This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/5304546.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Donors turn to Palestinian crisis UN warns of Gaza aid 'time bomb'
(about 3 hours later)
International donors are set to meet in Stockholm to discuss aid to the poverty-stricken Palestinian territories. The UN's humanitarian chief has called Gaza a "ticking time bomb" and urged that the Palestinians' plight not be forgotten amid the focus on Lebanon.
Jan Egeland's comments came as foreign donors met in Stockholm to discuss aid to Palestinians living on restricted aid after Hamas's election victory.
The hosts say they are trying to meet a UN appeal target of $330m (£174m).The hosts say they are trying to meet a UN appeal target of $330m (£174m).
On Thursday donors nearly doubled expectations of aid when they pledged $940m of help to rebuild Lebanon. On Thursday, donors nearly doubled expectations of aid when they pledged $940m of help to rebuild Lebanon.
But the UN's humanitarian chief Jan Egeland urged donors not to allow their attention to be diverted from what he called the "ticking time bomb" of Gaza. About 50 of the countries and organisations which attended Thursday's Lebanon aid conference were expected to stay on to discuss the Palestinian situation.
He said: "One point four million people feel as if they are living in a cage. The border crossings are really closed. They cannot get anything out, this is crippling their economy. Inadequate water
Earlier this year the US and European Union froze aid to the Palestinians in protest after the militant movement Hamas won elections.
All our dreams are cancelled - everything's cancelled - our priorities are feeding ourselves and just living Government worker Nidha YounisRamallah, West Bank Palestinians' slow despairAll our dreams are cancelled - everything's cancelled - our priorities are feeding ourselves and just living Government worker Nidha YounisRamallah, West Bank Palestinians' slow despair
"There is not enough electricity, there is not enough water. There are social conditions on an intolerable level at the moment. So we need more money but we need also a political solution to this war." A limited flow was later restored, though aid workers say it is not enough.
Earlier this year the US and European Union froze aid to the Palestinians in protest after the militant movement Hamas won elections. A limited flow was later restored, though aid workers say it is not enough. Since late June, Israel has also been conducting a large-scale military offensive in the coastal Gaza Strip, after Palestinian militants captured an Israeli soldier.
Since late June, Israel has also been conducting a large-scale military offensive in the coastal Gaza Strip, after Palestinian militants kidnapped an Israeli soldier.
More than 200 Palestinians have died, while 11 Israeli civilians have been wounded by rocket fire from Gaza.More than 200 Palestinians have died, while 11 Israeli civilians have been wounded by rocket fire from Gaza.
Mr Egeland said the Palestinians needed at least as much aid and money as the Lebanese, adding that 1.4 million Palestinians were "living in a cage".
"The border crossings are really closed. They cannot get anything out, this is crippling their economy," Mr Egeland said.
"There is not enough electricity, there is not enough water. There are social conditions on an intolerable level at the moment.
"So we need more money but we need also a political solution to this war."
'Hatred and bitterness''Hatred and bitterness'
About 50 of the countries and organisations which attended Thursday's Lebanon aid conference are expected to stay on to discuss the Palestinian situation.
Jan Eliasson, Sweden's foreign minister, said the conference aimed to raise more pledges for a UN flash appeal launched earlier this year.Jan Eliasson, Sweden's foreign minister, said the conference aimed to raise more pledges for a UN flash appeal launched earlier this year.
So far, about 39% of the target of $330m has been raised, he said according to Associated Press.So far, about 39% of the target of $330m has been raised, he said according to Associated Press.
Civil servants have not received their full wages for months There are concerns Palestinians' suffering has been overshadowed
"The humanitarian situation is critical," Mr Eliasson was quoted as saying."The humanitarian situation is critical," Mr Eliasson was quoted as saying.
Unemployment is high, and in Gaza, the UN says nearly 80% of people live in poverty.Unemployment is high, and in Gaza, the UN says nearly 80% of people live in poverty.
One aid worker who returned from Gaza 10 days ago warned that malnutrition was widespread and many new mothers were unable to breastfeed their babies, reports the BBC's Alix Kroeger in Stockholm.One aid worker who returned from Gaza 10 days ago warned that malnutrition was widespread and many new mothers were unable to breastfeed their babies, reports the BBC's Alix Kroeger in Stockholm.
Instead, they were making up bottles with a third of the recommended measure of formula and topping them up with starch.Instead, they were making up bottles with a third of the recommended measure of formula and topping them up with starch.
The result, the aid worker said, would be lifelong damage to those children.The result, the aid worker said, would be lifelong damage to those children.
Mr Egeland also warned that, in the 25 years he had been visiting the Palestinian territories, "I've never seen so much hatred and bitterness as during my last visit there."Mr Egeland also warned that, in the 25 years he had been visiting the Palestinian territories, "I've never seen so much hatred and bitterness as during my last visit there."
He urged both Israel and Palestinian militants to cease hostilities.He urged both Israel and Palestinian militants to cease hostilities.