Gaza contines to suffer blockade

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-24-2008 10:27

Meanwhile, residents of the Gaza Strip are facing a humanitarian crisis after nearly 20 consecutive days of a blockade imposed by Israel.

Israel has closed all border crossings into the Palestinian region in response to rocket attacks, causing shortages of food and fuel.

Palestinians queue to buy bread at a bakery in Gaza City, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008.(AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)

In Gaza's main market, people doing their morning shopping say it's getting harder to obtain fuel and electricity.

Um Assem Mishal, Gaza Resident, said, "I don't have fuel, and I don't have electricity. They cut the electricity, no work for anyone. We are living in a bad situation from all sides."

Many bakeries in Gaza have also closed down without fuel for their ovens.

Adham Samouri, Gaza Bakery Worker, said, "We have no electricity, we don't have fuel or gas and because there is no gas and the crossings are closed, all these things affected the bakery's work here."

And in a bizarre situation, local banks are running out of cash.

There are tight limits on withdrawing money since the UN has stopped distributing cash to Gazan authorities and Israel has refused to send cash into the territory.

Bank officials warn they might have to shut down their Gaza branches.

Usama Marzuq, Gaza Resident, said, "The situation will be very bad and life will be halted because our economy is dependent mainly on the Israeli economy. We buy and sell mainly with Israeli shekels, so the cash shortage will very much affect our economy."

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the crossings with the coastal strip to stay closed on Saturday.

He said preparations were underway to open the crossings on Sunday morning but militants launched another rocket attack on Saturday night making sure the blockade stays in place for at least another day.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei