blockade

More than 120,000 people have now fled their homes but have nowhere safe to go. With exit through Israel closed under the long-term blockade, and the border with Egypt shut, most people are prevented from escaping the violence.

One year since the ceasefire between the Government of Israel and Hamas, the promised economic improvements for people in Gaza have failed to materialize.

A year after all 27 EU countries committed to challenging settlement expansion, forced displacement, and demolition of Palestinian property in an unprecedented Foreign Affairs Council statement, approvals for illegal settlements have increased.

With a ceasefire holding, Oxfam sees an opportunity to break the cycle of violence and lift the blockade once and for all.

The ceasefire agreed between the Government of Israel and Hamas on 21 November 2012, following the recent military escalation in Gaza and southern Israel, provides an unprecedented opportun

Martin Hartberg, Oxfam Policy Officer in Jerusalem said:

Fifty international charities and United Nations Agencies have unanimously called for the lifting of the blockade of Gaza. The organizations have published a simple three line statement to mark the fifth anniversary of the tightening of the blockade of the Strip.

On June 20, 2010, following concerted international pressure, the Government of Israel announced a set of measures to ‘ease’ its illegal blockade of the Gaza Strip.

Oxfam welcomes the Israeli government's announcement that it will allow more items to enter Gaza. This is a step in the right direction.

Following the announcement by the Israeli security cabinet that it will liberalize the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza and expand the inflow of materials for civilian projects under inter