The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned Sunday that if Israel carries out its threatened sanctions after declaring Gaza "hostile territory," it would likely create a humanitarian crisis. "In the past three months, 106 cargo trucks were allowed into the Gaza Strip per workday," the organization wrote in a paper issued in response to Israel's September 19 announcement of a change in policy towards Gaza in response to the continued shelling of western Negev communities. "This assured the prevention of a humanitarian crisis among the Gaza population. The continuation of this situation cannot be guaranteed if there is an additional deterioration regarding the restrictions at the Gaza border crossings," the paper said.
OCHA pointed out that until Hamas took over full control of the Gaza Strip in June, some 238 cargo trucks had crossed into Gaza each day. But less than 10 percent of the goods allowed into Gaza today come from humanitarian aid. Some 86% of the cargo trucks carry commercial goods. Even though humanitarian aid is likely to continue in the face of Israeli sanctions, the Gaza population is largely dependent on commercial imports for its sustenance.