OFFICIAL REPORT: GAZA SIEGE AFFECTS ALL VITAL SECTORS

Gaza, 5 Dzulhijjah 1434/11 October 2013 (MINA) – The Palestinian government information office in Gaza has issued on Tuesday its daily report on the impact of the Gaza siege on various sectors and human life aspects in the besieged Strip.

The report said that the Egyptian authorities temporarily opened Rafah crossing with Gaza, noting that the Interior Ministry has registered more than 5,000 citizens to travel via the Rafah crossing who are mostly students studying at universities abroad, those with residency abroad and patients.

The report explained that 450 truckloads is scheduled to enter to the Gaza Strip containing goods for both commercial and agricultural sectors and aid supplies, Raed Fattouh, chairman for the Coordination Committee for the Entry of Goods into Gaza, said, according to ALQASSAM report quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA), Thursday (10/10).

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For his part, the Minister of Local Government, Dr Mohammed Al-Farra, has warned of serious implications of pumping sewage into the sea, after the wastewater treatment plants had to stop due to the lack of fuel.

Pumping the untreated wastewater into the sea will pollute not only the marine environment of Gaza but also the Mediterranean Sea, Al-Farra warned of an environmental disaster.

The report pointed out to the fuel crisis due to the Egyptian restrictions on the entry of fuel into Gaza Strip.

The only power plant in Gaza is not operational due to the lack of industrial fuel, leaving Gaza facing up to 12 hours of power cuts per day, the report added.

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For his part, Aladdin Batta vice chairman of the government committee to break the siege pointed out to the sharp decrease in the number of visitors to the Strip, resulting in medication shortage and lack of the most basic human needs in the besieged strip. (T/P012/E1)

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)