Gaza by the Numbers
From News From Jerusalem:
In June 2007, the Iran-backed terrorist organization Hamas carried out a violent coup in the Gaza Strip and overthrew the Palestinian Authority and the Fatah party. Since then the group has remained in control of the territory and refused to reconcile with PA President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah party or allow new elections to take place. [1]
Hamas also has fired thousands of rockets, missiles and mortars at Israeli civilians from Gaza, turning it into a launching pad for attacks against Israel after Israel uprooted its communities and left all of Gaza in 2005 in hopes of paving the way for an independent Palestinian state. Hamas has smuggled in hundreds of tons of weaponry into the territory. Additionally, Hamas continues to refuse to recognize Israel, renounce violence and return Gilad Shalit, the Israeli-French soldier whom Hamas abducted from Israel in an unprovoked attack in June 2006. [2]
Israel has placed a naval blockade on Gaza to prevent large-scale weapons smuggling and also restricted the entry into Gaza of certain goods, particularly those Hamas has used in the past to build its terrorist infrastructure . On June 20, the Israeli government eased certain restrictions to allow in more civilian goods , except those that may have dual military use. [3]
Key Statistics
• 5,000: Rockets built or smuggled into the Gaza Strip by Iran-backed Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad since Jan. 18, 2009, which marked the end of Israel’s defensive Operation Cast Lead to stop ongoing rocket attacks [4]
• 37 mi (60km): Range of Hamas rockets in Gaza acquired after Operation Cast Lead [5]
• 108: Rockets and mortars fired from Gaza into Israel from January -June 2010 [6]
• 7,000+: Rockets and mortars fired from Gaza since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 [7]
• 10,000+: Rockets and mortars fired from Gaza 2001-2010 [8]
• 1: Israeli left in Gaza – Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit. [9] He was kidnapped by Hamas from Israel on June 25, 2006 [10]
• 1,000+: People in Israel injured from rockets and mortars fired from Gaza since 2001 [11]
• 28: People killed by Palestinian rocket and mortar attacks since 2001 [12]
• 1: Person killed in Israel by a rocket fired by Palestinian terrorist in Gaza on March 18, 2010 [13]
• 9: Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks conducted by Palestinian terrorist groups along the Gaza-Israel border in 2010 [14]
• 34: Incidents of sniper attacks and small arms fire conducted by Palestinian terrorist groups along the Gaza-Israel border in 2010 [15]
• $20 million - $30 million: Funding Iran provides annually to Hamas. Iran gave another $50 million following Hamas’s victory in the 2006 Palestinian elections [16]
Humanitarian Aid Delivered to Gaza
• 329,000: Tons of humanitarian goods and civilian supplies delivered deliveredinto Gaza in 2010 as of June 26 [17]
• 9,955: Residents of Gaza who entered Israel for medical or other humanitarian reasons in 2010, as of June 26 [18]
• 95: Trucks of carnations and strawberries exported from Gaza through Israel in 2010, as of June 26 [19]
• 23: Tons of iron delivered into Gaza in the first quarter of 2010 [20]
• 25: Tons of cement delivered into Gaza in the first quarter of 2010 [21]
• 103: Truckloads of glass, wood, and aluminum delivered in May 2010 [22]
• 84: Truckloads of glass, wood, and aluminum delivered in April 2010 [23]
• 46: Electricity generators delivered into Gaza in April 2010 [24]
• 800,000: Tons of humanitarian goods and civilian supplies delivered into Gaza in 2009 [25]
• 36 million: Gallons (139 million liters) of fuel delivered to Gaza since January 2009 [26]
• 105 million: Liters of fuel delivered to Gaza’s power plant in 2009 [27]
• 10,544: Patients and their companions given permission to leave Gaza in 2009 for medical treatment in Israel [28]
• 41: Trucks of equipment delivered for the maintenance of Gaza’s electricity grid in 2009. Israel continues to provide 60 percentof Gaza’s electricity [29]
• 95: Truckloads of equipment for water infrastructure and sewage systems delivered to Gaza in 2009 [30]
• 3,720: Tons of chloride for water purification delivered in 2009 [31]
• 45: Truckloads of communication equipment sent to Gaza after the Palestinian Authority requested it in 2009 [32]
• 21,200: Foreign staff members of international organizations as well as more than 400 diplomatic delegations that entered Gaza in 2009 [33]
• 867,000 gallons (3.2 million liters): Fuel and diesel delivered into Gaza for use by UNRWA, in addition to special equipment for summer camps [34]
[1] “Terror in Gaza: Twelve months since the Hamas takeover,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 16, 2008, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Palestinian+terror+since+2000/Terror+in+Gaza-+Two+months+since+the+Hamas+takeover+16-Aug-2007.htm; “Abbas to call PLO elections even if talks with Hamas fail,” Haaretz, August 26, 2009, https://www.haaretz.com/news/abbas-to-call-plo-elections-even-if-talks-with-hamas-fail-1.282717
[2] “IDF Operation in Gaza: Cast Lead,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jan. 21, 2009, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Terrorism+and+Islamic+Fundamentalism-/Aerial_strike_weapon_development_center+_Gaza_28-Dec-2008.htm; “Hamas War Against Israel” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Hamas+war+against+Israel/. Accessed July 27, 2010
[3] Lapidoth, Ruth, “The Legal Basis of Israel's Naval Blockade of Gaza,” The Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, July 18, 2010, https://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DRIT=1&DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=442&PID=0&IID=4402&TTL=The_Legal_Basis_of_Israel’s_Naval_Bl; “Prime Minister's Office statement following the Israeli Security Cabinet meeting,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 20, 2010, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2010/Prime_Minister_Office_statement_20-Jun-2010.htm
[4] “Shin Bet chief: Hamas, Islamic Jihad in Gaza have 5,000 rockets,” Ynet, June 15, 2010, https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3905494,00.html
[5] Katz, Yaakov; Stoil, Rebecca Anna, “Yadlin: ‘Hamas has many 60-km range missiles’,” The Jerusalem Post, Nov. 4, 2009, https://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1256799085218&pagename=JPArticle%2FShowFull
[6] “Monthly Summary,” Israel Security Agency, January-June, 2010, https://www.shabak.gov.il/English/EnTerrorData/Reports/Pages/june10report.aspx
[7] IDF Spokesperson’s Unit communiqué, Jan. 3, 2009, “Monthly Summary,” Israel Security Agency, January-June, 2010, https://www.shabak.gov.il/English/EnTerrorData/Reports/Pages/june10report.aspx, “Monthly Summary,” Israel Security Agency, January-December 2009, https://www.shabak.gov.il/English/EnTerrorData/Reports/Pages/dec09report_en.aspx
[8] IDF Spokesperson’s Unit communiqué, Jan. 3, 2009, “Monthly Summary,” Israel Security Agency, January-June, 2010, https://www.shabak.gov.il/English/EnTerrorData/Reports/Pages/june10report.aspx, “Monthly Summary,” Israel Security Agency, January-December 2009, https://www.shabak.gov.il/English/EnTerrorData/Reports/Pages/dec09report_en.aspx
[9] Nahmias, Roee, “Report: French doctors examined Gilad Shalit,” YnetNews, Dec. 6, 2009, https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3815500,00.html
[10] Gilad Shalit: In terrorist captivity since 25 June 2006, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oct. 2, 2009, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/Behind+the+Headlines/Behind+the+Headlines-+Six+months+in+terrorist+captivity+11-Jan-2007.htm, accessed Dec. 15, 2009
[11] “Israeli Injuries and Fatalities Due to Rocket and Mortar Fire,” https://www.theisraelproject.org/site/c.hsJPK0PIJpH/b.4277777/k.3E99/Injuries_and_Fatalities_Graph.htm; Kershner, Isabel, “Despite Strikes, Israelis Vow to Soldier On,” The New York Times, Dec. 30, 2008, https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/world/middleeast/31israel.html?em; “Iran-backed Terrorists in Gaza Kill 3, Wound Others in Continuing Rocket Attacks on Israel,” The Israel Project press release, Dec. 29, 2008, https://www.theisraelproject.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=hsJPK0PIJpH&b=689705&ct=6476363#contactinfo
[12] “Total Deaths from Qassams and Mortars,” The Israel Project, https://www.theisraelproject.org/site/c.hsJPK0PIJpH/b.3906189/k.EDAC/Rocket_and_Mortar_Fatalities_in_Israel.htm, accessed Dec. 14, 2009, “News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, July 7-14, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ipc_e107.htm
[13] “News of Terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict,” Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, March 16-23, 2010, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/malam_multimedia/English/eng_n/html/ipc_e078.htm.
[14] “Monthly Summary,” Israel Security Agency, January-June, 2010, https://www.shabak.gov.il/English/EnTerrorData/Reports/Pages/june10report.aspx
[15] “Monthly Summary,” Israel Security Agency, January-June, 2010, https://www.shabak.gov.il/English/EnTerrorData/Reports/Pages/june10report.aspx
[16] “Hamas," Council on Foreign Relations Web site, https://www.cfr.org/publication/8968/, accessed July 2, 2007; “Iran pledges $50m Palestinian aid,” BBC, April 16, 2006, https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4914334.stm
[17] “Increased humanitarian aid to Gaza after IDF Operation,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 26, 2010, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2010/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009
[18] “Increased humanitarian aid to Gaza after IDF Operation,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 26, 2010, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2010/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009
[19] “Increased humanitarian aid to Gaza after IDF Operation,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 26, 2010, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2010/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009
[20] “Special Overview, The Humanitarian Condition in Gaza Strip,” IDF Spokesperson, May 2010.
[21] “Special Overview, The Humanitarian Condition in Gaza Strip,” IDF Spokesperson, May 2010.
[22] “Increased humanitarian aid to Gaza after IDF Operation,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 26, 2010, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2010/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009
[23] “Increased humanitarian aid to Gaza after IDF Operation,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 26, 2010, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2010/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009
[24] “Increased humanitarian aid to Gaza after IDF Operation,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 26, 2010, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2010/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009
[25] “Special Overview, The Humanitarian Condition in Gaza Strip,” IDF Spokesperson, May 2010.
[26] “Increased humanitarian aid to Gaza after IDF Operation,” Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, June 26, 2010, https://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Communiques/2010/Increased_humanitarian_aid_Gaza_after_IDF_operation_Jan_2009
[27] “Special Overview, The Humanitarian Condition in Gaza Strip,” IDF Spokesperson, May 2010.
[28] Halevi, Jonathon, “The Myth of the Siege of Gaza,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, May-June 2010, https://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=443&PID=0&IID=4123
[29] “Special Overview, The Humanitarian Condition in Gaza Strip,” IDF Spokesperson, May 2010.
[30] Halevi, Jonathon, “The Myth of the Siege of Gaza,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, May-June 2010, https://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=443&PID=0&IID=4123
[31] Halevi, Jonathon, “The Myth of the Siege of Gaza,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, May-June 2010, https://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=443&PID=0&IID=4123
[32] Halevi, Jonathon, “The Myth of the Siege of Gaza,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, May-June 2010, https://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=443&PID=0&IID=4123
[33] Halevi, Jonathon, “The Myth of the Siege of Gaza,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, May-June 2010, https://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=443&PID=0&IID=4123
[34] Halevi, Jonathon, “The Myth of the Siege of Gaza,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, May-June 2010, https://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=443&PID=0&IID=4123