Statistics on Humanitarian Aid Transferred from Israel to Gaza Israel continues to transfer basic food supplies and humanitarian goods into the Gaza Strip. Items such as medical supplies, meat, chicken, fish, grains, legumes, oil, flour, salt, sugar, fresh vegetables and dairy products as well as animal feed, hygiene products and clothes are all transferred through the Israel-Gaza goods crossings, Kerem Shalom and Karni.
The total amount of aid transferred from Israel to Gaza in 2009 increased by 180 percent, compared to the amount transferred 2008.
A flotilla of nine vessels organized by pro-Palestinian activists is currently en route to Gaza carrying various goods. However, the total amount of supplies transported by the flotilla, 10,000 tons, is less than the weekly average amount of goods transferred by Israel into Gaza.
Private Israeli citizens organized a flotilla of their own to draw attention to the fact that Hamas continues to illegally hold abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The Israeli flotilla is also calling attention to what they say is the poor treatment of minorities in Turkey, since some of the pro-Palestinian activists’ vessels sailing to Gaza embarked from Turkey.
Due to the ongoing weapons-smuggling operations by Iran-backed Hamas, Israel continues to control Gaza’s borders and airspace. Egypt controls the Rafah crossing located along the southern Gaza-Egypt border and has kept it almost permanently closed since Hamas overthrew the Fatah authorities in the territory in June 2007.
According to Israeli defense officials, if all of the border crossings were to be opened the quantity and quality of arms imported into Gaza would be strategically problematic for Israel’s security.
Although Israel controls Gaza’s borders, Hamas still succeeds in smuggling into the territory dozens of tons of standard explosives and other rocket building materials, scores of Grad rockets with ranges of 25 miles (40km), hundreds of mortar shells, dozens of anti-tank weapons and a stockpile of anti-aircraft missiles.
Israel is currently restricting the import of cement and other construction materials into Gaza because Hamas has used such supplies to construct military bunkers. During the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, June to December 2008, the head of the Israeli Security Agency (Shabak) Yuval Diskin told the Israeli cabinet that Hamas was using cement transferred into Gaza to construct military bunkers. During Operation Cast Lead, Israel’s defensive operation aimed at halting rocket fire from Gaza, Israeli forces discovered numerous bunkers used as weapons depots and fighting positions.
Humanitarian Aid Transferred from Israel to Gaza in 2010, as of May 8, 2010:
Humanitarian Aid Transferred from Israel to Gaza in 2009:
Humanitarian Aid Transferred from Israel to Gaza in 2008:
The Israel Project is an international non-profit organization devoted to educating the press and the public about Israel while promoting security, freedom and peace. The Israel Project provides journalists, leaders and opinion-makers accurate information about Israel. The Israel Project is not related to any government or government agency.
