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Gaza emergency appeal launched by Disasters Emergency Committee DEC launches Gaza emergency appeal
(35 minutes later)
British aid agencies are launching an emergency appeal for people affected by the conflict in Gaza. British aid agencies have launched an emergency appeal for people affected by the conflict in Gaza.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said: "After four weeks of terrible fighting... over half a million people have been forced from their homes."The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said: "After four weeks of terrible fighting... over half a million people have been forced from their homes."
More than 1,800 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 67 Israelis, mainly soldiers, have died in the conflict.More than 1,800 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 67 Israelis, mainly soldiers, have died in the conflict.
The DEC said its member charities were "rapidly increasing" the assistance provided during the current ceasefire.The DEC said its member charities were "rapidly increasing" the assistance provided during the current ceasefire.
An estimated 520,00 have fled their homes in Gaza following air strikes and rocket fire which have seen UN shelters and schools targeted. It said that after a month of fighting Gaza "was on the edge" and the "humanitarian emergency" was affecting every inhabitant.
An estimated 520,00 have fled their homes following air strikes and rocket fire which have seen UN shelters and schools targeted.
Many people have no access to water or sanitation, it said.
'Huge needs''Huge needs'
The DEC, an umbrella organisation which brings together 13 UK aid charities to deal with international crises, said donations were already being accepted through its website and using a 24-hour phone line.The DEC, an umbrella organisation which brings together 13 UK aid charities to deal with international crises, said donations were already being accepted through its website and using a 24-hour phone line.
The DEC will broadcast an emergency appeal on the major television networks on Friday. It will broadcast an emergency appeal on the major television networks on Friday.
DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said: "After four weeks of terrible fighting Gaza is on the edge. Over half a million people have been forced from their homes, and one and a half million have no or very limited access to water or sanitation.DEC chief executive Saleh Saeed said: "After four weeks of terrible fighting Gaza is on the edge. Over half a million people have been forced from their homes, and one and a half million have no or very limited access to water or sanitation.
"Many people are living in terribly overcrowded UN shelters, but they still need food and basic household items which we take for granted. Many are in urgent need of medical care, but hospital supplies are almost finished."Many people are living in terribly overcrowded UN shelters, but they still need food and basic household items which we take for granted. Many are in urgent need of medical care, but hospital supplies are almost finished.
"Even before the conflict began, the people of Gaza were close to breaking point. Now we are seeing a humanitarian emergency affecting virtually every man, woman and child in Gaza."Even before the conflict began, the people of Gaza were close to breaking point. Now we are seeing a humanitarian emergency affecting virtually every man, woman and child in Gaza.
"The DEC's member agencies and their partners are on the ground but they need funds to meet the huge needs. They are relying on the generosity of the British people to make a difference.""The DEC's member agencies and their partners are on the ground but they need funds to meet the huge needs. They are relying on the generosity of the British people to make a difference."
What caused the latest escalation?What caused the latest escalation?
Rocket fire from militants in Gaza and Israeli air strikes on the territory increased after the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers in June, which Israel blamed on Hamas and which led to a crackdown on the group in the West Bank.Rocket fire from militants in Gaza and Israeli air strikes on the territory increased after the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers in June, which Israel blamed on Hamas and which led to a crackdown on the group in the West Bank.
Hamas denied being behind the killings.Hamas denied being behind the killings.
Tensions rose further after the suspected revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem on 2 July, after which six suspects were arrested.Tensions rose further after the suspected revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem on 2 July, after which six suspects were arrested.
On 7 July, Hamas claimed responsibility for firing rockets for the first time in 20 months, after a series of Israeli air strikes in which several members of its armed wing were killed.On 7 July, Hamas claimed responsibility for firing rockets for the first time in 20 months, after a series of Israeli air strikes in which several members of its armed wing were killed.
The next day, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge, which it said was aimed at stopping rocket attacks and destroying Hamas' capabilities.The next day, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge, which it said was aimed at stopping rocket attacks and destroying Hamas' capabilities.
Since then, there have been thousands of air strikes and thousands of rockets have been fired.Since then, there have been thousands of air strikes and thousands of rockets have been fired.
The DEC said some agencies had worked through the fighting, while others had responded during lulls in the conflict.The DEC said some agencies had worked through the fighting, while others had responded during lulls in the conflict.
Oxfam is already delivering safe water to up to 175,000 people per day and British Red Cross partners are supporting emergency medical services, it said.Oxfam is already delivering safe water to up to 175,000 people per day and British Red Cross partners are supporting emergency medical services, it said.
Ceasefire?Ceasefire?
Israel has offered to extend the three-day ceasefire which began on Tuesday after nearly a month of conflict, but there has so far been no agreement from Hamas.Israel has offered to extend the three-day ceasefire which began on Tuesday after nearly a month of conflict, but there has so far been no agreement from Hamas.
Downing Street has said a review of arms export licences to Israel is under way. The Liberal Democrats have called for them to be suspended.Downing Street has said a review of arms export licences to Israel is under way. The Liberal Democrats have called for them to be suspended.
Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi resigned on Tuesday over the government's stance on the conflict, calling it "morally indefensible".Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi resigned on Tuesday over the government's stance on the conflict, calling it "morally indefensible".
But David Cameron has defended government policy on Gaza, saying he has been "consistently clear" in calls for peace. But David Cameron has defended government policy, saying he has been "consistently clear" in calls for peace.