UN humanitarian chief urges Israel to open Gaza crossings

The UN's humanitarian chief Jan Egeland on Wednesday urged Israel to open border crossings with Gaza Strip to avoid a "social explosion" in the area which could lead to more violence.

The frustration of Palestinians will grow and lead to more extremism unless border crossings are opened to allow the flow of goods, Egeland, UN under secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, told reporters in Geneva.

He said the closure of the Palestinian territory by Israeli authorities due to security concerns was stifling the livelihoods of about 1.5 million mainly young people who live there.

"It cannot continue like it is now without a social explosion that will hurt everybody, including Israeli security."

They "feel they have no hope, no future, and of course that will not lead to less extremism, it will lead to more extremism, so it has to change," he added.

Egeland said Israel was studying a UN proposal for observers to ensure that whatever crosses the border does not harm Israel's security, and allow constant access to Gaza for fuel and other supplies as well as the free flow of Palestinian exports.

"You cannot have 1.5 million people feel that they live in a cage like they do in Gaza," he said.

According to the official, to solve the border crossing problems for Gaza, Israel must change its current policies.

He noted, however, security issues related to the whole situation should also be addressed.

He urged the United States and the European Union to help negotiate a solution that would be acceptable to all sides.

Source: Xinhua