Israel 'blocking Gaza food aid'
2008-11-13 14:16
Gaza City - A UN official says Israel is holding up planned food aid shipments to Gaza.
Official Chris Gunness says this means the UN Relief and Works Agency won't be able to deliver food to 750 000 Gaza residents beginning on Friday.
Israel has kept its crossings sealed with Gaza for nine days. The closure came in response to ongoing Palestinian rocket and mortar fire at Israel.
Israel said small quantities of food aid would be allowed in on Thursday. But Gunness says Israel told him the crossings would not be opened.
Military spokesperson Peter Lerner said the crossings stayed shut because Palestinian militants fired mortars and rockets at Israel early on Thursday.
- AP