Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., March 04, 2008 Adar1 27, 5768 | | Israel Time: 21:49 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

John Holmes (right), the UN's undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, touring the Gaza Strip on Friday. (AP) Last update - 19:22 15/02/2008 UN official says situation in Gaza Strip 'grim and miserable' By The Associated Press Tags: United Nations  The UN's top official for welfare and humanitarian affairs said Friday that life in Gaza was 'grim and miserable' as a result of prolonged closure of the strip's borders and called for the lifting of blockades imposed after the militant Hamas movement seized control of the territory last summer. "These grim and miserable things are results of the restrictions placed on the Gaza crossings," John Holmes, the UN's undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told journalists during a visit to the strip. Advertisement On Thursday, Holmes said he would examine the consequences of Palestinian Qassam rocket fire on Israeli communities, as well as the damage caused to residents of the Gaza Strip by Israeli sanctions, during a four-day tour. Holmes, said he would try and find ways to get more humanitarian aid in. The impoverished Gaza Strip has been under blockade since the Islamic Hamas party wrested control over the coastal territory last year. Israel allows only emergency humanitarian aid and fuel into Gaza through the border crossings it controls, tightening its restrictions as Palestinian rocket fire from the Strip persists. "I come to the region to look at it from a humanitarian viewpoint," Holmes told reporters in Jerusalem as he embarked upon his mission. Holmes was planning to meet with residents of Sderot, an Israeli town just outside Gaza that is a target of near daily rocket attacks by Palestinian militants. "You can't justify the firing of these rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israel," Holmes said. "I want to see the effects they are having on people at the receiving end of the rockets." Holmes said he wanted to see if he could find new ways to ease the lives of civilians on both sides, but noted he does not have the authority to make changes. "Obviously we don't have the power to enforce solutions, but we can make suggestions," he said. Holmes was scheduled to visit Gaza on Saturday, Sderot on Sunday and Jerusalem on Monday. He said he will meet Israeli officials and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, but he will not see Hamas leaders in Gaza Bookmark to del.icio.us   In the line of fire Rights Group: Over 50% of Gaza casualties weren't militants. Uncle Sam blames you U.S. blames Hamas for sparking violence in south Israel, Gaza.   1.   Great.. Send him to directly to Sderot... 23:12  |  bf 14/02/08   2.   DAMNED FOOL UN MORALIST 23:13  |  Brant 14/02/08   3.   Weigh him down with the Qassam Carcasses 00:16  |  Awake 15/02/08   4.   Does this UN fool realize that when the Qassams stop..... 01:58  |  Conroy 15/02/08   5.   Tell the Israelis to get the hell out of the Territories 02:18  |  Dutch 15/02/08   6.   Judea, not Palestine 03:33  |  Max 15/02/08   7.   Tell the UN to quit subsidizing TERRORISTS 03:54  |  MaryRose 15/02/08   8.   Dutch 04:09  |  ze`ev 15/02/08   9.   he will not see Hamas leaders in Gaza 04:17  |  akiva (zionist) 15/02/08   10.   Crutch 04:18  |  akiva (zionist) 15/02/08   11.   re: Max 05:21  |  Paulo 15/02/08   12.   re: Mary Rose 05:25  |  Paulo 15/02/08   13.   UN examines damage by Kassam rockets 05:39  |  ness 15/02/08   14.   UN examines damage caused by Qassam rockets, Israeli sanctions 05:49  |  nuss 15/02/08   15.   UN examines damage caused by Qassam rockets, Israeli sanctions 05:54  |  nuss 15/02/08   16.   #4 Conroy makes it all sound so reasonable 06:58  |  Johnboy 15/02/08   17.   No plan to study effects of Hamas however 17:40  |  Avi 15/02/08   18.   LIFE IN SDEROT IS NO PICNINC EITHER! 17:44  |  Ariel 15/02/08   19.   # 16 Johnboy, Dutch et al....... 17:58  |  Lynn 15/02/08   20.   weapons for aid 17:59  |  real vision 15/02/08   21.   Crying Wlf tso many times, its getting nausating... 18:01  |  Max Zinger P.Chimist 15/02/08   22.   # 2 Brant ............about the UN official 18:01  |  Lynn 15/02/08   23.   Why Holmes is incorrect 18:03  |  Jon 15/02/08   24.   THEY ARE HAPPY FIRING KASSAMS, THEY DONT NEED ANYTHING ELSE 18:07  |  Jorge 15/02/08   25.   palestinian trade 18:07  |  real vision 15/02/08   26.   Stupid and idiot UN, as usual 18:08  |  maurice 15/02/08   27.   John Holmes-Grim and Miserable 18:37  |  henryB 15/02/08   28.   Johnboy: Short term gain for long term pain isn`t smart 18:41  |  Brad 15/02/08   29.   What does the UN expect? 19:03  |  Mike A 15/02/08   30.   To Brant (#2) 19:25  |  Morris Valentine 15/02/08   31.   I hear Sderot is beautiful this time of year. 19:41  |  Phillipe T. Lucre 15/02/08   32.   Notice how he did not go to Sderot FIRST? That`s the whole story, 19:46  |  Mea 15/02/08   33.   Its been "grim and miserable" because of Hamas. 19:55  |  Marwan مروان خوري 15/02/08   34.   John Holmes, came for a looksee.? 20:19  |  Stephen. 15/02/08   35.   "Deep Throat" Holmes found new pastures at the UN 20:30  |  Absolute Sweden 15/02/08   36.   Unscrupulous Arabs Leaders Inhumanity Must Be Held Accountable 20:32  |  Joseph . E 15/02/08   37.   Suggested Comprehensive Plan 20:35  |  DoubleClick 15/02/08   38.   UN Committees And UNHCR Are Private Anti-Israel Clubs 20:37  |  Joseph . E 15/02/08   39.   UN & UNHCR Are The Main Arab Tool Of Anti-Israel Propaganda 20:40  |  Joseph . E 15/02/08   40.   So What?? 20:43  |  Nemo 15/02/08   41.   UN=United Nothing,Function=Attack,Undermine & Delegitimize Israel 20:45  |  Joseph . E 15/02/08   42.   UNCHR Routinely Adopts Totally Disproportionate Resolutions Conce 20:55  |  Joseph . E 15/02/08   43.   GOOD!!! 21:03  |  miras 15/02/08   44.   Tell me when the UN faulted Hamas for any thing?? 21:06  |  Mark C 15/02/08   45.   UN Official regarding Gaza 21:30  |  Fredy Ross 15/02/08   46.   Let the UN live in sderot 21:33  |  real vision 15/02/08   47.   Reply to Nuss No. 15 21:58  |  Jackie 15/02/08   48.   Of course its grim, HAMAS is in the middle of a shooting war... 22:11  |  Jacob Blues 15/02/08   49.   UN official says situation 22:18  |  dani 15/02/08   50.   #5 Did Shakespeare know Dutch? 22:27  |  George Desal 15/02/08   51.   Gaza sitrep 22:51  |  Paul 15/02/08   52.   compared to Cairo? 22:52  |  Curious 15/02/08   53.   UN Stupid officials 22:59  |  U.S Citizen 15/02/08   54.   16Johnboy, Hamas Hudna with Al-Jihad firing Kassams? 23:13  |  Rob 15/02/08   55.   If only..... 23:18  |  Esther 15/02/08   56.   #12 Paulo 23:18  |  Kip 15/02/08   57.   LYNN: THE DIFFERENCE WITH THIS JOHN HOLMES 23:30  |  Brant 15/02/08   58.   #44 Very funny but Clicky only reads Haaretz 23:57  |  Will Shakespeare 15/02/08   59.   Brant 00:22  |  kiwi girl 16/02/08   60.   whats new? 00:53  |  Beyram 16/02/08   61.   Israel Is Its Own Worst Enemy 01:20  |  Paulo 16/02/08   62.   re: Kip 01:26  |  Paulo 16/02/08   63.   Yeah like the UN is going to stop the Qassams 01:36  |  Kipperraes 16/02/08   64.   ISRAEL CAN DO NO WRONG!!! 01:40  |  chet 16/02/08   65.   #7 MaryRose . Tell the US to stop funding State terrorism... 01:56  |  Maureen Ann 16/02/08   66.   Finally some sanity. Quassams Schmassums. 02:11  |  Steve Katz 16/02/08   67.   Civilians should not suffer 02:27  |  Arab 16/02/08   68.   wrested control? 02:39  |  hollingsworth 16/02/08   69.   Holmes idiot, border with Egypt is wide open whenever Hamas wants 02:54  |  Genuine Tosefta 16/02/08   70.   #54 Chet -Canada 03:06  |  * BEN JABO 16/02/08   71.   MaryRose 03:08  |  Jimmie 16/02/08   72.   Beyram: Live Long and Prosper! 03:14  |  Jimmie 16/02/08   73.   REspond To CHet #53 03:25  |  Tobia 16/02/08   74.   So what does this John Holmes get paid??? 04:28  |  Voice of Reason 16/02/08   75.   To Beyram 04:39  |  Free Gilad Shalit 16/02/08   76.   solution 06:31  |  L 16/02/08   77.   I KNOW WHAT ISRAEL WOULD SAY ABOUT HIM 08:02  |  indrajaya 16/02/08   78.   Probably Holmes has holes in his underwear for Hamas to walk in 09:07  |  Under (N)ationswear 16/02/08   79.   Mr Holmes 10:37  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 16/02/08   80.   `Steve Katz` 10:39  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 16/02/08   81.   Please, UN, stop the Israel terror! 12:04  |  Dav 16/02/08   82.   # 18 Ariel.150 IDF shells daily into Gaza 12:15  |  Dav 16/02/08   83.   These UN guys in their suits 12:38  |  Zelkha 16/02/08   84.   Inhumanity at its worst 12:41  |  Jack Ruby 16/02/08   85.   Ahh the Poooor Pals 14:32  |  Petra 16/02/08   86.   Idiots! 20 years of under UN and Egypt 38 years UN and Israel 15:38  |  db 16/02/08   87.   #82 Dav - UN & 150 shells 18:26  |  * BEN JABO 16/02/08   88.   #87 DAV - Friendly reminder 02:37  |  * BEN JABO 17/02/08

Today Online Bradley Burston: Nine immoral solutions for Gaza - a guide Responses: 145 Israel: Latest sanctions against Iran not enough Responses: 166 Obama says United States should not meet with Hamas Responses: 100 Nehemia Shtrasler: There is no way out but to talk to Hamas Responses: 84 Researcher: Moses was tripping at Mount Sinai Responses: 172 Rosner's Domain What to Read: Ambassador vs. Ambassador - Kurtzer with Obama Study: Young American Jews are not alienated from Israel Rosner: Obama, Clinton aides court hawkish Jews in Ohio Hillary Clinton comes out swinging as Ohio primary nears Obama`s top adviser says doesn't believe in imposing a peace settlement More Headlines 21:40 Clashes erupt as IDF vehicles enter south Gaza 21:24 Bush says optimistic over Israel-PA peace deal in 2008 18:08 Barak: IDF will increase pressure in Gaza if rockets don't stop 20:39 UN rights body holds moment of silence for Gaza 'martyrs' 21:48 From Superman to Sabraman, museum exhibits Jewish comics 20:18 Obama and Clinton neck and neck in possibly last U.S. primary 21:12 Thousands protest IDF Gaza offensive in Umm al-Fahm 17:54 Study: Young American Jews are not alienated from Israel 13:46 MI5's secret weapon against Hitler: shady Jewish astrologer 18:42 Deputy Defense Min. orders louder rocket warning siren in Ashkelon 18:25 Hamas lets Fatah man who lost two kids in IDF raid visit their graves Previous Editions Select Day 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates 7589 rockets fired so far HELP US TO HELP THEM Marina Royale Herzelia Pituach Your Luxurious Suite While Staying in Israel Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved