Gaza losses are more than $1 billion

The Labor Studies Center in Gaza Strip estimated the losses of the labor revenue since the Palestinian Authority took office till now at $1 billion as a result of the blockade and repeated closures imposed by Israel against the self-rule areas.

The center showed that the continuation of the strong blockade on the Palestinian areas inflicts on the Palestinian economy heavy losses that surpass the aids offered by the granting countries to the Palestinian people.

The study mentioned that the number of the closure days reached 180 days in 1996 resulting in a $47 million loss, while it reached 55 days in 1997. The number is always increasing due to the current blockade imposed in the wake of the Jerusalem suicide operation. The total number of closure days are 355 resulting in $144 million loss.

The study highlighted the fact that the continuation of the blockade will lead to increasing the unemployment rate which is 18% in normal circumstances but reaches 70% during closure days.