Stop the suffering in Gaza: UN official

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/180459.html

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Valerie Amos has censured Israel for causing "unnecessary suffering" in the Gaza Strip and called for an end to blockade.

Amos said that the blockade of Gaza has resulted in a "stifling of economic activity and a serious decline in education, healthcare, water and sanitation services," Xinhua quoted her as saying on Tuesday.

"Consequently 1.1 million Gazans are dependent on food aid due to the blockade," she added.

"The civilians have been hit hardest by the impact of the policy of restrictions and have had to endure unnecessary humanitarian suffering," Amos said.

She also called for "an end to the man-made and protracted humanitarian situation through a lifting of the blockade on Gaza."

The UN under-secretary-general made the remarks after concluding a four-day visit to the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel.

Israel imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip in June 2007 after democratically-elected Hamas lawmakers took over the administration of the territory.

The blockade has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the impoverished territory.