The State of Israel, Ministry of Defense Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories Projects inGaza 2010-2012 Projects in Gaza 235 Projects 1.7 million Approved 0.5 1 365 square kilometers 41 km in length, 2012 445 6-12 km width 2011 627 2010 231 2009 774 2008 3,278 ~200 International Organizations operate in Gaza Approving Projects for Gaza etc. At the same time, Israel recognizes the needs of the civilian population and Over the past two years the Coordinator accommodates project requests. of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) has approved 235 The positive and trusting relationship internationally sponsored projects that Israel has with the international in conjunction with the Palestinian community has provided a solution for Authority. By and large these projects the security dilemma. COGAT permits are related to building housing, schools, international organizations to import clinics, roads, agricultural installations materials for their civilian projects. and other civilian infrastructure. Project Implementation Israel takes calculated security risks every time a building project is approved. As When a project is approved, materials innocuous as construction materials are ordered and shipped by the sponsor may seem, in the hands of terror to Kerem Shalom where they undergo organizations, they can be used to build a security check before entering Gaza. fortified bunkers, military installations, Because the international sponsors can guarantee that these materials are used for their original intent and wont be In the first half of 2012 there were 804 siphoned off by Hamas militants, the incidents involving rockets or gunfire security risk is somewhat mitigated. from Gaza. 2 Projects and the Gazan Economy 2005 Israeli disengagement from Gaza. Despite the rate of implementation, these projects have had a beneficial 2006 Hamas wins legislative elections. effect on the economic situation in Gaza. They provide employment opportunities, as well as improve the 2007 Hamas coup. Israel, Egypt close crossings. quality of living for residents. 2008 Hamas fires 3,278 rockets. Israel’s expanded civilian policy Operation Cast Lead. contributed to Gaza’s 19% and 23% GDP growth in 2010 and 2011 respectively. 14 Projects approved. The local economy improved, prices 2010 Israel expands civillian policy were lowered, orders for raw materials towards Gaza. rather than finished products increased, and there have even been reports Kerem Shalom upgraded, of exports via the tunnels. The local 2012 capacity 450 trucks/day. economy is such that Hamas has been 235 Projects approved. restricting imported goods, lest they compete with local products. This mechanism has been in place since March 2010, prior to the cabinet decision Overall the trilateral cooperation to expand the civilian policy vis-à-vis between COGAT, the international Gaza. Since then the number of projects community and the Palestinian Authority COGAT has approved increased from 14 has proven fruitful to date. We expect to 235, as of September 2012. that, with the continued support of the international community, this will COGAT has approved 88% of the 268 continue in the future. project requests, and those that have been denied may be approved in the future, subject to some alterations in their plans (i.e. location). Unfortunately, while COGAT has increased the number of approved projects, there has been a marked decline in the number implemented this year. As of fall 2012, only 57% of projects have been, or are currently being executed. By and large this phenomenon has been attributed to a lack of funding. Similarly, there is more capacity at Kerem Shalom Crossing than goods being sent through. Israel invested 80 million ₪ to upgrade and expand the facilities at the crossing in order to accommodate up to 450 trucks a day. However, the number of trucks sent through on a daily basis averages around 300. In the first half of 2012:37,405 truckloads carrying 993,700 tons of goods entered Gaza via Kerem Shalom 3 Measures Approved by COGAT in September 2012 Transfer of 100 million ₪ to Gaza in light of their cash shortage. Approval of 16 new projects (12 UNRWA, 3 UNDP, 1 IMG). Completion of the Nahal Oz water main which will have the capacity to transfer up to 5 MCM of water. Assistance to the transportation sector – entrance of 100 buses, 6 minibuses, 65 trucks. Export of textiles and furniture to the West Bank for the Palestinian Authority. Increas of car quota from 80 to 100/week. Projects Approved for Gaza Of 268 Submissions: Of the 235 Approved Projects: 235 Approved 53 Completed (22%) 10 Approval Pending 82 Underway (35%) 75 Soon to begin 20 Returned to pending import of organization, may be construction materials resubmitted subject to (32%) alterations in the plans. 16 Approved in past 2 Rejected based on week (7%) sponsor 9 Cancelled by the 1 Staff Work organization (4%) 4 2010-2012 23,252 trucks for international projects 18,151 Agrigates (construction) 3,312 Cement 1,072 Equipment 717 Iron Project Types 53 Completed 82 Underway 235 91 Pending (import of construction material) 9 Cancelled (by the organization) Housing Clinics 17 Projects Approved 17 Projects Approved 7 Projects 554 Units 4 Projects 5 Projects 1,364 Units 10 Projects 5 Projects 1,655 Units 3 Projects Education 94 Projects Approved New Schools Renovations 70 24 19 Projects 23 Projects 48 Projects New School Under Construction in Rafah 4 Projects 5 Water and Sewage Roads 37 Projects Approved 14 Projects Approved 7 Projects 1 Project 15 Projects 9 Projects 13 Projects 2 Projects 4 Projects Infrastructure/Other Agriculture 39 Projects Approved 17 Projects Approved 11 Projects 4 Projects 14 Projects 6 Projects 13 Projects 5 Projects 1 Project 2 Projects International Sponsors 43 Projects 104 Projects 61 Projects 9 Projects 13 Projects 6 Projects Islamic Development Bank 2 Projects 3 Projects 4 Projects World Bank Above is a small selection of the many international organizations that operate in Gaza *Projects listed are not mutually exclusive 6 Project Approval Process Project submitted by sponsor Approval of the project by the Palestinian Authority Agreement on a package of projects by a joint team of COGAT officials and the Palestinian Authority COGAT examines the components of the project and evaluates based on security considerations COGAT and the relevant international organization coordinate on manner in which to implement project Project implementation overseen and executed by relevant international organization Israel invested 80 million ₪ to upgrade Kerem Shalom’s capacity and expanding the crossing from 120 to 600 dunams. The crossing operates on a regular weekly schedule, closing in the event of targeted attacks. Hamas knows that attacking the crossing will hinder the flow of goods into Gaza, and yet it is a regular target of militant violence. 7 Summary of All Approved Projects Implementing Project Type Sponsor Status Organization WWTP Sheikh Aijleen Infrastructure KFW Germany Underway North Gaza Emergency Sanitation The World Bank, Infrastructure World Bank Underway Project PWA Rehabilitation of Al Quds Hospital Health AFD France Underway Private Al-Badr Flour Mill Other UNDP Completed Sponsor Establishment of 400 Family Roads USAID USAID Completed Greenhouses Establishment of 600 Agricultural Family Agriculture USAID USAID Completed Plots Renovation of ‘Women Health Center ’ Health USAID USAID Underway Culture and Free Thought Society Renovation of ‘Al Amal’ Hospital Health ANERA USAID Underway Renovation of ‘Ahli Arabi’ Hospital Health ANERA USAID Underway Renovation of YWCA Library & Multi- Education ANERA USAID Underway Purpose Hall CARE Agricultural grants Agriculture USAID Underway INTERNATIONAL Cash-for-work (850 temporary jobs) Other MERCY CORPS USAID Completed Nuseirat Health Center Health UNRWA Japan Completed Jabalia Health Center Health UNRWA Japan Completed Fukhari School in Eastern Khan Younis Education UNRWA USA Completed Nuseirat School Education UNRWA USA Completed Ma’an School in Eastern Khan Younis Education UNRWA USA Completed Riyadh School in Rafah Education UNRWA Saudi Arabia Completed Nuseirat prepratory and elementary Education UNRWA Saudi Arabia Completed boys school Khan-Younis prepratory girls school Education UNRWA Saudi Arabia Underway 4 classrooms in Beit Lahia Education UNRWA Saudi Arabia Completed 4 classrooms in Beit Lahia Education UNRWA Saudi Arabia Completed 8 SHC Shelters At Khan Younis Camp Housing UNRWA UNRWA Completed 8 SHC Shelters At Khan Younis Camp Housing UNRWA UNRWA Completed 5 housing units at Um al-Nasser Village Housing UNRWA UNRWA Completed 12 housing units in Deir al-Balah Housing UNRWA UNRWA Completed 8 Classrooms in Rafah Education UNRWA UNRWA Completed Kindergarten in Beit Hanoun Education UNRWA UNRWA Completed Community center and sport fields at Other UNRWA UNRWA Completed Khan Younis Refugee service centre in Rafah Other UNRWA UNRWA Completed Arab Orthodox Cultural Center Other ANERA USAID Underway Cancelled Cooling Building Agriculture USAID USAID by the organization *”Pending” refers to projects that have not yet commenced implementation and are awaiting import of materials by the relevant international organization. 8 Implementing Project Type Sponsor Status Organization Cancelled Chicken coops Agriculture USAID USAID by the organization Cancelled New water well and RO unit- Al Aqsa Infastructure ANERA USAID by the University organization Cancelled Water drainage system in the Abu Anza Infastructure ANERA USAID