UNRWA urges Israel to lift blockade on Gaza

The United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) on Thursday called on Israel to lift a blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip since 2006. UNRWA spokesman in Gaza Adnan Abu Hasna said in a statement that the blockade has to be ended after Israel and Hamas reached a prisoner swap deal. Israel imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip right after Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was kidnapped in a cross-border raid on an Israeli army base southeast of the Gaza Strip in June 2006. "It is a golden opportunity for Israel to reconsider the policy of keeping the siege on the Gaza Strip," said Abu Hasna, adding that "Israel can start a new plan that aimed at creating job opportunities and achieving flourish economy, therefore peace can be achieved in a way that serves the Israeli interests." The blockade was tightened after Hamas seized control of the coastal enclave by force in June 2007. However, Israel eased the blockade in early June last year following the Israeli naval attack on the Gaza-bound aide flotilla, an incident leaving nine activists killed. The Palestinians complained that more than four years of Israeli blockade weakened the Palestinian economy and worsen poverty and unemployment in the enclave. "Now, it is an opportunity to get Gaza's economy to flourish by lifting the siege and shutting down the tunnels of smuggling," said Abu Hasna.