Jan
Gaza goes downhill
In recent weeks, fighters from various Palestinian military factions in Gaza, some governmental and some not, have exchanged fire with Israeli soldiers. This has led Israel to essentially seal off Gaza, and by doing so, almost putting a complete stop to supplies that can get in. Gaza is home to several refugee camps and is one of the most densely populated tracts of land in the world.
This blockade for purposes of punishing Palestinian militants will cause a humanitarian crisis. “Gaza is completely shut down. This will only add to an already dire situation,” said Christopher Gunness in an AP article, spokesman for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
The blockade will make it extremely difficult to deliver food and health supplies to Gaza and many Palestinians in Gaza depend on them for survival. Hospitals are already running short of power, Gaza’s main power plant shut off on Sunday and sewage is spilling into the streets.
Regarding the restrictions, Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert was quoted as saying, “As far as I’m concerned Gaza residents will walk, without gas for their cars, because they have a murderous, terrorist regime that doesn’t let people in southern Israel live in peace.”
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak added, “I care more about our quiet than their quiet.”
This comes at a time when Olmert and Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas are supposed to be working on negotiating peace. Abbas and his forces have no control over Gaza and are in no position to be negotiating anything. Before negotiations can go on, some control and self-restraint has to be taken from both sides.
Stories to check out:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080121/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_palestinians
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/F4D0B4B7-D450-44E7-B6C0-33EA5744D6A5.htm
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22765132/
http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D0130E7B-4E9B-49D7-8AFB-CABAE4AB7305.htm
