Nicosia, May 3 : John Ging, Head of the UN Relief and Works Agency in Gaza, has said that the desperate economic situation prevailing in the Gaza Strip is about to reach a point of explosion.

Ging described the humanitarian conditions in Gaza as “shameful” and “shocking” and added that the Israeli imposed closures were having “a devastating effect” on the civilian population.

Since last Summer when Hamas violently took control of Gaza, Israel allowed only minimal amounts of humanitarian aid, minimal amounts of food, medicine and fuel to pass the crossing points.

Gas supplies, which are used by Gazans in their homes, farms and bakeries and also in their cars because of petrol shortages, were completely stopped.

Last week, the United Nations was forced to halt for a few days the distribution of food as a result of fuel shortages, which also seriously affect electricity supplies, water supply and sewage treatment.

On Friday, the Middle East Quartet (the U. N. the U. S. A, the European Union and Russia) which had a meeting in London called on Arab states to honour their pledges to help the Palestinians.

Arab League members had promised 717 million dollars in budget support, but so far only 152 million dollars have been delivered, mainly from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Algeria.

The Quarter also expressed grave concern for the suffering of the Palestinian population and called for continued humanitarian assistance and the provision of essential services to Gaza without obstruction.