Saturday (27th December) was the first anniversary of the beginning of the war in Gaza. A war that Amnesty international said claimed the lives of 1400 Palestinians, 900 of them civilian. Israel lost 13 people, three of whom were civilian.
Amnesty's independent Human Rights report also claimed that Israel “carried out war crimes and acts of wanton destruction in Gaza.” Hamas were also accused of war crimes and endangering civilians.
The death toll in Gaza was high enough, but the destruction of the area has also been a great burden on the people still living there, with many still living in tents and bombed out houses.
The group 'Viva Palestina', set up by Respect MP George Galloway had planned to arrive in Gaza with food and aid for the stricken Palestinians on Sunday, 27th. They have travelled from the UK to bring help, but have been stopped from entering Egypt by the Egyptian authorities.
The group is now on Hunger strike in Aqaba, Jordan. According to the group:
This International Hunger Strike will also highlight the refusal by Egypt, under Israeli pressure, to allow the humanitarian aid to reach the people in Gaza.
The convoy has been stranded in the city for 3 days now, having been refused permission to enter Egypt on their way to Gaza. There are 500 people from no less than 20 different countries in 250 vehicles loaded with charitable humanitarian aid. The convoy is been led by leading international politician George Galloway, having left London on December 6th.
John Hurson, from Co Tyrone was on the first Aid mission by Viva Palestina and believes that conditions haven't changed.
John said, “from my time spent in Gaza, to think that in the year 2009, people are denied all the basic essentials in life, like water, electricity, medicine, blankets, books, and even footballs for the children, is just unbelievable and unacceptable.
“For Egypt to prevent this compassionate and charitable aid, donated by ordinary caring people from all over the world, unnnecessarily adds to the hardships currently endured on a daily basis, by the besieged and distressed people in Gaza.
I am hopeful that the leaders of the West will exert their influence, put pressure on Egypt, the United States, and Israel to end this inhuman blockade forced upon Gaza, and allow for the safe passage of this essential humanitarian aid. Enough is enough, this has to end now, for the sake of humanity.”
Everyone has an opinion on the situation in the Middle East and there will always be people who either sympathise with either Israel or the Palestinians – but one thing has to be clear. When it comes to humanitarian aid and peoples lives, aid should always be allowed to get through to the people who need it most. It is a basic human right. The people of Gaza need help – the world should put all pressure on Israel and Egypt to make sure they get that help.
