Israeli sanctions mean "dire consequences" for Gaza Strip - UN

Nov 2, 2007, 13:11 GMT

Geneva - The UN relief and development agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned of 'dire consequences' Friday after Israel cut fuel deliveries into the Gaza Strip and called for the supplies to be resumed urgently.

UNRWA spokesman Matthias Burchard told journalists in Geneva: 'If this is not reversed it could have dire consequences. It does not take much imagination to know the consequences of this on ordinary life, particularly for the health sector.'

In September, Israel declared the Gaza Strip a 'hostile entity,' and last month Defence Minister Ehud Barak authorized the cutting of fuel supplies to the Gaza Strip. The decision was implemented at the beginning of this week.

The fuel supplied the one generator in Gaza which supplies 35 per cent of all electricity.

The UN agency was also 'concerned' that Israeli government plans to restrict electricity supplies to Gaza had only been suspended by the Israeli Attorney General pending 'further study' into the impact on Palestinian citizens.

Israeli state prosecutors have denied claims by the UN and the EU, among others, that the move would amount to a 'collective punishment' of the civilian population.

Israel wants to impose the sanctions to try to stop the frequent rocket attacks out of the Strip. An estimated 1,260 rockets are thought to have been fired on Israel since it pulled its troops out of the Strip more than two years ago.

The Gaza Strip has been subject to tight controls by Israel since Hamas militants took over the territory in June.

UNRWA said it was also concerned by the Israeli intention to permanently close the Sufa crossing into the Strip which would reduce by two thirds the capacity to import humanitarian goods, leaving only the inadequate Karem Shalom crossing in the south.

The agency has food stocks for one month but plenty of containers loaded with food and education items are still waiting to enter the Strip.