The Gaza Strip, which lies along the Mediterranean coast between Israel and Egypt, has remained largely isolated from the international community since 2007, when it came under the control of the Palestinian political faction Hamas, which has refused to renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to exist and accept previous signed agreements between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization.
For the past three years, Israel, with Egypt's help, has imposed a strict economic embargo on the area in attempt to put the squeeze on Hamas. Aids ships have been allowed in five times, but not since a three-week Israel military offensive in Gaza ended in January 2009, leaving much of the region's civil infrastructure and many homes in ruins.
Israel rejects claims of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying it allows more than enough food and medicine into the territory. It insists the embargo is necessary to prevent the Hamas from rebuilding its arsenal.
NEWS SERVICES
