ZOO ANIMALS SUFFER FROM ISRAEL’S BLOCKADE ON GAZA STRIP

Gaza, 13 Rabi’ul Akhir 1436/3 February 2015 (MINA) – Even zoo animals are not safe from Israel’s atrocities in the war-torn Gaza Strip as dozens waste away from thirst or hunger because of the blockade.

Mohammed Awaida, the owner of the South Forest Park zoo in Khan Yunis, said the animals were dying because his staff couldn’t get to the zoo to feed and care properly for the animals due to Israel’s daily attacks and the blockade.

He said the keepers were desperately trying to keep the animals alive, the Daily mail reported on Monday, Press Tv quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

He added that the situation in the Gaza Strip has made it impossible to keep animals alive because there is not enough food to feed all of them.

The South Forest Park zoo is one of the Gaza Strip’s five zoos.

The Gaza Strip has been under a crippling Israeli siege since 2007. The blockade, which has cut off the territory from the outside world, has led to an economic and humanitarian crisis in the densely-populated enclave.

Summer Onslaught

Israel unleashed attacks on Gaza in early July 2014 and later expanded its military campaign with a ground invasion into the Palestinian territory. The war ended in late August that year.

Over 2,130 Palestinians lost their lives and some 11,000 were injured. Gaza Health officials say the victims included 578 children and nearly 260 women. About 1,500 buildings and structures were also demolished during the Israeli offensive.

Rebuilding has hardly started in Gaza, while experts say it will take a long time even if the Israeli regime considerably eases its blockade on the territory. (T/P011/P3)

 Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)