While the
attention of the world has been focused on the Israeli assault against Lebanon, the large-scale military assault the
Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) began in Gaza
on June 27 has also intensified. This attack was launched by the IDF after the
capture of a single Israeli soldier by members of the military wing of
Hamas.Over 100 Palestinians have been
killed since then, including dozens of children and youth.Israeli troops have closed off Gaza from the outside
world, sealing off the port, coastlines and airport, and have targetted civilian infrastructure.Unconfirmed media reports also suggest the
IDF has been targeting limited food supplies within Gaza,
deliberately cutting off fishers from their catch and seizing grain, fruits and
vegetables destined for Gaza
markets.
On August 3, the
IDF moved to seal off the only remaining link Gaza has to the outside. About 50 Israeli
tanks, accompanied by bulldozers, pushed into an area near the Gaza-Egypt
borderand
took up positions near the long-closed Gaza
airport, according to residents and Palestinian security officials. The forces
advanced about eight kilometres, the farthest since
the offensive started in late June, and blocked a main highway and the eastern
entrance to Rafah, a town on the Egyptian border.
Speaking in New York
on August 3, a spokesperson for the United Nations noted that the number of
artillery shells being fired by the IDF into Gaza had risen dramatically over the past few
days. At least 1,050 shells were fired in one week, resulting,
predictably, in civilian
casualties and displacement.The UN
Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is currently using
four schools to shelter over 1,300 Palestinians who have fled the constant
shelling.