World 'failed Gaza over Israeli blockade' - Oxfam

The charities also call for more pressure to be exerted on Israel to end its collective punishment of Gazans which is banned under international humanitarian law.

Israel imposed a tightened blockade after the Islamist Hamas movement seized power two-and-a-half years ago.

Matters became that much worse after the destruction caused by the Israeli offensive in Gaza earlier this year.

The report points to an acute shortage, in particular, of building materials.

A spokesman for the Israeli prime minister said that Israel remains committed to humanitarian supplies of food, medicine and power.

But he said that sanctions will remain in place as long as Hamas is committed to destroying Israel and killing Israelis.

Haaretz newspaper today said that : "The time has come to rethink Israeli strategy in Gaza."

It noted that " The economic embargo, which has brought severe distress to the inhabitants of Gaza, has not brought down Hamas, nor has it freed kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. The siege has only damaged Israel's image and led to accusations that it has shirked its humanitarian responsibilities in Gaza under international law."

The same logic that dictates the government's actions in the West Bank - creating an economic incentive to prevent terror - can and must work in the Gaza Strip as well it concluded.