Development

Despite movement and access restrictions on humanitarian staff and supplies, and obstacles to the transfer of funds into Gaza, the number of Islamic organizations working with the vulnerable in Gaza is actually increasing.

International aid organizations donate fresh meat, clothing, and assistance to thousands of families in the Gaza Strip for the Eid holiday, as child malnutrition and deep poverty levels rise due to Israel’s strict blockade.

The administration of US President Barack Obama announced Monday that it would immediately cut US funding for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, just hours after UNESCO’s governing board voted overwhelmingly to grant Palestine full membership.

As reports come in that the US may be preparing to cut a substantial portion of the aid it gives to the Palestinian Authority because of its bid for statehood, people in the occupied West Bank and Gaza are bracing for possible consequences.

Palestinian families are facing increasing financial woes this Ramadan, as the Palestinian Authority juggles with its dwindling budget.

Unemployment and poverty rates among the Negev Bedouin in unrecognized villages are the highest in Israel.

RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IRIN) - The delivery of humanitarian aid to the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip has been hampered by severe restrictions on staff movements, hurting the quality, scope and sustainability of operations, say the UN and international nongovernmental organizations.

CAIRO, Egypt (IPS) - Egyptian authorities have opened dozens of criminal investigations into hundreds of millions of dollars worth of public land contracts that were awarded illegally to real estate developers associated with former president Hosni Mubarak without proper procedures at below market rates.

RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IRIN) - Israel’s restrictions on commercial crossings to Gaza and its checkpoint regime cost nongovernmental organizations millions each year.

RAMALLAH, occupied West Bank (IRIN) - The Israeli blockade has restricted a generation of youth in Gaza from educational and employment opportunities, say UN and other sources.