Situation Overview

In addition to limitations on humanitarian deliveries, restrictions on imports and exports in general continue to seriously affect the living conditions of the population. The vast majority of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip rely on local farming to produce affordable fresh foods, including fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. Movement restrictions continue to prevent herders and farmers from accessing areas near the borders. Fishermen stand to lose substantial income as a result of new restrictions that limit fishing to three miles from Gaza's shores.

All Gaza patient referrals abroad have been halted affecting many patients with serious and complicated conditions due to the taking over of the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Health Referral Abroad Department by the Hamas authorities in Gaza. The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator, together with the World Health Organization, has issued a joint statement expressing serious concerns about the halting of referrals out of the Gaza Strip.

Two months after the launch of the Flash Appeal for Gaza, the level of funding received stands at just 35 percent. For example, the 27 agricultural recovery projects aimed at protecting the livelihoods of the most vulnerable farming families received only USD 2.3 million of the USD 30 million requested.

During the reporting period, two Palestinians were injured, one civilian and one armed man in two separate incidents. In addition, Israeli patrol boats opened fire on five different occasions warning Palestinian fishing boats west of Rafah and west of Beit Lahia, forcing the boats to return to shore.

Access into the Gaza Strip/Crossings:
Commodities Import

During the period from 22 to 28 March, a total of 721 truckloads of goods including 129 for humanitarian aid agencies (18%), were allowed entry to Gaza compared to 728 reported during the last week.

This week new food items (tea, yeast, salt, potato chips) were allowed entry through commercial channels after being barred since late October 2008. Food supplies accounted for the vast majority of imported commodities, 568 truckloads (79 percent), followed by hygiene/cleaning supplies (including soap and shampoo, barred since October 2008), which accounted for 118 truckloads (16 percent). Non-edible consumables (blankets and mattresses) made up 26 truckloads (4 percent).

The remaining 9 truckloads were divided among the medical supplies (1), education/stationery supplies (2), agricultural raw materials (4) and packaging applications (2).

No construction materials, industrial/electrical appliances, livestock, vehicles/transport and/or any other type of commodity were allowed entry this week.

Exports

Two (2) truckloads of carnations (nearly 54,000 cut flowers) were exported on 23 and 26 March through Kerem Shalom crossings. The Palestine Trade Centre reported that in season, which ends by late April/May, there are only 25 dunums (out of 400 – 500 dunums in a normal production season) with a carnation production capacity of nearly 50,000 flowers per week each. Since 12 February 2009, approximately 450,000 flowers have been allowed out through Kerem Shalom out of an expected 6 million flowers being produced this season. Gaza farmers can export 40 to 50 million flowers in a normal production season.

Fuel

No petrol or diesel for public use was allowed entry from Israel to Gaza during the reporting period. Petrol and diesel were last allowed entry for public use on 2 November 2008. Some 1,173 tons of cooking gas entered during the week compared to 1,017.5 tons the previous week. This amount represents 67% of the estimated weekly needs set by the Palestinian Gas Stations Owners Association (GSOA). Due to the continued shortage, cooking gas is being rationed among the 21 cooking gas stations in Gaza, each station receiving only a restricted amount of gas which limits their opening to three times per week.

A total of 2,159,620 litres of industrial gas for the Gaza Power Plant was allowed in; similar to the amount being allowed in during the last seven weeks. This amount represents only 69% of the required weekly needs set by the Power Plant authority.

GSOA reported that fuel continues to be transferred to Gaza through the Rafah-Egypt border tunnels, with nearly 100,000 litres of diesel and 70,000 litres of petrol being transferred per day for the open market.

Crossings Status

Sufa crossing was last open on 12 September 2008.

Karni crossing was closed.

Karni grain conveyor belt was operational on three days.

Karni cement lane has been completely closed since 29 October 2008.

Nahal Oz fuel pipeline was partially open on five days.

Kerem Shalom crossing was partially open on all six scheduled days.

Rafah border crossing was closed for cargo on all days during the reporting period.