Many farmers have returned to their fields close to the border fence. At least two were shot but many others were able to harvest crops. No Palestinians or Israelis have been killed in or around Gaza as a result of the conflict since before 19 June. Imports still fall far short of the daily average of 450 truckloads in January 2007. Imports remain approximately 90% food. While the Coastal Municpalities Water Utility (CMWU) reported improved supplies of fuel and spare parts, raw and partially treated sewage continues to pour into the Mediterranean Sea from Gaza. UNRWA began its summer games which offer recreational activities to 250,000 children in the Gaza Strip. The Summer Games create an additional temporary 3500 jobs via UNRWA’s Job Creation Programme. Electricity supply of 120 megawatts from Israel, 17 megawatts from Egypt and 55 megawatts only allows for 19 to 20 hours of supply in all areas of Gaza except Rafah, which benefits exclusively from supply from Egypt.

Israeli restrictions on fuel and good deliveries to Gaza continued in May, resulting in shortages and power cuts averaging three hours per day. Hamas authorities took control of fuel supplies and started distributing fuel to priority groups such as health services and taxi drivers. On May 17-19, the Gaza power station shut down because of a lack of industrial diesel. The reduced supply of cooking gas led one poultry farmer to slaughter around 165,000 chicks who could not survive without heating. The short supply of petrol and diesel made movement and the operation of generators difficult. Many farmers who need diesel to pump water from irrigation 70 per cent of Gaza’s agricultural wells harvested crops prematurely or lost crops completely. On May 22, a large truck bomb was detonated at Erez checkpoint. No one was injured apart from the driver of the truck who was killed but some of the protective walls at the checkpoint were damaged. The checkpoint was closed for international staff working in Gaza and Gazans with special co-ordination to leave Gaza until May 26.

Israeli restrictions on fuel supplies to Gaza peaked in April when Israel halted supplies of diesel, petrol and cooking gas (LPG) to Gaza. UNRWA was forced to suspend its food distribution to 650,000 beneficiaries for four days due to the lack of fuel. Limited supplies of cooking gas and industrial diesel resumed before the end of the month. Market prices increased significantly in the month of April. Gazan militants attacked the Nahal Oz fuel terminal on April 9 and the Kerem Shalom goods crossing on April 18.Israeli military incursions into Gaza occurred almost every day in April, killing 21 children.

Quarterly updated socioeconomic statistics within the occupied Palestinian territory. Selected indicators include demographics, workforce statistics, poverty, food insecurity, wages, and macro-economics.