IMEMC: Gaza situation overshadowed by Lebanon

Report: Humanitarian crisis in Gaza being overshadowed by Lebanon war, IMEMC & Agencies - Monday, 14 August 2006

Excerpts:

"The food and security situation in Gaza is catastrophic," said Mario Carera, head of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) for Gaza and the West Bank. The SDC, along with the United Nations and Swiss agencies are warning of a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, which has been largely forgotten due to the conflict in Lebanon. The situation in Gaza has seriously deteriorated over the past few weeks, say the Agencies. ...

"Israel's armed forces attack the Strip with up to 300 shells a day using aircraft and warships. Incursions by tanks and bulldozers terrorise the population."Among the more than 170 victims killed in this invasion are more than 50 children. This is a clear breach of international humanitarian law under which the civilians should be protected," she said. ...

In June Israel destroyed the only power plant in Gaza leaving nearly half the local population without electricity and the main border crossing at Rafah was also closed.Wenger for her part says the Gaza Strip resembles a huge prison. "It's an overall feeling of hopelessness and desperation. This leads to more and more violence in the community." ...