A poll conducted by Near East Consulting show the overwhelming number of Gaza residents blame the Hamas regime for the sharp deterioration of conditions in the area.

The poll involved 900 Gaza residents, with 41% exhibiting a desire to relocate. 64% live under the poverty level, and 70% report a shortage of food and/or medications. One-third is unemployed, and 94% state that since the rise of Hamas to power, the situation has sharply deteriorated.

In the meantime, in Qatar, the emir stated on Monday that “the siege around Gaza must be eased,” telling Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni that Israel is responsible for the dire condition that exists.

IDF Colonel Amir Press, who commands the Coordinating office to Gaza, told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) on Tuesday morning that the situation in Gaza in indeed difficult, adding the Hamas leaders are directly responsible.

Press explained that when terror strike crossing points, compelling their closure, there is no one other to blame that the Hamas leaders responsible for the terror, resulting in shortages to the area residents.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)