Palestinians scramble for rations as aid runs low

By Agence France Presse (AFP)
Friday, July 07, 2006

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip: Solfa Hamed's 11 children were hungry and she was ready to fight anyone standing between her and the aid packages for the growing number of needy Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. "I will not leave without my bag. My 11 children are waiting at home for something to eat and my pantry is empty," shouted the 47-year-old, muscling her way past policemen trying to contain the crowd.

Hundreds of people have flocked to this impoverished neighborhood of the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis in the hope of securing a ration of almost 10 kilograms of basic food goods, including rice, dry beans and oil.

Palestinian police were deployed in force and a special unit from the Interior Ministry was also dispatched to prevent the distribution from turning violent, such is the attraction of a ration in the starved territory.