Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, May 25, 2010.
Humanitarian aid despite Hamas attacks
Despite attacks by Hamas, Israel maintains an ongoing humanitarian corridor for
the transfer of perishable and staple food items to Gaza. This conduit is used by
internationally recognized organizations including the United Nations and the
Red Cross.
Well over a million tons of humanitarian supplies entered Gaza from Israel over
the last 18 months equaling nearly a ton of aid for every man, woman and child
in Gaza. Millions of dollars worth of international food aid continually flows
through the Israeli humanitarian apparatus, ensuring that there is no food
shortage in Gaza.
Food and supplies are shipped from Israel to Gaza six days a week. These items
were channeled through aid organizations or via Gaza’s private sector.
Large quantities of essential food items like baby formula, wheat, meat, dairy
products and other perishables are transferred daily and weekly to Gaza.
Fertilizers that cannot be used to make explosives are shipped into the Strip
regularly, as are potato seeds, eggs for reproduction, bees, and equipment for
the flower industry.
In 2009 alone, more than 738,000 tons of food and supplies entered Gaza.
Pictures in local newspapers show local markets aplenty with fruit, vegetables,
cheese, spices, bread and meat to feed 1.4 million Gazans.
In the first quarter of 2010 (January-March), 94,500 tons of supplies were
transferred in 3,676 trucks to the Strip: 48,000 tons of food products; 40,000
tons of wheat; 2,760 tons of rice; 1,987 tons of clothes and footwear; 553
tons of milk powder and baby food.
In a typical week the IDF coordinates the transfer of hundreds of trucks
containing about 15,000 tons of supplies. During the week of May 18, 2010
there were more than 100 truckloads of animal food, 65 trucks of fruit and
vegetables; 22 truckloads of sugar, some 27 truckloads of meat, poultry and
fish; and 40 trucks of dairy products. At holiday times, Israel increases
transfers. During the Muslim holy days of Ramadhan and Eid al-Adha, Israel
shipped some 11,000 heads of cattle into the Strip.
Maintaining medical aid for all in need
The medical corridor
No Palestinian is denied medical care in Israel. However, if the Hamas regime
does not grant permits for medical care, the Israeli government can do nothing
to help the patient. Israel will facilitate all cases of medical treatments from
Gaza, unless the patient is a known perpetrator of terror.
Israel maintains a corridor for the transfer of medical patients out of Gaza, and
about 200 medical staff members go through the crossings every month. Israel
also helps coordinate the transfer of Jordanian doctors into Gaza.
In 2009 alone, 10,544 patients and their companions left the Gaza Strip for
medical treatment in Israel. Moreover, there were 382 emergency evacuations
from Gaza for medical purposes.
The Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem donates $3 million in aid
annually to treat Palestinians in Israel. Following fears of a swine flu outbreak,
three Israeli hospitals were assigned to treat cases in the Gaza Strip and 44,500
immunizations were transferred to the Strip.
Since 2005, Palestinians exploited medical care arrangements more than 20
times to carry out terror attacks.
Medical equipment
In 2009, some 4,883 tons of medical equipment and medicine were brought in.
In the first quarter of 2010, Israel shipped 152 trucks of medical supplies and
equipment into Gaza. In a typical week (in May 2010), some 37 truckloads of
hygiene products were shipped to Gaza through the land crossings. In addition,
a new CAT scan machine was recently shipped to Gaza.
In 2009, Israel coordinated the transfer of medical supplies for the disabled
including wheelchairs, crutches and first aid kits. Other equipment shipped to
Gaza include heart-monitors, baby feeding tubes, dental equipment, medical
books, ambulance emergency equipment, artificial limbs and infant sleeping
bags.
Building for the future: Infrastructure and economic aid
Building materials
While the import of cement and iron has been restricted into Gaza since these
are used by the Hamas to cast rockets and bunkers, monitored imports of
truckloads of cement, iron, and building supplies such as wood and windows
are regularly coordinated with international parties. Already in the first quarter
of 2010, 23 tons of iron and 25 tons of cement were transferred to the Gaza
Strip.
On 13 May 2010, Israel allowed approximately 39 tons of building material into
Gaza to help rebuild a damaged hospital. The construction material for al Quds
hospital was transferred after safeguards in place and French assurances
ensured that the construction material would not be diverted elsewhere.
On 24 May 2010 Israel opened the Kerem Shalom crossing to 97 trucks loaded
with aid and goods, including six trucks holding 250 tons of cement and one
truck loaded with five tons of iron for projects executed and operated by
UNRWA.
Electricity
According to the UN report of May 2010, 120 megawatts (over 70%) of the
Strip’s electricity supply comes from the Israeli electric grid, while 17 MWs
come from Egypt and 30 MWs are produced by the Gaza city power station.
Since January 2010, there has been deterioration in the supply of electricity to
the Gaza Strip since the Hamas regime is unwilling to purchase the fuel to run
the Gaza City power station.
Throughout 2009 Israel transferred 41 trucks of equipment for the maintenance
of Gaza’s electricity grid.
Israel facilitates the transfer of fuel through the border, and maintains that the
diversion of fuel from domestic power generators to other uses is wholly a
Hamas decision. Over 133 million liters of fuel entered Gaza from Israel over the
last 18 months.
Sewage
During the first quarter of 2010, the UN coordinated with Israel the transfer of
equipment for UNWRA to upgrade the sewage pumping station. In 2009, 127
trucks containing more than 3,000 tons of hypochlorite entered the Gaza Strip
for water purification purposes. Moreover, 48 trucks of equipment for
improving the sanitation infrastructure led to a substantial reduction in the Beit
Lahya facility’s waste levels.
Economy
The United States, Israel, Canada, and the European Union have frozen funds to
the Palestinian Hamas government since 2006, recognizing it as a terror
organization. Israel has taken measures to support trade and commerce, the
banking system, and the existing financial market in the Gaza Strip.
Gazans produce much of their own food products including olives, citrus,
vegetables, Halal beef, and dairy products. Primary exports from Gaza are cut
flowers and citrus, with trade partners being Israel, Egypt and the West Bank.
During 2009, 7.5 million tons of flowers and 54 tons of strawberries were
exported from Gaza with Israeli cooperation.
In 2009, 1.1 billion shekels (about $250 million) were transferred to the Gaza
Strip for the ongoing activity of international organizations and to pay the
salaries of Palestinian Authority workers. 40 million damaged bank notes were
traded for new bills, and at the request of the Palestinian Monetary Fund, 282.5
million shekels were transferred from Gazan to Israeli banks.
In February 2010, an agreement was reached with the Palestinian Authority’s
National Insurance Department to ensure that pensions reached those formerly
employed in Israel. The funds were deposited in banks in Judea and Samaria,
while the Palestinian Authority was given the responsibility of distributing the
funds to the pensioners in Gaza.
Fostering hope and trust – Quality of life in Gaza
The cycle of life
* Projected life expectancy in the Gaza Strip (2010) is 73.86, greater than
Estonia, Malaysia, Jamaica and Bulgaria.
* The infant mortality rate in Gaza is
17.71 per 1000, lower than that of China, Jordan, Lebanon and Thailand.
* Fertility rates are about five children per family, equal to many African nations
such as Rwanda and Senegal.
Healthcare
Palestinian families receive the same subsidized healthcare as Israelis, about
10% of the cost for the same treatment in the United States.
Schoolchildren
Israel transfers school equipment supplied by UNRWA including notebooks,
school bags, writing implements and textbooks. Israel is currently coordinating
the transfer of 200,000 laptops for Gaza schoolchildren and the shipment of 74
maritime containers for conversion into Gaza classrooms.
In the first quarter of 2010, Israel transferred 250 trucks with equipment for the
UNWRA summer camp, including arts-and-crafts equipment, swimming pools,
inflatable toys, ice cream machines, musical instruments, clothing, sports
equipment.
Electronic life
About 20% of the population in Gaza owns a personal computer – this is more
than Portugal, Brazil, Saudi Arabia or Russia. They have access to ADSL and
dial-up Internet service, provided by one of four providers.
About 70% of Gazans own a TV and radio and have access to satellite TV or
broadcast TV from the PA or Israel.
Gaza has well-developed telephone landlines, and extensive mobile telephone
services provided by PalTel (Jawwal) and the Israeli provider Cellcom.
According to USAID report, 81% of households in Gaza have access to a cell
phone. The PA-owned cell phone provider Jawwal has more than 1 million
cellular subscribers.
Travel
Despite the inherent dangers involved, Israel permits Gazans and visitors to
travel between Gaza and Israel, from Gaza to Judea and Samaria (the West
Bank), and even abroad for medical treatment, religious pilgrimages, and
business trips. Whenever possible Israel allows for diplomatic activities and
trade and commerce with the Gaza Strip.
In additional to medical travel, 21,200 activists from international organizations
and over 400 diplomatic delegations were permitted entry into Gaza, while
2,200 Palestinians employed by international organizations were given exit
permits from the Gaza Strip.
147 permits were given to Palestinian students for academic studies around the
world and special permission was given to Gazan footballers to train in Judea
and Samaria and compete in international matches abroad.
During the Christmas holiday, approximately 400 permits were given to visit
Bethlehem from Gaza as well 100 permits to travel abroad. In addition, 257
permits were given to businessmen from Gaza to facilitate business operations.