OCHA oPt special focus: Locked in - The humanitarian impact of two years of blockade on the Gaza Strip [EN/AR/HE]

This report documents the humanitarian impact of the blockade imposed by Israel since June 2007 on the 1.5 million people living in the Gaza Strip. It focuses on the effects of the import and export restrictions and the travel ban to and from Gaza on livelihoods, food security, education, health, shelter, energy and water and sanitation. The report also describes how the recurrent cycles of violence and human rights violations, stemming from the Israeli- Palestinian conflict and Hamas's rule over Gaza, have compounded the suffering of the population in Gaza.

Executive Summary

Following the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007, Israel has imposed an unprecedented blockade on all border crossings in and out of the Gaza Strip.1 The blockade has 'locked in' 1.5 million people in what is one of the most densely populated areas on earth, triggering a protracted human dignity crisis with negative humanitarian consequences. At the heart of this crisis is the degradation in the living conditions of the population, caused by the erosion of livelihoods and the gradual decline in the state of infrastructure, and the quality of vital services in the areas of health, water and sanitation, and education.

The blockade, now in its third year, has taken place alongside recurrent cycles of violence and human rights violations, stemming from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Hamas's rule over Gaza. The denial of Palestinians' right to leave Gaza, or to move freely to the West Bank, particularly when their lives, physical integrity, or basic freedoms are under threat, is another key component of the current human dignity crisis. This denial had a devastating impact during Israel's "Cast Lead" military offensive, launched on 27 December 2008, contributing to the significant loss of civilian life and the large number of seriously injured and traumatized people as a result.

The three week-long Israeli offensive also involved the widespread destruction of homes, infrastructure and productive assets. The ongoing restrictions on the movement of people and goods to and from Gaza through the crossings has limited the ability of all relevant actors to address the immense needs and challenges that emerged as a result of the most recent military offensive.

Over the past three months, Israel has allowed entry into Gaza of a small number of truckloads carrying goods previously prevented from entering, including limited construction, water, sanitation and education materials. While these are welcome steps, their actual impact when compared to the current level of needs in Gaza remains negligible.

This blockade has been characterized by the UN's most senior humanitarian official, John Holmes, as a form of collective punishment on the entire Gazan population.2 The UN, the ICRC, many states and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly urged the Government of Israel to remove the restrictions on Gaza's borders; to allow free access to agricultural areas within Gaza, and to allow unrestricted fishing in Gaza's territorial waters.3 These are the urgent first steps needed to start the reconstruction of homes and infrastructure, the revival of the economy and the restoration of human dignity in Gaza.

The blockade imposed in June 2007 includes;

- The closure of Karni, the largest and best equipped commercial crossing with the exception of a conveyor belt used for the transfer of grains.

- Sweeping restrictions on the import of industrial, agricultural and construction materials.

- The suspension of almost all exports.

- A reduction in the amounts of industrial fuel (used to operate Gaza's sole power plant), benzene, diesel and cooking gas allowed entry.

- A general ban on the movement of Palestinians through Erez, the only passenger crossing to the West Bank, except for limited numbers of "humanitarian cases".

- The closure of the Rafah Crossing, directly controlled by Egypt, except for intermittent openings.

- A significant reduction in the fishing areas and farming land accessible to Palestinians.