Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) report on the civilian and humanitarian activities carried out by the Israeli authorities during the month of March 2011
Main Points
• There was a 6% increase in the volume of goods transferred through the crossings in comparison with last month.
• There was a 60% decrease in the amount of goods exported from the Gaza Strip.
• There was a 22% increase in the number of patients and accompanying individuals who entered Israel for medical purposes.
• International Projects Status: 121 projects have been approved, of which 19 have been completed and 50 are being implemented.
• During the month, coordination with representatives of the PA took place on a regular basis.
• During March, Israel conducted a special operation in the Sufa/Karni area to enable the transfer of aggregates for international organization projects.
• Between 10-16 March the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom was closed due to a strike led by interested private figures.
Security Situation
During March, 119 rockets and mortar shells were launched at Israeli population and civilian targets.
Since the beginning of 2011, 198 rockets and mortar shells have been launched at Israeli population and civilian targets.
Aggregates via Sufa/Karni area
During the month, 51,238 tons of aggregates were delivered into the Gaza Strip:
• KFW transferred 14,131 ton aggregates.
• World Bank transferred 10,254 ton aggregates.
• UNRWA transferred 16,756 ton aggregates.
• UNDP transferred 6,955 ton aggregates.
• USAID transferred 3,142 ton aggregates through Sufa area.
Movement and Permits
3,043 Palestinians exited the Gaza Strip through Erez Crossing. Overall, 3,479 permits were issued to Palestinians, allowing them to cross through Erez, including:
- 1,847 permits for medical cases (943 patients and 904 accompanying individuals), enabling them to receive medical treatment in Israel, the West Bank and abroad;
- 35 permits for embassy visa interviews;
- 75 permits for international organizations employees;
- 87 permits for traveling abroad;
- 74 permits for business meetings;
1,151 businessmen exited the Gaza Strip.
Project Implementation
International Projects Status: Until today 121 projects were approved, of which 19 have been completed and 50 are being implemented.
1,226 truckloads were delivered for 28 projects under implementation, including 51,238 ton of aggregates.
Water and sewage projects
During the month building materials and equipment were delivered for 11 water and sewage projects out of the 28 approved water and sewage projects (4 projects have been completed).
• Establishment of a sewage drainage network in Beit Lahia (USAID) – 3 truckloads of cement and equipment were delivered this month.
• Establishment of a sewage drainage network in Khan Yunis (USAID) – 7 truckloads of cement and equipment were delivered this month.
• Diesel-based engines for the water wells (UNDP)- One truckload of equipment was transferred.
• Establishment of water reservoir and pumping station in Khan Yunis (USAID) - 4 truckloads of iron were delivered.
• Establishment of a sewage drainage network in Ma'an (USAID) – 11 truckloads of cement and equipment were delivered this month.
• Establishment of a sewage drainage network in Al Amal (USAID) – One truckload of cement and equipment was delivered this month.
• Establishment of a water network in Khan Yunis (USAID) – 6 truckloads of equipment were delivered this month.
• Establishment of a sewage drainage network in Khan Yunis (USAID) – 6 truckloads of cement and equipment were delivered this month.
• The Northern Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) - Part B (World Bank) - 224 truckloads of aggregates were delivered this month.
• Upgrading of the WTP in Shiekh Ajlin (KFW) – 310 truckloads of aggregates, iron, cement, and other equipment were delivered this month.
• 9 water and sewage projects (USAID)- 5 truckloads of equipment were transferred for these projects.
Health projects
During the month building materials and equipment were delivered for 3 health projects out of the 14 approved health projects (one project has been completed).
• Reconstruction of a medical center in Jabalia (UNRWA) - 5 truckloads of cement and Iron were delivered this month.
• Establishment of a clinic in Saftawi (UNRWA) – 50 truckloads of cement, iron, and aggregates were delivered this month.
• Establishment of a clinic in Khan Yunis (UNRWA)- 129 truckloads of cement, iron, and aggregates were delivered this month.
Education projects
During the month building materials and equipment were delivered for 8 education projects out of the 37 approved education projects (5 projects have been completed).
• Establishment of Boys’ School in Beit Lahia (UNRWA) – 4 truckloads of cement, iron, and aggregates were delivered this month.
• Reconstruction of Girls’ School in Khan Yunis (UNRWA) – 64 truckloads of aggregates were delivered this month.
• Establishment of a school in Nuseirat (UNRWA) – 8 truckloads of cement, iron, of aggregates, and other equipment were delivered this month.
• Establishment of a school in Nuseirat (UNRWA) (2) – 10 truckloads of cement, iron, and other equipment were delivered this month.
• Establishment of a school in Ma’an (UNRWA) - 15 truckloads of cement, iron, and aggregates were delivered this month.
• Establishment of a school in Fahuri in Khan Yunis (UNRWA)- 7 truckloads of cement, Iron and other equipment were transferred.
• Establishment of a library in Fahura in Jabalia (UNRWA)- 19 truckloads of aggregates were transferred.
• Establishment of Riad School in Khan Yunis (UNRWA)- 3 truckloads of cement and other equipment were transferred.
Housing projects
During the month building materials and equipment were delivered for 2 housing projects out of the 10 approved housing projects (one project has been completed).
• Construction of 223 housing units in Khan Yunis (UNRWA) - 140 truckloads of aggregates were delivered this month.
• 200 Housing Units in Khan Yunis (UNDP) – 124 truckloads of cement iron, and aggregates were delivered this month.
Agriculture projects
During the month building materials and equipment were delivered for 3 agriculture projects out of the 13 approved (3 projects have been completed).
• Rehabilitation of agricultural plots (USAID) – 5 truckloads of equipment were delivered this month.
• Establishment of 60 cooling rooms in northern Gaza (UNDP)- 13 truckloads of aggregates were transferred this month.
• Establishment of 40 cooling rooms in northern Gaza (UNDP)- 8 truckloads of aggregates were transferred this month.
Humanitarian Infrastructure
Israel maintained a continuous supply of electricity and water to the Gaza Strip.
Maintenance equipment was transferred for the electricity network, in accordance with the PA’s requests:
- 8 truckloads of equipment were delivered for the Gaza Strip Energy Authority.
- 2 truckloads of communication equipment were delivered for “Paltal” Communication Company.
- One truckload of equipment was delivered for the Palestinian Water Authority.
- One truckload of spare parts was delivered for the Gaza Strip Power Plant.
Crossings Activity
During the month, 4,757 truckloads of goods were delivered into the Gaza Strip via the Kerem Shalom Crossing.
1,303 truckloads were delivered into the Gaza Strip via the Karni Conveyor.
Overall, 4,430 truckloads of goods entered the Gaza Strip, including:
- 87 truckloads of clothing and footwear;
- 105 truckloads of electric products;
- 1,536 truckloads of food;
- 41 truckloads of textiles;
- 1,362 truckloads of construction materials;
- 124 truckloads of inputs for agriculture.
During the month 52 tons of strawberries and 4,080,700 carnations were exported.
Since the beginning of the season (Nov. 28, 2010), 368 tons of strawberries, 7,145,338 carnations and 6 tons of bell peppers have been exported to European markets.
The transfer of cooking gas and fuel for transportation continued throughout the month, in accordance with the PA’s requests:
- There was a 10% increase in the amount of transportation diesel transferred to UNRWA.
- There was a 67% increase in the amount of cooking gas transferred into the Gaza Strip.
- There was a 5% decrease in the amount of gasoline transferred to UNRWA.
Goods delivered to the Gaza Strip, by category:
Product - Truckloads
Food Products
Milk Powder and Baby Formula 4
Rice 29
Wheat 169
Produce (Fruits and Vegetables) 195
Meat / Chicken / Fish Products 156
Dairy Products 129
Sugar 28
Legumes 11
Flour 244
Cooking Oil 38
Salt 13
Additional food products 504
Total of food products 1,312
Glass, Wood Profiles and Aluminum Profiles 133
Cement 70
Aggregates 1,101
Iron 30
Total of Construction Materials 1,292
Inputs for Agriculture 127
Electric Products 147
Clothing & Footwear 72
Animal Feed 329
Hygiene Products 120
Transportation 43
Textile 28
Plumbing and Ceramics 302
Essential Humanitarian Products 563
Medicine and Medical Equipment 29
Mixed Products 140
Total Truckloads 4,754
Total Weight 121,970 tons