Agency deeply disappointed that Israel rejects even the slightest pause in the bombing for humanitarian access

International aid agency Oxfam said today that the crisis in Gaza was now critical, Besides the fighting, the dwindling supply of food and fuel was becoming the key humanitarian concern. The agency added that though a 48 hour pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian aid through would have been inadequate to meet the needs of those besieged it was deeply disappointed that this humanitarian gesture has been rejected. It added that an immediate cease-fire was imperative.

“We have had to suspend an aid programme helping at least 65,000 people. Our aid workers in Gaza are besieged, restricted to their homes and in fear of their and their families’ lives. Nine months ago aid agencies warned the crisis in Gaza was the worst it has ever been since the 1967 ‘six-day war’. Months of a tightening blockade and the latest disproportionate attacks make it much worse,” said John Prideaux-Brune Oxfam’s Country Director in Jerusalem.

“Food and fuel are in perilously short supply. Eighty percent of the people in Gaza were reliant on food aid. Some food aid is still available in Gaza but the bombing has stopped aid agencies distributing food and when there is food available in the market the prices have escalated three-fold. The crisis is becoming dire for the most vulnerable. Even if they get food people have to cook it and fuel for cooking is also in short supply. Many bakeries have run out of both flour and fuel and no longer selling bread.”

“A 48 hour pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian essentials to the people would have given a minimum respite and we are deeply disappointed even this small humanitarian gesture has been rejected.

“Fuel shortages have meant that the power cuts are extensive. Hospitals have generators and enough fuel to last for a week or so but with limited spare parts. The biggest problem is the sheer number of casualties medical staff are having to deal with, which now outstrip the numbers of bed available.

“Miraculously the water and sanitation system has not totally broken down but, as with the hospitals, it is now dependent on generators for power. In parts of Gaza City there has been no electricity fpr four days and it is increasingly dangerous to tanker water to the people whose water has been cut off” added Mr Prideaux-Brune.

Oxfam welcomed the recent diplomatic pressure on Israel and Hamas to end the fighting and is calling on the European Union to send High Representative Javier Solana to go to the region to help broker a peace deal.

More from the Oxfam Press Office at http://www.oxfam.org.uk/news