Media coverage
Al Jazeera Net · 2007-09-01
A report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip since June 14 led to the closure of 85% of Gaza’s factories because crossings were shut and production inputs and raw materials could not enter, resulting in the layoff of about 70,000 workers. The report cited losses amounting to tens of millions of dollars, including $160 million due to the halt of construction materials through the closed al-Mintar crossing, while Nabil Shaath announced that an official plan was being prepared to develop Gaza, allocating 40% of grants, aid, and projects received by the Palestinian National Authority to the Strip.
A report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip since June 14 led to the closure of 85% of Gaza’s factories because crossings were shut and production inputs and raw materials could not enter, resulting in the lay…
A report by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip, imposed since Hamas took control of it on June 14, had caused the closure of 85% of Gaza’s factories.
The report stated that the Palestinian factories were shut down بسبب the unavailability of production inputs and raw materials as a result of the closure of the crossings, which forced them to lay off their 70,000 workers.
It showed that half of the workers who were dismissed had been employed in the construction, trade, and public services sectors.
The report, based on local statistical data, indicated that the Israeli blockade had inflicted heavy losses on the Gaza Strip’s economy amounting to tens of millions of dollars. The halt in the import of construction materials and raw materials through the closed al-Muntar crossing led to losses valued at $160 million, including $93 million for projects being implemented by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Strip.
The UN office also noted in its report that the Israeli side had allowed 5,377 truckloads to enter the Gaza Strip through the crossings, including 535 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid, compared with 20,016 trucks, including 8,730 carrying construction materials, that had entered through al-Muntar crossing during the two months preceding the closure.
For his part, Fatah Central Committee member Nabil Shaath announced that a special official plan was being prepared for the development of the Gaza Strip and the revival of its economy, and he expected it to see the light within days.
Shaath said that the plan allocates 40% of the total grants, aid, and projects received by the Palestinian National Authority to the Strip, along with the regular payment of salaries and efforts to open the crossings to transport, imports, and exports.
He added that, once completed, the plan would form the basis for launching a global appeal to support the Strip’s economy and alleviate suffering and poverty.
He pointed out that the plan also includes saving the land and public health by completing sewage projects.
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