There is only really one word that appropriately describes the Israeli blockade of Gaza since 2008 — trapping thousands of Palestinians in a life of misery and despair is inhumane. And, by all standards, laws and regulations, the blockade has become a means to deny them their hopes and aspirations for a better future.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has labelled the blockade a "clear violation of international humanitarian law" and described the situation in Gaza as "dire", adding that the only possible solution is to lift the blockade.
"The whole of Gaza's civilian population is being punished for acts for which they bear no responsibility. The closure therefore constitutes a collective punishment imposed in clear violation of Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law," the organisation said in a recent statement.
It is no secret how miserable life is for the people of Gaza. The poverty level has worsened and unemployment rates are increasing dramatically. Over 70 per cent of people are living below the poverty line and 44 per cent are unemployed. In addition, public services have deteriorated rapidly, with health care, water, education and sanitation in extremely short supply.
Most of the neighbourhoods that bore the brunt of Israeli military aggression in 2008 have not been rebuilt as Israel has also banned much-needed construction material. The health-care system is also surviving on the bare necessities as the blockade is denying thousands of patients access to medicine and treatment.
Can this blockade be called anything but inhumane? The suffering has to come to an end and Israel has to be forced to call off this immoral, collective punishment.
