The continued tight closure of the Gaza Strip has become an unbearable reality, infringing on the most basic human rights. Amira Hass' reports in Haaretz show an outrageous picture of acute distress, caused by Israel's harsh measures.
Among other things, Israel bans the importing of many products to Gaza. Only a few of some 4,000 products imported before the closure - imposed following Gilad Shalit's abduction - are allowed in. Anything that isn't listed as food, medicine or detergent is banned.
All the rest - raw materials, building materials, electric appliances (including refrigerators and washing machines), spare parts for cars and machines, light bulbs, matches, needles, thread, shoes, mattresses, blankets, cutlery, books, toys and thousands of items vital for everyday living - are not allowed in, for some reason.
The crossing between Gaza and Egypt is closed, leaving only the Nahal Oz crossing for necessary items. But here the goods are let through or blocked at the whim of the Israeli defense establishment, making Israel responsible for the Gazans' tragedy, underway since 1967.
Perhaps Israel is even more responsible now. Shortly after the killing and havoc it wreaked on the Gaza Strip, Israel is not letting the residents rehabilitate the ruins of their lives.
The result is increased smuggling from Egypt through the tunnels, which bolsters the Hamas-controlled black market. This stupidity is twofold - the people are forced to pay much more and Israel is strengthening Hamas.
Even worse - imposing a siege on more than 1.5 million people who cannot build new homes, start up their cars, provide their babies with diapers and baby food, use toilet paper, wash and even read books or play musical instruments is inhuman, immoral and a violation of UN regulations.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories argues that "the commodities import policy derives from the overall policy, as determined in the cabinet's decision on September 19, 2007." This vague, problematic ruling was made by the previous cabinet; since then, living conditions in Gaza have worsened even more. The new cabinet must fix the injustice as soon as possible.
