Sunday, November 5th 2006

      The area is completely isolated from the rest of the Strip and the humanitarian situation is deteriorating very rapidly in the area. It is under comprehensive curfew and any moving body in the area is targeted directly by the Israeli Occupation Forces. Humanitarian assistant and support by available related international local organization are prohibited by the Israeli forces that completely control all entrances to the area; prohibition includes the international humanitarian organization, ICRC.

Damages in the community during the current incursion included most of the infrastructure including roads, water, wastewater, and the available connected electricity networks, resulting in complete halt of supply of water to the area and threatening of a serious humanitarian and health crisis.

The only available hospital in the area is in bad need of fuel as a main source of power supply, in addition to its serious need of medicine.

As was mentioned previously, the whole area is still completely isolated from the rest of the Strip and actual assessment of needs is not possible currently. Support of the International community is badly needed, including the support of international and humanitarian organizations, that should work immediately to stop a real and serious humanitarian and health crisis that could affect the area if the situation continues.

More information will be provided as soon as available.