Christian Aid and its partner, Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR), have condemned the fighting between the Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah in the Gaza Strip after it intensified this week.

The two organisations are calling on the international community to end the isolation and blockade on the Palestinian Government.

In three days, violent clashes have left almost 80 people killed and hundreds wounded as gunmen grappled for control of the security forces.

Christian Aid and its partner called on the gunmen to immediately "cease the mutual bloodshed and protect the lives of the sick, the wounded and medical personnel".

The violence has had a big impact on services, including healthcare facilities.

Israel has closed Gaza's borders, preventing the wounded from reaching medical care in Israel and the passage of aid supplies into Gaza. According to PHR, Israel must provide direct aid to civilians trapped in Gaza "as part of its ongoing responsibility as the occupying power still legally in control of the Gaza Strip".

"We are blockaded," said Rima Al Rakhawi, a Christian Aid partner based in the southern Gaza Strip. "Internal fighting is partly a reaction to the situation - lack of jobs and few opportunities. All of this is an expression of sadness, a pressure in their hearts, but this is not an excuse [for the gunmen's actions]."

After the refusal of the Quartet powers [US, UN, EU and Russia] and Israel to negotiate with Hamas, the Palestinian Authority formed a unity government in February, which included Fatah, hoping that this would allow for a return to negotiations. But the Quartet continued to suspend aid to the PA and would not meet with the unity government.

Christian Aid released a statement in February saying that if the fragile unity government was to succeed it would need support and an "end to the isolation of the PA that has exacerbated poverty and insecurity". The statement also said that "positive political engagement can help to lay the groundwork for peace, rather than exacerbating tensions".

Christian Aid also released a report on 4 June, 'Israel and Palestine: A Question of Viability', that appealed to the international community to act urgently for a viable solution in the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.