PALESTINIAN GOVERNMENT WARNS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER DUE TO BLOCKADE

        Gaza, 12 Dhul Qa’ida 1434/18 September 2013 (MINA) – The Palestinian government warned of an environmental disaster in Gaza due to the siege, especially as untreated sewage water is pumped into the sea, which increases the problem of pollution and its impact on the environmental situation and human health.

       “The municipalities in the Gaza Strip began to pump sewage water into the sea, after sewage treatment plants stopped working due to lack of fuel,” said Minister of Local Government, Mohammed Al-Farra, The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) reported as monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

        He expected that the municipalities will officially announce next Thursday that they are out of fuel as a result of the tightening of the siege on Gaza, the demolition of tunnels on the borders with Egypt, and the prevention of the entry of the Egyptian diesel fuel to the Gaza Strip.

       “All the countries of the Mediterranean are threatened by the pollution if the blockade continues,” he added.

        Farra pointed out that the epidemics and health crises will not be prevented by geographical borders, in reference to Israel.

         He appealed to international and humanitarian organizations to shoulder their responsibilities and exert pressure on Israel, to lift the siege on Gaza and to allow necessary materials into the Strip before it is too late.

        The Gaza Strip has been suffering from a tight blockade for the seventh year running. However, the siege has dramatically intensified two months ago after the dismissal of the Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and the destruction of almost all tunnels between Gaza and Egypt by the Egyptian army.(T/P03/E1)

 Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)