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Photo: AP
Aid recipient in Gaza (Photo: AP)
Photo: AP

Gaza civilians fear isolation, supply shortages

Internal Security Minister Dichter says humanitarian aid to continue to enter Gaza, adds Palestinians have food stores to last months; meanwhile, long lines to for fuel, food; UNRWA head says food stores will last only 10 days

The chaos in Gaza has residents preparing for a long, hard period of isolation.  Many fear that the practical result of Western support for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah party will be  a tighter embargo on Hamas and, worse, on Gaza in general.

 

Long lines formed at fuel stations and bakeries in the Strip on Saturday, following rumors that Israel might cut off supplies following Hamas' takeover of the territory.  Many Palestinians expressed concern over the degree to which Gaza's economy is dependent on Israel. "Even our oxygen comes from Israel," resident Umm Rami said.

  

Israel has said repeatedly it has no intention of cutting off food, power and other humanitarian essentials that it transfers to Gaza.  This was confirmed by Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter on Channel 2 TV Saturday evening.

 

"Our consideration is the humanitarian issue. Allowing merchandise through (the main freight crossing to Israel at) Karni in order to prevent hunger in Gaza is what will guide Israel to allow merchandise," he said.

 


Hoarding supplies in Gaza (Photo: AFP)

 

Nonetheless, Gaza residents were worried because key transit points with Israel and Egypt, including Karni, were closed Saturday afternoon after Hamas gunmen took control of them.

 

United Nations aid officials said earlier Saturday that there are several weeks worth of food supplies in the Gaza Strip, a report confirmed by Israeli security sources. "There is not yet a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Storage facilitates have supplies for three months," the sources told Ynet.

 

"Sunday there will be a shortage of fresh milk, but the Palestinians have supplies of powdered milk that can last months. Thursday, they were able to transfer 75 blood rations and Friday they were able to transfer in fuel supplies. Water and electricity are being pumped in through pipes," they said.

 

However, in an interview with Ynet, John Ging, Director of UNWRA (United Nation Relief and Works Agency) operations in Gaza, said that if the crossings are not reopened, the current food stores in the area will only last the population no more than 10 days. 

 

"We have a surplus for about 10 days, so we won't be in crisis for that period of time.  However, if supplies can't come into Gaza, more people will require aid, so that's not necessarily an accurate estimate," he said.

 

"Unless supplies are let into Gaza, I have no idea how long these people can survive." said Ging. "I am sure that, as promised, the Israeli government will do everything necessary to prevent a crisis...and transfer the necessary goods to Gaza," he added. 

 

The various aid organizations working in Gaza shut down a few days ago, due to the ongoing fighting.  UNRWA is the only organization remaining there in any capacity, but after two of its aid workers were killed in the crossfire of Hamas-Fatah gun battles, it was forced to suspend most of its operations. 

 

As stated, many of Gaza's residents have begun hording supplies of fuel and basic foodstuffs.    Nonetheless, the city's merchants say that sales have plunged, possibly because many are turning to aid organizations to supply their needs.

 

"I haven't sold a thing all day," said a store owner in Gaza. "There's no one to sell it to. People are afraid the shooting will resume any minute and since no one has any money, things can only get worse."  

 

Hamas issued a warning to Gaza shopkeepers not to raise prices or stockpile goods. "We will take severe measures against these delinquent bands," a statement said.

 

Ongoing chaos

The situation in Gaza remains chaotic, despite the end of Hamas-Fatah gunbattles.  Saturday afternoon, Hamas gunmen exchanged fire with members of a powerful clan in the southern Gaza town of Khan Younis, who refused to relinquish their weapons.

 

The al-Astal clan, the largest in Khan Younis refused to give up their weapons, saying they needed them as defense in clan feuds in the area. A gunfight erupted, and Hamas fighers surrounded four homes  

of the clan, said Sameh al-Astal, 23, a family member.

 

Islam Shahwan, a spokesman for the Hamas militia, said no exceptions would be made in an ongoing weapons roundup. "The point is to collect all illegal weapons from all families."

 

Saturday morning, a crowd looted the home of deceased Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, destroying one of the strongest symbols of the Fatah movement in the Gaza Strip, witnesses and Fatah, officials said.

 

Amidst these events, Palestinian sources reported that deposed Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas appointed a new security command on Saturday, replacing commanders loyal to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

 

"Hamas has no intention of establishing a separate Palestinian State in Gaza," said Haniyeh in an interview to the French newspaper La-Figaro.

 

"Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people, not just to Hamas… we reject the idea of artificially separating Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem. We will never allow it."

 

Reuters, AP and Aviram Zino contributed to this report

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.16.07, 16:11
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