A new report released by the United Nations (UN) has warned of a marked decline in civil order in the Gaza Strip, as thousands of desperate civilians have resorted to raiding government warehouses in attempts to secure basic necessities.
The UN report warns that the situation is rapidly deteriorating as the people of Gaza continue to bear the brunt of an eleven-year-old Israeli blockade. The blockade has caused a collapse in the local economy, resulting in a severe shortage of basic commodities such as food and medicine, along with limited access to potable water and electricity.
These shortages have led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza with impoverished civilians now taking matters into their own hands and storming aggregated government warehouses in a desperate bid to secure essential goods. Reports have indicated that warehouses located in the Jabalia refugee camp were targeted as recently as this Monday, with thousands of people reportedly emptying the stores of cooking oil, sugar and flour, among other essential items.
The UN report highlights this situation as a sign of the desperation many Gazans face in their daily lives. It specifically cites the import restrictions imposed by Israel as major contributors to this crisis. It also calls attention to the limited access to essential goods and resources caused by a devastating infrastructure, along with an 11-year-long blockade that has decimated Gaza’s already fragile economy.
The report recommends that the international community should make a concerted effort to help improve the dire situation in Gaza. It specifically calls for the lifting of the Israeli imposed restrictions on the movement of goods and people, in order to provide the civilians with access to essential items and services.
The situation in the Gaza Strip remains tense, with no clear solution in sight. Until the issue is addressed, thousands of civilians will continue to suffer from a crippling shortage of essential items and services. With this in mind, it is hoped that the international community will take the necessary steps to address this humanitarian crisis and help the people of Gaza secure the basic necessities needed to survive.
