STATEMENT
A total blockade of the Gaza Strip, including Medical Supplies, was announced on 9 October 2023 by the Defence Minister of Israel, Yoav Gallant. “We are putting a complete siege on Gaza … No electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed” he announced. “We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly”.
Despite “Collective Punishment” being a violation of International Humanitarian Law, Western Governments insisted on Israel’s “Right to Defend Itself” with the USA/UK being most ardent in their support.
Criticism against this entrenched stance grew and Israel eased this complete blockade, but still continued to severely restrict the amount of aid entering the Gaza Strip.
About 50 aid lorries entered Gaza each day in September 2024, according to the UN.
Israel disputes the UN figures but even its data shows just 142 lorries a day entered in September, with the highest number of 226 a day entering in April.
In March, the World Food Programme said that addressing simple food needs would require at least 300 lorries a day to enter Gaza and distribute food – a figure that has not been reached since the conflict started.
This lack of aid includes medical aid.
The ancient coastal city of Gaza is the birthplace of Gauze which has been helping to heal the world’s wounds for hundreds of years. Yet for the open wounds of the people of Palestine in 2024 there is no gauze when the need has never been greater.
This film attempts to highlight this anomaly.
Christine Dawson
2024