Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – Caritas Jerusalem has recently issued an appeal in response to the recent block on the Gaza Strip declared by the Israeli government. They say that there is an urgent need to end the siege on Gaza and bring humanitarian aid to 1.4 million Palestinians that are suffering hunger, thirst, lack of medicine, and basic means of survival.
According to the Defense Minister, Israel closed the border crossings for commercial traffic into the Gaza Strip after Palestinian soldiers launched a rocket in their direction. However, according to a spokesman of the Israeli police, the rocket launched yesterday did not pass the border, and landed within the Gaza Strip.
The measures taken by the Israeli government are having a severe impact on Palestinian civilians already living in extreme conditions, and this is why the United Nations has declared an “immediate humanitarian crisis” in the area. Israel stopped the flow of aid into Gaza on November 4, when an army raid led to another outbreak of missile fighting. The violence is threatening the ceasefire proclaimed five months ago on the border between Gaza and Israel.
Caritas Jerusalem, in accord with other international humanitarian aid organizations calling for an end to the blocking, has launched an appeal to recall the fact that the people affected are innocent civilians, mostly women, elderly, and children.
“This over 20 day-long siege,” says Caritas, “has deprived Gaza of basic means of survival. The shops have closed down, there is no heating or electricity. The feed for the animals is being used to feed children.” In addition, “the neo-natal unit and all the patients in the hospital are now at a high risk,” given the impossibility of using many of the machines, including those for life-support.
A humanitarian convoy prepared by Caritas Jerusalem has asked for permission to enter Gaza, but has still heard no response from Israeli authorities. In the meantime, the people are suffering and living in truly extreme conditions.
Even the Chancellor of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Apostolic Nuncio in Israel, Archbishop Antonio Franco, who tried to celebrate a Mass in a local parish, were prohibited from entering Gaza territory in spite of prior agreements. No diplomat or international or humanitarian aid organizations have been allowed to enter.
Caritas says that “there are no words to describe the catastrophe...there is an urgent need for the entire international community to take action in overcoming this siege on Gaza.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 26/11/2008)
