Five Years of Blockade: The Humanitarian Situation in the Gaza Strip - June 2012

1. The land, air and sea blockade on the Gaza Strip is still ongoing.

2. The productive capacity of Gaza’s economy has shown almost no recovery, rendering recent economic growth unsustainable.

3. Import restrictions, including of basic building materials, have led to the proliferation of tunnels under the border with Egypt.

4. The quality of infrastructure and vital services, including in the areas of health, education and water and sanitation, have significantly declined as a result of the import restrictions and the rapid population growth.

5. The “policy of separation” between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, which includes severe restrictions on the movement of goods and people between the two areas, is a central component of the blockade.

6.Lack of compliance by all sides with international humanitarian law during escalations continues to result in civilian deaths and injuries.