Gaza+Peace+and+Security


 * __Maintaining long-term peace and security in the Gaza region __** 

The Gaza strip is the largest city under the control of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and Hamas. It is located on the Miditerranean coastal route between N. Africa and the Levant. The city has one of the highest population densities in the world, and refugees make up over half of the residents. The population of Gaza is overwhelmingly composed of Arabic-speaking Muslims. It is also one of the oldest cities in the world, with a history of habitation that dates back 5000 years.

Following the Six-Day War, Israel closed down Gaza's port and consequently, the city lost its fishing income. Previous attempts were made by both the Palestinians and the international community to construct a major port in Gaza, but objections from Israel prevented such attempts. In April 2005, Israel pulled out the troops occupying Gaza, along with thousands of Jews who had settled in the territory. However, that has not been accepted internationally as Israel still exercises over most of Gaza's land borders, as well as its territorial waters and airspaces. Egypt controls Gaza's southern boarder. Over the years, Israeli air strikes targeting militants in the densely populated areas have often killed bystanders as well. Also, in other towns in Gaza, there are high levels of poverty, deprivation and underemployment.

Israel has for many years restricted entry to and exit from Gaza, but it intensified its blockade of Gaza in June 2007, when Hamas took over. Only basic humanitarian items have been allowed in, and virtually no exports permitted, paralysing its economy. A metal fence is also built which seperates Israel and Gaza. This not only fortifies border crossing for people and goods, but has also become a target of Palestinian militant attack. There have been a handful of deaths, injuries and severe distruption for civilians.

Below are a series of events that outline the situation in Gaza in the past few months.

On January 19th 2009, the [|Guardian Weekly] released a series of articles that outlines to main event of Gaza each day that surrounds the Israeli attacks. After the expiry of a six-month ceasefire, Israel began a series of air attacks on Gaza on the 27th of December 2008. Israel planes drop at least 16 bombs on five government buildings in Gaza, destroying them and starting several fires. After eight days of attacks, more than 400 Palestinians and 4 Israelis were killed. The situation got worse afterwards, when Israeli tanks entered Gaza on the 4th of January 2009. On January 5th 2009, Israeli soldiers and Hamas militants fought gun battles in the streets of Gaza city. Civilians have fled to the city where hospitals are overflowing and electricity supplies have been cut down. Hamas launched more than 40 rockets at Israel. On January 13th 2009, Israeli tanks fought their way into the suburbs of Gaza City. Palestinian health officials claimed that they had received dozens of calls for ambulances to the south but was too dangerous to send them. Then on the 17th of January 2009, the US has agreed to provide technical and intelligence assistance on Egypt's border with Gaza to prevent weapons smuggling by Hamas as part of diplomatic moves to secure a ceasefire in Israeli's three-week assult on the Palestinian enclave. Finally, on January 18th, Hamas and Israel agreed a ceasefire, and Israeli troops began to withdraw. In total, more than 1300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.

On the 6th of January, 2009, the [|UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon]urged the United Nations Security Council to act swiftly to end the worsening crisis in the Gaza Strip following the ground invasion of Israel. " //To do so, there must be an immediate cease-fire, durable and respected fully by all sides. Immediate humanitarian measures including open crossings for humanitarian assistance should be ensured. Viable international mechanisms will be required to ensure that the borders are properly functioning,"// said Ban. The United Nations was fully aware of the worsening situation in Gaza, and the increasing number of deaths and casualties was certainly not tolerable and negligible. As the leading figure in the UN, Ban urged an immediate ceasefire, and also planned to travel to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory and take care of the chaotic situation.

On the 3rd of April, 2009, a senior United Nations official announced that the [|rule of law and protection]are essential to prevent further civilian deaths in the wake of recent hostilities in Gaza. This rule of law is essential to create more realistic basis for possible peace, and the United Nations Relief and Works Agnecy for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) feels strongly about this. They claimed that "Neither side should be allowed to claim that the illegal acts of the opponent legalize an illegal act in response.” UNRWA also voiced concern about the humanitarian plight of the people of Gaza, who are suffering due to the lack of access into the area for urgently-needed supplies. As humanitarian aid is vitally essential in the areas affected by the conflict, humanitarian-based organizations should collaborate in seeking for ways to get these aid across to the people in need. Before any further steps can be taken, the safety of the civilians should be the foremost concern.

On the 7th of April 2009, Amnesty International, an internationally recognized human rights organization, announced that both the [|Israeli and Palestinian sides must fully cooperate with the UN's fact-finding mission], into looking at possible war crimes and international law violations during the recent conflict in Gaza and southern Israel. It also expressed the message that the UN Security Council must assist that all parties fully cooperate with the international fact-finding mission and that no single part should be allowed to undermine the investigation. Furthermore, the UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban must ensure that the report of the Broad of Inquiry on the Israeli attacks must be submitted by the Security council.

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__Works Cited__

- "Gaza Crisis: Key Maps and Timeline" 6th January 2009 < http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5122404.stm > (retrieved on 4th April 2009)

- "Gaza Strip" 6th April 2009 < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaza_Strip > (retrieved on 6th April 2009)

- "Gaza Strip" 9th April 2009 < [] >

- "Ïsrael: UN Picks Gaza Investigator" 3rd April 2009 < [] >

- "The Israeli Attacks on Gaza" 19th January 2009 < http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2009/jan/03/israelandthepalestinians > (retrieved on 3rd April 2009)

- "ÜN chief urges swift Security Council action to end Gaza crisis" 19th January 2009 < http://www.ebigear.com/news-207-58268.html > (retrieved on 5th April 2009)

- "United States Welcome Gaza Cease-fire Proposal" 7th January 2009 < [] >

- "UN urged to extend Gaza investigation" 13th February 2009 < [|www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/un-urged-extend-**gaza**- investigation-20090213] > (retrieved on 6th April 2009) 