weapons and should demand unconditional and immediate CEASEFIRE.

Such a disappointment.