Gaza blockade hasn't eased

It is sad that the status quo in Gaza is unchanged, with Palestinians being denied the basic necessities of daily life. Without any further delay, this has to change.

According to the UN, "no material change" has been seen for the people in Gaza since Israel announced it was "easing" its blockade imposed on the Occupied Territories. Israel promised in June to allow more food and consumer goods into Gaza following international pressure after the murder of nine Turkish activists by Israeli soldiers aboard an aid flotilla bound for the Strip.

"There's been no material change for the people on the ground here in terms of their status, the aid dependency, the absence of any recovery or reconstruction, no economy. The easing, as it was described, has been nothing more than a political easing of the pressure on Israel and Egypt," the UN's John Ging said.

The blockade is not just a question of goods not being allowed in or out — rather, it is about how people can be expected to live in such abject conditions. And for this reason, the international community must act.