Life becomes harder for people in besieged Gaza

Life has become extremely hard for the Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip because of Israel’s continued blockade of the territory, Press TV reports.

Backed by Egypt and with no effective challenge from governments around the world, the siege has created a humanitarian and health crisis in the tiny coastal enclave, a Press TV correspondent reported on Tuesday.

Israel’s land, air and sea blockade on Gaza has brought electricity cuts of 16 hours a day. Fuel and electricity shortages in Gaza have worsened in recent months due to the military-appointed Egyptian government’s closure of Gaza tunnels. These tunnels have been the only lifeline for Palestinians living under the Israeli siege.

Gaza’s sole power plant supplies up to 65 megawatts, about a third of the enclave’s electricity needs. Last month, it stopped generating electricity due to severe fuel shortage.

The blockade has also resulted in unacceptable limits on personal freedom. Most Palestinians are prevented from travelling outside of Gaza.

In 2011, a UN panel found that Israel’s blockade has subjected Gazans to collective punishment, which is “in flagrant contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law.” But Israel has ignored repeated international pleas to lift the blockade.

Moreover, the Israeli military frequently carries out airstrikes and other attacks on the Gaza Strip, saying the actions are being conducted for defensive purposes, but disproportionate force is always used, in violation of international law, and civilians are often killed or injured.

Gaza has been blockaded since June 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty.

The apartheid regime of Israel denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.