Gaza Food Shops, Gas Stations Close During Israeli Effort to End Rocket Attacks

by PEP | January 21, 2008 at 05:05 am

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Rather than ending rocket attacks, I'm beginning to wonder if Israel's lockdown of Gaza is more likely to create more attacks. Going without medications, bread, gas, fuel, and medical care is more likely to create anger than reconciliation.

Gaza City awoke Monday to shuttered bread shops and gas stations, prompting officials to warn of a possible humanitarian crisis as Israel pressed ahead with efforts to stop Palestinian rocket fire, refusing to reopen crossings or allow in crucial fuel supplies.

Children marched through dark dark streets holding candles, an angry Hamas TV announcer shouted at the camera "we are being killed, we are starving!" and Palestinian leaders issued emotional pleas for national unity. Israel accused Gaza's Hamas rulers of fabricating a crisis to gain world sympathy.

Electricity officials shut down Gaza's only power plant just before 8 p.m. (1800 GMT) Sunday, Gaza Energy Authority head Kanan Obeid said.

Health Ministry official Moaiya Hassanain warned that the fuel cutoff would cause a health catastrophe. "We have the choice to either cut electricity on babies in the maternity ward or heart surgery patients or stop operating rooms," he said.