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OPT: UN agency warns of food shortage in Gaza due to Israeli blockade

GAZA, Dec 07, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX News Network) - A UN agency in Gaza warned on Sunday that food aid would run out within the coming couple of days due to the ongoing Israeli tight blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip for a month.

Adnan Abu Hasna, spokesman of the United Nations for Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza told reporters that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is mounting and food aids would run out within two days.

"UNRWA has urged an international interference to Israel to reopen Gaza crossings to allow food aids and products," Abu Hasna said, adding that "there are 750,000 people of Gaza population who depend on the UN aid."

He said that although Israel has shortly opened Gaza commercial crossings and allowed some trucks loaded with food, "the amount was not enough amid the ongoing closure of the crossings."

Israel closed all Gaza commercial crossings following a resumption of rockets attacks carried out by Gaza militants on southern Israel, in spite of a six-month Egyptian-brokered lull due to end on Dec. 19.

The fighting between Israel and Gaza militant groups were renewed after Israel sent a force into the Gaza Strip territory and killed six Hamas militants in southeastern Gaza Strip last month.

Israel said it sent its forces to destroy an underground tunnel near the borders that was going to be used in attacking Israel and kidnapping Israeli soldiers. Following the attack, Gaza militants resumed their rockets attacks on Israel.