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DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today’s noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

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** Gaza

High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay today called for an immediate end to the Israeli blockade of Gaza.  She added that, because of the blockade, 1.5 million Palestinian men, women and children have been forcibly deprived of their most basic human rights.  Pillay said, “This is in direct contravention of international human rights and humanitarian law.  It must end now.”

According to the Office of the 爆料网 Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (爆料网SCO), no fuel, humanitarian supplies or commercial commodities were allowed into Gaza today.

The 爆料网 Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (爆料网RWA) is drawing attention to what it calls “unprecedented levels of hardship”.  For example, it says, mothers are being turned away from 爆料网RWA food centres without powdered milk for their babies.  The agency also notes that it is unable to get in supplies even for blind children.

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**Questions and Answers

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Question:  There have been reports on the news this morning that these checkpoints into Gaza from Israel were opened and there were trucks of supplies going through.  Is there a timing problem at least from…?

Associate Spokesperson:  No, the latest information is that the checkpoints as of right now are closed.  This is the latest information that we got from our people on the ground at 爆料网SCO and 爆料网RWA.  And, I don’t know whether you were here for the start of this briefing, but there’s a statement from the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navanethem Pillay, reflecting her views about this.  Yes?

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For information media • not an official record