UNRWA: Gaza is quickly becoming uninhabitable

November 20, 2013 by occupiedpalestine 0 Comments

[ PIC 20/11/2013 – 02:23 PM ]
Follow @palinfoen Follow @palinfoar

AMMAN, (PIC)– Outgoing commissioner general of UNRWA Filippo Grandi warned on Tuesday that the impoverished Gaza Strip is getting quickly unsuitable for human life as a result of the blockade, expecting further military escalation between Gaza and Israel.

Grandi made his warning before the advisory commission of major donors and governments hosting the Palestinian refugees during a meeting held yesterday in the Jordanian capital Amman.

“Gaza is quickly becoming uninhabitable, and further conflict is bound, as before, to affect civilians in Gaza and southern Israel, unless its causes are addressed,” the UN official said.

He called on the international community not to forget Gaza and to address the human dimension.

Grandi also warned that 19 out of 20 UNRWA construction projects in Gaza had ground to a halt.

Grandi said that since March, UNRWA has not had any construction projects cleared by the Israeli government, and has been unable to import building materials since last month.

“Following the closure of most smuggling tunnels between Gaza and Egypt, and given that Israel does not allow exports and hence a resumption of normal economic activities, prices are rising because commodities are becoming scarce, lack of fuel has provoked the closure of the power plant, the few jobs available in the construction industry are disappearing; and the list continues,” Grandi underlined.

“Perhaps strengthening the human security of the people of Gaza is a better avenue to ensuring regional stability than physical closures, political isolation and military action. To obtain this, first and foremost, the Israeli blockade, which is illegal, must be lifted. Meanwhile, the United Nations must be allowed to at least continue construction projects and provide a few extra jobs to the beleaguered population,” he added.