The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released a statement saying the Israeli embargo and blockade on the Gaza Strip has caused a grave humanitarian crisis raised the rate of unemployment from 32 to 49 percent over the last year.

It is becoming less possible for the 1.4 million Gazans to provide basic necessities such as water and foodstuff, the statement noted and added the region is without electricity 16 hours a day and water 80 percent below standards and is available only for several hours in a day. Israel sealed borders with the Gaza Strip 18 months ago when Hamas took over power in the region.