HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE BLOCKADE ON GAZA? TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE WITH THESE 10 FACTS... 

1

1.7 million people are crammed into roughly 140 square miles of the Gaza Strip. This is slightly more than twice the size of Washington D.C.
(The World Factbook)

2

More than half the population of Gaza - 780,578, or 53% - is under the age of 18.
(Gaza Fact Sheet, 2007)

3

About 39,000 child refugees in Gaza will not attend UNRWA schools this year, since the agency is unable to build or re-build schools due to the Israeli blockade.
(IRIN, 2010)

4

 Since 2006 Israel has limited the import of various goods to a “humanitarian minimum”, though there is no official list for traders to observe.
(Gisha, 2010)

5

While hundreds of students are accepted to international academic programs, Israeli policy prevents many students from leaving Gaza.
(Gisha, 2008 p. 2)

6

1 out of every 5 school children is iodine deficient.
The prevalence of anemia among children 9-12 months old is 61.6%.
(IMEU, 2010)

7

3 out of every 4 youngsters cannot pursue higher education
in Gaza due to overcapacity.
(United Nations, 2007)

8

Today, about 1.1 million Palestinian refugees in Gaza receive UNRWA services; 61% of Gaza's population is food insecure; and unemployment is nearly 40%.
(United Nations, 2010)

9

90-95% of the water produced by the only aquifer in Gaza is unfit for drinking.
(Amnesty, 2009, p. 10)

10

28% of children surveyed in Gaza have witnessed the demolition of a friend’s home and nearly 19% had witnessed the demotion of their own home, resulting in psychological distress. Children who have been forcibly displaced suffer from reduced academic performance and a variety of other difficulties associated with diminished social conditions for families.
(Save the Children, 2009)