A humanitarian crisis is engulfing Gaza – not the result of a natural disaster but entirely man-made and avoidable. The tightening of Israeli blockade since June 2007 has left the population, 1.5 million Palestinians, trapped and with few resources. Some 80 per cent depend on the trickle of international aid that the Israeli government allows in. Even patients in dire need of medical treatment not available in Gaza are often prevented from leaving. This document highlights several examples of individuals and collective groups that have fallen victim to such situations.