AS A UN ceasefire resolution for Gaza is dismissed as “unworkable” by Israel, a Palestinian man from Leytonstone is living in fear for his family.

Abdul Karim, 25, of Leytonstone High Road, is desperately worried about those he left behind when he married a British woman and came to Waltham Forest three years ago.

His mother, father, five sisters and three brothers, as well as a married sister, her husband and children are besieged in a house in the Al-Saba district of Gaza city.

They have had no electricity since the Israeli bombed a power station at the start of the campaign two weeks ago, and very little food.

Mr Karim said: “It’s catastrophic to say the least. They live in constant fear of any bombs falling on them. There have been many bombings.

“Right after the UN made it’s resolution there were nine people killed in Gaza and the house next door has been turned to dust.

“My Dad told me he had only one meal in 36 hours and my mum is asthmatic and needs her electric inhalator, I’m really worried about her.

“My sister’s babies are ill because they have to sleep with the windows open. If they don’t the bomb impact will blow their windows to pieces.”

Mr Karim also said Israeli forces were still bombing during the three-hour humanitarian ceasefires this week and his father could only venture out for basic supplies.

Around 780 Palestinians and 14 Israelis have been killed so far in the latest crisis to hit the Middle East.

The Israelis say the offensive is necessary to protect its citizens from regular rockets fired from Gaza by Hamas militia but the Palestinians maintain they have no choice but to “resist” an occupying force.

Israel has closed borders and restricted supplies, including food, medicines, and people But it is those caught in the middle who pay the highest price.

Mr Karim has already lost his uncle and cousin, who were policemen, in a bomb dropped on their police station, and is hugely critical of the regime and the international community.

“We have been suffering atrocities for 60 years and the international community doesn’t lift a finger,” he says.

But he advocates peace not violence and works on a Government funded programme in Leytonstone, trying to prevent young people becoming violent extremists, despite their “rage” at situations like Gaza.

Palestinians not only want a ceasefire but an end to the blockade. Mr Karim has not been able to visit his family for two years, despite repeated attempts, and they have never seen his 18 month old daughter.

“Most of my family haven’t even met my wife and I can’t see them. It makes me feel so helpless.”