European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 14, 1969, Darmstadt, Hesse Stars and stripes daily Magazin Gaza simmers in poverty acts of terrorism a i by Eliav Simon up staff writer there Are few tourists strolling across the resort beaches of the Gaza strip these Days and their Scarcity is not due to the Winter chill. Before the Arab israeli 1067 War egyptians and jordanians used to keep the casinos of the Seaside hotels open until Early hours. Today there is not much to attract visitors. Many merchants left after the War. Several of the resorts were takeover As military billets. Arab terrorism keeps the atmosphere tense. Israeli colors now Fly above the Muni Cipal government offices where egyptian overseers used to administer the Gaza strip s affairs. Israeli soldiers Are More in evidence along Gaza City Street than i any other occupied area. Into this 22-mile-Iong strip of Sand with an average Width of Only eight Miles Are jammed 356,000 persons approximately half of them refugees from the 1948 War. Poverty is widespread. The aver age per capita income is $85 a year. Only 19 per cent of the population i working at any kind of Job. On saturday mornings cars with israeli License plates begin arriving in Gaza. The Parade is much smaller than during the first year after the War when most israelis visited the City for their first look some in search of bargains in pottery richly coloured rugs and other local products. On a recent saturday the mid morning Calm was broken when a Home made bomb exploded beneath a parked car carrying Jerusalem License plates. Three persons were slightly injured two of them children. But the terrorists missed their car was owned by an Arab family from East in jeeps and a Hal track stationed near the Market in Palestine Square moved into action directing pedestrians from the area and taking on of the children to the Hospital. The bearded Young commander of the half track pointed out that if a grenade had been thrown the soldiers would have had a 50-50 Chance of catching the terrorist. Someone would have seen him throw the thing he added. But with a bomb no one notices. He just places package walks away and a few min utes later it goes incidents Are frequent. The Gaza jail is filled to overflowing. I addition to 47 members and collaborators of a sabotage gang seized in de Cember 100 possible suspects have been rounded up. Arms caches Are frequently hour after the bombing the Market resumed its carnival air with israeli Sand a few tourists from Sweden and eng land wandering through the thing that has not changed since the six Day War is Arab hospitality which comes As a Surprise to visitors. The remaining Beach hotels in Gaza Are the Best bargains along the Mediterranean coast the equivalent of $2.20 Aday buys a single room with Bath and Balcony plus a sitting room equipped with a from tourism these Days is nominal. Fishing a principal source of income has fallen off because israeli fishermen protest the marketing of lower priced Gaza fish in Israel. About half of the Citrus Export Cropin former years went to Jordan and other Arab states now the Trade is Chan need via Israel. About 2,000 Gaza residents work in is Rael proper but this is tightly regulated by work permits and travel restrictions. Friday february 14, 1969 a Xart a United nations doctors treat women and children at a crowded Gaza health clinic. For Many the Only diversion is a school in the Sard. The stars and stripes Unhwa the other principal sources of subsistence Are the Relief activities of the . Relief and works Agency in Rathe International red Cross and . Agency has administered the refugee Camps since 1948. It also makes certain destitute persons such As a family whose egyptian father was killed during the War receive food International red Cross established an office Here after the 1967 Delegate Joe egg Muni said the situation in Gaza schools is close to Normal. Recently issued israeli govern ment data indicated the 89,000 pupils at tended school in 1968, compared with about 100,000 in 1967, under egyptian Rule. Egg Mani and his staff Are trying to Register All College level students caught Here during the War in an attempt to help them return to their studies. They must do so it Yimani said there is nothing for them to do he explained that the situation of the refugees May improve under the israeli who have a political interest in eliminating a major Issue continually raised by the 20 years the israelis have claimed the Arab states do not want the former palestinians permanently resettled. In the meantime the thousands of homeless in the former Buffer zone wait for the next chapter in the Middle East struggle. And most tourists go else where. Page u
