- In August 2009, the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) published a special report titled: "Locked
In: The Humanitarian Impact of Two Years of Blockade on the Gaza Strip."
It focuses on import and export restrictions, the travel ban on "livelihoods,
food security, education, health, shelter, energy and water, and sanitation."
It explains how violence and human rights abuses increase the suffering
of 1.5 million people.
-
- Following Hamas' January 2006 electoral victory, all
outside aid was cut off. Sanctions and an economic embargo were imposed,
and the democratically elected government was falsely accused of being
a terrorist organization and isolated. Stepped up repression followed as
well as IDF attacks, killings, targeted assassinations, property destruction,
and more. Gazans have been imprisoned ever since. In silence, the world
community sanctions Israeli crimes and shares guilt for their commission.
-
- In June 2007, Israel placed the Territory under siege
and imposed an unprecedented blockade on nearly all movement and supplies
in and out of the Strip, "triggering a protracted human dignity crisis
with negative humanitarian consequences." At its heart is the "degradation
(of) living conditions," the erosion of livelihoods, the lack of vital
services in the areas of health, water, sanitation and education, and the
collapse of essential infrastructure in the wake of Operation Cast Lead.
-
- Over the past several months, Israel allowed in only
small amounts of vital goods and services, far below quantities essential
enough to relieve a grave humanitarian crisis. Despite the urgings of the
UN, ICRC, a few nations, and numerous human rights organizations, Israel
continues its blockade that includes:
-
- -- the closure of border crossings, including Karni,
the largest and best equipped commercial one, except for a conveyor belt
for the transfer of inadequate amounts of grains;
-
- -- tight restrictions on the import of industrial, agricultural,
construction, and essential to life products, services, and materials;
-
- -- a suspension of nearly all exports;
-
- -- restricted amounts of industrial fuel (for Gaza's
sole power plant), benzene, diesel, and cooking gas;
-
- -- except for a limited number of humanitarian cases,
a ban on Palestinian traffic through Erez, the only passenger crossing
to the West Bank;
-
- -- other than intermittent openings, the closure of Rafah,
the Egyptian-controlled crossing; and
-
- -- restricted (to close to shore) fishing and accessibility
to farmland.
-
- After over two years of siege:
-
- -- Gaza's economy was wrecked;
-
- -- the UN report way underestimates the number of job
losses at 120,000 and unemployment at 40%;
- -- on May 1, the Palestinian Chamber of Commerce reported
that unemployment reached 65%, poverty hit 80%, and the longer the siege
continues, the higher these figures will go; in addition, 96% of Gaza's
industrial capacity is shuttered, and well over 80% of the population is
aid-dependent; yet most get below minimal amounts of everything;
-
- -- Gazans have had to shift from a high-nutritional diet
to a low-cost cereals, sugar and oil one, "which can lead to micro-nutritional
deficiencies, particularly among children and pregnant women;"
-
- -- OCHA identified 1,383 (mostly civilian) deaths, including
333 children during Operation Cast Lead;
-
- -- Israel's ban on construction materials prevents the
rebuilding of homes and other structures;
-
- -- many thousands of Gazans now live with relatives,
in tents, or if lucky in rented apartments, much fewer in number post-conflict;
-
- -- inadequate fuel supplies cause up to eight-hour-a-day
blackouts for 90% of the population; the other 10% have no power;
-
- -- many thousands have no running water and none of it
meets WHO sanitary standards because of high pollution levels; more on
that below;
-
- -- 80 million liters of raw and partially-treated sewage
are discharged daily, thus causing serious sea and underground aquifer
pollution, detrimental to human health;
-
- -- medical facilities are severely strapped by shortages
of everything plus a lack of essential equipment, drugs, and capacity to
handle a growing population; few patients needing specialized treatment
are permitted to leave Gaza to get it;
-
- -- education is undermined by over-crowding, a lack of
materials for rebuilding and repairs, and shortages of virtually all teaching
materials; and
-
- -- post Operation Cast Lead and after over two years
under siege, a state of humanitarian crisis exists for most Gazans with
continued deterioration daily.
-
- The Systematic Destruction of Livelihoods
-
- The combination of unemployment, poverty, and vast areas
of Gaza destroyed, damaged, or in disrepair has left most people struggling
to survive.
-
- "The private sector has been devastated by the blockade"
and conflict. Replacing it are improvised coping mechanisms by Hamas authorities
and the growth of the "tunnel economy" discussed below. A May
2008 ICRC survey found 70% of Gazans live on less than $1 dollar a day
per person, and around 40% of families at half that amount, excluding whatever
humanitarian aid is accessible.
-
- For over two years under siege, average truckloads of
goods entering Gaza delivered less than one-fifth the tonnage than in the
first five months of 2007. About 70% of it consists of food products because
most industrial, construction and other materials are banned or greatly
restricted. Currently, 1,700 containers of goods are in Israel or the West
Bank, prohibited from entering the Strip. Exports have been totally prohibited
except for small amounts of cut flowers and strawberries.
-
- Industry is 96% shut down, and agriculture also has been
heavily impacted. What provides the livelihood for 40,000 farmers, herders,
fishermen, and farm laborers is severely hurt by a lack of seedlings, livestock,
fuel, spare parts, and pesticides for those who use them.
-
- Operation Cast Lead exacerbated already intolerable conditions,
according to a Gaza Private Sector Council survey. It reported:
-
- -- 268 establishments totally destroyed and another 432
damaged, resulting in millions of dollars in losses;
-
- -- 40% of those affected are small and medium-sized industrial
companies involved mainly in producing food, textiles, garments, and furniture
while the other 60% were commerce, contracting and fuel establishments;
-
- -- 20 out of 29 ready-mix concrete factories and 39 other
construction-related businesses were destroyed or damaged; and
-
- -- extensive losses of productive agricultural assets
were sustained.
-
- Farmers and herders now working close to the Israeli
border face extreme restrictions and dangers. After Israel's summer 2005
"disengagement," a 150 meter-wide buffer zone was created where
Palestinian access is prohibited. Warning shots are fired at farmers working
anywhere near it. Then on May 23, 2009, the zone was expanded to 300 meters
and at times to 1000 meters on an ad hoc basis.
-
- Since the siege began in June 2007, 33 Palestinian civilians
were killed, including 11 children, in border-related incidents. Another
61 were injured, including 13 children. That's besides many others by incursions
and targeted assassinations.
-
- Fishermen have also been greatly impacted by being prohibited
from fishing beyond three nautical miles from shore - severely undermining
their catch because deep waters are most productive, so exclusion caused
some to abandon fishing altogether. As a result, monthly tonnage now is
around one-fourth as much as pre-siege, and prices are much higher making
fish less available and unaffordable for most.
-
- Restrictions on cash entering Gaza were also imposed.
The Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) estimates that 43 bank branches
need about 200 million New Israeli Shekels (NIS) monthly for regular needs,
while international agencies require additional amounts for theirs. Severe
cash shortages put added pressure on Gaza's economy. Salaries can't be
paid regularly, and daily affairs can't be conducted normally.
-
- At times of duress, innovative solutions are employed.
Gaza's tunnel economy is one - over 1,000 into Egypt for vital goods, including
food, fuel, medicines, livestock, construction materials, generators, other
basic necessities, and even cash. This constitutes around 90% of economic
activity and employs thousands of Gazans digging, smuggling, and transporting
essential items. Tunnels are about three-tenths of a mile long, as deep
as 50 feet, require several months of hard labor, and cost from $50,000
- $90,000 to build. As long as the siege persists, they provide a lifeline
for essential goods that are still way short of what's needed. When Israel
bombs and destroys some, Gazans rebuild - to survive and keep resisting
an intolerable situation.
-
- Food Insecurity
-
- OCHA reports that over 80% of Gazans are food-insecure
(other estimates say 96%), up from about 50% in 2006 after Hamas was democratically
elected. "Food insecurity exists when people lack sustainable physical
or economic access to safe, nutritious and socially acceptable food to
maintain a healthy and productive life." It's the daily ordeal for
Gazans because of the siege and destruction of agricultural land, crops
and assets during Operation Cast Lead. Higher food prices have also hurt
badly as well as restrictions on what Israel lets in and their amounts.
-
- On March 22, 2009, Israel nominally lifted food entry
restrictions, but its decision remains unimplemented. Many items are still
prohibited and most in short supply even though more staple items are permitted.
Still, over 80% of Gazans remain aid-dependent, mainly from the World Food
Program and UNWRA, and most have sub-nutritional diets.
-
- Pervasive Insecurity and Lack of Civilian Protection
-
- Under occupation, Gazans have experienced it for over
40 years, but especially under siege with its regular cycles of violence
and constant threats to their well-being. Post-imposition in June 2007,
over 2,000 Palestinians were killed and another 6,700 wounded. Three weeks
of Operation Cast Lead took the greatest toll in lives lost, numbers wounded,
and property of all kinds destroyed or damaged.
-
- Israeli attacks continue intermittently, and Gazans remain
at risk from numerous conflict-related factors, including unexploded ordnance
(UXO) and other hazardous residues from legal and illegal munitions. In
addition, large rubble amounts contain asbestos and dangerous substances
that pose a serious threat to human health.
-
- Reconstruction of Homes Prevented - Thousands of Families
Still Displaced
-
- Israel prohibits construction material imports, including
cement, gravel, wood, pipes, glass, steel bars, and more compared to an
average of 7,400 monthly truckloads pre-siege. Israel calls them "dual
use" items that Hamas can use for military purposes. Their ban, in
fact, is to harass, hold 1.5 million Gazans hostage, break their will to
resist, hope many will give up and leave, and for those who stay destroy
them by slow-motion genocide.
-
- Besides essential food and medical care, Gazans' most
urgent need is for construction materials to repair and rebuild homes and
other structures now in ruin. A joint UNWRA - UNDP survey showed that 3,540
homes were totally destroyed, 6,400 heavily damaged, and another 52,900
less so. As of July 2009, many thousands are still displaced, their lives
severely disrupted, especially for those living in tents.
-
- "Anecdotal evidence suggests that children are among
the worst affected by displacement, including many who were relocated to
alternative schools closer to their place of alternative accommodation."
-
- Besides homes, many thousands of other structures need
to be rebuilt or repaired, including many with major damage. But without
construction materials, it's impossible except for rudimentary, make-do
ingenuity such as efforts getting the most out of whatever materials are
available.
-
- In other ways, humanitarian agencies help out by supplying
blankets, tents, mattresses, clothing kits, kitchen sets, and other items
Israel lets in. Some families also get small cash assistance through UNWRA
for refugees and UNDP for others, but serving the needs of 1.5 million
people means precious little gets done overall.
-
- Despite the obstacles and Israel's hostility, a number
of organizations, including UN agencies, are actively seeking ways to help,
including initiating vitally needed reconstruction. The UN Special Coordinator
for the Occupied Palestinian Territory asked Israel's Defense Minister
to open border crossings and let in construction materials to begin work
on housing, health and education facilities, suspended for over two years.
Thus far, no response was received, but not enough pressure is put on for
it, nor does any come from nations mattering most like America.
-
- A Protracted Energy Crisis
-
- After Gaza was declared a "hostile entity"
in September 2007, Israel cut the amount and types of fuel let in, including
benzene, diesel, cooking gas, and industrial fuel. A protracted crisis
followed affecting key services gravely and Gazans' ability to run their
households.
-
- Electricity is the main problem because Gaza's sole power
plant can't supply enough of it. Production levels were previously cut
after Israel destroyed six electric transformers in June 2006 during Operation
Summer Rain in Gaza and Operation Change of Direction against Hezbollah
in Lebanon during which vast amounts of carnage were inflicted and many
hundreds of lives lost in both conflicts combined.
-
- At full capacity, Gaza's power plant supplies less than
one-third of the Strip's needs. Lacking enough fuel, it's operating at
three-fourths capacity at best. When available, the rest is bought mainly
from Israel plus smaller amounts from Egypt. As a result, public institutions
rely heavily on backup generators and other devices that are extremely
dependent on a spotty availability of spare parts, so are very vulnerable
to breakdowns.
-
- A Challenged Health System
-
- Gaza's ability to deliver proper health care is severely
compromised by a lack of virtually everything, including building materials
to expand for a growing population. Power shortages force suspension or
postponement of vital surgeries because of the risk to patients. Proper
medical equipment is in short supply, and what's available is hampered
by a lack of spare parts and the ability to get them. Inadequate amounts
of pharmaceuticals and other supplies are a constant problem. As of July
2009, 77 essential drugs and 140 disposable items were out of stock with
no easy way to replace them due to blockage restrictions.
-
- In addition, few patients can leave Gaza for vital treatment
elsewhere. Getting approval is time consuming, arduous and uncertain, thus
compounding a dire situation, even for the severely ill who without access
to a full-functioning facility have little chance to survive. Some give
up after trying. Others die awaiting approval that doesn't come. The Gaza
Ministry of Interior estimates that hundreds of patients can't travel due
to the lack of a passport alone and no simple way to get one.
-
- During and in the aftermath of Operation Cast Lead, Gazan
medical teams were severely challenged to work around the clock under dangerous
conditions to provide care for the hundreds of patients in need, many with
very severe injuries. They performed courageously and tirelessly treating
an estimated 5,300 injured, many with multiple and complex wounds. They
also treated hundreds with chronic illnesses, but not optimally given the
lack of vital resources.
-
- Psychological trauma also proved challenging, especially
for children given the lack of safe havens and almost constant bombardments
and ground attacks. As a result, people lost "the most basic sense
of security, which is one of the foundations of overall psychological well-being."
WHO estimates that from 20,000 - 50,000 will suffer long-term consequences,
and for some it will be permanent.
-
- Problems, especially for children, are sleeping disorders,
loss of appetite, difficulty concentrating, inability to conduct normal
activities like dressing, washing, household chores, and for about one-fourth
of them repeated bed-wetting.
-
- Operation Cast Lead's Effect on Women
-
- Very negatively given the vast amount of destruction,
loss of life, and disabling injuries to loved ones. "The inability
of women to carry out their normal (caretaker) roles significantly contributed
to their psychological suffering." A UN survey showed they feared
disability and dependency more than death, and pregnant women were especially
affected. Miscarriages, neonatal deaths, and premature births rose sharply,
and obstetric complications necessitated a greater number of Caesareans.
Also, women giving birth during the conflict were discharged within 30
minutes to free beds for the critically injured. The increased trauma to
mothers and newborns caused further complications.
-
- Water and Sanitation Infrastructure: A Health and Environmental
Hazard
-
- Inadequate resources prevent water and sanitation maintenance,
creating a significant public health and environmental problem. As mentioned
above, around 80 million liters of untreated and partially-treated sewage
pollutes sea water and underground aquifers. In addition, the Gaza wastewater
treatment plant with a daily 32 million liter capacity now handles about
50 million liters. As a result, discharged effluent contains twice the
amount of biological pollution and suspended solids, and a project to upgrade
the plant's capacity to 70 million daily liters remains in its early planning
stage because of siege-related restrictions.
-
- Contaminated seawater along coastal areas poses a severe
health hazard for all Gazans through potentially contaminated sea food
as well to people using beaches for recreation. Aquifer contamination is
just as worrisome as it's Gaza's sole fresh water resource. Over time,
it's become increasingly salinized and polluted, now exacerbated by higher
levels. "Currently, only 5 - 10 percent of the extracted water is
considered drinkable," according to WHO standards, and the Khan Younis
governate is one of the worst affected areas.
-
- Detected water well nitrate levels were over three times
the safe WHO level making the water unfit to drink. Consumption with concentrations
this high compromises the transmission of oxygen in the blood, potentially
causing lethal "blue-baby syndrome" in infants. Poor sanitation
is also responsible for greater levels of watery diarrheal disease (WDD)
among children aged 9 - 12 months. In Khan Younis, 88% of them are affected
and in north Gaza 77%.
-
- Education Undermined
-
- The siege and Operation Cast Lead have severely affected
education in Gaza. At least 280 schools were damaged, including 18 totally
destroyed. Construction materials aren't available for rebuilding or repairs.
At the end of the last academic year, 88% of UNRWA schools and 82% of government
ones operated on shifts to accommodate growing numbers of children. Students
in north Gaza may have no school to attend because of conflict-caused destruction.
-
- Power outages and lack of essential educational items
are hugely disruptive, even though some amounts of previously banned items
now get in.
-
- The pre-conflict effects on students were evident in
their academic performance as only 20% of 16,000 sixth graders passed standardized
math, English, science, and Arabic tests.
-
- Higher education is also impacted. Gaza has five universities
offering a limited undergraduate curriculum and even fewer post-graduate
choices. Yet Israel prohibits students from exiting Gaza to pursue their
studies. Even seven Fulbright recipients were denied until a public outcry
loosened restrictions to let a limited number of students go abroad on
condition they have a scholarship from a recognized university and a diplomat
from the host country accompanies them through the Erez Crossing, across
Israel and the West Bank until entering Jordan.
-
- From July - September 2008, Israel let 70 students leave
Gaza through Israel. Hundreds of others not awarded scholarships or unable
to get diplomatic escorts were denied, even though a few exited through
Rafah to Egypt from where they continued to planned destinations.
-
- In Summary
-
- For over two years under siege, including months post-conflict,
Gaza has endured "a protracted (humanitarian) crisis that is reflected
in almost every aspect of daily life:" their livelihoods, income,
enough food, too little of the nutritious kinds, medical care for the seriously
ill, enough electricity and fuel, no homes for many thousands, the ability
to rebuild, and other collective punishments.
-
- Pre-siege, over 4,000 products, commodities, medicines,
materials, and other items entered freely. Now it's around three to four
dozen in limited quantities, gradually being increased to include small
amounts of others. Yet most basics are denied - most food items, medicines
called "dual use," light bulbs, fabrics, needles, candles, matches,
mattresses, blankets and sheets, cutlery, books, coffee and tea, cigarettes,
clothing and shoes, and much more, things posing no threat to Israel or
planned for "dual use."
-
- As a result, most Gazans "report a growing sense
of being trapped: physically, intellectually and emotionally." Their
ability to cope and survive is severely challenged. Efforts by humanitarian
organizations are no match for Israel's malicious intransigency. The UN's
most senior humanitarian official, John Holmes, expressed frustration saying:
-
- "Protection, food, water, healthcare, and shelter
are basic human needs, not bargaining chips. This fact must be recognized
by all parties responsible for the immense suffering in Gaza."
-
- Many others express similar sentiments to marshal support
for global action, hold Israel accountable under international law, free
Gazans now entrapped, and end an illegal occupation so Palestinians can
live freely on their own land without fear.
-
- Stephen Lendman is a research associate of the Centre
for Research on Globalization. He lives in Chicago and can be reached atlendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.
-
- Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and
listen to The Global Research News Hour on RepublicBroadcasting.org Monday
- Friday at 10AM US Central time for cutting-edge discussions with distinguished
guests on world and national issues. All programs are archived for easy
listening.
-
- http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=14962
-
-
-
-
-
- lendman box and H and DP
-
-
- A UN Special Focus On Gaza Under Siege
-
-
-
- By Stephen Lendman
-
- 9-2-9
-
-
- In August 2009, the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) published a special report titled: "Locked
In: The Humanitarian Impact of Two Years of Blockade on the Gaza Strip."
It focuses on import and export restrictions, the travel ban on "livelihoods,
food security, education, health, shelter, energy and water, and sanitation."
It explains how violence and human rights abuses increase the suffering
of 1.5 million people.
-
- Following Hamas' January 2006 electoral victory, all
outside aid was cut off. Sanctions and an economic embargo were imposed,
and the democratically elected government was falsely accused of being
a terrorist organization and isolated. Stepped up repression followed as
well as IDF attacks, killings, targeted assassinations, property destruction,
and more. Gazans have been imprisoned ever since. In silence, the world
community sanctions Israeli crimes and shares guilt for their commission.
-
- In June 2007, Israel placed the Territory under siege
and imposed an unprecedented blockade on nearly all movement and supplies
in and out of the Strip, "triggering a protracted human dignity crisis
with negative humanitarian consequences." At its heart is the "degradation
(of) living conditions," the erosion of livelihoods, the lack of vital
services in the areas of health, water, sanitation and education, and the
collapse of essential infrastructure in the wake of Operation Cast Lead.
-
- Over the past several months, Israel allowed in only
small amounts of vital goods and services, far below quantities essential
enough to relieve a grave humanitarian crisis. Despite the urgings of the
UN, ICRC, a few nations, and numerous human rights organizations, Israel
continues its blockade that includes:
-
- -- the closure of border crossings, including Karni,
the largest and best equipped commercial one, except for a conveyor belt
for the transfer of inadequate amounts of grains;
-
- -- tight restrictions on the import of industrial, agricultural,
construction, and essential to life products, services, and materials;
-
- -- a suspension of nearly all exports;
-
- -- restricted amounts of industrial fuel (for Gaza's
sole power plant), benzene, diesel, and cooking gas;
-
- -- except for a limited number of humanitarian cases,
a ban on Palestinian traffic through Erez, the only passenger crossing
to the West Bank;
-
- -- other than intermittent openings, the closure of Rafah,
the Egyptian-controlled crossing; and
-
- -- restricted (to close to shore) fishing and accessibility
to farmland.
-
- After over two years of siege:
-
- -- Gaza's economy was wrecked;
-
- -- the UN report way underestimates the number of job
losses at 120,000 and unemployment at 40%;
-
- -- on May 1, the Palestinian Chamber of Commerce reported
that unemployment reached 65%, poverty hit 80%, and the longer the siege
continues, the higher these figures will go; in addition, 96% of Gaza's
industrial capacity is shuttered, and well over 80% of the population is
aid-dependent; yet most get below minimal amounts of everything;
-
- -- Gazans have had to shift from a high-nutritional diet
to a low-cost cereals, sugar and oil one, "which can lead to micro-nutritional
deficiencies, particularly among children and pregnant women;"
-
- -- OCHA identified 1,383 (mostly civilian) deaths, including
333 children during Operation Cast Lead;
-
- -- Israel's ban on construction materials prevents the
rebuilding of homes and other structures;
-
- -- many thousands of Gazans now live with relatives,
in tents, or if lucky in rented apartments, much fewer in number post-conflict;
-
- -- inadequate fuel supplies cause up to eight-hour-a-day
blackouts for 90% of the population; the other 10% have no power;
-
- -- many thousands have no running water and none of it
meets WHO sanitary standards because of high pollution levels; more on
that below;
-
- -- 80 million liters of raw and partially-treated sewage
are discharged daily, thus causing serious sea and underground aquifer
pollution, detrimental to human health;
-
- -- medical facilities are severely strapped by shortages
of everything plus a lack of essential equipment, drugs, and capacity to
handle a growing population; few patients needing specialized treatment
are permitted to leave Gaza to get it;
-
- -- education is undermined by over-crowding, a lack of
materials for rebuilding and repairs, and shortages of virtually all teaching
materials; and
-
- -- post Operation Cast Lead and after over two years
under siege, a state of humanitarian crisis exists for most Gazans with
continued deterioration daily.
-
- The Systematic Destruction of Livelihoods
-
- The combination of unemployment, poverty, and vast areas
of Gaza destroyed, damaged, or in disrepair has left most people struggling
to survive.
-
- "The private sector has been devastated by the blockade"
and conflict. Replacing it are improvised coping mechanisms by Hamas authorities
and the growth of the "tunnel economy" discussed below. A May
2008 ICRC survey found 70% of Gazans live on less than $1 dollar a day
per person, and around 40% of families at half that amount, excluding whatever
humanitarian aid is accessible.
-
|
