Gaza civilians have not received sufficient humanitarian aid needed to rebuild their lives after last year's Israeli attack .

Chairperson of the Free Gaza Movement Huwaida Arraf, who is in Kuala Lumpur to raise funds and other forms of help for the Palestinian refugees, said the current Israeli sea-blockade has prevented aid from reaching the Gaza shores.

Speaking at a joint media conference was also former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who urged the Malaysian media to highlight the plight of Gaza civilians.

Malaysia is Arraf's first stop in a world wide tour and Mahathir has been a consistent critic of Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

israel palestine gaza attack 160109 04 Also present was Ramzi Kysia, board director of the Free Gaza Movement, who pleaded with the Malaysian public to help donate medical supplies and construction materials that was in short supply.

Arraf also spoke of the movement's eight aid trips to Gaza by boat.

Their first trip on the 22 nd of August last year was the first time an international boat has reached Gaza shores in 40 years.

Although the movement's first trip was a success, they were attacked by the Israeli military during their last attempted voyage last month.

"Our boat left from Cyprus on the 29 th of June and was attacked on the 30 th . There were 21 of us on the boat," said Arraf.

"Halfway, the Israeli ships saw us and threatened to open fire. We were surrounded by eight naval warships, 18 miles from the coast of Gaza.

"The masked soldiers raided our boat armed with guns. Our people were arrested and detained at an Israeli port," continued Arraf.

Loss of livelihood

According to Arraf and Kysia, only 30 to 40 items are allowed into Gaza. Anything Israel considers to be a luxury item is restricted, including school supplies and construction material.

Due to the lack of construction materials, sewage systems clogged and the water supply become polluted.

israel gaza attack palestine 150109 03 Palestinian fishermen are also affected by polluted water.

The problem is exacerbated by Israel navy's imposition of a six mile limit resulting in fishermen being forced to fish in polluted waters.

This affects the livelihood of the Gaza civilians, as many of them depend on fishing to feed their families.

14 fishermen have died in the past four years from naval attacks on small fishing vessels after breaking the six-mile limit.

Efforts in vain

Aside from the plunging economy, 300 civilian have died due the lack of medicines and medical attention.

This problem is made worse as civilians are not allowed to travel to seek medical treatment.

Despite various pledges to aid, nthing is forthcoming, she said.

About US$4 billion for aid purposes has been pledged but the Israel blockade has prevented anything from coming through.

Arraf urged the Malaysian public to extend any form of aid through their website, www.freegaza.org , as this is a basic morality which applies to citizens in every nation.

"This isn't just a question of Palestine; this is a crisis that will define what our world would be," she said.