The Humanitarian Monitor – Occupied Palestinian Territory

UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - August 31, 2007 - Back to Resources Page [1]

The continued closure of the principle Gaza crossing points at Karni and Rafah have had a significant impact on the daily lives of Gaza’s 1.4 million population. The closure has been effective since June following the defeat of Fatah forces by Hamas, which resulted in a break down in Israeli-Palestinian coordination mechanisms at the crossings.

Rafah crossing which serves as the principle entry-exit point to the outside world, was last open on 9 June. The sudden closure of the crossing in early June left thousands of Palestinians stranded south of the border in Egypt unable to return to their homes and families in Gaza. Between 29 July and 12 August an alternative crossing point was offered to 6,374 Palestinian passengers that involved entering Israel from Egypt through the Nitzana/Al Auja crossing. Passengers then traveled by bus to Erez crossing and continued their journey into Gaza. A similar route for departures from Gaza was made available 26 and 30 August, although not for arrivals.

The Gaza economy continues to contract on a daily basis as a result of the inability of the private sector to obtain raw materials and to export through Karni. A report released by the Palestinian Trade Centre (PalTrade) on 14 August confirmed these trends:

- 85% of manufacturing businesses have been temporarily shut down with over 35,000 workers laid off. An additional 35,000 workers have been laid off from other sectors including construction, trade and service sectors. Direct and indirect potential losses are estimated at $35 million including $8 million for the furniture sector, $15 million for garments and textiles and $3 million for processed food. The agricultural sector has estimated export losses at $16 million.

- Due to the lack of necessary raw materials, 95% of construction projects have been halted at a value of $160 million including $93 million of UNRWA projects.

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UN office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) - August 31, 2007 - Back to Resources Page [1]

The Humanitarian Monitor – Occupied Palestinian Territory - August 2007