The State of Gaza Strip Border Crossings

PalestineFreeVoice

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip either completely or partially, excluding limited periods of eased restrictions. IOF have also continued to impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians and goods. Even though IOF have allowed the entry of basic foodstuffs, medical supplies and other necessities into the Gaza Strip, the total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has left disastrous impacts on the humanitarian situation and has violated the economic and social rights of the Palestinian civilian population. It has also paralyzed most economic sectors. According to UNRWA estimations, 4 out of each 5 persons live below the poverty line.1 Unemployment has also amounted to 40%.2 In addition, the living conditions in the Gaza Strip have further deteriorated with the non-payment of salaries for the public sector for more than one year as international donors have frozen aids provided to Palestinians and Israeli authorities have suspended the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) since March 2006. Moreover, the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip has severely impacted the flow of food, medical supplies and other necessities such as fuel, construction materials and raw materials for various economic sectors...

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