Relief agencies have complained that their stockpiles of food, fuel and medicine in the Gaza Strip were scarce even before the war started Dec. 27 because of Israel's 18-month economic blockade of the territory. Agency officials said their attempts to deliver supplies since then have been delayed repeatedly by Israeli officials who are reluctant to open border crossings, even for emergency shipments.

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Relief agencies have complained that their stockpiles of food, fuel and medicine in the Gaza Strip were scarce even before the war started Dec. 27 because of Israel's 18-month economic blockade of the territory. Agency officials said their attempts to deliver supplies since then have been delayed repeatedly by Israeli officials who are reluctant to open border crossings, even for emergency shipments.

Authors Website: http://sheilastuff.blogspot.com

Authors Bio:

Sheila Samples is an Oklahoma writer and a former civilian US Army Public Information Officer. She is a Managing Editor for OpEd News, and a regular contributor for a variety of Internet sites.