GAZA Fact sheet
The Siege
"A flagrant violation of international law" Amnesty International
"One of the worst human rights violations in the world today" The UN Committee of Elders (which includes Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and President Jimmy Carter)
Following the victory of Hamas in the 2006 elections, Israel blockaded the Gaza Strip and controls what can enter and exit the strip, the airspace, the coast and the borders.
• Access to food, water and medicine is now beginning to affect unborn children and the 9-10,000 babies born in the Gaza Strip every month.
• UNRWA reported in 2002 that 19 percent of Palestinians in Gaza suffer from anaemia. That figure is now 77.5 percent.
• Millions of litres of sewage are still being dumped into the sea daily. There is a serious concern that sewage water may overflow in to populated areas.
• The stoppage in fuel supplies has led to paralyzing 50 percent of the educational sector as half the students in all educational levels were unable to reach their schools and universities.
The military assault on Gaza 2008 / 9
• Over 1400 Palestinians killed
"A deliberately disproportionate attack designed to punish, humiliate and terrorise a civilian population" Judge Richard Goldstone, head of the UN fact finding mission to Gaza
"Israel demonstrated real hooliganism during the course of the recent operation, which I demanded" Tzipi Livni, Israeli Foreign Minister
Flotilla
• On 31st May 2010, Israel launched a carefully planned night time armed commando raid on the humanitarian aid being delivered by convoy on the ‘Gaza Freedom Flotilla'. At least 10 passengers were killed.
• The convoy was in international waters, over which Israel has no jurisdiction
"We...condemn Israel utterly for this attack. The actions of the Israelis is inexcusable," Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
