A Palestinian child sits on her bed in the Jabiliya refugee camp. The Israeli siege has disproportionately affected Gaza's children, who make up over 60% of the population. (Maan Images)

Even before the recently launched Israeli air strikes and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, the 18-month long blockade Israel and the international community have imposed on the Gaza Strip had already created a profound humanitarian crisis.

The cumulative effects of the blockade have been a widespread erosion of Palestinian livelihoods and a significant deterioration in infrastructure and essential services.

The consequences for the Palestinian population are profound, pervasive and difficult to reverse.

In addition, the blockade has disproportionately affected Gaza's children, who make up over 60% of the territory's population.

The IMEU presents an overview of the key elements and effects of the blockade of the Gaza Strip.

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Key Elements of the Siege

• Karni, the largest commercial crossing, has been closed.


• All exports and most industrial/non-humanitarian imports have been suspended.


• The amount of fuel allowed to enter has been severely reduced.


• Palestinians have been banned from traveling through Erez, the sole passenger crossing with Israel and the West Bank.


• Rafah, the only crossing point with Egypt, has been almost totally closed.


• The sea area Palestinian fishermen can access has been reduced.

Key Effects of the Siege
Electricity/Water and Sanitation

• Gaza residents are without power for up to 16 hours each day.


• Lack of power affects water and sanitation systems, with health consequences.


• Half of Gaza City's population receives water only once a week for a few hours.


• 80% of water supplied in Gaza is below WHO standards for drinking.

Livelihoods

• Unemployment has risen to almost 50%.


• Only 23 out of 3,900 industrial enterprises are currently operational.


• 70% of agricultural land is no longer being irrigated, leading to desertification.


• More than 79% of households live below the official poverty line (4 US$ per capita/day). These figures are expected to rise in the coming months.

Nutrition and Food Security

• 56% of Gaza's population is food insecure.


• Childhood development is affected by poor nutrition with long term consequences.


• 46% of Gazan children suffer from acute anemia.


• Malnutrition is extremely high and affects, in varying degrees, 75% of Gazans.

Health Services

• Medical equipment is failing due to lack of power, spare parts and maintenance.


• Stocks of essential drugs are in short supply.


• Over 1/3 of applications for medical permits to leave Gaza are denied.


• 2,691 patients, suffering from cancer, heart disease and other severe conditions have been unable to get the treatment they need.


• An estimated 230 Gazans died last year because they were denied access to proper medical care.

Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report: The Impact of the Blockade on the Gaza Strip, A Human Dignity Crisis, December 15, 2008