Gaza Gripped by Crisis: Siege
Conditions And Israeli Attacks
20 Feb 2012By Stephen
Lendman
Punishing years under siege, Cast Lead's devastation,
and regular IDF air, land and sea attacks took a
terrible toll on Gazans physically, economically and
emotionally.
In 2010, Doctors Without Borders (Medicine Sans
Frontiers) said over half of children under age 12
need mental health help. Moreover, one-third of cases
are severe.
Gaza Community Mental Health Program PR Director Husam
El Nounou blamed crisis conditions on closure and
regular Israeli attacks. Begun in 1993, it stiffened
markedly after the second Intifada began.
Following Hamas' January 2006 legislative victory,
harsher people traffic and goods restrictions were
imposed. In June 2007, siege compounded partial
isolation. As a result, hopelessness, virtual
imprisonment, and regular Israeli attacks affect all
Gazans, especially young children and youths.
According to Husam:
"The effect is most felt by those who are in greatest
need of travel such as students studying abroad, the
sick requiring medical attention unavailable in Gaza,
and people whose work requires them to travel or trade
in exports and imports."
The World Health Organization (WHO) calls the link
between physical and mental health well documented.
Closure caused food shortages. Nutritional
deficiencies and poor physical health resulted. In
combination with inadequate healthcare and other
deprivation, emotional problems developed.
Without imports and spare parts, sanitation facilities
can't operate properly. According to a Gaza Mental
Health Community Program study, mental health outcomes
deteriorated markedly in the past five years.
Depression increased 17.7%, and 95% of those surveyed
felt imprisoned.
Cast Lead and regular Israeli attacks heighten crisis
conditions. Over 82% of Gazan children felt endangered
during Cast Lead. Two-thirds fear more war, and over
40% want revenge.
Other research found similar results. Islamic
University in Gaza's Jameel Tahrawi analyzed
children's drawings. He found over 82% related to Cast
Lead. A comparable UN study found two-thirds of
respondents experienced worse health outcomes since
the war. In most cases, it's emotionally related.
According to Husam, "(w)omen especially tend to bury
mental health problems as they may reduce chances of
marriage."
In contrast, men become more violent. Women and
children bear the brunt. Children are less attentive
in school. Their educational outcomes and later life
opportunities suffer. Feelings of entrapment result.
Isolation prevents overseas study to develop
professional mental health skills. To compensate, the
Gaza Mental Health Program began a post graduate
mental health intervention course to train
practitioners.
Nonetheless, conditions remain critical and won't
improve until siege conditions and Israeli attacks
end.
A Final Comment
In mid-February, a power crisis gripped Gaza. Out of
fuel, the Strip's power plant can't operate properly.
Protracted outages occurred. An acute fuel shortage
exists. Vital services can't function. Drinking water,
health and sanitation facilities are affected.
On February 14, the Gaza Electricity Distribution
Company shut down operations. Around two-thirds of
Gaza was affected. Citing unprecedented challenges,
the company said severe complications restricts daily
electricity distribution to six hours daily, followed
by 18 hour outages.
Gaza's Health Ministry declared a state of emergency.
Hospital generators lack enough fuel to operate
properly.
Health Ministry's General Supplies Stores director
Bassam Barhoum said long outages combined with acute
fuel shortages affect the entire Strip. The deficit's
72%. The toll on hospitals and other healthcare
facilities is devastating.
According to Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra,
over 80% of patients face deteriorating health
conditions. He also warned disaster may affect all
patients in vital hospital department whose treatment
depends on dependable electricity supplies.
Those most affected include premature incubator
babies, patients suffering renal failure, those
requiring intensive care, and others needing surgery
and emergency treatment. In fact, many departments
face total paralysis if crisis conditions don't end
soon.
The Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) warned
it's unable to supply water in proper amounts. It said
despite efforts to operate wells and pumping plants,
it's impossible to do so properly under current
conditions.
Gaza's Palestinian Energy Authority blamed lack of
fuel on measures to prevent delivery. Israel used to
supply industrial fuel. Frequent border crossing
closures, denial of regular supplies, and high prices
got the Palestinian Energy Authority to stop Israeli
imports in January 2011.
Instead, it relies on Egyptian supplies. Much comes
smuggled through tunnels. Egypt agreed to supply more.
On February 20, limited amounts arrived. Egyptian
authorities pledged much more and would begin pumping
500,000 liters daily followed by another 100,000 for
gas stations within days.
They also pledged to increase electricity supplies to
22 megawatts from 17 megawatts supplied free.
Moreover, a deal struck with Egypt will increase
electricity flows to 62 megawatts within two to four
months.
In addition, emergency diesel will be provided.
Egypt's electricity and power minister Hassan Younes
said "(t)he increase comes in the framework of a quick
attempt to relieve the suffering of the Palestinian
people."
Regular shipments will arrive by truck through Israeli
controlled Kerem Shalom crossing. Hamas fears it will
restrict supplies to inflict punishment.
Gaza's Energy Authority director Omar Katana hopes
crisis condition will be resolved shortly. Egypt
agreed to help. A joint Egyptian-Palestinian committee
was formed to examine best ways to deliver fuel
through "official channels."
Various power routes are being considered. In
addition, expanding power line capacity and
rehabilitating Gaza's power plant take on urgency.
Meanwhile, crisis conditions still exist. Operating
normally under siege is impossible. Israel's closure
prevents imports of vital equipment and spare parts
needed for maintenance and upgrades.
At full capacity, Gaza's power plant produces 80
megawatts of electricity. Katana hopes planned cross
border transmission capability increases will boost it
to 300 megawatts.
Costing $50 million, it requires 18 months or longer
to "resolve the Gaza problem once in for all" provided
Israel doesn't wage war and destroy it.
Earlier Gaza Blackouts
Following Gilad Shalit's June 2006 capture, Israel
bombed Gaza's power plant, destroying its
transformers. The damage was never fully repaired.
Current capacity combined with purchased electricity
supplies only 62% of Gaza's needs.
In October 2007, Israel restricted fuel transfers,
including industrial diesel for Gaza's power plant.
After months of shortages and outages, supplies came
through tunnels at lower prices.
In 2010, after EU diesel fuel payments stopped, Hamas
bought supplies from Egypt. However, no formal
agreement was reached. So Egypt can cut or stop
supplies if it wishes.
Moreover, Fatah and Hamas dispute responsibility for
Gaza's energy. Agreed reconciliation didn't resolve
it. In addition, tunnel supplied fuel is cheaper than
other supplies. Moreover, Israel controls three border
crossings, including for fuel. Kerem Shalom isn't
designed for its transfer and has limited capacity.
If Fatah and Hamas can resolve differences and Israel
doesn't impose punitive restrictions, these obstacles
can be overcome. At issue is will all sides cooperate
for the welfare of 1.7 million Gazans?
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be
reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit
his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to
cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on
the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive
Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and
Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are
archived for easy listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.
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