RAMALLAH: Israeli human rights organization Gisha said that Israel is preventing reconstruction in Gaza Strip since it ended its military offensive on the area seven months ago.
Gisha said in a 56-page report titled “Red Lines Crossed: Destruction of Gaza’s Infrastructure” that Gaza still lacks sufficient electricity supplies, spare parts, cement for reconstruction, and sufficient water supplies, sanitation and health care for the civilian population.
“Since the end of the Israeli military offensive in Gaza with the cease-fire of January 19, 2009, infrastructure in the Gaza Strip has gradually returned to its ‘regular’ pre-war state: Industrial diesel arrives in limited quantities, there is a chronic shortage of electricity, and the water and sanitation systems teeter on the verge of collapse. The almost total ban on the import of spare parts and building materials, which has been in force for over two years, hinders reconstruction efforts in Gaza, including the repair of the vast majority of damage to infrastructure caused by the recent offensive,” the report said.
Israel’s supply of diesel fuel to operate the Gaza power station has returned to the level of 2.2 million liters per week, which Israel considers the minimum amount necessary to fulfill the humanitarian needs of the population. This means that the power station can only provide about 80 megawatts at times of peak demand in the summer and winter, or approximately 33 percent of the Gaza Strip’s requirements. Because of Israel’s refusal to supply more industrial diesel, Gaza suffers from a 24 percent electricity deficit, states the report.
Gisha goes on to say that Israel has also refused most of the spare parts that the Gaza Strip needs to repair its electricity system, including the generators that provide power for hospitals and water pumping stations when regular electricity is lacking. According to Gisha, Israel has allowed only 11 percent of the total quantity needed and the rate of power loss due to wear and tear on the system has risen from 27 percent in December 2008 to 35-40 percent in June 2009.
Some 25,000 spare parts destined for Gaza infrastructure are waiting in Israeli and West Bank warehouses, the report continues. About 10 percent of the Palestinian population has been cut off from the electricity grid since the fighting began.
Gisha called on Israel to allow the unimpeded entry of industrial diesel, regular diesel, building materials, raw materials, and spare parts. It also called on Israel to allow experts and consultants into Gaza and allow Palestinian professionals in the infrastructure field to leave Gaza for training abroad.
