Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are still deprived of the basic elements of social justice due to the Israeli blockade on the coastal enclave, a report says.
Israel announced six months ago that they will ease up the blockade, but the siege is causing the economy of Gaza to suffer greatly, a Press TV correspondent reported from Gaza on Sunday.
The United Nations General Assembly had proclaimed February 20 as the World Day of Social Justice in 2007 to pursue social justice for all and to promote development and human dignity.
The UN has repeatedly warned of a humanitarian crisis for Gaza’s 1.5 million residents. Even human rights groups have criticized the international community for its silence on the siege on Gaza and the 22-day Israeli war shattering the stagnant economy of the territory.
With poverty rate at almost 70 percent and unemployment hovering around 50 percent, many Gazans live on handouts from relatives and local aid agencies as they spend most of their dwindling monthly income on food.
Experts say the blockade will further deteriorate besieged Gaza’s economy and will increase unemployment and poverty rates.
In June 2007, Israel and Egypt placed the territory under siege and imposed an unprecedented blockade on nearly all movement and supplies in and out of the sliver.
Poverty, unemployment, lack of medicine and medical equipment are the main issues in the Gaza Strip, while most children are physically stunted from malnutrition.
(Press TV)
