The Humanitarian Impact of the Blockade and the ‘Cast Lead’ Israeli offensive on Gaza

UNITED NATIONS

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

occupied Palestinian territory

HUMANITARIAN OVERVIEW January 2011

The Humanitarian Impact of the Blockade and the ‘Cast Lead’ Israeli offensive on Gaza

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Gaza Strip – Profile

• Population– 1.43 million (~1 million

refugees, ~70%)

• Crowded– 3,881 persons per sq km

• Young– 54% of the population under

the age of 18

• Poor– 80% aid dependant

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Up to August 2005Since September 2005

Access to Gaza3

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Since June 2007

ErezCrossing Point

Nahal OzCrossing Point

KarniCrossing Point

SufaCrossing Point

Kerem ShalomCrossing Point

RafahCrossing Point

Despite the ‘disengagement’ Israel maintained direct control over:•All land crossings, except Rafah (indirect)•Air space•Territorial waters•Taxation over imported goods•Population registry

• 21 Settlements • 9,000 Israeli settlers

Israel imposes a comprehensive blockade

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Gaza 2005-2007• August-Nov. 2005: Removal of settlements, IDF, AMA

• January 2006: Hamas wins PLC elections

• March 2006: Hamas sets up government in oPt; – International sanctions imposed on PA– Reduced/intermittent access– Strikes and weakened public services

• 2006: Qassams, Shalit, IDF “Summer Rains”, “Hot Winter” military offensives.

• March 2007: National Unity Government

• June 2007: Hamas takeover of Gaza• Israeli Blockade on Gaza

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The Gaza War: 27 Dec 2008-18 Jan 2009

1.4 million civilians unprotected:

• Massive military aerial and ground bombardment

• Densely populated – small area

• No safe space – no bomb shelters

• No alarm/warning system• No place to flee – all borders

sealed

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Damage AssessmentJRC, 28 Jan 2009

Public infrastructure

Agricultural land

Commerce/Industry

UN property

Tunnels

All together

Residential buildings

Gaza War Damages:

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People affected during “Cast Lead” Offensive

• 1,383 Palestinians fatalities, including 350 children, identified by OCHA.

• 5,303 Palestinian injuries (MoH)

• Civilian fatalities disputed: 73-83% (Palestinian HR orgs); 25-39% (IDF)

• People killed in internal clashes

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The Israeli Blockade on Gaza since June 2007

• Import of most construction, raw materials & spare parts banned

• Import of consumer goods and fuel restricted

• Movement of people largely banned

• Access to agricultural land and fishing areas increasingly limited – Buffer Zones

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Impact of Blockade: Livelihoods devastated

• 120,000 private sector jobs lost in first two years

• 268 establishments destroyed during “Cast Lead”

• 70% of industrial establishments closed (Jan 2010)

• Over 40% unemployment (2010)

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Land Restricted Areas

• ‘No-Go’ Zone: zero to 500 meters

• ‘High Risk’ Zone: 500 to 1000/1500 meters

• 17% of the Gaza Strip

• 35% of Gaza’s agricultural land

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Land leveling - Beit Hanoun agricultural area

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Sea Restricted Areas

•Access to sea areas along the coast gradually restricted

•Since early 2009 - 85% of coastal areas off limits

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Poverty and Food Insecurity

• UNRWA: “Abject poverty" among refugees tripled since the the blockade from 100,000 to 300,000

• 61% of households food insecure

• Shift in diet from high cost and protein rich food to low cost and high carbohydrate foods

• Concerns over mineral and vitamin deficiencies• Some 80% receives humanitarian assistance,

mainly food.

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Protracted Energy Crisis

• Power supply constantly about 30% below demand

• Power plant operates at a 30% -60% of its capacity

• Scheduled cuts between 4-6 and 8-12 hrs/day (up to 16hrs/day)

• Households left with partial food refrigeration

• Services and utilities forced to rely on generators and UPS (Uninterruptable power supply)units vulnerable due to inconsistent supply of spare parts

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A Challenged Health System

• Impossible to ensure medical equipment availability and proper maintenance

• Referral abroad subject to long and arduous permit processing

• Medical staff largely prevented from sufficient upgrading of knowledge and skills

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Deterioration of water and sanitation services• Only 5-10% of the extracted water is safe;

• Very limited / intermittent running water

• Sea water and sewage infiltrate into aquifer

• Over 40% water loss due to leakages

• Between 50 and 80 million liters of untreated or partially treated sewage discharged into the environment daily

Increased health risks due to polluted water

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The blockade “easings” as declared:

• From a list of permitted items to a list of banned and “grey” (“dual usage”) items

• Construction materials enter for International Community projects only pending on approval

• Extension of crossing hours per demand/need

Changes on the ground: • Increase in import of consumer goods• Some easing on import of raw materials • Minor easing on exports • No easing on movement of people

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Truckloads entering through Gaza crossings :

*Food and hygiene items make more than 50% of weekly imports; before May 2007 made only 20%

*

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Housing needs unmet

The ban on construction materials prevents addressing the growing housing needs

• “Cast Lead” caseload: 6,300 units

• Natural growth (2007-2010): 68,400 units

• Over 600,000 truckloads required

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• Limited capacity to address construction

needs resulting of Israeli military offensive and

natural growth

• Further Erosion of livelihoods – “Buffer Zone”

• Further decline in the quality of services

• Denial of right to leave Gaza, move to WB

• Increasing aid dependence

The continued Blockade: A protracted human dignity crisis

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The way forwardLift the Blockade:

• Lift restrictions on all Gaza crossings

• Allow import of raw materials and exports

• Allow free access to agricultural and fishing areas

• Allow access for goods and people between Gaza and the West Bank

Economic recovery Decreased aid dependence

Documents

The Humanitarian Impact of the Blockade and the ‘Cast Lead’ Israeli offensive on Gaza