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Humanitarian Situation in
Gaza
The following outlines the humanitarian situation in Gaza
before the start of Israeli air and ground attacks. Gaza is home to 1.5 million
people. 56% are children. As the occupying power controlling air,
water and border access to Gaza, the Israeli blockade serves as a
flagrant
violation of international human rights law.
As of December 15, 2008:
- Food and humanitarian aid were being blocked almost
entirely.
Malnutrition and food shortages were becoming widespread.
- Fuel was being blocked completely. The Gaza power
plant has been shut down. Rolling blackouts are taking place from 4 to 12
hours a day.
- U.N. Human Rights Special Rapporteur, Richard Falk,
was prevented from entering Gaza and deported from Ben Gurion Airport on
December 14th. He describes the blockade as constituting "flagrant
and massive violation of international humanitarian law as laid down in
Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention." See a
description of his treatment at an Israeli airport detention center here.
- The international media have been banned from Gaza
after they were allowed in for one day on December 3rd.
- Diplomats were denied entry. 20 European
diplomats were prevented from entering Gaza on Nov. 14th with no
explanation.
General Conditions:
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Unemployment is at 45%- the highest in the world, according to a UN Report.
- 95% of
factories in Gaza have been closed down in recent years. (from UN Relief and
Rehabilitation Administration).
- United
Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA), the main UN aid agency has announced
that its supplies have run out. Approximately
80% of Gazans rely on the agency for
supplies.
- UNRWA has
described "unprecedented levels of hardship" with mothers being turned away from
UNRWA food centers without milk. The
agency has been unable to get in humanitarian
supplies, even for blind children.
- Navi Pillay,
the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called for an end of the Gaza
Blockade, November 18, 2008.
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