New agreement reached to rescue Palestinian imitative for al-Yarmouk camp

Director of the Political Circle of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Ambassador Anwar Adbul-Hadi said an new agreement was reached to rescue the Palestinian initiative on the crisis in al-Yarmouk camp.

Abdul-Hadi said in a statement to SANA that the initiative, reached with the Syrian government, provides for the full withdrawal of all foreign armed elements within a maximum of three days.

Subsequently, the Ambassador said, the national work factions and the Palestinian gunmen who signed the initiative start to take their positions along the surrounding of the camp and close all paths leading to it with the exception of the main entrance.

Ensuring security inside al-Yarmouk camp will then be the responsibility of the Syrian Interior Ministry’s Internal Security forces after the camp is evacuated of all gunmen.

Abdul-Hadi pointed out that a list of the names of the armed Palestinian elements is being prepared so that those will have their files settled after they hand over their weapons to the Syrian authorities.

The initiative, he added, also stipulates for opening the streets of al-Yarmouk and Palestine to let in technical teams who are in charge of work to restore services and re-operate water, electricity networks and bakeries in coordination with the Syrian state. Food supplies convoys will also enter the camp through the streets.

The camp then will be declared a safe area and displaced residents will be invited to return and social work committees will be formed from the 14th factions concerned and other independent parties to follow up on the residents’ affairs.

Ambassador Abdul-Hadi pointed out that the initiative includes forming a joint field committee from the state and the 14th factions whose mission will be to check the implementation of the initiative’s setps, particularly the military and security steps.

As for the committee charged with conducting dialogue, the Ambassador said it was reduced to five commissioned members, two from the Alliance factions, two from the Palestine Liberation Organization and one from the Palestinian Embassy.

Distribution of food baskets to the civilians inside the camp will be resumed starting off Monday with the agreement and facilitation of the Syrian government, according to the Ambassador. Vaccines for children will also be allowed in in cooperation with the Syrian Health Ministry and the Palestinian Arab Red Crescent.

The popular peace initiative on al-Yarmouk camp, facilitated and backed by the Syrian government, earlier succeeded to enter 8000 food baskets and evacuate more than 4000 people with humanitarian situation and university students.

However, the recent re-entry of Jabhat al-Nusra-affiliated terrorists into the camp has derailed the initiative and hindered the humanitarian aid delivery.