- Title: U.N. urges end to Gaza crisis in punishing summer heat
- Date: 11th August 2017
- Summary: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (AUGUST 11, 2017) (REUTERS) UNITED NATIONS ENTRANCE UNITED NATIONS SIGN VARIOUS OF NEWS BRIEFING IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPOKESPERSON FOR THE U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, RAVINA SHAMDASANI, SAYING: "We are deeply concerned about the steady deterioration in the human rights conditions and the protection of human rights, the humanitarian conditions and the protection of human rights in Gaza. At the height of summer, with soaring temperatures, electricity provision has not risen above six hours per day since the beginning of the current crisis in April, and it has often been under four hours a day. This has a grave impact on the provision of essential health, water and sanitation services for the people of Gaza." KHAN YOUNIS, GAZA (JULY 24, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF KHAN YOUNIS RESIDENT SPRAYING CHILDREN WITH WATER, CHILDREN PLAYING VARIOUS OF MAN USING PIECE OF CARDBOARD TO COOL HIMSELF GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (AUGUST 11, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPOKESPERSON FOR THE U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, RAVINA SHAMDASANI, SAYING: "Israel, the State of Palestine and the authorities in Gaza are not meeting their obligations to promote and protect the rights of the residents of Gaza. Israel, as the occupying power, has responsibility under international humanitarian law for the well-being of the population." CAMERAMAN FILMING JOURNALISTS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPOKESPERSON FOR THE U.N. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, RAVINA SHAMDASANI, SAYING: "The Israeli blockade and closure continue to disproportionately affect the civilian population and must be lifted. The recent measures to decrease the provision of electricity, and to cut salaries and order early retirement of civil servants in Gaza, are having a direct, negative impact on the social and economic rights of Gazans. The lack of transparency in the use of resources, and the continuing suppression of freedom of speech and assembly by the authorities in Gaza raise further concerns for the protection of fundamental rights." JOURNALISTS LISTENING GAZA CITY, GAZA (JULY 24, 2017) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF GAZAN FAMILY / GIRL CRYING FROM HEAT / LOCAL RESIDENT USING PLASTIC PLATES AS HAND FANS VARIOUS OF CHILDREN LAYING ON GROUND CHILDREN JUMPING INTO WATER CHILD SWIMMING IN SEA WOMAN GIVING CHILD TO MAN STANDING IN WATER BOAT SAILING
- Embargoed: 25th August 2017 13:54
- Keywords: Ravina Shamdasani human rights in Gaza United Nations summer heat electricity provision in Gaza Israel Palestinians
- Location: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / KHAN YOUNIS AND GAZA CITY, GAZA
- City: GENEVA, SWITZERLAND / KHAN YOUNIS AND GAZA CITY, GAZA
- Country: Switzerland
- Topics: Government/Politics,United Nations
- Reuters ID: LVA0016TPQB7R
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A political crisis in Gaza is depriving two million people of electricity, vital medical care and clean water in sweltering summer temperatures, the United Nations human rights office said on Friday (August 11).
It appealed to Israel, the State of Palestinian and Hamas authorities in Gaza to resolve their conflicts.
Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007 after Hamas forces seized control of the territory following a brief civil war with security forces loyal to Mahmoud Abbas, the Western-backed Palestinian president based in the West Bank. Egypt, at odds with Hamas, also maintains a blockade.
Hoping to pressure Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza, Abbas, who leads the rival Fatah faction that holds sway in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, has cut payments to Israel for the electricity it supplies to Gaza. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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