The Humanitarian Monitor | May 2009

In the West Bank and Gaza Strip, access restrictions continue to impact Palestinian livelihoods. Approximately, 28 percent of the West Bank is declared by Israel as closed military zones and natural reserves, while in the Gaza Strip, Israeli imposed movement restrictions continue to prevent Palestinians from reaching fishing and farming areas. During the month, two Palestinians were killed in the West Bank and 83 were injured, two-thirds of whom were injured in anti-Barrier weekly demonstrations. In the Gaza Strip, two Palestinians were killed when Israeli air strikes hit Rafah tunnels. Six Palestinians were killed in the last few days of May when clashes erupted in Qalqiliya between Hamas members and PA security forces. The blockade of Gaza continues.