Israel cuts off supplies to Gaza
Updated on 18 June 2007
Israel blockades cargo supplies to those inside Hamas controlled Gaza strip.
The European Union says it will restart direct aid to the Palestinian government - in an effort to shore up the President Mahmoud Abbas.
The embargo was imposed last year after the Islamist Hamas movement won elections - and refused to recognise Israel or renounce violence.
Now that Hamas has seized control of the Gaza Strip Israel is imposing a blockade around the territory. And aid agencies are warning of dire consequences for the strip's one-and-a-half million people.
The semblance of normality is returning in Gaza City, where Hamas rules. But despite market traders back on the streets, food supplies will run out in nine days, unless the Israelis lift their blockade of ports.
"They say in the news around the world that there are two Palestinian governments. God willing, after this conflict there will be one joint government as soon as possible." - Gaza resident
But for many families, queuing at the Erez Checkpoint to Israel, their only hope is to try to leave. In the West Bank, the new Hamas-free cabinet met this morning; buoyed by public promises from the EU and Israel that they will unfreeze financial assets to keep the state functioning:
"I think things are very promising. We heard that the European Union will be paying the salaries for all public servants in Gaza. This is excellent. We are working in order to secure all basic needs for the people in Gaza." - Riad Al Maliki, Palestinian Information Minister
"We heard that the European Union will be paying the salaries for all public servants in Gaza. "- Riad Al Maliki, Palestinian Information Minister
In Gaza Hamas had hoped to show they were restoring peace and order by securing the release of the captured BBC correspondent Alan Johnston. But the group, the Army of Islam, who are holding him released a video statement, making it clear that what Hamas says, they're the ones in charge:
"Regarding freeing the captive journalist, we have not agreed to any deals with any organisations. Everything that you watch on TV and hear through the media is not true." - Abu Khattab, Army of Islam
The UN is trying to get as much food and humanitarian aid into Gaza as it can; and the Israeli company that provides oil to the territory has restored normal fuel supplies. And for now Gaza's one and a half million people, find themselves caught between the rivalries of two Palestinian governments.
