Israeli blockade ‘cause of turmoil in Gaza’

The current situation in the Gaza Strip is the cumulative effect of the blockade imposed by Israel since 2006 and the closure of key crossings that has affected lives of people, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Malki said here.

Al-Malki made his remarks during his visit to Columbia for meetings with envoys of Arab countries based in Bogota. He met with a number of Columbian officials, intellectuals, academia and members of Palestinian.
The blockade has turned the Gaza Strip into a big prison where close to two million Palestinians have no freedom of movement to do gainful economic activity like agriculture and fishing. Their plight is made worse by erratic power and water supply due to the ongoing shortage of fuel, Malki said.
Repeated attacks by the Israeli’s has inflicted sever suffering on the Palestinians, he said and deplored the negative role of a section of media that has reduced Palestinians victims as mere numbers and statistics.
“Civil institutions and key stakeholders should address this situation,” Malki said and added, “Despite Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza in 2005, it continues to legally remain under Israeli military occupation.”
He urged the international community to take responsibility for the plight of the Palestinians and pressure Israel to stop its aggression.
Source: QNA