World ‘betrayed’ Gaza Strip civilians in aftermath of war

THE world has “betrayed” civilians in the Gaza Strip by failing to end a blockade of the enclave, 16 rights groups, including Amnesty International and Oxfam, said yesterday.

“The international community has betrayed the people of Gaza by failing to back their words with effective action to secure the ending of the Israeli blockade which is preventing reconstruction and recovery,” said the report.

It said only 41 truckloads of construction materials have been let into Gaza since January 18: “Little of the extensive damage... to homes, civilian infra- structure, public services, farms and businesses has been repaired”.

Some 1,400 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed in the war.

“Sick, traumatised and impoverished people are being collectively punished by a cruel, illegal policy,” said Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK.

“Israel’s responsibility to protect its citizens does not give it the right to punish every man, woman and child of Gaza,” she said.