Unemployment in the first quarter of 2020: Further rise in Gaza’s unemployment rate; 26,500 people lost their jobs even before the pandemic
June 10, 2020. The unemployment rate in Gaza reached 45.5% in the first quarter of the year, a three percent increase from the last quarter of 2019. The figures point to the depth of the economic crisis in Gaza even before measures were implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19. Read More »

Crossings update: Coordination between the Palestinian Civil Affairs Committee and Israeli army still stopped. Movement of goods continues as usual
June 2, 2020. The Palestinian Civil Affairs Committee, instructed by the Palestinian Authority to sever ties with Israeli authorities, continues to block new permit applications under existing mechanism. Kerem Shalom Crossing is operating normally for transit of goods. Read More »

First coronavirus-related death in Gaza; number of verified cases reaches 55
May 25, 2020. The media reported the first confirmed death as a result of COVID-19 in the Gaza Strip. Local authorities have closed Erez and Rafah crossings until June 30. Gisha calls on Israel to urgently publish a plan for responding to the spread of COVID-19 in Gaza. Read More »

Crossings update: Number of verified coronavirus cases jumps to 49, all of them having entered Gaza via Rafah Crossing
May 21, 2020. Today, 19 more people were determined to have tested positive for the coronavirus, after 10 cases were discovered earlier in the week. All of the individuals entered Gaza via Rafah Crossing. Last week 1,168 individuals crossed into Gaza via Egypt. Read More »

Israeli navy’s harassment of Gaza fishermen continues. Gisha and partner human rights organizations demand an end to the disproportionate use of violent measures and investigation of incidents
May 20, 2020. Gaza fishermen report a further increase in the Israeli navy’s use of violent measures off Gaza’s coast. Gisha, Adalah and Al Mezan sent an urgent letter demanding an immediate stop to the harassment. Read More »

Crossings update: Rafah Crossing opened for three days enabling residents to return to the Strip. All entering residents are sent to government quarantine facilities for 21 days
May 14, 2020. On May 12, Rafah Crossing was opened for three days for return of Gaza residents from Egypt. As of that morning, some 410 people were still in quarantine facilities in the Strip. Travel via Erez Crossing remains extremely limited. Read More »

Israel approved entry of some communication equipment into Gaza, but supply still falls short of demand
May 10, 2020. After two months in which Israel banned the entry of all communications equipment into Gaza, some electronic devices were allowed into the Strip during April. Many companies are still waiting for permission to bring in the equipment they need. Read More »

Hundreds of dunams of crops in Gaza destroyed by aerial herbicide spraying conducted by Israel
May 7, 2020. Aerial spraying near the Gaza perimeter fence last month damaged close to 600 dunams of farmland in Gaza, severely harming the livelihoods of 93 farmers, and the economy at large. Read More »

Israel must allow repairs to essential medical equipment in Gaza
May 4, 2020. Two importers of medical equipment in Gaza have tried for years to coordinate the exit of essential medical devices for repairs abroad, to no avail. Read More »

Textile factories in Gaza turn to manufacture masks and protective gear
April 27, 2020. Several textile companies in Gaza have reacted to shifting demand and converted their production lines to produce masks and personal protective equipment, most of which are being sold in Israel. Manufacturers are concerned about the day after. Read More »

Following petition, four Palestinians with Israeli citizenship returned to their homes in the Gaza Strip
April 23, 2020. Following a petition filed by Gisha, four Palestinians with Israeli citizenship who had been denied access to Gaza for weeks by Israel were granted permits to return to their homes in the Strip. Gisha demanded Israel revoke its blanket refusal to consider similar applications in the future. Read More »

Gaza fishermen fear going out to sea amid rise in Israeli navy fire
April 22, 2020. Almost 70 incidents of Israeli navy fire at fishermen off Gaza’s shores have been recorded in 2020 alone. At the start of what should be a lucrative season, and with Ramadan fast approaching, Gaza fishermen are afraid to go out to sea. Read More »

Crossings update: Hundreds return to Gaza via Rafah Crossing, travel via Erez still heavily restricted. Movement of goods continues as usual
April 20, 2020. Rafah Crossing was opened for four days in April for the return of about 1,630 residents who had been stuck in Egypt. The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Gaza reaches 15. Read More »

Israel’s ban on the exit of food products from Gaza continues to hinder economic development in the Strip
April 19, 2020. Restoring permission to market Gaza-made processed food products in the West Bank and Israel would protect existing jobs, produce many new ones, and help pave the way for greater economic activity in the Strip. Read More »