Israeli blockade leads to humanitarian disaster

Gaza runs out of cement to build graves
Palestinian officials warned of a humanitarian and environmental disaster in Gaza, due to a shortage of cement to build graves in which to bury the dead.

"The situation in Gaza is tragic," said Deputy Minister Abdullah Jarboa of the Palestinian Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs, according to Quds Press.

"The sick are not allowed to seek treatment outside, medicines are not allowed in, and there is no cement to build graves," Jarboa said.

After the Islamic Hamas movement took control of the poor and densely-populated enclave in mid-June, Israel closed the Gaza crossings to all but essential food products.

If the crossings remain closed and no more cement is allowed into the strip, a real crisis will take place, Jarboa warned. More...