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Truce barely eases Gaza embargo | Truce barely eases Gaza embargo |
(about 16 hours later) | |
By Aleem Maqbool BBC News, Gaza Strip | By Aleem Maqbool BBC News, Gaza Strip |
Sewage workers say the plant badly needs spare parts | Sewage workers say the plant badly needs spare parts |
For over a year, Israel has allowed little more than basic humanitarian aid into Gaza, as a means of isolating Hamas and stopping militants firing rockets into Israel. | For over a year, Israel has allowed little more than basic humanitarian aid into Gaza, as a means of isolating Hamas and stopping militants firing rockets into Israel. |
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas two months ago was meant to lead to the easing of restrictions, but progress has been slow, and frustration is rising. | A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas two months ago was meant to lead to the easing of restrictions, but progress has been slow, and frustration is rising. |
In the dank basement of one of Gaza's sewage pumping stations, raw sewage sprays out of leaks in the rusting metal work. | In the dank basement of one of Gaza's sewage pumping stations, raw sewage sprays out of leaks in the rusting metal work. |
The Strip's sewage system is one of many things affecting Gazans' quality of life that urgently needs updating. | The Strip's sewage system is one of many things affecting Gazans' quality of life that urgently needs updating. |
"It took months and months of negotiations to get Israel to allow some spare parts through the borders," says Maher al-Najjar, an engineer at the Gaza Emergency Water Project. | "It took months and months of negotiations to get Israel to allow some spare parts through the borders," says Maher al-Najjar, an engineer at the Gaza Emergency Water Project. |
What can I do, I have to make money from the sea - there are no jobs, I can't worry about my health AbdullahGaza fisherman "What we really need is for things to be modernised. We have funding and planning, but Israel won't allow the machinery in." | What can I do, I have to make money from the sea - there are no jobs, I can't worry about my health AbdullahGaza fisherman "What we really need is for things to be modernised. We have funding and planning, but Israel won't allow the machinery in." |
As it is, most of Gaza's sewage cannot be treated properly, so tons of raw waste flow straight into the sea. | As it is, most of Gaza's sewage cannot be treated properly, so tons of raw waste flow straight into the sea. |
"It's affecting our port, it's affecting the fishermen, it's affecting the fish we eat and the people swimming in the sea," says Mr Najjar. | "It's affecting our port, it's affecting the fishermen, it's affecting the fish we eat and the people swimming in the sea," says Mr Najjar. |
"The sewage has no border and has spread right along our coastline." | "The sewage has no border and has spread right along our coastline." |
Economy paralysed | Economy paralysed |
Less than 20 metres away from a sewage outlet, we find Abdullah, 27, standing up to his chest in the water and casting his net. | Less than 20 metres away from a sewage outlet, we find Abdullah, 27, standing up to his chest in the water and casting his net. |
He has been fishing for a living since he was 12. | He has been fishing for a living since he was 12. |
"What can I do, I have to make money from the sea," he says. "You've seen Gaza, there are no jobs, I can't worry about my health." | "What can I do, I have to make money from the sea," he says. "You've seen Gaza, there are no jobs, I can't worry about my health." |
Guide: Gaza under blockade Since the ceasefire began, the fighting with Israel has died down, but the strict sanctions remain. | Guide: Gaza under blockade Since the ceasefire began, the fighting with Israel has died down, but the strict sanctions remain. |
Most of the one-and-a-half million people living in Gaza are now reliant on food aid, and are unable to enter or leave the strip. | Most of the one-and-a-half million people living in Gaza are now reliant on food aid, and are unable to enter or leave the strip. |
Over the last year, tens of thousands of people in Gaza have lost their jobs. | Over the last year, tens of thousands of people in Gaza have lost their jobs. |
Most industrial operations have stopped because raw materials are not being allowed into the territory, or produced goods allowed out for export. | Most industrial operations have stopped because raw materials are not being allowed into the territory, or produced goods allowed out for export. |
The Pepsi soft drinks plant is one of only a fraction of Gaza's factories that are still operating. | The Pepsi soft drinks plant is one of only a fraction of Gaza's factories that are still operating. |
One of the managers, Ahmed Yazji, 61, says his vast store room used to be filled with ingredients. Now it is almost empty. | One of the managers, Ahmed Yazji, 61, says his vast store room used to be filled with ingredients. Now it is almost empty. |
"Since sanctions, it is very difficult to get the ingredients I need," he says. | "Since sanctions, it is very difficult to get the ingredients I need," he says. |
"We have had to cut production drastically to keep going. | "We have had to cut production drastically to keep going. |
"I thought things would improve with the ceasefire, and that more things would be allowed into Gaza, but nothing changed, nothing changed at all." | "I thought things would improve with the ceasefire, and that more things would be allowed into Gaza, but nothing changed, nothing changed at all." |
Industry is undoubtedly still suffering badly, and local economists say it will take years to recover, even if freedom of movement of goods and people were to be granted immediately. | Industry is undoubtedly still suffering badly, and local economists say it will take years to recover, even if freedom of movement of goods and people were to be granted immediately. |
Fragile truce | Fragile truce |
However, some things have improved since the truce. | However, some things have improved since the truce. |
After months of severe shortages, more fuel is being allowed into Gaza, for vehicles and for the electricity plant. | After months of severe shortages, more fuel is being allowed into Gaza, for vehicles and for the electricity plant. |
A limited number of other products, like clothes and shoes, are also getting in. | A limited number of other products, like clothes and shoes, are also getting in. |
Factories have been hit by export and import restrictions | |
On the whole, though, the UN says the low volume of such goods arriving means they have not significantly improved living conditions. | On the whole, though, the UN says the low volume of such goods arriving means they have not significantly improved living conditions. |
The Israeli government says it has every intention of carrying out its commitments under the ceasefire agreement, and easing restrictions on Gaza. | The Israeli government says it has every intention of carrying out its commitments under the ceasefire agreement, and easing restrictions on Gaza. |
However, it says it first wants to be sure that Hamas is also ready to abide by its obligations and stop militants firing rockets at southern Israeli towns. | However, it says it first wants to be sure that Hamas is also ready to abide by its obligations and stop militants firing rockets at southern Israeli towns. |
Hamas has managed to reduce the number of attacks dramatically, but some rockets are still being fired. | Hamas has managed to reduce the number of attacks dramatically, but some rockets are still being fired. |
Israel has also curtailed airstrikes and other military operations - although recent inter-factional fighting among Palestinians means Gaza has not rid itself of violence. | Israel has also curtailed airstrikes and other military operations - although recent inter-factional fighting among Palestinians means Gaza has not rid itself of violence. |
A matter of weeks ago, Shifa Hospital in Gaza City was receiving dead and injured almost every day from the latest Israeli operations. | A matter of weeks ago, Shifa Hospital in Gaza City was receiving dead and injured almost every day from the latest Israeli operations. |
That, for the time being, is no longer the case. | That, for the time being, is no longer the case. |
But people here are worried that unless the relative calm is backed up by a much fuller lifting of sanctions soon, frustrations in Gaza will rise, and could be the reason the fragile truce collapses and violence erupts again. | But people here are worried that unless the relative calm is backed up by a much fuller lifting of sanctions soon, frustrations in Gaza will rise, and could be the reason the fragile truce collapses and violence erupts again. |