Occupied Palestinian Territories - Humanitarian Update, July 2007

Summary of monthly Humanitarian Monitor report produced by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

KEY ISSUES OVERVIEW

Continued closure of Gaza crossings
Since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in mid-June, the main Gaza crossings have been closed due to the breakdown in previous coordination procedures between Israelis and Palestinians. The closures have further weakened the Gazan economy and exacerbated poverty in a population where 1.1 million out of 1.4 million were already receiving food assistance prior to mid-June.

During the month of July, an average of 101 truckloads/day (excluding aggregates) have been allowed into Gaza through Sufa and 15 truckloads/day through Kerem Shalom. UN estimates indicate that 900 truckloads per week must enter Gaza to meet the most basic needs. At the same time, raw materials for the Gaza manufacturing plants and exports have been banned. In the second quarter of 2007, unemployment rate reached 32% in Gaza, and poverty was estimated at 79% by the end of 2006. Both figures are expected to rise further with the continued embargo on Gaza.

Impact on the private sector: The total accumulative and direct losses of the private sector since the closure of the Gaza border in mid-June has been estimated at $35 million, with a daily loss range of about $0.5 million. In the industrial sector, the vast majority (nearly 90%) of import-dependent industries have closed down. Over 66,000 workers have been temporarily laid off. The most affected industries are the garment, furniture and construction sectors.

Impact on the agricultural sector: This sector supports 25% of the Gaza population. Farmers are uncertain whether to invest in the upcoming agricultural season, given the lack of raw materials needed for planting (seedlings, fertilizers and pesticides) and the uncertainty of being able to export their crops. In addition, since exports have been stopped, thousands of tons of produce are held up in Gaza and are being sold on local markets instead. The surplus of export products in the local markets has resulted in a sharp reduction in return. The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza estimates losses of at least $4.5 million since the closure and a total loss this season of more than $12 million if the closure continues.

Shortage of critical drugs in the West Bank and Gaza Strip
During July, there was a shortage of some critical drugs, including medications for patients who have undergone kidney transplantation. These medications are expensive and unaffordable by most patients. Psychiatric medications are also unavailable in some of the West Bank governorates.

UNRWA hospitalisation crisis
With their budgets cut by US$500,000 in 2007, UNRWA hospitals have had to suspend a number of essential medical services. With the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH) hospitals suffering interruptions due to strikes and virtual collapse due to the imposed financial sanctions, the demand on UNRWA health services has increased exponentially.

REGIONAL OVERVIEW

West Bank & East Jerusalem

Closure tightens in the north & central West Bank - Between 3-5 July, the IDF prevented Palestinian residents from Nablus, Jenin, Tubas and Tulkarm aged between 16 and 35 from travelling southwards to the central West Bank. Similar restrictions have been implemented on many occasions since the beginning of the second Intifada - at several different places, and for different periods of time. However, this time women were also included.

The Israeli army tightened closure in the Ramallah/Al Bireh governorate during the last 10 days of July. Palestinians passing through Atara checkpoint (north Ramallah) reported long waiting times of up to 60 minutes. Long delays were also experienced at the Jaba' checkpoint, and Qalandiya checkpoints. The Israeli DCL (District Coordination Liaison) in Ramallah reported that the intensified measures in the central West Bank were a response to security alerts from the Israeli intelligence of potential attacks in Israel by Palestinians from the northern West Bank.

Opening of Tarqumiya commercial terminal - The Tarqumiya commercial terminal west of Hebron, due to open in September 2007, is one of a number of West Bank commercial terminals through which imports and exports from Israel to the West Bank are being funneled. Other terminals which are already operating are located at, Beitunya, (north Jerusalem), At Tayba, (Tulkarm), and Al Jalama (Jenin). Two more are planned, at Qalandiya (north Jerusalem) and Mazmouria (east Jerusalem), but these are not yet under construction. Mazmouria is due for completion in 2009.

With the opening of the Tarqumiya terminal, all trade between the southern West Bank (the region from Bethlehem to the south, including Hebron) and Israel will go through Tarqumiya only. All outward goods will have to be off-loaded from a Palestinian truck, then loaded onto an Israeli one ('back-to-back'), and the reverse coming in. It is planned that this regime will be carried out at three other commercial terminals between the West Bank and Israel.

Palestinian merchants are concerned about the terminal's proposed procedures; the limited operating hours; limited capacity for back-to-back traffic; increased costs due to delays caused by searches and the "palletisation" requirement. They expect to find it difficult or impossible to "palletise" some goods, such as pottery. There are further questions regarding the seemingly unnecessary delays caused by the intended re-inspection of imported goods that will already have been inspected at Ashdod port.

Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

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