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On September 18, the London Guardian reported on a leaked September UN report accusing Israel of causing "de-development" by keeping Gaza under siege, denying essential aid, and blocking its reconstruction.
From Jerusalem, Rory McCarthy wrote:
"....much reconstruction work is still to be done because materials are either delayed or banned from entering the strip. The UN (Office of the Humanitarian Co-ordinator) Report, obtained by the Guardian, reveals the delays facing the delivery of even the most basis aid. On average, it takes 85 days to get shelter kits into Gaza, 68 days to deliver health and paediatric hygiene kits, and 39 days for household items such as bedding and kitchen utensils."
All sorts of essentials are either delayed or banned. The report accused Israel of "contraven(ing)" the Security Council's January 2009 resolution 1860 calling for "unimpeded provision and distribution" of humanitarian aid.
Titled "Access for the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance to Gaza: An Overview to Delivering Principled Humanitarian Assistance," it said:
"....there has been no significant improvement in the quantity and scope of goods allowed into Gaza....The lack of construction materials, as well as equipment and material necessary for maintenance and repair of public infrastructure, has lead to a process of de-development in the Gaza Strip, which potentially could lead to the complete breakdown of public infrastructure and further deterioration in the economy."
In 2005, Israel signed an Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) with the PA. At the time, 9,470 monthly truckloads into Gaza were considered inadequate. During June and July 2009, only 2,406 entered monthly, a 75% reduction and 80% below the June 2007 12,352 level for the Strip's 1.5 million people.
"The result is a gradual process of de-development across all sectors, devastating livelihoods, increasing unemployment, and resulting in increased aid dependency amongst the population."
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