Overview of the humanitarian and human rights situation in the Gaza Strip 2007

by the Dynamic Human Rights Unit (DHRU) of Sharek Youth Forum

(Published in Al Quds newspaper on 10-1-2008) 

Gaza City - Magda Balbisi – For the duration of 2007 the DHRU of Sharek Youth Forum has been monitoring the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip. Due to its presence throughout the Gaza Strip the DHRU has been able to witness first-hand several events that have affected the population in various aspects of their daily life. In particular, the DHRU has focused its attentions on various aspects of political, economical and social life in the Gaza Strip, including the health sector.

Residents of the Gaza Strip have experienced a true disaster during the second half of 2007. The closures and restrictions intensified after the Government of Israel took a decision dated 23-9-2007 to consider the Gaza Strip as a hostile entity and after the decision of the Israeli army, with the agreement of the Israeli High Court, on Friday 13 November 2007, to decrease the supply of fuel and electricity to the Gaza Strip.

The closures, restrictions and fuel cuts have gravely affected the living conditions of the residents of Gaza and resulted in a precarious economic and humanitarian situation.

Health

In previous reports the DHRU highlighted that there is a long list of patients suffering from chronic illnesses[1]. Their condition is deteriorating daily due to the lack of treatment, medicines and medical supplies entering the Gaza Strip.

Patients are prevented from leaving Gaza in order to get specialized medical treatment due to the closures. For example, there is no chemotherapy to treat cancer patients available in the Gaza Strip. The latest statistics of the Palestinian Ministry of Health indicate that the number of patients who died due to the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip (from mid-June 2007 until the time of writing) currently stands at 65 patients.[2] In addition, the Israeli army refused 713 requests for medical treatment abroad out of 4074 filed requests (17.5 % of applications were rejected).

Furthermore, reports issued by the United Nations indicate that there will be an increased need for food aid and other help for up to 80% of the population in the coming weeks.

Education
The DHRU has also been observing the issue of the closure of the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and the repercussions thereof for Palestinian youth.  For instance, many students have been deprived of the right to complete their higher education in universities abroad. The number of registered students with the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Gaza for requests to travel abroad amounted to 1077 male and female students.[3] At the time of writing, these students are still waiting for their permits to be approved.

The financial losses incurred by the families of the students from registration fees and enrolment of these universities have had a negative impact on the economic situation of those students and their families. The psychological effect on these youth deprived of a future can only be imagined. 

Economics

As regards to the economic situation, the DHRU has summarized the economical conditions resulting from the closure of border crossings previously.[4] Currently only 12 out of 9000 consumer goods are currently permitted to enter the Gaza Strip. Among banned goods are soap and coffee, water, oil and gas, computers and spare parts as well as cement and raw materials for industries. All of these items are deemed essential goods.

The DHRU has also warned about the damage to the local economy because of the closures and the lack of essential products entering the Gaza Strip. This has lead to the bankruptcy of hundreds of businesses and the limited availability of foreign currency such as the American dollar and the Jordanian dinar. Also, construction projects worth $370 million have been suspended for an indefinite period

Finally, the limited and insufficient supplies of fuels to the Gaza Strip and its effects on the population in the Gaza Strip were recently highlighted by the DHRU in Gaza City.[5]