Red Cross and UN agree, Israel's siege of Gaza is causing a humanitarian cirsis

Both the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations have cited Israel's siege of Gaza as being responsible for a severe humanitarian and health crisis which will only get worse if the blockade is not lifted.

The ICRC, in a statement released over the weekend, said that it was concerned about the effect of "severe restrictions on the movement of people and goods that exacerbate economic hardship and affect every aspect of life." In a related development United Nations officials called for swift action to end the Israeli fuel and electricity sanctions which have led to severe shortages and helped cause a health crisis in the Gaza Strip. The territory has been sealed off by an Israeli blocked since June as a response to rocket attacks launched by Hamas militants from inside the strip. This has reduced imports of food, fuel and all other goods to the bare minimum and have had a severe impact on medical facilities, water and sanitation systems. Human rights advocates have labeled Israel's actions "Collective punishment" which is a war crime under the Geneva Convention--which Israel has signed. Beatrice Megevand Roggo, the ICRC's head of operations for the Middle East and Africa said:

"The measures imposed by Israel come at an enormous humanitarian cost, leaving the people under occupation with just enough to survive, but not enough to live a normal and dignified life."

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) have appealed to all parties involved to end the fuel shortages in order to ensure that all health facilities in Gaza are provided with sufficient power to maintain services. Many of Gaza's hospitals are in a state of total disrepair [Photo by Al Jazeera] Power is not the only thing in short supply. Medical supplies are almost exhausted and Israel has limited the importation of additional supplies causing a severe crisis. To make matters worse Israel has forbidden the residents of Gaza to travel to travel to the West bank, Israel or Egypt for treatment. Even replacement parts for vital medical devises are in short supply and Israel has refused to allow the importation of replacements. Dr Basem Naeem, the health minister in Gaza said:

"Spare parts for equipment have all run out and, unfortunately, we do not have a clear vision on how to deal with this crisis. There are hundreds of patients who are in urgent need for medical attention, or operations abroad."

According to Ambrogio Manenti, the head of the WHO in the West Bank and Gaza:

"In Gaza, if you are ill, particularly if you have a heavy illness, more or less, your destiny is written."

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned that if the blockade is not lifted soon:

"the UN predicts the need for food and direct assistance will sharply rise above and beyond the current level of 80 per cent of the population."

The report issued by the office went on to say:

"Severe shortages and restrictions on imports and exports are already beginning to distort markets in the Gaza Strip, putting anything other than the most basic goods and foods beyond the buying power of a large portion of the population. Low stock levels, rising prices, increased joblessness and loss of incomes are having devastating consequences for the local population and local economy and the livelihoods of the people of Gaza."

This food shortage has led to symptoms of malnutrition among Palestinian schoolchildren. According to Dr. Ra'aft Hassouna, of UNICEF these symptoms include a 22 per cent increase in anemia among children 5 to 12 years old. Malnutrition has also led to a 14 per cent decline in growth for children under five years old and 9.8 per cent of all children are suffering from emaciation. Mrs. Mahasen Muhesin, the Program Director of Education in the UNRWA, mentioned that 32.4 per cent of schoolchildren at the primary and preparatory grades suffer from nutritional anemia problem which has severely impacted their ability to do school work. Palestinian children are starving.