The Gaza Strip

High population density, limited land and sea access, continuing isolation, and strict internal and external security controls have degraded economic conditions in the Gaza Strip - the smaller of the two areas in the Palestinian Territories. Israeli-imposed crossings closures, which became more restrictive after HAMAS violently took over the territory in June 2007, and fighting between HAMAS and Israel during December 2008-January 2009, resulted in the near collapse of most of the private sector, extremely high unemployment, and high poverty rates. Shortages of goods are met through large-scale humanitarian assistance - led by UNRWA - and the HAMAS-regulated black market tunnel trade that flourishes under the Gaza Strip’s border with Egypt. However, chnages to the blockade in 2010 included moving from a white list - in which only approved items were allowed into Gaza through the crossings - to a black list, where all but non-approved items were allowed into Gaza through the crossings. Israeli authorities have recently signaled that exports from the territory might be possible in the future, but currently regular exports from Gaza are not permitted.

see entry for West Bank

see entry for West Bank

see entry for West Bank

see entry for West Bank

339,000 (2009)

40% (2010 est.)

40% (2009 est.)

70% (2009 est.)

9.9% (2009 est.)

11.5% (2008)

see entry for West Bank

olives, fruit, vegetables, flowers; beef, dairy products

textiles, food processing

see entry for West Bank

65,000 kWh (2009)

202,000 kWh (2009)

0 kWh (2008 est.)

120,000 kWh; note - from Israeli Electric Company (2009)

See entry for West Bank

See entry for West Bank

See entry for West Bank

See entry for West Bank

NA bbl NA bbl

strawberries, carnations

see entry for West Bank

food, consumer goods

see entry for West Bank

new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.7461 (2010), 3.9326 (2009), 3.56 (2008), 4.14 (2007), 4.4565 (2006)