Gaza could face food shortages in 2-4 weeks -U.N.

[maddezmom]

JERUSALEM, June 20 (Reuters) - The Hamas-held Gaza Strip could start running out of flour, rice, edible oil and other commodities in 2-4 weeks unless Israel reopens the enclave's border crossings, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

Israel wants to isolate Hamas Islamists -- economically, diplomatically and militarily -- in the Gaza Strip, while allowing funds to flow to the Western-backed emergency government set up last week in the Israeli-occupied West Bank by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah.

Worried Gazans have been stocking up on essentials, fearing the border crossings with Israel will remain shut following Hamas's violent takeover of the territory last week. The World Food Programme estimates flour prices have risen 40 percent.

Israel plans to choke off all but humanitarian and basic supplies to the coastal strip, home to 1.5 million people, senior Israeli and Western officials say. Most freight passes through the Karni crossing from Israel.

"The re-opening of Karni crossing is vital to prevent general food shortages in 2-4 weeks," the U.N.'s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a report.

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