Gaza's humanitarian situation is at its worst since Israel
occupied the territory in 1967, say UK-based human rights and development groups.
They include Amnesty International, Save the Children, Cafod, Care International and Christian Aid.
They criticise Israel's blockade on Gaza as illegal collective punishment which fails to deliver security.
Israel says its military action and other measures are lawful and needed to stop rocket attacks from Gaza.
Israel pulled its troops and settlers out of the Gaza Strip in 2005, but retained control over Gaza's airspace
and coastline, and over its own border with the territory.
It tightened its blockade in January amid a surge in rocket attacks by Palestinian militants in Gaza.
'Disaster'
The groups' report, Gaza Strip: A Humanitarian Implosion, says the blockade has dramatically
worsened levels of poverty and unemployment, and has led to deterioration in education and
health services.
