GAZA HUMANITARIAN SITUATION REPORT, October 9,2007

OCHA Report
Summary Points

1. On 19 September, the Israeli security cabinet voted to declare the Gaza Strip “hostile territory,” approving among other things the restriction of commercial supplies to Gaza, in response to the ongoing Qassam rocket fire at Israeli communities. A large reduction has been reported in the number of truckloads entering Gaza through the Sufa and Kerem Shalom crossings. The average of 106 truckloads per day that was recorded between 10 June and 13 September has dropped to approximately 50 truckloads per day since mid-September. This trend is giving rise to growing concerns among aid agencies about shortages of certain food supplies.
2. Food prices remain inflated; according to World Food Programme (WFP), this is especially the case for vegetable oil, flour, and fresh and frozen meat. Drip flow of items into Gaza implies that there are no additional stocks available and that any closures will have a direct impact on availability and prices.
3. In September, there has been a significant reduction in the number of patients crossing into Israel/West Bank for medical treatment: fewer than five patients crossed each day compared to an average of 40 patients per day in July.
4. Due to increasing restrictions on access, aid agencies continue to face difficulties on a daily basis to implement programs and respond to humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip.
5. Sufa and Kerem Shalom crossings still lack the appropriate infrastructure to handle food and medical supplies. Concerns over the way supplies are being processed are increasing, especially with the rainy season approaching.
6. An escalation in IDF activity was reported in northern Gaza between 26 September and 2 October, resulting in an increase of Palestinian casualties (15 deaths and 32 injuries).
7. Up to 87 Palestinians were reported to have re-entered Gaza from Egypt via an opening in the Egypt-Gaza border wall on 30 September. However, more than 1,000 Gazans remain stranded in Egypt.

For more information please contact Khulood Badawi 0544484632

United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Mac House
P.O.Box 38712
Jerusalem
Tel:++ 972-2-5829962/5853
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email:ochaopt@un.org
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