Last week saw a heavy toll of human losses in the Gaza Strip. At least 12 people were killed in Israeli military incursions into Khan Younis in the southern region of Gaza. Twenty-nine others were injured including several school children. Over the weekend at least five more people were killed, four of them civilians.

The Israeli military stepped up their operations as Palestinian militants continued to launch rockets into Israeli border towns and cities that Israel says have reached deeper into Israeli territory than normal. No casualties or damages were reported. The operations rarely take out the intended targets only and there are more civilian casualties and damage to property each time.

Charles Clayton, National Director for World Vision – Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza said, 'We are concerned for the population of Gaza, as they continue to be isolated and world opinion is silent on what is happening there.' World Vision's work continues in Gaza under these difficult conditions, reaching many thousands of the poorest people.

Last week it was reported that the Israeli High Court of Justice is allowing the Israeli government to limit the fuel supplies to Gaza, ignoring criticism from rights organizations concerned that these restrictions will create additional humanitarian burdens on the Palestinian population there. The fuel cuts took effect on Sunday and the population of Gaza will have eight hours of electricity per day as only 35 per cent of fuel supplies remain.

Gaza has been besieged since early 2006, but has been especially isolated since June, 2007, which has created a humanitarian disaster as goods and humanitarian restrictions have continued to be in place by Israeli authorities.