Gaza Farms Ruined by wars....

Planting the seeds of hatred and war -- instead of strawberries that could create independant futures..

The great escape

Gaza

Most Gazans live in eight refugee camps to which the United Nations delivers health, education, and other humanitarian services – these encampments have been here since 1948. Some of the camps are now suburbs of established Gaza towns, but most are their own camp/towns.

The population density in Gaza is one of the highest on earth. Because of the ‘temporary’ nature of refugee camps – more than 20% do not even have sewage treatment; they have no water treatment, rudimentary electricity.


According to the UN the camp populations in Gaza are Jabaliya (106,691), Rafah (95,187), Shati (78,768), Nuseirat (57,120), Khan Younis (63,219), Bureij (28,770), Maghazi (22,266), Deir al-Balah (19,534). That is 471,655 refugees and descendants of refugees just in the camps.

Gaza City has about 400,000 souls; Rafah and another large city add another 250,000. This all in about 250 square miles -about the size of Tucson Arizona.

There have been restrictions on movement for Palestinians since before 1948 – but the blockade of Gaza has stopped almost all movement of goods and services in and all products out since 2007 – this included humanitarian aid. Fuel shortages and a lack of spare parts have had a heavy impact on sewage treatment, waste collection, water supply, and medical facilities.

There used to be a single track train that ran long wise connecting the cities of the Gaza Strip – but they were damaged years ago and abandoned. France and the Netherlands built a small harbor for Gaza – but it was destroyed and never rebuilt years ago. They have one abandoned airport also. In effect they have been not only restricted to the little Gaza area – but they have been limited how much they can travel within and without. From what can be seen, the only travel that is possible (and not very probable) is on foot.

Electricity, water, sewer treatment, garbage collection are all ‘luxuries’ that citizens of Gaza can rarely count on.

Next – the West Bank – ignored out of existence.

Just take a look at the map and you conclude.....

I know that Gaza has been off the news for a few days, but please look at the satellite maps of the region and see if you see what I see. Really look, zoom in -- Compare and contrast Gaza - Egypt, the refugee camps, and the closest Israeli city, Ashqelon. One place has marinas, parks and community gardens, parks and recreation centers.

A while back Pat Buchanan (no liberal sympathizer) and some others got in trouble for comparing the conditions in Gaza with concentration camps. But the conclusion is an easy one.

I would profer the suggestion that the Israelis should be compared with abused children that grow up to be abusers themselves. The world must stress that it is not acceptable to treat people like the citizens of Gaza are treated daily.... that some of the people in Gaza will act out if they are treated this way... It is unavoidable.


View Larger Map





Donate food to the people of Gaza here