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The report by Gisha, an Israeli human rights organisation, concludes that the increase in poverty and dependency will lead to a further radicalisation of Gaza's population, which will cause further violence and attacks on foreigners, such as the kidnapping of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston, freed on Wednesday after almost four months in captivity.

The Gaza he left behind is choking under the near total suspension of movement of goods. Residents depend entirely on Israel for their exports and imports. Israel controls all the crossing points between Gaza and Israel and has a veto on the operation of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt.

Israel has reduced the flow of goods into Gaza to a bare minimum and stopped goods from leaving since Hamas wrested control of Gaza from Fatah and the Palestinian Authority last month.

Sari Bashi, director of Gisha, said the impoverishment of Gaza was strengthening extremists at the expense of moderates.

"Israel is attempting to achieve political objectives by exerting pressure on 1.4 million women, men and children, whose suffering is supposed to bring about the change it wants — toppling Hamas control in Gaza," she said.

"In reality, a policy of collective punishment is being imposed upon 1.4 million people, in violation of international humanitarian law and contradictory to Israel's interest. Destroying Gaza's economy only exacerbates dependence on extreme elements."

Länk: Människorättsorganisationen Gisha.