An Oxfam team member in Gaza describes the increasing desperation of Gazans as shortages of fuel, water and food are reported.

Today, the situation in Gaza is relatively calm; the streets are quiet and there have been no clashes. However, from speaking to people I get the sense that this is not going to last a long time. People are worried about their future they do not know what it will bring. I have heard so many people say that "there is not future for us, what is our future, what can it be?"

We are locked in Gaza, people cannot move, even those who need to travel to Israel to get medical assistance are not allowed in. I have heard of people in urgent need of chemotherapy and other life-saving treatment denied access to hospitals in Israel. The hospitals here cannot treat them - there is lack of equipment and medicine. What can these people do?

Only yesterday two people were shot dead by Israeli soldiers when they were trying to cross the check point that separates Gaza from Israel and the rest of the world to see their families. I have heard that Israeli bulldozers are clearing areas near check points to set up camps for those waiting to be able to cross the border to see their families, friends or to get medical treatment - why not let them leave?

Water in Gaza city is a big problem. Many of the water pumps are powered by electricity which is sporadic at the moment. Some people I know have not had any electricity for days.

People that I have spoken to are fearing that the Israeli government will cut off electricity in some areas as it will mean that they do not have access water. Because I have a job and a regular income I have been fortunate enough to buy some water so that my family can drink wash and cook but not everyone is in the same position as me. Those without money go without water. After three days without water, people can die.

Food is slowly running out as all food comes from outside of Gaza city. Markets are empty and some people do not have the funds to buy the little food that is available as all trade has stopped due to the borders being closed. People are worried that they will not be able to feed their families. Some families are now only eating one meal a day as they are saving the little that they have in case no food comes through.

I would like the international community to understand the situation that one and a half million people are facing. We have become like fish on a beach without the essentials to keep us alive, we feel like we are slowly dying.

I work for Oxfam, over the past week we have been unable to work as we normally do but the communities that we work with have been contacting my Oxfam colleagues concerned about what will happen next. There are no International non-governmental organisations able to work fully in Gaza many, have been denied access. How can we continue to live like this? We have nothing. We need help so that people's lives can be saved. My hope is that we will all be able to live in peace with access to our basic human rights.