Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
|
PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights |
|
The State of Gaza Strip Border Crossings
25 December 2008 – 10 March 2009
Introduction
This reports reviews the consequences of the total siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) – including closure of border crossings – on the Gaza Strip. It covers the period between 25 December 2008 and 10 March 2009. In the beginning of the reporting period, IOF launched a 22 day military offensive on the Gaza Strip (27 December 2008 – 18 January 2009). During this offensive, IOF killed more than 1,400 Palestinians, the majority of whom were civilians, and injured more that 5,300 others. In addition, hundreds of civilian objects and facilities – including, houses, factories, educational institutions, mosques, farms, and humanitarian and medical institutions – were destroyed.[1]
The IOF offensive was launched against the backdrop of an unprecedented total and strict closure imposed on Gaza’s border crossings, including crossings dedicated for the movement of civilians and those dedicated for the movement of goods.
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) has investigated the recent Israeli military offensive’s disastrous impact on the humanitarian conditions of Gaza’s civilians. PCHR notes that the civilian population of the Gaza Strip have been subject to intense procedures of collective punishment; measures explicitly prohibited by international human rights and humanitarian law, notably Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949). IOF have continued to deny civilians access to essential medical and food consignments and to the materials required to reconstruct the civilian facilities damaged and destroyed in the recent offensive.
IOF claim to have facilitated movement through Gaza’s border crossings during the 76-day reporting period, in this report, PCHR strongly refute this claim.
This report also reviews the continued deterioration of humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip in view of the complete ban on imports of construction materials. Construction materials constitute a pressing and urgent need; civilian objects and facilities destroyed in the recent IOF offensive must be rebuilt. Gaza civilians, especially those thousands made homeless following the destruction of their homes, have continued to suffer as they wait for the reconstruction materials necessary to rebuild their lives and their livelihoods. This report is published at a time when the Gaza Strip is undergoing a pressing fuel crisis due to the almost total blockade of fuel supplies, especially cooking gas. Households depend on cooking gas to prepare food, while Gaza’s bakeries depend on it to produce bread for the civilian population.
During the recent IOF offensive, which is covered in this report, all Gaza’s flourmills ran out of flour and wheat. The majority of Gaza’s towns and refugee camps plunged into total darkness. Due to the suspension of industrial fuel supplies required to operate the Gaza Power Plant, approximately 50% of Gaza’s population lived without electricity for approximately two weeks, while the other 50% of the population suffered electricity cuts for more than 16 hours per day during the offensive. During the offensive, IOF targeted power networks and transformers, while technical personnel from the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO) were unable to repair disruptions due to a lack of spare parts and dangerous security conditions. Hundreds of thousands of civilians in Gaza were denied access to water, including drinking water, for several days.
This report documents civilians’ deteriorating living conditions due to the serious shortage of food items, mainly chicken and beef. The cost of meat increased to such an extent that the majority of civilians are unable to afford even the limited quantities of meat available in Gaza’s markets. Poverty and unemployment rates registered 80% and 60% respectively in the Gaza Strip. The total siege and closure has suffocated Gaza’s economy, inter alia by: isolating all economic and productive sectors, including the industrial, agricultural and services sector; and totally banning all imports and exports. IOF have systematically destroyed Gaza’s economic and productive sectors. This has had a profoundly negative impact on civilians’ economic and social rights.
Summary of main points covered in the report:
Despite claims to the contrary, IOF have continued to impose a total closure on all Gaza border crossings. They continued to prevent the free movement of food, medicines, and basic goods. IOF also prevented the free movement of urgent aid provided by States and humanitarian organizations consequent to the recent Israeli offensive.
For more than two years, IOF have continued to impose a total ban on the delivery of construction materials – including cement, iron bars, and aggregate – to Gaza. In this regard, Gaza civilians whose houses were destroyed or damaged during the recent offensive continue to suffer as they wait for the construction materials necessary to reconstruct or repair their houses. IOF also have continued to impose a total ban on Gaza exports. Throughout the reporting period, only a truckload of flowers was exported.
Approximately 1.5 million civilians in the Gaza Strip have continued to suffer while attempting to obtain minimum levels of food and medicine.
Gaza border crossings have continued to be closed during the reporting period. IOF completely closed the al-Mentar (Karni) crossing for 53 days, while it was partially opened for a few hours for 23 days. The Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing remained completely closed for 19 days and was partially opened for 57 days to allow the delivery of very limited quantities of humanitarian aid. The Sofa crossing, which was dedicated to the delivery of construction materials, remained completely closed throughout the reporting period. No benzene and diesel passed through the Nahal Oz crossing during the reporting period. The Nahal Oz crossing was completely closed for 38 days for all fuel deliveries, including industrial fuel required to operate the Gaza Power Plant. During the reporting period, IOF completely banned the delivery of cooking gas for 49 days.
IOF completely suspended the delivery of fuel to Gaza via the Nahal Oz crossing on 10 December 2008. The Gaza Strip suffered severe shortage of its basic needs of benzene and diesel particularly in view of the limited quantities that were delivered form Egypt via the tunnels. The IOF’s continued bombardment of the tunnels resulted in a reduction in the total amounts of fuel entering the Gaza Strip.
IOF allowed limited quantities of cooking gas to enter Gaza during 27 of the 76 days covered in this report. Only 3,100 tons of cooking gas were allowed to enter the Gaza Strip; 11.6% of the required amount.
Cooking gas distribution stations remained closed during the reporting period. Hundreds of civilians waited in queues in front of cooking gas station to try to get cooking gas when IOF allowed it to enter to Gaza. It should be noted that Gaza civilians ran out of cooking gas several months ago. Approximately 90,000 empty cooking gas bottles are in cooking gas stations waiting for gas delivery. Shortage of cooking gas affected the activities of different facilities, including factories, metal workshops, fishing boats and chicken farms.
During the Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip, the Gaza Power Plant was completely shut down as industrial fuel supplies ran out. Over the course of 22 days, only 577,400 liters of industrial fuel was delivered to the plant. This represents only 7.5% of the plant’s needs of fuel for this 22-day period, enough to operate the plant for two days only.
Rafah crossing was closed for 73 days. It was partially opened for three days to allow 1,550 Palestinian civilians to leave Gaza and 600 civilians who were stuck in the Egyptian side to return to Gaza. The majority of Palestinians who were allowed to move via the crossing were patients.
During the Israeli offensive and during the few following days, approximately 1,200 Palestinians who were seriously wounded during the offensive were allowed to leave Gaza via Rafah crossing to receive treatment in Egyptian hospitals and abroad. Approximately 200 other patients whose treatment is not available in Gaza were allowed to travel via the crossing to receive treatment abroad. In addition, approximately 750 physicians, journalists and members of humanitarian organizations were allowed to enter to Gaza via Rafah crossing. Approximately 1,200 Palestinians, including 36 bodies of wounded Palestinians who died of their wounds while receiving medical treatment abroad, and patients and other civilians stuck in the Egyptian side, were allowed to return to Gaza via the crossing.
The Beit Hanoun (Erez crossing) was completely closed throughout the reporting period for Gaza civilians wanting to go to the West Bank or to Israel for religious or for familial purposes.
During the offensive, IOF imposed a complete ban on the movement of all diplomatic missions, delegations of international humanitarian organizations and journalists. Dozens of international delegations were forced to travel to Egypt to enter to Gaza via the Rafah crossing.
IOF have prevented Gaza patients from accessing hospitals in the West Bank and/or in Israel for 30 consecutive days. The reporting period witnessed a sharp decline in the number of Gaza patients who were allowed to travel via Beit Hanoun crossing for treatment purposes. IOF only allowed 370 patients from Gaza to travel via the crossing. This represents a daily average of 5 cases, which is a decline of 65% in comparison with 2008, 75% in comparison with 2007 and 90% in comparison with 2006.
During the reporting period, five Palestinian patients, including two children, died as a direct result of the closure. So far, 55 Palestinians, including 17 women and 12 children, have died as a result of being prevented from traveling for treatment, delays in gaining permission to travel, or due to a shortage of medications in Gaza’s hospitals.
For the 22nd consecutive month, Gaza prisoners in Israeli jails have continued to be denied all visitation rights.
Basic needs have been scarce and prices of all daily basic needs have continued to increase affecting civilians’ purchasing power. Prices of chicken and beef tripled.
There are no construction materials available in Gaza.
Poverty and unemployment rates registered 80% and 60% respectively. All Gaza’s economic and productive sectors, including the industrial, agricultural and services sectors, were shut off due to total blockade on imports and exports.
Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO) has been unable to rehabilitate and maintain the power network due to an approximately two years ban on the delivery of materials and spare parts. During the Israeli offensive, IOF destroyed power networks, transformers and other electrical facilities. This posed more difficulties to the rehabilitation and maintenance of power facilities. Approximately 10% of Gaza’s population is still without power and other services linked with power provision, including water.
The water and sanitation sector has suffered from complicated problems due to the continued ban on the import of materials and spare parts required for the rehabilitation and maintenance of water wells, internal networks and sewage water treatment plants. During the Israeli offensive, three water wells in the north of Gaza were completely destroyed; another ten sustained partial damage. Water and sanitation networks in areas of IOF activity sustained heavy damages. In addition, heavy damage was caused to sewage water treatment basins in the al-Sheikh ‘Ejleen area in the southwest of Gaza city. The water and sanitation sector sustained losses valued at USD 6 million.
The following are the most significant developments at the Gaza Strip border crossings during the reporting period:
Rafah International Crossing Point
During the reporting period, the crossing was completely closed for 73 days and partially opened for three days. Since 12 June 2007, the crossing has been closed for 607 days. During the recent Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, the Egyptian authorities allowed Palestinians who had been wounded during the military offensive and a number of Palestinian patients and their companions to access hospitals in Egypt or abroad or return to Gaza via the crossing. In addition, the Egyptian authorities allowed a number of Palestinian political leaders to access Egypt via the crossing to attend the Palestinian reconciliation meetings. Foreign delegations, mostly medical delegations, members of humanitarian organizations, and representatives of media institutions, were also allowed to access the Gaza Strip via Rafah crossing during the offensive.
Movement at Rafah crossing during the recent Israeli offensive:
1. Injured and patients
During the recent Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip and in its immediate aftermath, the Egyptian authorities allowed 1,200 Palestinians who sustained serious injuries during the military offensive to be transferred via the crossing to Egyptian hospitals for treatment. Following the offensive, approximately 200 Gazan patients suffering from serious and chronic diseases were allowed to enter to Egypt for new or continuing treatment in Egyptian hospitals. Gazan patients who were allowed to enter Egypt for treatment were allowed to be accompanied by a member of their families to assist them during their stay in Egyptian hospitals. More than 5,000 Palestinians were injured in the IOF offensive. Gaza hospitals were crowded with hundreds of the dead and the injured, while these hospitals suffered severe shortages in medicines and medical supplies and medical personnel. Meanwhile, all Gaza crossings, especially Beit Hanoon (Erez) crossing, were closed denying Palestinian patients access to Israel for treatment.
2. Arab and foreign delegations
During the recent military offensive on the Gaza strip, the Egyptian authorities allowed several delegations, mostly Arabs, to enter to Gaza via Rafah crossing to provide assistance to Gaza civilians. During the offensive, approximately 750 physicians, journalists and employees of humanitarian organizations were allowed to enter Gaza via Rafah crossing. This was in response to the unprecedented increase in the number of Palestinians who sustained injuries and the inability of Gaza’s medical personnel to deal with the injuries arising due to the IOF’s use of new weapons. Approximately 200 journalists who were denied access to Gaza via Beit Hanoon crossing were allowed to enter Gaza via Rafah crossing.
3. Transfer of dead Palestinians from Egypt to Gaza
The majority of the injured who were transferred to Egyptian hospitals for treatment suffered horrific injuries. Due to shortage of medical equipment, they were transferred under very cruel conditions. As a result, most of the serious cases had arrived at Egyptian hospitals in very serious conditions. In spite of intensive healthcare offered to serious cases, 36 wounded Palestinians died in Egyptian hospitals. Egyptian authorities made required arrangements to transfer the dead to Gaza via Rafa crossing.
4. Wounded persons who received treatment abroad and civilians stranded in Egypt
During the first week of the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, the Egyptian authorities opened Rafah crossing for seriously wounded Palestinians requiring treatment abroad. Palestinians who were stuck at the Egyptian side, mostly patients, were not allowed to enter to Gaza during the first week of the Israeli offensive on Gaza. A few days later, Egyptian authorities opened the crossing for Palestinian patients, who had left Gaza before the offensive and who were stuck at the Egyptian side. In addition, dozens of Gaza civilians who went to Egypt before the offensive were allowed to enter to Gaza via the crossing. Approximately 1,200 Gazan patients and civilians were allowed to return to Gaza via Rafah crossing.
5. Departure of foreigners and foreign delegations, holders of foreign passports
The Egyptian authorities allowed members of international delegations and holders of foreign passports, who had entered to Gaza during the offensive and who had carried out their tasks in Gaza, to leave Gaza via Rafah crossing. Approximately 1,700 foreigners, mostly physicians; representatives of humanitarian organizations and journalists, were allowed to leave Gaza via the crossing. A number of foreign delegations left Gaza before 5 February 2009 prior to completing their duties, as they feared being trapped in Gaza consequent to a tightening of the closure imposed on Rafah crossing.
6. Announcement of partial opening of Rafah crossing for three days
The Egyptian authorities announced the partial opening of Rafah crossing for three days to allow hundreds of Gaza civilians to travel abroad or return to Gaza. The movement during these three days of partial opening was as follows:
On 22 February 2009, the Egyptian authorities partially opened Rafah crossing. 748 Gazan civilians, mostly students enrolled in international universities; holders of foreign residency and patients and their companions, were allowed to access the Egyptian side of Rafah crossing. 531 of these civilians were allowed to access Egypt while 217 were returned to Gaza. On the same day, 266 Gazan civilians, including Palestinians stuck at the Egyptian side and patients and their companions, were allowed to return to Gaza. In addition, the Egyptian authorities allowed members of two committees mandated by the Arab League to enter to Gaza. The first committee – the fact finding committee – was mandated to make investigation into Israeli war crimes in Gaza. It was composed of four members from the General Secretary Office of the Arab League and six international law experts. PCHR Director Raji Sourani accompanied the fact finding committee. The second committee was mandated to assess the damage caused by the Israeli offensive. It was composed of joint Arab labor organizations and international experts.
On 23 February 2009, the Egyptian authorities partially opened Rafah crossing. 1,002 Gazan civilians, mostly students enrolled in international universities; holders of foreign residency and patients and their companions, were allowed to access the Egyptian side of Rafah crossing. 590 of these civilians were allowed to access Egypt while 412 were returned to Gaza. On the same day, 160 Gazan civilians, including Palestinians stuck in the Egyptian side and patients and their companions were allowed to return to Gaza. In addition, the Egyptian authorities allowed members of a delegation from the European Parliament to enter to Gaza.
On 24 February 2009, the Egyptian authorities partially opened Rafah crossing. 715 Gazan civilians, mostly students enrolled in international universities; holders of foreign residency and patients and their companions, were allowed to access the Egyptian side of Rafah crossing. 432 of these civilians were allowed to access Egypt while 319 were returned to Gaza. On the same day, 165 Gazan civilians, including Palestinians stuck at the Egyptian side and patients and their companions were allowed to return to Gaza. In addition, the Egyptian authorities allowed a delegation of three members of the Hamas movement to enter Gaza.
The Ministry of Interior in the Gaza government announced that the Ministry registered more than 3,000 Gazan civilians who wanted to travel abroad. The majority of the registered civilians were holders of foreign residencies and those who had visas to foreign countries. 600 Palestinian patients were amongst the registered civilians.
Beit Hanoon (Erez) Crossing
During the reporting period, severe restrictions were imposed on movement via Beit Hanoon crossing. Severe restrictions were imposed on the movement of patients, journalists, employees of international humanitarian organizations and those wanting to travel via Allenby Bridge on the border with Jordan. During the reporting period, IOF completely closed Beit Hanoon crossing for 29 days, including 26 consecutive days during the IOF offensive on Gaza. Even during full opening, only limited categories of persons are allowed to move via the crossing: diplomats, employees of international humanitarian organizations, and Palestinian patients with serious conditions.
The most significant developments at Beit Hanoon crossing were as follows:
IOF completely closed the crossing to Gaza civilians during the 76 day reporting period. The crossing was completely closed for 29 days for the limited categories of persons who are allowed to move via the crossing: diplomats, employees of international humanitarian organizations and Palestinian patients with serious conditions. IOF have continued to completely close the crossing during the reporting period for Gaza merchants. Before four months ago, IOF imposed strict restrictions on the number of Gaza merchants allowed to travel via the crossing; at most 10 merchants a day were granted permission.
During their offensive on the Gaza Strip, IOF completely closed the crossing for 26 consecutive days. The movement of employees of international humanitarian, relief and developmental organizations was completely stopped and their activities were totally paralyzed. In addition, during these 26 days, IOF prevented journalists and employees of international media institutions from entering Gaza to cover the offensive.
Critically ill patients seeking to access hospitals in Israel or in the West Bank and Jerusalem for treatment were denied passage via the crossing. Only 22 Palestinian patients were allowed to cross Beit Hanoon crossing in the beginning of the Israeli offensive on Gaza. Then IOF completely closed the crossing to Gaza patients for 19 consecutive days.
After the offensive, IOF imposed restrictions on the movement of diplomatic missions, employees of international humanitarian organizations, patients with dangerous diseases and journalists. Those who were allowed to cross were obliged to wait for long hours at the crossing and were subjected to complicated security procedures and searching.
Patients’ conditions[2]
During the reporting period, IOF closed the crossing to Gaza patients who had referrals to hospitals in Israel and the West Bank for 30 days, including 19 consecutive days. During the partial opening of the crossing, only 370 Gazan patients were allowed to pass via the crossing. This number indicates a decline in the cases allowed to cross the crossing to 5 cases per day. This represents a decline of 65% compared to 2008, 75% compared to 2007 and 90% compared to 2006.
Palestinians who have died due to siege and crossings closure
To date, the number of patients who have died as a result of being prevented from traveling for treatment outside of Gaza or as a result of shortages of medication inside Gaza, stands at 55, including 17 women and 12 children. During the reporting period, PCHR documented the deaths of five patients, including three men and two children:
1. On 18 February 2008, Mansour Sa’id al-Qreinawi, 53, from al-Maghazi Refugee Camp, died due to a shortage of medication in Gaza. He had been denied permission to travel for treatment outside of Gaza. Fatema Hassan al-Qreinawi, 43, Mansour’s wife, told PCHR the following:
“My husband started suffering from hepatitis in My 2006. Three months later, he traveled to Egypt for treatment at his own expense. He received treatment at the hands of specialist physicians till his health improved and then he returned to Gaza. Two years later, my husband suffered again from the same disease. He traveled to Egypt in September 2008 and received treatment and then returned to Gaza. He was supposed to return to Cairo after two months to continue treatment. After two months, he tried to travel to Cairo, but Rafah crossing was closed and he could not travel. All his attempts to travel failed because the crossing was completely closed. He kept trying to travel to Cairo but Israel launched its offensive on the Gaza Strip. My husband tried to travel to Cairo with the wounded who were allowed to travel for treatment, but he was not allowed. Because of medicine shortage, my husband suffered severe pain in the head and severe convulsions. He was admitted to the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah on 14 February 2009 for his serious condition. He stayed in the hospital till he died on 18 February 2009”.
2. On 20 December 2008, Shadi Abdul Karim Helles, 32, from al-Sheja’eya district in Gaza City, died because his health deteriorated while the issuance of his permit to access Israeli hospitals via Beit Hanoon crossing was delayed. In addition, Helles was not able to access hospital outside Gaza due to the closure of Rafah crossing.
Abdul Karim Sleiman Helles, 50, who is the father of the deceased person, stated the following:
“On 4 March 2008, physicians detected that my son Shadi had cancer. Since then, in spite of the seriousness of his conditions, he suffered a lot during his treatment. We applied to get a referral to Israel, but the application was rejected several times by the Israeli authorities. Following intervention by an Israeli human rights organization and by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza, we received a response from the Palestinian liaison office that we had an approval to get permit for treatment in Ichilov Hospital. On 11 July 2008, he went to the hospital where he stayed for four months. On 11 November 2008, he returned to Gaza. Physicians in the Israeli hospital required him to return to the hospital to continue his treatment within two weeks. However, my son could not obtain permit to enter Israel and continue his treatment. His health deteriorated accordingly. Following severe suffering, he obtained permit and went to the Israeli hospital to continue his treatment on 3 December 2009. He received necessary treatment in Ichilov Hospital and then returned to Gaza. Also he was supposed to go back to the hospital to continue his treatment. One week after his return from the hospital, his health deteriorated again. He was admitted to the al-Shifa Hospital and we were waiting for Israeli approval to give him permit to pass to Ichilov Hospital. He died on 20 December before we get the Israeli approval”.
3. On 9 January 2009, child Hassan Abdul Karim Husein Abu Tabaq, 17, from Jabalia Refugee Camp in northern Gaza, died because he was prevented from passing via Beit Hanoon crossing to al-Maqasid Hospital in Jerusalem for treatment, although he had a referral to the mentioned hospital.
Abdul Karim Husein Abu Tabaq, the father of the deceased child, said to the PCHR fieldworker:
“My son was admitted to the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City in December 2008. Physicians had discovered that he had a disease caused by problems in a vein in his head. This disease caused him convulsions. Later, he was transferred to the al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City. His health deteriorated and he fell into a three- month coma. His health did not improve at all. Physicians were obliged to refer him to an external hospital. He obtained a referral to Ichilov Hospital in Israel in end December 2008. Then we applied, through the Palestinian Liaison Office, to get permit from the Israeli occupation authorities to enter to Israel. We did not get the permit and we were informed that the Israeli occupation authorities had imposed total closure on the Gaza Strip. The health status of my son continued to deteriorate until he died on 9 January 2009”.
4. On 11 January 2009, child Mohammed Shadi Sha’aban al-Bahri, 2.5, from Beit Lahia town Northern the Gaza strip, died in Martyr Abdul ‘Aziz al-Rantisi Children Specialized Hospital in Gaza City. The child was suffering from several dangerous diseases and he was prevented from traveling for treatment.
Shadi Sha’aban Ali al-Bahri, 26, is the father of the deceased child. He told PCHR that:
“When my son was five months old, he was infected with meningitis. He was admitted to the al-Naser children Hospital. He received treatment but his health did not improve at all; however, it continued to deteriorate. Because of continued health deterioration, he was referred to a hospital in Israel on 6 January 2009. The Beit Hanoon crossing was closed because of the war, and he was not able to travel to the hospital. His health continued to deteriorate till he died on 11 January 2009 whilst in the Children Specialist Hospital in Gaza”.
5. On 15 February 2009, Jamal ‘Uthman Abdul Hafiz Abu Salem, 39, from the Jabalia Refugee Camp, died because his health deteriorated while he was denied his right to travel for treatment.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and according to statements given to PCHR by Zaher Abu Salem, who is the cousin of the deceased person, Jamal began to suffer from acute rheumatism. As a result, he also suffered from cardiac enlargement and he was not able to walk. Since then, he was referred several time to Israeli, Egyptian and Jordanian hospitals for treatment. Approximately one year ago, his health deteriorated and he was referred to the Ichilov Hospital in Israel. He stayed there for four months and then he returned to Gaza. He was supposed to go back to the Ichilov Hospital to undergo medical examinations and continue treatment. However, he was not able to travel to Israel for treatment because of the Israeli comprehensive offensive on the Gaza Strip. Jamal Abu Salem was among those denied right to travel to continue treatment in Israel. He was forced to apply for a referral to a hospital in Egypt. Upon getting a medical referral to a hospital in Egypt, he went with his wife to the Rafah crossing on 8 February 2009. There, the Egyptian authorities denied his wife permission to enter Egypt. Jamal was forced to return to Gaza because his health was such that he was not able to travel to Egypt without a companion to assist him. His health continued to deteriorate until he died on 15 February 2009.
Journalists and Employees of International Humanitarian Organizations
During the reporting period, IOF imposed a ban on the entry of journalists and media representatives for 35 days. In addition, they banned the entry of employees of international humanitarian organizations to the Gaza Strip for 32 days. After their military offensive, IOF allowed approximately 500 journalists and 1,000 members of international humanitarian organizations to enter Gaza under very complicated security procedures, including delaying the entry of many of those allowed to enter for several days.
Prisoners’ Visitation Rights
For the 22nd successive month, IOF have continued to prevent the families of Gazans incarcerated in Israeli jails from visiting their imprisoned relatives. There are approximately 900 Gazans in prison in Israel, and this denial of familial visits, imposed since 6 June 2007, is a violation of international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention. PCHR notes that 150 of the prisoners from the Gaza Strip had already been deprived of all visitation rights prior to the June 2007 suspension. IOF allege that this deprival of visitation rights is for security reasons. The prison visitation program was, until its suspension by the IOF, being facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which has protested against the continuing suspension of the program.
Al-Mentar (Karni) crossing
Developments at al-Mentar crossing during the reporting period:
The crossing was completely closed to imports for 53 days. Throughout the 73-day reporting period, the crossing was also completely closed for Gaza exports. It was exceptionally opened to allow the exportation of a single truckload of Gaza flowers. The crossing was partially opened for 20 days to allow the entry of 1,296 truckloads of fodder and grains to the Gaza Strip.
PCHR notes that from 13 June, 2007 until the end of this reporting period, al-Mentar crossing was completely closed for 467 days.
The continued closure of the al-Mentar crossing has subjected 1.5 million civilians in the Gaza Strip to a humanitarian crises.
Nahal Oz Crossing
Developments at Nahal Oz Crossing during the reporting period:
The Nahal Oz crossing was completely closed for benzene and diesel imports while it was partially opened to supply limited quantities of cooking gas and industrial fuel. As a result, a fuel crisis has continued to affect the Gaza Strip.
The crossing was completely closed for 38 days for the supply of all fuel derivatives.
According to PCHR investigations, on 27 December 2009, IOF completely closed the crossing. By this time, petrol station and the Gaza Power Plant had ran out of fuel. The crossing continued to be closed for 9 successive days. It was partially reopened on 5 and 7 January 2009 to allow the delivery of limited quantities of cooking gas and industrial fuel. In these two days, 91,140 tons of cooking gas and 577,400 liters of industrial fuel were delivered to Gaza. The cooking gas allowed represents only 26% of Gaza needs of cooking gas for one day, while the industrial fuel allowed was not enough to operate the Gaza Power Plant for two days.
On 8 January 2009, the crossing was completely closed. This closure continued for 12 successive days. It was reopened on 20 January 2009 to allow the delivery of limited quantities of cooking gas and industrial fuel. Since then, it has been partially opened and operated with low capacity. However, it was sporadically closed for two or three days.
During the reporting period, IOF completely suspended the supply of industrial fuel required for the Gaza Power Plant for 38 days. During the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, industrial fuel supplies were completely suspended for 23 consecutive days. The Gaza Power Plant shut off during the offensive due to expiry of its stocks of industrial fuel and the suspension of its supplies. Many residential areas in the Gaza Strip, particularly in Gaza city where 570,000 Palestinian civilians live, plunged into complete darkness. This resulted in an aggravation of the humanitarian crisis in the Strip and in the deterioration of living conditions.
GEDCO suffered severe shortage of power. The company was forced to make schedules for the distribution of power to Gaza areas in order to confront the power shortage resulting from closing the Gaza Power Plant.
This situation coincided with bitter cold and increased consumption of power for heating purposes and for cooking purposes and in view of lack of cooking gas. As a result, there were heavy pressures on power networks and many electrical transformers and parts of the power networks were disrupted. In addition, electrical transformers and power networks were destroyed because of IOF direct targeting of these facilities.
It should be noted that the Gaza Strip depends on three sources of power: the Gaza Power Plant provides 67-70 MW (34%), Israel provides 120 MW (58,5%) and Egypt provides 17.5 MW (7.5%). The Gaza Power Plant is completely dependent on fuel sourced in Israel for its operation.
During the reporting period, IOF have continued to impose a total ban on benzene supplies to Gaza. The last delivery of benzene was on 10 December 2008, when IOF allowed the delivery of 50,000 liters of benzene to Gaza. This quantity represented 4.1% of the required benzene for last December. Before IOF decision to reduce fuel supplies to Gaza, Gaza used to import 120,000 liters of benzene per day.
During the reporting period, IOF have imposed a total ban on the delivery of diesel supplies to Gaza. The last deliveries were on 9 and 10 December 2008, when IOF allowed the delivery of 400,000 liters of diesel to Gaza. This represented 3.94% of the total required diesel for last December. Gaza petrol stations ran out of diesel several months ago. Prior to the decision to reduce fuel supplies to Gaza, the Gaza Strip used to import 350,000 liters of diesel every day.
During the reporting period, IOF blocked the delivery of cooking gas to Gaza for 49 days. Cooking gas was allowed to enter Gaza on 27 days. Approximately 3,100 tons of cooking gas was delivered to Gaza during this period; 11.6% of the required amount. Approximately 350 tons of cooking gas are needed each day.
In his statement to a PCHR fieldworker, dr. Mahmoud al-Khuzundar, Deputy Director of Owners of Petrol Companies Society, refuted IOF claims regarding an increase in the cooking gas supplies allowed into Gaza. He explained that the increase in cooking gas supplies was very slight and it did not make any changes. He said that all Gaza cooking gas distribution stations are closed because of the expiry of the limited quantities of cooking gas supplied to these stations. He added that there are approximately 90,000 empty cooking gas bottles in gas stations waiting to be filled.
Gaza imports of cooking gas in comparison with real needs
November 2008
December 2008
January 2009
February 2009
Real imports in tons
711
740
1,217
1,570
Real needs in tons
10,500
10,850
10,850
9,800
Percent of imports compared to needs
6.77%
6.82%
11.21%
16.02%
The severe shortage in cooking gas negatively affected many productive activities. Some productive sectors, including factories, workshops, and the fishing industry, were partially affected while other sectors, including restaurants and chicken farms, were completely affected.
The poultry sector was severely affected due to the severe shortage of basic needs required for poultry farms. According to PCHR investigations, the unavailability of cooking gas used to heat chicks severely affected the poultry sector. In addition, the poultry sector was severely affected during the reporting period due to a severe shortage of fodder.
Dozens of chicken farms were closed. Chickens died in dozens of chicken farms resulting in heavy losses for local farmers. These deaths were caused by a lack of adequate heating caused by a shortage of cooking gas. Further, many chicken farmers were forced to sell their chickens, regardless of weights, at very low prices to avoid unbearable losses. However, farmers affirmed that they had sustained very heavy losses as a result. Producers of chicks were forced to execute their chicks as a result of expiry of cooking gas required for heating.
Gaza markets suffered gradual shortage of chicken and rapid increases in chicken prices. Prices increased from 9 NIS per kilogram of chicken to 30 NIS. It should be noted that the Gaza Strip consumes approximately 1,25 million chickens per month.
Dr. Ibrahim al-Qedra, Assistant Undersecretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that owners of chicks incubators and chicken farmers would sustain additional heavy losses if cooking gas and fodder are not allowed into Gaza. He explained that small chicks can not live in cold weather without heating. He added that Gaza needs 150 tons of cooking gas for heating chicks. He also said that chicks need fodder and other tools of care.
Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Crossing
During the reporting period, the Karm Abu Salem crossing was partially opened for 57 days to allow the entry of 5,200 truckloads of humanitarian aid for WFP, ICRC, UNRWA, UNICEF and EU. Food items for local traders were also allowed to enter to Gaza via the crossing during its partial opening. The crossing was completely closed for 19 days. PCHR notes that the Karm Abu Salem crossing has been closed for 150 days since 18 August 2008, the day when the crossing was re-opened and designated by IOF as Gaza’s main crossing. During its partial opening, the crossing operated at reduced capacity, and daily average of truckloads allowed to Gaza amounted to 68 truckloads.
Sofa crossing
IOF completely closed Sofa crossing throughout the 73-day reporting period. All basic goods, including humanitarian aid for UNRWA and the World Food Program (WFP), were banned during the reporting period.
In addition, IOF banned the delivery of goods that had been allowed to enter Gaza following the Tahdiya’ or ‘Period of calm’ that came into force on 19 June 2008, and also prior to the Israeli military offensive on Gaza that started on 27 December 2008. These goods included limited numbers of cattle, soft drinks, cement, iron tubes, gas bottles, wood, welding iron bars and textile cloth that had been banned for more than a year.
Impact of Siege on the Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip
Ban on reconstruction materials importation
The crisis of the construction sector has continued due to the ban imposed on the delivery of construction materials, including cement that used to be delivered to Gaza via Sofa crossing. This has delayed the reconstruction of approximately 35,000 houses that had been completely or partially destroyed or damaged during the recent Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. The number of damaged houses includes 4,000 houses that had been completely destroyed, leaving approximately 25,000 families without shelter. In addition, the construction materials crisis has delayed the implementation of dozens of developmental projects. Construction works have been suspended for approximately two years and thousands of the construction sector’s workers have been laid off.
During the reporting period, IOF imposed a ban on the delivery of aggregate that had been permitted to enter Gaza in limited quantities during the Tahdiya’, after a fifteen month ban. PCHR notes that, in normal conditions, the Gaza Strip needs approximately 90,000 tons of cement, 60,000 tons of iron bars and 75,000 tons of aggregate per month. Due to the ban imposed on these materials for approximately two years and because of the mass destruction caused by IOF recent offensive on the Gaza Strip, the required amounts are now significantly higher.
Rehabilitation of Electricity Sector
During the offensive, the electricity network that supplies Gaza with power was heavily damaged. PCHR fieldworkers reported that electricity networks across the Gaza Strip have been totally or partially destroyed. Hundreds of thousands of Gaza civilians were deprived of power and other services related to power. During the military offensive, the Gaza Power Plant completely shut down due to the ban on the delivery of industrial fuel used to operate this plant. Also during the military offensive, technicians from the Gaza Electricity distribution Company (GEDCO) repaired what they could of high-pressure power networks, power sub-networks and transistors. They performed such repairs under dangerous security conditions and using materials and equipment available in short quantities and low quality at GEDCO. Due to the total siege and closure imposed on Gaza, GEDCO has suffered, for approximately one year and a half, severe shortage in materials and equipment required for repairs.
GEDCO technical committees estimated the loss incurred by GEDCO due to the Israeli offensive at USD 10,412,500. GEDCO losses are as follows[3]:
- Partial damages to large parts of the power network.
- Complete destruction of the infrastructure of the power network. In some areas, the power network was leveled.
- 155 external and internal electrical transformers with different capacities were destroyed.
- 196,000 meters of ABC aluminum cables of different sizes were destroyed.
- 110,000 meters of aluminum wires of different sizes were destroyed.
- 40,000 meters of braided copper wires of different sizes were destroyed.
- 2,500 wood columns of different lengths were destroyed.
- 600 iron columns of different pressure capacities were destroyed.
- 1,500 intermediate pressure insulators were destroyed.
- 670 electrical levers with different pressure capacities were destroyed.
- 5,500 fuses with different pressure capacities were destroyed.
- Links, equipments, rods, bases and other iron and concrete fittings and accessories.
During and shortly after the Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip, 40% of Gaza civilians population remained deprived from electricity due to total or partial damages caused to power networks in their areas. Meanwhile, 60% of Gaza civilians were irregularly supplied with power, due to shortage of power. By the end of this reporting period, GEDCO could reduce this power deprival by conducting primary repairs: approximately 10% of Gaza population remained without power; due to total or partial destruction of the infrastructure of the power network in their areas and GEDCO incapacity to conduct repairs because of equipment and material shortage.
According to GEDCO technicians, the temporary repairs that GEDCO conduct to temporarily supply power to partially damaged areas, without getting required materials and equipment, will increase technical losses by 25-30%. This will also shorten the lifetime of the parts of the repaired power networks, increase power wasting, and will make power networks subject to collapse at any time.
The conducted temporary repairs and their negative impacts include the following:
- GEDCO was forced to install wooden columns instead of iron columns that are not available in GEDCO stores. Also cement that is required to install these columns is not available in Gaza. Using wood columns instead of iron ones, specially in the case of high-pressure power networks, does not allow the installation of side rods that ensure electric wires are kept at a safe distance from civilians’ houses. This poses risks to civilians lives. In addition, wood columns are more likely to break, which also poses risk to the lives of civilians.
- Due to the unavailability of electrical wires, low quality wires were used to repair destroyed ones. This results in power wasting and volts weakness.
- GEDCO was forced to use dozens of links to connect high-pressure and low-pressure wires. This results in power wasting and damages increasing.
- Due to a shortage of links required for wires and valves, aluminum and copper wires were connected with iron links that do not comply with technical specifications. This results in power wasting and damages increasing.
- Because many transformers were destroyed and as there are no new transformers to replace them, the loads of the destroyed transformers were shifted to undestroyed transformers; increasing their loads from 100% to 150%. Thus, the remaining transformers will be subject to severe damages, wasting of technical capacities will increase, and the lifetime of remaining transformers will be reduced.
- Some transformers that sustained slight damages by bullets or shrapnel were repaired and reinstalled. However, their capacity significantly decreased. It is likely that they will be disrupted at any time.
In spite of all the present risks, GEDCO used tools and equipment available in its stores to make primary repairs that are below technical standards, in order to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population across the Gaza Strip.
Jamal al-Dardasawi, Director of Public Relations and Information in GEDCO, stated to PCHR fieldworkers that GEDCO, in an attempt to restore power, began conducting repairs and maintenance in areas where power networks were partially damaged. According to al-Dardasawi, the severe shortage in spare parts and required tools and the expiry of many tools forced GEDCO to conduct temporary repairs in damaged power networks. He warned of suspending maintenance and rehabilitation works due to the lack of low-pressure transformers and cables. The destruction of low-pressure transformers and cables across the Gaza Strip resulted in hundreds of thousands of civilians being deprived of power, while many public and private services facilities, mainly water and sanitation facilities;, healthcare centers and hospitals, closed. Al-Dardasawi affirmed that GEDCO needs were ensured but IOF prevent delivering them to Gaza. He added that the power conditions in Gaza are continuingly deteriorating due to IOF ban on the delivery of required needs and that IOF statements regarding increased supplies are untrue and that none of the needs required for GEDCO were allowed to enter Gaza after the recent offensive. He explained that GEDCO current needs are pressing and urgent needs required for temporary provision of power to local civilians. He also explained that the entire power network in the Gaza Strip needs total maintenance and repairs because it was heavily damaged due to closures and siege, direct targeting of power networks by IOF and due to inappropriate use of electrical facilities, including distribution of overloads to transformers.
Al-Dardasawi stated that GEDCO is unable to conduct maintenance and repairs in residential areas where the power networks were completely destroyed. These areas, which are still deprived of power and other related services, are:
Northern Gaza: Izbat Abed Rabbu, al-Qerem area, al-‘Atatra area, al-Soudaneya area, and the vicinity of the American School.
Gaza City: the vicinity of the new slaughterhouse, the area that is located to the west of the al-Wafa Hospital, Malaka area, al-Hadba area, Qureish area, and al-Jaru area.
Border areas in middle Gaza: al-Mughraqa village and Juhr al-Diq village.
Khan Youni: Khza’a village.
Water and Sanitation:
The water and sanitation sector in the Gaza Strip was severely damaged by the recent Israeli offensive. These damages were concentrated in north Gaza. Water wells, water networks and waste water treatment plants were destroyed. Rehabilitation and reconstruction works in this sector have been impossible due to closure of crossings and ban imposed on the delivery of equipment and required materials.
Engineer Rebhi al-Sheikh, Deputy Director of the Palestinian Water Authority, stated that total losses incurred by water and sanitation sector reached USD 6 million. He explained that three water wells were completely destroyed and 10 wells were partially destroyed in northern the Gaza Strip. He also added that damages had been caused to water networks in the east of Jabalia Refugee Camp and also in southern the Gaza Strip. In addition, damages were caused to sewage water treatment basins in al-Sheikh ‘Ejlin area in the southwest of Gaza City.
Al-Sheikh explained that the fractures that were caused to the sewage water treatment basinsn al-Sheikh ‘Ejlin area resulted in the fact that approximately 20,000 m3 of sewage water daily intruded into the groundwater aquifer throughout the Israeli military offensive. This means that approximately 0.5 million m3 of sewage water intruded into the groundwater aquifer. Further, IOF destroyed a fuel stock resulting in the intrusion of approximately 3,000 m3 of fuel into the groundwater aquifer. This in turn results in dangerous pollutions in the groundwater which is the main resource of water for Gaza population.
In addition, al-Sheikh stated that the Palestinian Water Authority managed to get funds to conduct rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities that had been affected during the Israeli offensive. The Authority used materials available in the Gaza Strip to conduct such works. This limited rehabilitation works to repairing damages. Damages were only repaired in a way that stops the intrusion of sewage water into the groundwater aquifer that is used for drinking and domestic purposes. Also water and sanitation networks were rehabilitated in a way to stop the intrusion of sewage water into the groundwater aquifer. Al-Sheikh explained that the major part of damages was not rehabilitated due to IOF continued ban on the delivery of materials required for rehabilitation works.
Al-Sheikh stated that, several months ago, the Palestinian Water Authority sent to IOF a list of basic needs required for the implementation of different projects in the water and sanitation sector. However, no responses have been made up to the moment. He reiterated the importance to reopen crossings for different primary materials required for the reconstruction of the different sectors in the Gaza Strip, including the water and sanitation sector, that had been destroyed during the recent Israeli offensive.
Al-Sheikh warned of the risks imposed by IOF continued delay of reopening Gaza border crossings. He explained that the Palestinian Water Authority has grants under agreements with time limits and that in case these grants were not implemented within the time limits agreed upon, then donors would withdraw their funds. He stated that the Authority had signed an agreement with the Italian government to establish a water desalination plant in Rafah and maintain two other plants in Khan Younis. He said that the agreement expired in last December. The Palestinian Water Authority may lose other funding opportunities shall the crossings closure continue.
In view of the data and documentation reported, PCHR calls upon the international community, particularly the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilians in times of war, to:
1. Exert effective pressure on IOF to compel them to open all Gaza crossings, those used for commercial purposes and those used for civilian movement, to allow the civilian population of the Gaza Strip enjoy contact with the OPT and the outside world, and also to enable them to enjoy their basic civil and political rights, as well as their economic, social and cultural rights.
2. Promptly and urgently intervene to open Rafah International Crossing Point for those who want to leave Gaza, including hundreds of patients who require treatment abroad, students enrolled in international universities, holders of residency permits in foreign countries, and other humanitarian cases, and for those who are stranded in Egypt to be able to return to Gaza if they wish.
3. Promptly and urgently intervene to ensure respect for the provisions of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, in order to put an end to the deterioration of living conditions taking place across the Gaza Strip.
4. Compel IOF to restrain from collective punishments of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip, including tightening and restricting the closure of the Gaza border crossings.
5. Remind the State of Israel of its obligations towards the civilians of the Gaza Strip, as the Occupying Power, as regards article 55 of the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention that stipulates: " To the fullest extent of the means available to it, the Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population; it should, in particular, bring in the necessary foodstuffs, medical stores and other articles if the resources of the occupied territory are inadequate. The Occupying Power may not requisition foodstuffs, articles or medical supplies available in the occupied territory, and then only if the requirements of the civilian population have been taken into account". The High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention have a duty to commit to their obligation under article 1 of the Convention that provides for ensuring the implementation of the provisions of the convention by the State of the Israeli military occupation, in order to ensure protection to the Palestinian civilians of the Gaza Strip.
[1] For more information on the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip resulting from the complete closure of Gaza border crossings, please see Report on: The Aggravation of Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza strip as IOF Offensive Continues, PCHR, issued on 3 January 2009.
[2] For more information about Gaza Patients’ conditions during the recent Israeli offensive, please see PCHR report on attacks perpetrated by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) against Palestinian medical personnel during the IOF military offensive in Gaza, PCHR, issued on 13 January 2009.
[3] PCHR maintains a detailed list of GEDCO needs, required quantities of needs and cost.
