Gaza declares state of emergency

On Feb 22, 2018

YemenExtra

M.A.

Gaza officials have just declared a state of emergency as the economy reaches brink of total collapse.

Residents of the Gaza Strip now face the unprecedented consequences Israel’s – eleven year – ongoing siege. Despite the fact that the Israeli state is obliged by international law, to maintain a sound livable condition for the residents it besieges, it has acted to purposefully strangle the civilian population of Gaza.

The Mayor of Gaza, Nizar Hejazi, stated at a news conference; “Much of the financial aid has been cut, which has halted basic services linked to fuel and sanitation…”

Nizar Hejazi was referring to the recent cuts from UNRWA, a department of the United Nations specifically established for dealing with Palestinian refugees.

Gaza now encounters an unemployment rate of above 50%, whilst more than 80% of the population are identified as living in poverty.

Gaza’s sewerage system has now become completely over-run and has forced officials to announce that raw untreated sewerage will now be, all directly, pumped into the sea.

Crime has also increased in Gaza due to the vile poverty, 97% of the water in undrinkable, the sole power plant in Gaza cannot function due to lack of fuel and electricity is also only available between 2-6 hours per day.

The United Nations Security Council yesterday addressed the humanitarian crisis, but there is yet to be any action taken for the despairing population of the Gaza Strip.