Israel PM Appoints Min To Coordinate Gaza Humanitarian Aid

[tekisui]

Source: AFP

JERUSALEM (AFP)--Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday appointed a minister to oversee the coordination of international efforts to relieve the humanitarian situation in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

Olmert appointed Welfare Minister Isaac Herzog "to coordinate between the different government bodies in the humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip," his office said in a statement.

The move was aimed at "bolstering the humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip following requests by international bodies and states that have expressed concern over the developing humanitarian situation in the strip."

Israel's 18-day offensive against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip has devastated the impoverished enclave and led to a wave of international warnings of an impending humanitarian crisis.

Although its troops and settlers pulled out of Gaza in 2005, Israel still controls most of the crossings into Gaza which serve as a conduit for aid.

The announcement from Olmert's office came after France said it was to send two planeloads of humanitarian supplies to Israel for distribution to the besieged population of the Gaza Strip.

more: http://www.easybourse.com/bourse-actualite/marches/israel-pm-appoints-min-to-coordinate-gaza-humanitarian-aid-595910

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While this is necessary and should lead to lessened suffering of Gazans, it reveals that Israel doesn't plan on leaving anytime soon. If they surround Gaza, block all borders and destroy the tunnels, they will be responsible for the people of Gaza.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

1. maybe Israel could hold their fire?

[azurnoir]

2. Well this could be good news but as has been shown

in the past 18 days every time Israel starts making noises about humanitarian aid it generally is a precursor for Israel being about to cause more human suffering