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Last night the Children of the beleaguered Gaza strip held a candlelit protest on the streets of a Gaza City plunged into darkness as a result of the devastating and continued Israeli imposed and Egyptian maintained siege of the area.

Since Hamas' election victory in 2006, the civilian population of the tiny populous strip has faced relentless collective punishment in an effort to put pressure on the new government. For almost four years now, Gaza has faced a crippling economic embargo and a blockade that prevents even the most basic necessities of life from reaching the people. This situation was further exasperated following Israel's 22 day assault on the strip in 2008 that wrought death and destruction on a massive scale and has lead Gaza to the brink of a humanitarian crisis. Nevertheless, the siege continues unabated.

Yesterday's candlelit protest held by the children who suffer the daily effects of this atrocity, specifically the fuel shortage and power outages, is a potent expression of the crisis at hand. Their appeal to end the blockade goes out not only to those who immediately enforce it, but also to the rest of the world that largely sits by in silence.

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MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad