Palestinians, living in the Gaza Strip under years of Israel siege, are in efforts to donate what little they have to help those struck by the earthquake in Haiti.

　　The reason for the destruction might be different, but Palestinians say they understand Haiti's pain.

　　Gaza is still considered under Israeli occupation as Israel controls air, sea and land access to the Strip.

　　There are ruins in the Gaza Strip reminiscent of the scenes in Haiti. These were not caused by a natural disaster, but by bombs and shells in Israel's deadly assault on Gaza, which drew to a close a year ago.

　　Relatives of Palestinian prisoners also participated in the drive, with many offering financial donations and goods including blankets and covers, as well as food and milk for children.

　　Head of the Committee to Break the Siege Jamal Al-Khudary said "people may be astonished at our ability to collect donations from our people [in Gaza]; we tell them that this is a humanitarian campaign and our people love life and peace …"

　　"We are here today supporting the victims of Haiti … we feel for them the most because we were exposed to our own earthquake during Israel's war on Gaza."

　　A group of international lawyers and human rights activists accuse Israel of committing "genocide" through its crippling blockade of the Strip.

　　PHOTO CAPTION

　　Palestinian students gesture in front of photographers during a one-day class in a tent in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip January 11, 2010, marking the one-year anniversary of the destruction of their school.

　　Source: Agencies