Gazans Suffer As Foreign NGOs Refuse to Deal with Hamas
Because of its designation as a terrorist organization, many foreign NGOs have refused to cooperate with the Hamas government, increasing the suffering of the Strip’s residents, reports Omar Shaban.
![Palestinian blacksmith Hussam Haweyla works in the northern Gaza Strip Palestinian blacksmith Hussam Haweyla works in the northern Gaza Strip February 14, 2013. Egypt's campaign to shut down smuggling tunnels running under its border into the Gaza Strip threatens to throw thousands of Palestinians out of work in the Hamas-run enclave. Haweyla remembers the day, three years ago, when the tunnel he was digging became a death trap. Workers heard the sound of an explosion before dirty water poured in. According to Haweyla, a colleague died in the incident, and he has stopped worki](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2013/02/1-RTR3DY5M.jpg/1-RTR3DY5M.jpg?h=2d235432&itok=WyLZ8Hxt)
The relationship between international organizations operating in the Gaza Strip and the Hamas government has been marked by tension and distrust. This is especially true, since these organizations have taken the same positions as the West — including the U.S. and Israel — to sever ties with the Hamas government and with any of its affiliated institutions, while at the same time seeking to implement their work in the Gaza Strip.
Political stance par excellence