One Year Since Gaza War: No Access By the Numbers
Funds for Reconstruction:
- Reconstruction funds pledged at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit: Some $4.5 billion.
- Number of months international community negotiated with Israeli government over mechanism for transferring reconstruction funds and materials: 9 months.
- Implementation of mechanism for transferring reconstruction funds and materials: None.
Housing:
- During the war: Some 3,500 homes were completely destroyed, some 2,800 sustained heavy damage, and some 54,000 were lightly damaged.These homes housed about 325,000 people.
- Policy on import of construction materials (cement, glass, iron) prior to the war: Banned, few humanitarian exceptions.
- Policy on import of construction materials today:Construction materials (cement, glass, iron, etc.) banned; 19 trucks of mostly cement and gravel permitted to enter for exceptional humanitarian projects.
- Needed to rebuild homes: At least 40,000 tons of cement, 25,000 tons of iron.
Humanitarian Infrastructure (Electricity, Water and Sewage):
- During the war: Seven out of 12 electric lines were shut down; the power station operated only 50% of the time. One million people were without electricity, and half a million people were without running water.
- Needed prior to the war to repair and maintain infrastructure: 172 types of spare parts that were either completely out of stock or were below minimum supply; 3.5 million liters/week industrial diesel for power station.
- Needed today to repair and maintain infrastructure: 240 types of spare parts that are either completely out of stock or are below minimum supply; 3.5 million liters/week industrial diesel for power station.
- Policy on import of materials prior to the war: Industrial diesel supply for power station limited to no more than 63% of need; parts stood idly for months in warehouses in Israel and the West Bank? due to the restrictions and delays on their import into the Gaza Strip.
- Policy on import of materials for infrastructure today: Permission granted exceptionally for the entrance of fewer than 100 trucks carrying spare parts and building materials; industrial diesel still limited to no more than 63% of need.
- Repercussions: 40,000 people have no electricity; 10,000 have no running water; power outages eight hours a day, four days a week for most areas; 87 million liters of untreated or partially treated sewage dumped into the sea daily for lack of electricity and spare parts.
Economy:
- During the war: More than 1,000 factories, businesses and private sector institutions were damaged, at an estimated cost of $45 million.
- Policy on import of goods prior to the war: Just 25% of the demand for goods was met (2,500 trucks per month versus 10,400); fewer than 40 kinds of items permitted (versus some 4,000 prior to the closure); ban on import of raw materials for industry and on export.
- Policy on import of goods today: Just 25% of the demand for goods is met, permitting entrance of about 60 kinds of goods; ban on import of raw materials for industry and on export.
- Repercussions: Some 97% of factories have remained closed; 42.3% unemployment in the third quarter of 2009 (compared to 32.3% unemployment in June 2007); 80% of the population dependent on food aid.
Education:
- Policy on import of school supplies prior to the war: Banned, except for UNRWA schools.
- Policy on import of school supplies today: Banned, except for UNRWA schools.
To compare these data with those reported
by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, click here.
To read Gisha's report, Red Lines Crossed: Destruction of Gaza's Infrastructure,
click here.