UNRWA warns: Israeli restrictions on movement led to acute lack of food in Gaza

Editorial Note: The following news reports are summaries from original sources. They may also include corrections of Arabic names and political terminology. Comments are in parentheses.

[ 12/04/2008 - 11:02 AM ]

GENEVA, (PIC)--

The UNRWA warned against the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza due to the acute shortage of basic food commodities and energy resources as a result of the restrictions imposed by Israel on the movement of persons and goods since June 2007.

According to the UNRWA, the IOA allowed only 2,400 trucks in Gaza during last March of the current year; whereas, during the same month of last year, it allowed in 10,000 trucks.

In a circular received by the PIC, the UNRWA also pointed out that the scarcity of cattle feed led to an exorbitant rise in meat prices and made the agency expand its school feeding programs in order to meet the daily needs of 110,000 Palestinian children in 110 schools in Gaza.

The UNRWA said that it provides more than 110,000 liters of diesel to Gaza municipalities each month for the disposal of waste, but the power crisis forces some municipalities of the coastal areas to dispose of waste at sea.

In another context, Ismail Haniya, the premier of the caretaker government, announced Thursday his decision to dispense one million dollars to 10,000 Palestinian families in Gaza especially those who do not receive monthly assistance from the ministry of social affairs in order to alleviate some of their suffering.

In a press statement received by the PIC, Haniya called on the well-to-do persons in the Arab and Islamic world to provide what they could to support the steadfastness of the Palestinian people in the face of the Israeli siege and aggression.

A recent opinion poll published on the PIC website about the PA's position towards the Israeli assaults on charities and orphanages in Al-Khalil city, revealed that 84.10 percent accused PA chief Mahmoud Abbas of being an accomplice in those assaults.

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