GAZA, MARCH 28, 2007 (WAFA) - The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) called upon the PNA to open an immediate investigation into the most serious environmental disaster to hit the northern Gaza Strip.

Yesterday earth barriers in the sewage disposal pools Broke, Killing 4 citizens and rendering hundreds of families homeless in the Bedouin Village, many remain missing.

PCHR called for an investigation to determine the responsible parties that took the decision that did not provide the minimum safety requirements for the lives of civilians, the Centre demands the public disclosure of the findings in the media.

It called upon the PNA to fulfil its responsibility and provide emergency assistance, including shelter, for more than 3,000 people uprooted as their homes were damaged.

It also called the PNA and International Community, including humanitarian organizations working in the OPT to provide the food, medication, clothing, and water needs for the uprooted families, and to provide medical crews to perform examinations on the affected civilians out of fear of contamination or injury by the sewage water.

PCHR urged the International Community to exert immediate pressure on IOF to immediately allow the start of implementation of the project to transfer the sewage pools to the eastern part of the northern Gaza Strip, to ensure the safety of technical crews working on the project, and to refrain from firing munitions into the project area.

The Centre called upon the International Community to provide immediate emergency assistance, including medication, food, living essentials, and equipment that will help in finding the missing persons.

A.D (18:16 P) (16:16 GMT)