A student is trapped in the Gaza Strip after the Israeli government laid siege to the territory.

The 22-year-old has completed two years of a business management degree at the University of Bradford but can't return to finish his studies because of the blockade.

The Israelis have branded Gaza hostile territory and are preventing all movement in or out. Water, electricity and fuel supplies have been cut and there are growing fears the area could be invaded.

Now Khaled al-Mudallal, a Gaza native who is living in Great Horton, is to make a desperate plea to the Israeli Supreme Court to be allowed to resume his studies.

His case has been taken up by a human rights organisation and the University says it hopes his situation can be resolved "quickly and peacefully." Khaled had returned to Gaza to be with his wife, Duaa, when he became caught up in the political situation.

From Rafah, he said: "I was supposed to start my third year this week, I am already missing my studies. I am being denied my human rights. I came back for a few days to collect my wife and I have been stuck here for three and a half months.

"Nothing can get in or out of Gaza. The Israelis have cut the water, electricity and fuel supplies and we fear they may invade any day now as they have threatened to do.

"The situation here in Gaza is very bad. It has been bad before but now they have closed the Rafah border it is impossible to leave. Every aspect of life has been affected here - aid, food, power.

"It is very difficult, I am renting a house in Great Horton and paying bills there but also have to rent a house in Rafah.

"I have no work here and I am worried I will lose my part-time job in Bradford as a result of being stuck here. That is my main source of income.

"The university has said it understands my situation but if I do not get back soon I could lose a whole year's work."

Professor Mark Cleary, vice-chancellor of the University of Bradford said: "This is clearly a very frustrating situation for Khaled and many other students like him.

"We hope it is resolved quickly and peacefully.

"We would encourage Khaled to remain in contact with us and we hope to help him resume his studies as soon as possible."

The source of the problem is the closure of the Rafah crossing which took place in June. An alternative route, through northern Erez through Israel and into Egypt had been possible, but this week the Israeli government closed that passage to the occupants of Gaza.

The move comes as part of a larger restriction on the movement of Palestinians throughout the disputed West Bank territory.

Khaled's case has been taken up by human rights organisation Gisha as a test case, which could have implications for hundreds of other students stranded under new restrictions imposed by the Israelis.

By Paddy McGuffin