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H umanitarian A ctivity in the Gaza Strip during 2009

H umanitarian A ctivity in the Gaza Strip during 2009.

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H umanitarian A ctivity in the Gaza Strip during 2009

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  1. Humanitarian Activity in the Gaza Strip during 2009 • In June 2007, Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip. Hamas conducts an ongoing armed conflict against the State of Israel and does not recognize Israel’s right to exist. Therefore the government of Israel considers the Hamas regime in the Gaza Strip to be a “hostile entity” and imposes various civil restriction on Gaza . • Despite Hamas’ control of the Gaza Strip, COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) and the Erez Crossing officers, acting in coordination with the Palestinian Authority’s Civil Committee on the Gaza Strip, continue to coordinate activities concerning health, infrastructure and other humanitarian issues. • Between 27 Dec. 2008 and 18 Jan. 2009, the IDF launched an operation in Gaza in order to end the constant firing of rockets and mortars at Israel and to restore peace and quiet to southern Israel. • During and after the operation, Israel promoted widespread humanitarian activities in order to reduce -as much as possible - the impact on the Gaza Strip’s population. In 2009: 738,576 tons (30,576 truckloads) of humanitarian commodities were transfer to the Gaza Strip; 22,849 Palestinians exited the Strip, among them 10,544 patients and their companions who exited for medical treatment in Israel; 21,200 international aid and other staff members entered Gaza.

  2. Primary Humanitarian Efforts during the Operation in Gaza • Unprecedented humanitarian efforts to aid the Gaza Strip’s population were made during the Operation in Gaza • During the operation ,1,503 truckloads of humanitarian aid and 45 ambulances entered the Gaza Strip. • 1,535,750 liters of heavy diesel for Gaza’spower station and 188,000 liters of dieselfor UNRWA’s activities were transferred. • 120 IDF humanitarian officers were deployed in order to coordinate humanitarian activity in combat zones. This allowed for the evacuation of 1,249 Palestinians from combat zones, 382 medical evacuations and 39 deployments of infrastructure repair teams. • As part of its humanitarian efforts, Israel implemented an unprecedented measure, initiating a daily “humanitarian break” for 3 hours. During this time , the IDF ceased all initiated activity to allow the local population to move about and purchase food,and to allow the infrastructure repair teams to operate. • During the operation ,450 dual- citizens exited the Gaza Strip, according to requests made bytheir embassies and consulates.

  3. Humanitarian Aid in 2009: Health • Israel places great importance on health matters in the Gaza Strip. This issue spearheads humanitarian assistance to Gaza. • In 2009, 10,544 patients and their companions exited the Gaza Strip for medical treatment in Israel. • The transfer of medical equipment and medicine is coordinated according to requests made by Palestinian Authority (PA) and the international community. 4,883 tons (572 truckloads) of medical equipment and medicines entered Gaza in 2009. • H1N1 (Swine Flu): As part of the assistance given to the PA, professional meetings were held between Israeli and Palestinian health representatives to prepare for an epidemic in the Gaza Strip. Three patients exited the Gaza Strip for medical care in Israeli hospitals and 44,500 doses of vaccine were transferred to Gaza by the WHO (World Health Organization). • The transfer of 2 elevators for hospitals in the Gaza Strip was coordinated in 2009. • That same year, the transfer of mammogram equipment for breast cancer diagnosis and of the first CT machine for a PRCS hospital in the Gaza Strip was coordinated.

  4. Humanitarian Aid in 2009: Public Humanitarian Infrastructure • Over the years, Israel has tried to keep humanitarian infrastructure issues separate from the conflict. Israel continues to work with the PA water authority , assisting it by sharing knowledge and experience and coordinating the transfer of equipment for the Gaza’s water and sewage systems. • In 2009, Israel continued to supply electricity to the Gaza Strip from its Ashkelon power station. In addition, 41 truckloads of equipment for the maintenance of the electricity network were transferred. • Power station: Between April-October 2009, maintenance work was conducted on Gaza’s power station by Siemens. • In 2009, over 100 million liters of diesel were delivered to the power station. • During 2009, 45 truckloads of equipment for communication systems were delivered in accordance to requests by the PA. Turbine engine (1 ton) Generator engine (30 ton)

  5. Humanitarian Aid in 2009 : Public Humanitarian Infrastructure • Water and Sewage: 95 truckloads of equipment for water and sewage systems, as well as 3,720 tons of chloride for water purification were transferred during 2009. • The North Gaza Wastewater Treatment Plant Project: The beginning of 2009 saw significant progress in promoting the project while 48 truckloads of equipment and aggregates entered Gaza for the project.This progress positively affected the level of wastewater in the BeitLahiya filling lagoon. The old north Gaza wastewater treatment plant in BeitLahiya February 2009 February 2008

  6. Humanitarian Aid in 2009: Economic Sector • Israel supported private sector activities and the banking system in the Gaza Strip. • 77% of the trucks that entered the Gaza Strip in 2009 were coordinated by the private sector. • 257 Palestinian businessmen exited the Gaza Strip for Israel, the West Bank and points abroad.

  7. Humanitarian Aid in 2009: Economic Sector • Money: • In 2009, over NIS 1.1 billion (approximately 300 million US dollars) were transferred to the Gaza Strip to fund salaries and the activities of international organizations. • NIS 40 million (approximately 10 million dollars) of worn banknotes were replaced. • During February 2010, NIS 282.5 million (approximately 76 million dollars) were transferred to the Bank of Israel, in accordance to arequest by the Palestinian Monetary Fund. • In February 2010, Israel and the PA reached an agreement on the transfer of social security payments and pensions to beneficiaries in the Gaza Strip who have worked in Israel. The money will be transfer to Palestinian banks in the West Bank, then the PA can deliver the money to beneficiaries in Gaza

  8. Humanitarian Aid in 2009: International Organizations • International organizations operating in the Gaza Strip play an essential role in the humanitarian work being done in Gaza. • In 2009, the international community transferred 141,390 tons of humanitarian aid (7,233 truckloads), including 115,043 tons (5,166 truckloads) of food and 2,990 tons of medicines and medical equipment (332 truckloads). • 2009 saw a significant increase in the number of international staff members that entered the Gaza Strip: 21,200 foreign staff members and over 400 diplomatic delegations entered Gaza. 2,200 Palestinian staff members exited the Gaza Strip. • 147 students exited the Gaza Strip for academic studies abroad, according to requests made by the international community. • 3,282,000 liters of fuel and diesel were transfer for use in UNRWA activities.

  9. Humanitarian Aid in 2009: International Organizations • Erez Crossing held a convention to mark the end of 2009 with the heads of international organizations operating in Gaza . • Routine meetings of the joint coordination forum are held with COGAT and representatives of the international community. • Unique equipment for UNRWA’ssummer camps - including arts-and-craft materials, swimming pools, ice-cream machines, music instrumentsand sport games – were transferred to Gaza.

  10. Humanitarian Aid in 2009: Unique Humanitarian Measures • During 2009, Israel approved unique humanitarian measures for the benefit of the Palestinian population of the Gaza Strip. • Israel: • Approved the export of flowers and strawberries from the Gaza Strip as part of a joint project with the Dutch government. Since the beginning of the project’s implementation, more than 7 millionflowers and 54 tons of strawberries wereexported. • 374 Christians exited Gaza to spendChristmas in Israel and Bethlehem,while 100 Christians exited Gaza toparticipate in the Pope’s visit to the Holy Land in May 2009. • 17 representatives exited Gaza to participate in Fatah ‘s 6th Convention in Bethlehem. • As part of preparations for winter, 3,607 tons of glass (103 truckloads) were transferred to Gaza. This project will continue during 2010. • During 2009, 10,871 heads of cattle were brought into Gaza, mainly for the Ramadan and Eidal-Adha holidays. • Approval was given for players on the Palestinian football team to exit Gazafor training and friendship games in the West Bank and abroad.

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