UNRWA calls Gaza situation critical, urges lifting siege

United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) has described the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip as “critical,” urging the lifting of the Israeli blockade on the territory.

UNRWA director Robert Turner on Sunday said that poverty, unemployment and worsening economy emanating from the Israeli blockade have led to a “very much critical” situation in the Palestinian territory, adding, "We had repeatedly demanded all concerned parties that it is necessary to lift the illegal blockade."  

He went on to say that the situation in the besieged Gaza Strip as "worse than before the latest Israeli military offensive."

He further noted that as long as the Israeli blockade keeps to be in its place, the situation in the besieged area won’t improve.

"Lifting the blockade, creating a better and real economic development would certainly create a hope for the Gaza Strip populations to have a better future and achieve the needed progress," Turner said.

In its latest assault, Israel unleashed attacks on the Palestinian territory in early July 2014 and later expanded its military campaign with a ground invasion of Gaza. The war ended in late August that year. Nearly 2,200 Palestinians lost their lives and some 11,000 were injured in the attacks. Gaza Health officials say the victims included 578 children and nearly 260 women.

The Gaza Strip has been under a crippling Israeli siege since 2007. The blockade, which has cut off the territory from the outside world, has led to an economic and humanitarian crisis in the enclave with a population of about 1.8 million people.

Israel not only defies international calls to lift the brutal siege, but also does not allow medication or construction materials into Gaza.