Before the latest fighting, the West Bank and Gaza Strip were already in a state of crisis with as many as 180,000 people having lost their jobs over the previous 18 months. "The latest Israeli military incursions have dealt a hard blow to an already vulnerable economy pushing many Palestinians into destitution," Adly said.
According to a recent World Bank study, up to 50% of the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories live under the poverty line, earning less than $2 a day per person. The Palestinian authority is no longer able to run social welfare programmes effectively.
Largely dependent on Israel, the Palestinian agricultural and food economy has been foundering. Due to extensive and prolonged Israeli closures and cumbersome security procedures, Palestinian farmers and fishermen are unable to sustain a regular supply for the local markets.
The Palestinian territories' annual cereal production averages around 60,000 metric tons, while needs are estimated at 800,000 metric tons, with the shortfall made up by commercial imports. With a disintegrating economy and regular disruption to the food transport and distribution networks, hundreds of thousands of poor Palestinians will find it very difficult to cope for months to come.
According to a recent World Bank study, up to 50% of the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories live under the poverty line, earning less than $2 a day per person. The Palestinian authority is no longer able to run social welfare programmes effectively.
Largely dependent on Israel, the Palestinian agricultural and food economy has been foundering. Due to extensive and prolonged Israeli closures and cumbersome security procedures, Palestinian farmers and fishermen are unable to sustain a regular supply for the local markets.
The Palestinian territories' annual cereal production averages around 60,000 metric tons, while needs are estimated at 800,000 metric tons, with the shortfall made up by commercial imports. With a disintegrating economy and regular disruption to the food transport and distribution networks, hundreds of thousands of poor Palestinians will find it very difficult to cope for months to come.