WHO: 'Israel Prevented Entry Of Medical Equipment Into Gaza'

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that Israel had prevented, for the fourth time, the transfer of medical supplies and equipment to the besieged Gaza Strip.

The supplies were supposed to be allowed into the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom (Karem Abu Salem) Crossing.

The WHO added that in spite of conducting the needed coordination, Israel still prevented the entry of the desperately needed supplies.'

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Israel Threatens to Shoot International Activists

The postwar humanitarian crisis in Gaza takes a turn for the worse with the Israeli Navy intercepting a relief ship headed toward the coastal strip.

A group of 21 activists sailing to Gaza said Tuesday that Israeli forces had threatened to gun down their boat unless they changed direction.

"There is a patrol boat around us and we were told that if we did not turn back they would open fire," Reuters quoted Irish activist Derek Graham as saying.

"We are continuing our course to Gaza," he added.

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Israel Bans Books, Music and Clothes From Entering Gaza

Israel allows only food, medicine and detergent into the Gaza Strip. Thousands of items, including vital products for everyday activity, are forbidden.

Altogether only 30 to 40 select commercial items are now allowed into the Gaza Strip, compared to 4,000 that had been approved before the closure Israel imposed on Gaza following the abduction of Gilad Shalit, according to merchants and human rights activists.

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Closed Zone

Israeli Tanks Enter Gaza City

Israeli tanks backed by helicopters have crossed the border with the Gaza Strip, triggering clashes in Gaza City. Witnesses told AFP that the military forces entered Gaza City early Thursday with Palestinian fighters exchanging fire with them. The military forces however left the strip after the fighters fired antitank rockets at them. No casualties have been reported in the attack. There was no comment by the Israeli military on the incident.

Press TV

Gaza Desperately Short of Food After Israel Destroys Farmland

Gaza's 1.5 million people are facing a food crisis as a result of the destruction of great areas of farmland during the Israeli invasion.
According to the World Food Programme, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation and Palestinian officials, between 35% and 60% of the agriculture industry has been wrecked by the three-week Israeli attack, which followed two years of economic siege.
Christine van Nieuwenhuyse, the World Food Programme's country director, said: "We are hearing that 60% of the land in the north - where the farming was most intensive - may not be exploitable again. It looks to me like a disaster. It is not just farmland, but poultry as well.

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Israeli War Criminals Vow Another Mutilation Of Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday that the military will harshly respond to rocket attacks which struck the western Negev earlier in the day.

"We will act according to new rules that will guarantee that we are not dragged into an incessant tit-for-tat war that will not allow normal life in the south of the country," said Olmert.

The premier was referring to two rockets that were launched from the Hamas-held territory early in the morning. One of the rockets landed in the Sdot Negev Regional Council while the other hit the Eshkol Regional Council. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the military wing of Fatah - Hamas' rival faction - claimed responsibility for the rocket attacks, The Jerusalem Post reported.

"We've said that if there is rocket fire against the south of the country, there will be a severe and disproportionate Israeli response," said the premier. "The response will come at the time, the place and the manner that we choose."

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