United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the longstanding Israeli siege on Gaza Strip has led to deteriorated living conditions of approximately two million Palestinians in the blockaded coastal enclave.
OCHA stated in a report on Friday that 72% of Palestinians in Gaza lack food security while 40% of the residents are living below poverty line. The report added that the unemployment rate has exceeded 60% and about 80% of the inhabitants receive international aid in one way or another.
The restrictions on the movement of the Gazan people continue to reduce access to livelihoods essential services and housing disrupt family life and undermine people’s hopes for a secure and prosperous future.
The situation has been compounded by the restrictions imposed since June 2013 by the Egyptian authorities at Rafah Crossing which had become the main crossing point used by Palestinian passengers in the Gaza Strip and had rarely been opened over the past two years.
