Special Overview
The Humanitarian Condition in Gaza Strip
IDF Spokesperson May 2010

I. Introduction:

1. Since Hamas seized power in the Gaza Strip, it has politically
institutionalized radical Islam in Gaza. Hamas, supported and funded by
Iran, denies Israel's right to exist and continues to build up its weapons
stockpiles so as to continue attacking the Israeli civilian population.
Since 2010, 140 rockets and mortars were fired at Israel from the Gaza
Strip.
2. Hamas uses all means available to smuggle weaponry into Gaza.
Whether they are using smuggling tunnels or fisherman boats, Hamas is
constantly trying to smuggle in missiles, launchers, guns, explosives and
materials for building weapons.
3. IDF operations in the Gaza Strip, including the maritime closure
and crossing restrictions, arise from the need to maintain the safety of the
citizens of Israel from the terrorist threat in the Gaza Strip and to
prevent weapons smuggling.
4. The Ministry of Defense and the IDF allow the crossing of goods and
equipment in a routine and frequent manner, and enables the transfer of
people for medical, religious, welfare, business or diplomatic reasons.
5. This summary provides facts and figures, which contravene the claim
of a "humanitarian crisis" in the Gaza Strip.

II. Food Products and Clothing:
1. Most types of food are allowed into the Strip, and are transferred
by the private sector or by international organizations.
2. During 2009, 30,920 trucks containing 800,000 tons of supplies were
transferred into Gaza. This included fruits and vegetables, meat products,
poultry and fish, dairy products, sugar, rice and legumes, flour and yeast,
oil, and more. Furthermore, 10,871 heads of cattle were transferred for the
Muslim holidays of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha.
3. In the first quarter of 2010 (January-March), 94,500 tons of
supplies were transferred in 3,676 trucks to the Strip: 48,000 tons of food
products; 40,000 tons of wheat; 2,760 tons of rice; 1,987 tons of clothes
and footwear; 553 tons of milk powder and baby food.
6. In 2009, 572 trucks containing approximately 5,000 tons of medical
supplies entered the Strip.
7. In the first quarter of 2010 (January-March) 1,068 tons of medicine
and medical equipment were transferred in 152 trucks.
8. In 2009 two elevators were transferred to hospitals in Gaza, as was
a CT imaging system (to the Red Cross hospital), and equipment for a
mammography machine (which checks for breast cancer).
9. During the first quarter of 2010 four trucks with special supplies
for a project of the "Al Quds" hospital were transferred to the Gaza Strip,
and an additional 13 trucks are scheduled to cross.
10. Due to fears of a swine flu outbreak, three Israeli hospitals were
assigned to treat cases in the Gaza Strip and 44,500 immunizations were
transferred to the Strip.

III. Equipment for Essential Civilian Infrastructure:
1. 14) Throughout 2009 Israel transferred 41 trucks of equipment for
the maintenance of the electricity grid, and the state continues to provide
approximately 60% of Gaza's electricity.
2. 15) In 2009 over 105 million liters of fuel were transferred to
Gaza's power plant and over 3.2 million liters of gas were transferred for
UNWRA operations.
3. 16) In 2009 127 trucks containing more than 3,000 tons of
hypochlorite entered the Gaza Strip for water purification purposes.
Moreover, 48 trucks of equipment for improving the sanitation infrastructure
led to a substantial reduction in the Beit Lahya facility's waste levels.
4. 17) As part of the preparations made for winter, 3,607 tons of
glass were transferred to the Gaza Strip. According to UN reports, windows
in all education and health institutions were repaired.
5. 18) In the first quarter of 2010 Israel transferred:
· 250 trucks with equipment for the UNWRA summer camp, including:
Arts and crafts equipment, swimming pools, inflatable toys, ice cream
machines, musical instruments, clothing, sports equipment, etc.
· Seven trucks with equipment for upgrading the sewage pumping
station, which was carried out by UNWRA.
· 74 empty containers for UNWRA for use in classrooms and bathrooms
6. 19) Certain types of materials, such as cement and iron, are more
restricted. These products are openly used by Hamas for developing its
arsenal, building bunkers and launching sites, and making rockets and
mortars.
7. 20) Despite the risk, the transfer of these items is also permitted
under supervision, once it has been cleared that these materials are for
civilian purposes only. Already in the first quarter of 2010, 23 tons of
iron and 25 tons of cement were transferred to the Gaza Strip.

IV. Movement of Residents in and out of the Gaza Strip
1. Despite the inherent dangers involved, Israel permits Gazans and
visitors to travel between Gaza and Israel, from Gaza to Judea and Samaria,
and even abroad for medical treatment, religious pilgrimages, and business
trips. Whenever possible Israel allows for diplomatic activities and trade
and commerce with the Gaza Strip.
2. Here are a number of examples from 2009:
· Delegations from abroad: 21,200 activists from international
organizations from over 400 diplomatic delegations were permitted entry into
Gaza, and 2,200 Palestinians employed by international organizations were
given exit permits from the Gaza Strip.
· Education, Vacations and Pilgrimages to Holy sites: 147 permits
were given to Palestinian students for academic studies around the world.
During the Christmas holiday approximately 400 permits were given to visit
Bethlehem from Gaza as well 100 permits to travel abroad.
· Business: 257 permits were given to businessmen from Gaza to
facilitate business operations.
· Sports: Special permission was given to Gazan footballers to train
in Judea and Samaria and compete in international matches abroad.

V. Trade and Commerce
1. Israel has taken measures to support trade and commerce, the
banking system, and the existing financial market in the Gaza Strip:
· In 2009 1.1 billion NIS was transferred to the Gaza Strip for the
ongoing activity of international organizations and to pay the salaries of
Palestinian Authority workers.
· 40 million damaged bank notes were traded for new bills, and at
the request of the Palestinian Monetary Fund, 282.5 million shekels were
transferred from Gazan to Israeli Banks.
· In February 2010 an agreement was reached with the Palestinian
Authority's National Insurance Department to ensure that pensions reached
those formerly employed in Israel. The funds were deposited in banks in
Judea and Samaria, while the Palestinian Authority was given the
responsibility of distributing the funds to the pensioners in Gaza.
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VI.Conclusion

1. The State of Israel seeks regional stability and to protect her
citizens. It is not in the interest of Israel to harm the people of Gaza and
the state does its utmost to assist aid efforts, so as not to harm the
quality of life for the residents of Gaza.
2. Hamas, in its continued efforts to smuggle weapons into the Gaza
Strip, harms the people of Gaza and prevents them from further development.
3. Despite these security threats, the IDF continues to allow the
transfer of commercial goods, building materials, and medical equipment into
Gaza.