GAZA, March 3, 2010 (WAFA)- UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes said late on Tuesday that he had seen for the people of Gaza is an existence not a life

'It's good to be back in Gaza a year later since my first visit. In many ways it's discouraging and depressing day,' he told reporters in Gaza during his one-day visit.

'We are dealing here with the consequences of political failure on all levels to achieve the kind of settlement of the Palestinian problem that we need, involving the end of the occupation and the creation of a genuine Palestinian state,' he said.

Holmes also said that one of the worst consequences of the political failure is the continuing and unacceptable blockade of Gaza and the collective punishment of the Palestinian inhabitants of Gaza.

'I heard from everybody I've met during the day, and it's not really encouraging day, about the continuing and growing of pernicious and negative consequences of this blockade which is not just the absence of reconstruction and development following last year operation Cast Lead, but also a situation of development going backwards.'

He added that It is also the continuing disrupting of jobs and the private sector, private industry, affirming that dependency on outside assistance is growing.

'Let me repeat the call I've made and the Secretary-General have made on many occasions for a rapid end to this blockade and for genuine and a rapid opening of all the crossings for goods and people.'