By Ryan Jones
Jul 12, 2006
A senior IDF official Tuesday rebuffed "Palestinian" claims of a dire humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli military activity, which the international media has been all too happy to latch on to over the past week.
Speaking to Israel's Ynet, head of the IDF's Coordination and Liaison Administration, Colonel Nir Peres, said there is neither hunger nor a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip beyond what existed prior to the start of Operation Summer Rains two weeks ago.
"There is nothing of the sort. Of course, the situation can?t really be defined as good, but a lot is being done so that nothing is lacking there."
Palestinian Authority-controlled Gaza has wallowed in destitution for the past year as a result of the local Arabs' inability to make use of the vast agricultural resources left behind by the area's former Jewish residents and their overwhelming choice of a terrorist organization to head their government, leading to international sanctions.
Despite the firing of more than 1,000 rockets by Gaza-based terrorists since Israel's withdrawal last summer, the IDF refrained from entering the Strip, and even now the anti-terror incursion forces are going out of their way to ensure the basic needs of local residents are met.
Meanwhile, the PA is exploiting what was already a bad situation for its own propaganda purposes, accused Peres.
"They do things like that. ...A while ago they claimed there was no flour and no wheat, but it was just spin."
He noted that Israel is daily sending supplies through the various Gaza crossings, and has offered to fully open the Kerem Shalom Crossing on the Egyptian border to humanitarian agencies.
"We are pointedly allowing necessary items to enter through the Erez Crossing," while on Monday a large quantity of fuel and cooking gas was delivered through the Nahal Oz Crossing.
In addition, "we explained to international organizations that there is a terminal at Kerem Shalom, and if there really is a crisis they can take the initiative and use it."
But the PA is doing its best to make sure the situation remains as desperate as possible.
"Remember...that the offer to reopen the Kerem Shalom Crossing was rejected by the Palestinians."