The humanitarian crisis in Gaza

Israel's deadly offensive on Hamas targets in its Gaza Strip stronghold entered its second week on Saturday, with truce efforts stalled.

The following are factors in what United Nations agencies say is a mounting humanitarian crisis in the impoverished territory, home to 1.5 million Palestinians.

-- There is an air strike about every 20 minutes on average, more at night.

-- The Israeli bombardment has caused widespread destruction, with over 600 targets hit, including roads, infrastructure, government buildings and police stations.

-- The health system is overwhelmed after already having been weakened by 18 months of an Israeli blockade. Besides at least 436 Palestinians being killed, nearly 3,000 people have been wounded since December 27, according to Gaza medics.

-- About 250,000 people have no electricity. Gaza's only power plant shut down on 30 December for the sixth time since November 5 for lack of fuel and spare parts.

-- The water system provides running water once every five to seven days. Forty million liters of raw sewage are dumped into the Mediterranean every day. Heating fuel and cooking gas are no longer available in the market.

-- Sewage has been pouring into the streets after the main sewage pipeline was hit on several occasions.

-- Eighty percent of Gaza's population depend on humanitarian aid.

-- There are shortages of flour, rice, sugar, dairy products, canned foods.

-- Israel has allowed in a daily average of about 60 truckloads of vital supplies since December 27. The figure is up from recent months, but far below the 475 average prior to June 2007 when Hamas seized total control of the Gaza Strip.

-- Pipelines at the Nahal Oz terminal that usually handle all of Gaza's fuel imports have remained closed since the start of operations.

-- Schools are closed, but many are used as shelters by people who have fled their homes.

-- Banks are closed because of cash shortages.

(Source: AFP)

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