Attack on Palestinian refugees in Syria condemned

The Palestinian government in Gaza has condemned the Syrian army’s attack on Al-Yarmouk Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus. A spokesman called on all sides of the conflict to keep it away from the refugees. “The Palestinian refugees are guests in Syria and are unwilling to interfere in the revolution,” he added, “as it is an internal Syrian issue.”

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At least 20 Palestinians were killed when Syrian missiles hit a mosque where residents were taking shelter on Sunday. It is the first time that a single attack by the Syrian armed forces has resulted in such a large number of Palestinian casualties. The missiles were part of an air raid across Damascus on a number of opposition strongholds, although activists in Al-Yarmouk Camp stressed the Palestinians’ neutrality. Syrian aircraft also attacked an area in Beit Saham on the road leading to the international airport.

Meanwhile, PA president Mahmoud Abbas called for the international community to take steps to protect Palestinians in Syria. Speaking during a visit to Rome, Abbas said, “We are worried that Palestinians are being involved in internal Syrian affairs.”

He expressed his concerns about the increasing number of casualties among Palestinian refugees as a result of attacks by heavy weapons. “This must be stopped immediately,” he insisted.