Gaza

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Gaza
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In the media
In recent days the media has been full of
pictures and stories from Gaza. But what are the
roots of this conflict?
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Background
The Gaza Strip is a narrow piece of land
along the Mediterranean coast between
Israel and Egypt. More than 1.5
million Palestinians live
there. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt
occupied Gaza. Arab refugees fled to Gaza from
areas captured by Israel. Israel captured Gaza
itself in 1967. In 2005 Israel finally pulled
out of Gaza, but still controls most of Gazas
borders. Egypt controls Gaza's southern border.
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Background
The Islamist militant group Hamas took over
Gaza in June 2007 after winning elections the
previous year. Israel increased its blockade,
allowing into Gaza only basic items like food,
groceries and medicines. Israel aimed to isolate
Hamas and stop it firing rockets into Israel.
Lack of fuel and spare parts soon affected
sewage treatment, waste collection, water supply
and medical facilities. In 2008, aid agencies
described Gaza as in a humanitarian crisis.
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Recent developments
Recently, Palestinian militant groups started
firing more powerful rockets, some reaching 40km
into Israel. These have caused tens of deaths,
injuries and severe disruption for Israelis
living within range. Israel has responded with
shelling and missile attacks, killing hundreds of
Gazans, including many civilians, and injuring
thousands.
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Recent developments
"This is the worst situation I have ever seen in
Gaza. I visited the hospital and there were
bodies outside and people crying. Buildings are
totally destroyed. It's really horrific". Hatem
Shurrab,
aid worker with Islamic Relief
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Recent developments
Aid workers in Gaza report that 70 per cent of
homes no longer have running water. People risk
their lives to queue for up to ten hours for
bread. With no fuel entering Gaza many
life-saving machines in the hospitals are unable
to run.
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Recent developments
CAFODs partner in Gaza is Islamic Relief
Worldwide The people of Gaza have reached
breaking point and its hard to describe in words
how desperate people are. "People in Gaza are
exhausted and traumatised, and are in desperate
need for an end to this nightmare. We need the
bombs to stop so we can get aid out to the most
vulnerable people whose suffering is increasing
day by day. Hatem Shurrab, aid worker,
Islamic Relief
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Giving aid
CAFOD is also lobbying internationally to support
negotiations for peace and to ensure that
humanitarian aid can reach those most in need.
CAFOD partner, Islamic Relief Worldwide, is
providing urgently needed medical aid. It also
has an emergency team assessing the developing
humanitarian need.
CAFOD has pledged an initial 50,000 pounds to
support the work of Islamic Relief, in addition
to 100,000 already allocated for humanitarian
work in Gaza.
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Let us pray
We pause to pray for the suffering people in and
around Gaza We pray for the injured and for
those who have lost loved ones in the violence
both within and around Gaza. Lord, may they be
healed. We pray for leaders in Gaza and Israel,
and for international leaders. Lord, may they be
peacemakers. We pray for those working to
relieve the suffering of others. Lord, may they
be strengthened and may their example inspire us
to stand in solidarity with all who suffer. Amen.
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Credits and links
Read a blog by Hatem Shurrab, Islamic Relief aid
worker, at blog.cafod.org.uk Picture
credits Islamic Relief Worldwide