SITUATION OVERVIEW
The generous pledges of international donors at the Sharm Al-Sheikh conference for Gaza last week have yet to be implemented on the ground as the overall humanitarian situation in Gaza remains unchanged. Access remains the single most important condition for the advancement of the relief and rehabilitation efforts. Aid agencies need to be assured of having open access to deliver materials for the relief and reconstruction efforts. During the reporting period, there was little improvement in the types and quantities of materials being held up or delayed to enter Gaza. If the prevailing uncertainty and restricted access continues, additional delays may be caused due to agencies' fears of high costs of prolonged storage and, in some cases, expiration of validity of perishable food stuffs or medicines waiting for clearance.
The violent exchanges between the Israeli forces and the militants inside the strip have continued. Reports indicate that some 30 HMR (home made rockets), 3 mortars and 2 RPGs were fired into southern Israel. During the reporting period, Israeli military forces fired missiles causing 5 deaths and 12 injuries on the Palestinian side. On 4 and 6 March, Israeli patrol boats opened fire targeting Palestinian fishing boats west of Rafah and west of Beit Lahia forcing the boats to return to shore. On 7 March, two Palestinians, including one child, were injured when Israeli patrol boats opened fire targeting the Swedish Village, west of Rafah.
Three more Palestinian deaths and 6 injuries were caused by tunnel collapses. Tunnels continue to be used for import commodities banned or supplied in insufficient quantities through the official crossings.
PRIORITY HUMANITARIAN NEEDS FOR THE GAZA STRIP
- Opening of crossings. All crossings into Gaza must be operational to increase both the speed and • the amount of commodities allowed into the Gaza Strip.
- Items most critically needed are: spare parts, fuel, water and sewage treatment facilities and • construction materials.
- Cash. A consistent influx of cash is needed to reactivate the private sector and prevent increasing • dependence on aid. The monthly cash requirement is 400 million NIS (13 million NIS/day).
