United Nations

Fifty international aid groups andUnited Nations agencies urged Israelon Thursday to open Gaza’s borders, saying its border blockade violates international law and indiscriminately harms Gaza’s 1.6 million people. The appeal was issued on the fifth anniversary of the imposition of the blockade, a response to the takeover of Gaza by the Islamic militant group Hamas in 2007.

Two years ago, Israel started allowing imports of most consumer goods, but it continues to ban virtually all Gaza exports and travel through Israeli crossings. Israel has said the blockade is meant to prevent Hamas from building up its military arsenal and Gaza militants from attacking Israel. International aid agencies say the blockade mainly punishes Gazan residents by crippling the territory’s economy. The appeal was signed by 43 aid groups and seven United Nations agencies, including the World Health Organization.