Israel‘S Formula For A Starvation Diet

In September 2012, the UN Trade and Development Board released a report saying that "long-term prospect for the Palestinian economic development became even more unattainable in 2011," and that "the recent recovery of growth in Gaza is unsustainable."

The UN attributed the failing economy to "restrictions on movement, faltering aid flows, a paralyzed private sector, and chronic fiscal crisis cloud." The ILO was more direct, saying that the "occupation" of the Palestinian territories by about a half-million Israeli settlers was stunting the economy.

"Together with restricted access to land and natural resources, as well as the accompanying restrictions on freedom of movement for Palestinians, the settlements remain the predominant feature of Israeli occupation," the report said. "They severely constrain Palestinian economic and agricultural development and prevent Palestinian women and men from achieving secure livelihoods and decent work."

Both the UN and the ILO warned of growing frustration among Palestinian youths at the inability to find work, even if they have university degrees.

In a few years, however, Gazans may have far worse problems than joblessness: just a few days earlier on August 28, the UN released another report saying that by 2020, Gaza will be uninhabitable. The report said that services such as water sanitation, electricity, education and health are "not keeping pace with the needs of the growing population."