Economic Effects (June – July 2007)
General
238: Average truckloads per day prior to June 19th, 2007
118: Average truckloads per day since June 19th, 2007
3,190: Temporarily closed factories (80% of total factories)
66,000: Temporarily laid off workers
$23 million: Monetary loss
$0.5 million: Average daily loss
$370 million: Combined loss in value of all construction projects caused by lack of raw materials
Industrial Sector (garment, processed foods and furniture)
Number of working establishments
3,900: June 2005
780: July 2007
Number of Working Employees
35,000: June 2005
4,200: July 2007
Export (truckloads)
748: June 2005
0: July 2007
Humanitarian Aid
* The IDF Coordination and Liaison Unit facilitates the transfer of aid into Gaza. The unit’s coordination of breaks in curfews and the opening of humanitarian supply routes allows aid to reach the Gaza Strip.
Food
Basic food supplies are available on the Gazan market, at higher than average prices. Milk powder, wheat flour, fresh meat, vegetable oil and rice continue to be in short supply, however.
Medical Supplies
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that primary and secondary health care facilities are functioning without major disruptions. There has been a continued shortage at Gaza City drug stores of about a quarter of the essential drug list supplies.
Status of Border Crossings
Kerem Shalom Crossing: 444 truckloads of food and medical supplies entered through Kerem Shalom between July 19th and August 6th. Israel designated Kerem Shalom as the main transfer point of goods into Gaza, however it has frequently been closed in response to rocket attacks.
Sufa Crossing: The temporary closures of the Kerem Shalom crossing has resulted in Sufa serving as the primary crossing for goods into Gaza, despite less than optimal conditions. 3,306 truckloads of humanitarian aid entered through Sufa between July 19th and August 6th.
Karni Crossing: The main Palestinian commercial crossing between Israel and the Gaza Strip has remained closed since June 13th. One conveyer belt remains open two days a week for the transfer of grains and animal feed.
Erez Crossing: The crossing for individuals is open for the passage of employees of international organizations, diplomats, foreign journalists, Palestinians with dual citizenship and urgent humanitarian cases and others with specific permits. In addition to these individuals, an average of 20 senior Palestinian merchants cross into Israel through Erez every day.
Nahal Oz Crossing: The crossing is used for the transfer of fuels into the Gaza Strip. It has remained open since June 15th, enabling the continued operation of the Strip’s power plant.
Rafah Crossing (Egypt border): The crossing has been closed since the outbreak of fighting between Hamas and Fatah. Between July 29th and August 7th, 5,166 Palestinians waiting at the Rafah crossing since the outbreak of fighting between Hamas and Fatah, returned to Gaza through the Nitzana Checkpoint in northern Gaza and Erez Crossing. At least 1,000 more Palestinians are still waiting to cross.
