In the midst of a nuclear showdown with Iran and continued government violence in Syria, the UN Security Council invited UN humanitarian chief Valerie Amos Wednesday to discuss the annual report on humanitarian conditions in Judea and Samaria and Gaza.
“Israeli authorities continued to impose a blockade on Gaza, amounting to collective punishment of the population and affecting every aspect of life in the Gaza Strip,” the report stated.
“If Gaza is going to come off its dependence on humanitarian aid, we need to see economic development and economic activity in Gaza,” Amos added in remarks to reporters after the private session.
“Israeli children have 15 seconds to reach shelters in Israel. We need to gather them in order to find shelters. Schools are out in Israel, a million kids can’t go out to school. This is humanitarian crisis. Do you hear a syllable about that?” Ambassador Ron Prosor retorted. “I’m not holding my breath to hear the first time the Security Council says anything about rockets flying into Israel in the 1967 lines and internationally recognized borders. So, my bottom line is that there is no, I repeat, no humanitarian crisis in Gaza.”