Israel okays one-time delivery of fuel and medicine to Gaza

[bemildred]

Defense Minister Ehud Barak agreed Monday to allow a one-time shipment of diesel fuel and medical supplies into the Gaza Strip, after an Israeli-imposed closure left much of the coastal area without essential supplies.

Gaza City's power plant, which depends on fuel funded by the European Union, shut down its two working turbines Sunday, plunging much of Gaza City into darkness, after Israel last week closed border crossings to all goods - including humanitarian aid - due to intensive Qassam rocket attacks on the western Negev.

Following a briefing Barak held with senior government officials Monday evening, a source close to the defense minister said that "it appears that they got the message in Gaza. Since Thursday, when 40 Qassams were fired at Israel, the number of launchings has gone down, and today, for example, only one Qassam was fired. The military and economic pressure had an impact. If the Qassam fire goes up, we won't think twice before tightening the sanctions and the border closures."

The Defense Ministry said Israel will allow in diesel fuel for generators as well as gas used for cooking. A Foreign Ministry spokesman said restrictions would remain in place on petrol for cars.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/946709.html

[madrchsod]

1. how nice of them to lift the collective punishment

for only one time. permission to stay alive is conditional.

[Tom Joad]

2. even at Abu Grahib the prisoners were fed on occasion.

[henank]

3. It's not up to Israel to feed them

They have a government whom they elected, whose job it is to look after them. Plus they receive BILLIONS of dollars from the international community - last I heard it was $7.5 billion. How much rice, flour, oil and eggs can you buy with that? Of course if the money is slipped into undeserving pockets and bank accounts and the rest spent on rocket fuel and the making of armaments then they shouldn't complain.

Other countries with enormous refugee populations (think Rwanda, Congo, etc.) would be delighted with such huge amounts of money.

[breakaleg]

4. When Israel is responsible for sealing off all their borders and access to the outside world,

then who the heck do you expect to feed them? Lock them up and throw away the key right?

[henank]

7. I guess you didn't see this then

Calling Egypt to account. Israel is not the only country with a border with Gaza. If arms, ammunition, human trafficking and other contraband can enter Egypt freely, there is no reason why food and humanitarian aid can't enter via Egypt. Has the UN and its agencies even tried to enter via Egypt? Gaza is not Israel's problem.

[Tom Joad]

5. Gaza is under a blockade. It is under occupation.

maybe i should put it in the breaking news section.

The food shipments are not coming from the Occupation regime, but the Occupation forces are blocking humanitarian shipments.

It is a crime against humanity to block aid shipments to hungry people.

[azurnoir]

6. Hamas recieved this money?

this is what you are claiming?