Gaza: A State of Emergency

They have lived under a blockade for 14 years, forcing them to rely on aid just to survive. Since March 2020, Covid-19 made life even harder for the people of Gaza. Then just over a year later, their lives were turned upside down once again.  

More than two million people live in the Gaza Strip, one of the most densely populated places on the planet. During the pandemic, there was no room for social distancing – and when violence erupted between Israel and Palestine in May, it was almost impossible to escape.

Photo: Laila Barhoum/Oxfam

Photo: Laila Barhoum/Oxfam

Photo: Laila Barhoum/Oxfam

Photo: Laila Barhoum/Oxfam

Meet fashion designer Ahlam Al Hadad from Gaza, whose store was destroyed during the recent Israeli airstrikes.   

What is Oxfam’s position on the peace process?

Peace for Palestinians and Israelis needs an inclusive process that engages all political actors and relevant stakeholders, including civil society, refugees, and women, to resolve the final status issues that have been at the heart of the conflict for decades. This is vital to secure a just and durable resolution to the conflict, in accordance with international law.

Oxfam calls on Palestinian and Israeli leaders, the leaders of all neighbouring states and the international community, to make every possible effort to meet their obligations and commitments under previous peace agreements.

Latest Covid figures

*as of August 12th

The impact of Covid-19

On 5 March 2020, the Palestinian Authority declared a state of emergency in response to the first cases of Covid-19.

The latest figures from the World Health Organisation – released on 12 August – showed that there have been 348,234 cases of Covid-19 in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), and that 3,889 people have died.  

Social distancing is key to keeping the virus at bay but with more than 5,000 people per square kilometre in the Gaza Strip, trying to avoid social contact is almost impossible. This was only exacerbated by the recent violence.  

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How Covid cases surged following the latest conflict 


Among those who fled their homes during the Israeli airstrikes and shelling were Nael and his young children. Along with others, they took shelter in UNRWA school, leaving themselves at risk of contracting Covid-19.



Indeed, just two weeks after escalations subsided, case numbers in Gaza surged. However, the World Health Organisation said this was mainly because Covid testing, which had completely stopped during the violence, was able to resume. 

Days after the ceasefire, around 100,000 Palestinians displaced by the bombing were attempting to return home. But even if their homes were still standing, life for them would not be normal. 

Photo: Mahmoud Khattab/Quds Net News via ZUMA Wire/Shutterstock

Photo: Mahmoud Khattab/Quds Net News via ZUMA Wire/Shutterstock

Among those who fled their homes during the Israeli airstrikes and shelling were Nael and his young children. Along with others, they took shelter in UNRWA school, leaving themselves at risk of contracting Covid-19.

Photo: Mahmoud Khattab/Quds Net News via ZUMA Wire/Shutterstock

Photo: Mahmoud Khattab/Quds Net News via ZUMA Wire/Shutterstock

Indeed, just two weeks after escalations subsided, case numbers in Gaza surged. However, the World Health Organisation said this was mainly because Covid testing, which had completely stopped during the violence, was able to resume. 

Days after the ceasefire, around 100,000 Palestinians displaced by the bombing were attempting to return home. But even if their homes were still standing, life for them would not be normal.

It turns out that in the days after the fighting ended, 400,000 people had no access to regular water supply. Eleven days of bombardment devastated electricity and water services and severely impacted the three main desalination plants in Gaza city.

Water is doubly important during this critical phase of the Coronavirus pandemic, to help people limit the spread of Covid-19.

Average daily consumption of water

*litres per capita

Even before the recent hostilities, the average daily consumption of water was just 88 litres per capita – far below the global minimum requirement of 100 litres.

Gaza depends largely on fuel for its electricity, including to pump clean water from wells into homes. Any disruption in the fuel supply can leave hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza with no access to basic hygiene. 

Our work in Gaza

In 2020, with support from the Irish people through the Irish Aid programme, we were the first Oxfam affiliate to respond to the threat of Covid-19, delivering essential, life-saving supplies to the people of Gaza.

Did you know?

Irish Aid is the Irish government's programme for overseas development and humanitarian support. It is funded by the Irish people.

In 2021, our work will extend to rehabilitating three public healthcare centres which serve the needs of more than 150,000 people; developing a maintenance and operational plan for 543 wells, water pumping stations, desalination plants and water treatment plants serving over two million people, and providing food vouchers or cash grants to vulnerable families.

The people of Gaza have experienced unimaginable suffering for 14 years. 

Will you stand with them today? 

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