A senior United Nations official warned on Thursday of a complete collapse of the Gaza Strip's economy due to the ongoing Israeli closures of crossings and terminals that surround the poor enclave.
Filippo Grandi, Deputy of the Commissioner General of the UN for Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) in the Far East, told a news conference held in Gaza that the humanitarian situation in Gaza was badly deteriorating.
"I call on all decision makers in Gaza, Ramallah and in Israel to reconsider the results of their decisions on the humanitarian situation, which is seriously deteriorating," said Grandi.
Since early 2006, Israel has tightened its security measures, mainly through closures of crossings and terminals, against the Gaza Strip after Hamas won in the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and came onto power.
The West also imposed a financial and diplomatic siege on Hamas government to press it to accept the three requirements of the Quartet -- namely recognizing Israel, accepting previous agreements with Israel and renouncing violence.
But Hamas, sworn to Israel's destruction, refuse to accept the three conditions.
Since June 14 this year when Hamas defeated Fatah and took control of the Gaza Strip, the Strip was faced with a deeper financial crisis when President Mahmoud Abbas sacked the Hamas-led government and appointed a new one based in the West Bank city of Ramallah.
The Strip had become more isolated from the entire world after all crossings and passages, which were jointly operated by Abbas' security forces and Israel, had been closed down for about two months.
"Practically speaking, Gaza will depend 100 percent within the coming few months on humanitarian aids. But Gaza will also become a closed and isolated society if the situation remains the same as it is now," said Grandi.
He said the agricultural and industrial sectors in Gaza were facing a disaster, adding that the situation in Gaza was "critical, and Israel should reopen the Karni commercial crossing immediately. "
The Karni Crossing, which is on the borders between eastern Gaza Strip and Israel, is considered the only artery that makes the Gaza Strip survive. Exports and imports usually go through it.
"Reopening Karni crossing is the only remaining possibility to keep part of Gaza Strip deteriorating economy alive," said Grandi.
Source: Xinhua
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