Eva Bartlett

Stephen Harper’s complicity in Israel’s crimes is denounced by his compatriots.

Most of Gaza’s industrial factories have closed and remained shut since Israel sealed the borders and devastated the export economy beginning in 2006.

Palestinians are cautious about the future of freedom of movement between the Gaza Strip and Egypt.

Charities are struggling to meet the needs of an estimated 53,000 orphans in the Gaza Strip; more than 2,000 children were orphaned during the 2008-09 Israeli war on Gaza.

On 26 November, Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon threatened to cut Israeli electricity, water and ties to Gaza’s infrastructure serving the 1.6 million residents of the Gaza Strip.

Power cuts and a lack of basic rescue equipment due to Israeli restrictions mean that Gaza lifeguards can’t reach swimmers in danger.

Throughout Gaza, children take on responsibilities of adults to help their families, and adults revert from skilled labor to doing nearly anything to bring in a salary.

Palestinian families in Gaza are keen for a change and some leisure activity in their lives encaged and under siege.

On 11 July, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Palestine Red Crescent Society helped facilitate a demonstration to protest the ban on Palestinians from Gaza visiting their imprisoned loved ones.

While complementary medicine practitioners in Gaza see a niche for their work, they say it is imperative that the essential medicines and supplies at zero stock levels be brought into Gaza.