Published: Mar 7, 2010 10:51 PM Updated: Mar 7, 2010 10:51 PM
GAZA CITY: As the crippling blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip enters its 1000th day, the head of the committee against the siege called for protests across the world against the cordon on Sunday.
"The siege harmed the people, as well as the environment, health, economy and social life. It constitutes a serious attempt to suffocate the people and destroy their will,â said Jamal Al-Khodari at Gaza City.
Al-Khodari announced that 500 Gazans have died as a result of the blockade, with one person dying every two days. Most of them are patients who were not able to receive appropriate medical treatment.
He pointed out that one million Gaza residents live on humanitarian aid from Arab or foreign countries and the United Nations.
"The Palestinian economy has been completely destroyed, as the number of unemployed reached more than 140,000, which amounts to 80 percent of Gaza's workforce," said Al-Khodari.
He claimed that the attitudes of Arab and foreign countries confirm that the blockade is unjust and violates the principles of international law.
âSo these countries must bear responsibility and put real pressure on Israel, which should be held accountable for the situation and be made aware of the crimes it is perpetrating."
Following Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, Israel closed all its commercial border crossing points into the territory.
Since then, the country only allowed humanitarian aid and limited vital supplies of basic food, fuel, medicine, construction materials and other supplies to be shipped in. ¬
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