UN resumes food distribution in Gaza

ISRAEL: Food distribution to half the Gaza Strip’s 1.5 million population was to resume on Tuesday but the United Nations fears supplies will soon run out unless Israel eases its crippling blockade.

“Distribution will go on of the very small amount we brought in on Monday,” said UN Works and Relief Agency (UNRWA) spokesman Chris Gunness.

“The supplies will last days, not weeks,” he told AFP.

Israel responded to a recent surge in rocket and mortar attacks by completely sealing off Gaza on November 5, preventing delivery of the basic supplies that had been allowed in under a blockade imposed after Hamas seized control of the Palestinian territory in June 2007.

Amid mounting pressure from the international community, Israel last week allowed some industrial fuel to be delivered to Gaza’s sole power plant and on Monday it let in 33 truckloads of humanitarian and other basic supplies.

UNRWA, which feeds 750,000 people in the impoverished sliver of land, said thousands of dollars worth of powder milk was lost after Israeli officials slashed the packages for inspection.

“Babies should not be punished by being deprived of milk. I am not aware of babies firing rockets or baby milk being used to power rockets,” said Gunness. He also said food distribution would only go on “for days, not weeks,” unless new supplies are allowed in.

GAZA CITY, Tuesday AFP