UN And "Gaza Businessmen" Agree: It's Israel's Fault That Hamas Has Intentionally Created A Humanitarian Disaster In the Gaza Strip By Blocking Food and Medical Shipments

Oh really?

UN officials and Gaza businessmen have warned that the coastal strip's economy could collapse unless Israel reopens crucial commercial trade crossings it closed after Hamas seized control of Gaza. Israel refuses to do business with the terrorist group that has killed hundreds of people in suicide bombings. In recent weeks, some border points were opened to transfer humanitarian supplies. But no industrial materials have entered Gaza, bringing construction activity and manufacturing to a halt. Forty-two percent of those Palestinians questioned said some food items were in short supply, and 80 percent of business owners polled said they were having difficulties getting raw materials.

Actually, Israel tried to reopen the crossings to send in food. But Hamas has banned all Israeli produce from the Gaza Strip - sixty trucks of produce went to waste just that day. Why would Hamas intentionally starve their own civilians? Because they want to hurt Israeli farmers and they know Israel will get the blame anyway. It's like a win-win-lose, and they don't particularly care about who's losing. They've also set up roadblocks to block medical aid. That doesn't really do anything to hurt Israeli farmers - but hey, at least Israel gets demonized. And sometimes, that's more than enough.

At least the UN and the AP are refusing to reward Hamas's tactics by scapegoating Israel.

References:
* Gaza economy shrinking under Hamas [JPost]
* Hamas Blocks Israeli Food Shipments, Intentionally Starves Gaza Civilians To Create A Humanitarian Disaster - Again! [MR]
* Hamas Trying To Turn Gaza Into A Humanitarian Disaster - They're Stopping Gazans From Getting Medical Aid [MR]

Previously:
* Hamas: AQ Not In Gaza. Abbas, AQ Kidnapping Victim Alan Johnston: Yes They Are
* Hamas Victory - Now Can We Start Worrying About Iran?
* Would Palestinian Officials Intentionally Starve Palestinian Civilians Just So They Could Demonize Israel? We Think They Would...

Cross-posted to:
* The Astute Bloggers

About

Omri Ceren is a PhD candidate studying Rhetoric at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication. He lives in downtown Los Angeles.

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