DHABI, Nov. 22nd, 2008: A local UAE newspaper today warned against violent consequences of what it called "an inhuman Israeli blockade" on Gazans who it said were already living under impoverished circumstances.

"The consequences will not be limited to the Palestinians entrapped in this cycle of misery. Instead, the world community will also be affected, as its ineffectiveness and indifferent stance would lead to negative consequences", opined today the Gulf News.

The paper sharply criticized Israel for "staunchly reject(ing) all pleas, arguing that attacks from Gaza should stop first before the blockade is eased." Citing the plights Gazans are facing, the paper said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached an intolerable level as the winter sets in. "Shortages of basic goods are not being met, as there is a serious scarcity of food, medical supplies and fuel. The closure of main border posts to Gaza has had a crippling effect on the 1.4 million Palestinians." Medicine shortages, lack of fuel and the resulting complete blackouts, shortages of wheat and the UN's suspending its cash grants to 98,000 of the poorest people because of a currency shortage, all lead, according to the paper, to violence.

"At all levels, the situation in Gaza is that of misery and suffering.... (and) the tightening of any siege leads people to resort to violence as a means of protest and despair," concluded the Gulf News. (WAM/MMYS)