U.N. report reviews Gaza situation

JERUSALEM, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- A United Nations report details the impact an Israeli-imposed blockade has had on Palestinians living in Gaza, saying it caused a "protracted dignity crisis."

The28-page report, released Sunday, was published on the United Nations' Integrated Regional Information Networks Web site.

The report reviewed import and export restrictions, the travel ban to and from Gaza, and the effect the situation has had on livelihoods, food, security, education, health, shelter, energy, water and sanitation.

Following the Hamas takeover in Gaza in June 2007, Israel shut down the border crossings to Gaza and imposed restrictions on imports and exports and a travel ban, the report said.

"The blockade has locked in 1.5 million people in what is one of the most densely populated areas on earth, triggering a protracted human dignity crisis with negative humanitarian consequences," the report said.

Mark Regev, spokesman of the Israeli prime minister's office, objected to the use of the term blockade. He said Israel permitted truckloads of goods and medication to enter the Gaza Strip daily, and pipelines carrying fuel and water to Gaza remain open.