Gazas humanitarian situation is at its worst since Israel occupied the territory in 1967, say UK-based human rights and development groups Amnesty International, Save the Children, Cafod, Care International and Christian Aid, reports BBC online Thursday.
They criticise Israels blockade on Gaza as illegal collective punishment which fails to deliver security. Israel says its military action and other measures are lawful and needed to stop rocket attacks from Gaza.
The groups report, “Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion”, says the blockade has dramatically worsened levels of poverty and unemployment, and has led to deterioration in education and health services.
More than 1,1 million Gazans are dependent on food aid and of 110.000 workers previously employed in the private sector, 75.000 have now lost their jobs, the report says.
– Unless the blockade ends now, it will be impossible to pull Gaza back from the brink of this disaster and any hopes for peace in the region will be dashed, said Geoffrey Dennis, of Care International UK.
