NEW YORK (PIC)– The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied territories warned in a “Situation Report” of the humanitarian impact of reduced access between Gaza and Egypt.
The report published on OCHA website on Monday explained “Long-term restrictions imposed by Israel on the movement of people and goods to and from the Gaza Strip through Israeli-controlled crossings have left the Gaza economy and population dependent upon illegal tunnel trade and the Egyptian-controlled Rafah Crossing.”
It added “Recent action to counter illegal activities and insecurity in the Sinai have included restrictions on movement of people through the Rafah Crossing and closing down smuggling tunnels.”
The report said that at the same time “there has been only limited easing of the ongoing restrictions imposed at legitimate crossing points from Israel. Consequently an already fragile humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has worsened.”
