UN warns of Gaza strip crisis

The United Nations warned in a special report released today of an impending humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, saying nearly 70% of Palestinians are living in poverty as a result of Israeli policies and military operations.

Twelve UN organisations, under the auspices of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, put together the report after realising the situation was more severe than they had initially thought, said David Shearer, the head of OCHA’s Jerusalem office.

The report was compiled ahead of a week-old Israeli military operation in northern Gaza. The offensive, which has killed at least 75 Palestinians and caused heavy damage to homes and infrastructure, will only make things worse, he added.

The report described a dire situation in which Gazans have difficulty finding work, exporting goods, travelling inside and outside the coastal area and even sending children to school. Most of these difficulties are caused by Israeli travel restrictions, roadblocks and security considerations.

According to the report, 66% of Gaza Palestinians live below the poverty line, which the UN defines as less than $2 (€1.60) a day.

Shearer said the poverty rate had earlier been projected to reach 72% by 2006, but now it appears it could go even higher due to the deteriorating situation. “We were concerned it may even go beyond that, which is a serious concern,” Shearer said.

The report estimated that 24,547 Palestinians had been made homeless by Israeli demolitions since fighting broke out with Israel. This year, an average of 120 residential buildings have been demolished each month by the army.

The army frequently demolishes buildings that it says are used for cover by militants.

According to the report, chronic malnutrition in children under five years old is 12.7% in the Gaza Strip, and is expected to rise, according to the report.

The Israeli operation in northern Gaza is taking a tough toll on civilians, the report said. Israel entered the area last week after a Palestinian rocket attack killed two Israeli pre-school children.

The fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants has been concentrated in the crowded Jebaliya refugee camp, placing civilians in the crossfire.

The report said that 82 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting, including 24 children under the age of 18.

According to AP records, 81 Palestinians have been killed, including 13 children under 16. Five Israelis, including the two pre-school children, have been killed.

The UN does not differentiate between civilians and armed men killed on either side, Shearer said, because it has difficulty compiling the information.

Since the fighting erupted, UN relief workers have been unable to delivery emergency food supplies to northern Gaza, according to the report. UN personnel have been denied secure access into the coastal area for 14 days.

“The UN organisations recognise Israel’s legitimate security concerns, particularly the need to stop Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks into civilian areas.

"However, its actions should be in conformity with international humanitarian law and it should not use disproportionate force,” the report said.