UN tells Israel to end Gaza blockade immediately

London June 3 (ANI): The United Nations has demanded the Israel lift its blockade on Gaza immediately.

The blockade has virtually isolated Gaza, paralyzing normal life there and reducing the supply of humanitarian aid to a mere trickle.

According to The Telegraph, UN General Secretary, Ban Ki Moon criticised Israel for holding the residents of Gaza ransom and termed the blockade as "counter-productive, unsustainable and wrong."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu railed against world leaders, saying that they were being "hypocritical".

"Once again, Israel faces hypocrisy and a biased rush to judgment," Netanyahu said as he defended the actions of Israeli marines who, he said, fired in self-defence against Turks wielding sticks and knives on the cruise liner Mavi Marmara.

"The international community cannot afford an Iranian port on the Mediterranean ... The same countries that are criticising us today, should know that they could be targeted tomorrow," he added. (ANI)