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 06 Mar Gaza on the brink of disaster - report
Gaza's humanitarian situation is at its worst since Israel occupied the territory in 1967, according to UK-based human rights and development groups.
In a report titled: Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion, the agencies, which include Amnesty International, Save the Children, Cafod, Care International and Christian Aid, say the blockade has dramatically worsened levels of poverty and unemployment, and has led to deterioration in education and health services.
The report notes that more than 1.1 million Gazans are dependent on food aid and of 110,000 workers previously employed in the private sector, 75,000 have now lost their jobs.
"Unless the blockade ends now, it will be impossible to pull Gaza back from the brink of this disaster and any hopes for peace in the region will be dashed," said Geoffrey Dennis, of Care International UK.
Last week Israeli forces launched a bloody and destructive raid in northern Gaza, in which more than 120 Palestinians - including many women and children - were killed.
Israel says the measures are designed to stamp out frequent rocket fire by Palestinian militants.
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