UN urges Israel to end Gaza closure

[bemildred]

The UN has said Israel should not collectively punish the Gaza population while responding to security threats.

The organisation has also criticised Israel's decision to close all border crossings with Gaza, preventing delivery of aid shipments to the 1.5 million people living in the territory.

At the same time, Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, called "for an immediate cessation of Palestinian sniper and rocket attacks into Israel, and for maximum restraint on the part of the Israel defence forces".

John Homes, the UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, said on Friday: "We all understand the security problems and the need to respond to that but collective punishment of the people of Gaza is not, we believe, the appropriate way to do that."

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0975414D-6B1A-47FC-9FD2-BCECE52C0827.htm

[tekisui]

1. It feels like parties are positioning for more war.

[bemildred]

2. Yah. Sure not trying to calm things down. nt

[Vegasaurus]

3. Maybe the UN can think of the appropriate way to stop the rocket fire

and security problems. They are typically so good at these kinds of things.

[oberliner]

4. Is the Rafah crossing also closed?

I can't seem to find any information regarding the border between Gaza and Egypt. Has that been affected by Israel's recent decision at all?

[azurnoir]

5. Has Israel complained yet?

If not then yes it probably is closed,which makes Egypt in part responsible any suffering, of course on the other hand if the Egyptians open Rafah though, they'll will be said to be aiding Hamas or they Let Hamasniks back into Gaza.

[pelsar]

6. yes the egyptians....

certainly have a problem..but i suspect they want it closed because they dont want the security headache that having open trade with gaza/hamas would cause. That said, the political problems of egypt are irrelevant to the UNs call for humanitarian aid

[Englander]

7. EU urges Israel to restart fuel supplies to Gaza

Mon Jan 21, 2008 6:14am EST

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission urged Israel on Monday to restart fuel supplies to Gaza and open border crossings, saying that Israel's blockade would worsen the situation on the ground and not help prevent attacks.

"I have made clear that I am against this collective punishment of the people of Gaza," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said in a statement.

"I urge the Israeli authorities to restart fuel supplies and open the crossings for the passage of humanitarian and commercial supplies."

Large parts of the Gaza Strip were plunged into darkness on Sunday when its main power plant shut down after Israel blocked fuel supplies in response to rocket attacks from Gaza.

EU personnel help monitor the Rafah crossing point between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. EU-funded fuel for the Gaza power plant is being held in storage at the Nahal Oz crossing, awaiting Israel's decision on resuming supplies.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSL2140601020080121