israel blocking aid, food to gaza: un

Israel blocking aid, food to Gaza: UN


UNITED NATIONS, March 26: The United Nations on Friday said Israel was blocking the movement of staff and supplies into the Gaza Strip, which may mean an end to some crucial aid programmes for Palestinian residents.

Israel has blocked "nearly all" UN and other relief agency vehicles from going through the Erez checkpoint into Gaza for the past three weeks, and food shipments through the commercial crossing of Karni are also on hold, it said.

"These unacceptable limitations on access for humanitarian staff and goods are undermining UN operational capability to deliver essential services and food relief to Gaza's civilian population," the world body said in a statement.

"The heads of the United Nations agencies may have to reduce or terminate some critical relief operations." The statement said that the United Nations recognises Israeli security concerns and that senior UN officials have tried to talk to the Israeli government about the blockage without success.

"Because the restrictions persist, the UN is compelled to call publicly on the government of Israel to restore full access to Gaza for UN and humanitarian workers and goods," it said. According to the United Nations, its aid agencies provide more than half the basic social services in Gaza and help feed several hundred thousand people. -AFP