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Gaza Strip vs. Israel

Introduction

Gaza StripIsrael
Background

Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the Gaza Strip has been dominated by many different peoples and empires throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The Gaza Strip fell to British forces during World War I, becoming a part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt administered the newly formed Gaza Strip; Israel captured it in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly-created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank. In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began, and in 2001 negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West bank and Gaza Strip stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel by late 2005 unilaterally withdrew all of its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip, but it continues to control the Gaza Strip's land and maritime borders and airspace. In early 2006, the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council election. Attempts to form a unity government between Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS's violent seizure of all military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Since HAMAS's takeover, Israel and Egypt have enforced tight restrictions on movement and access of goods and individuals into and out of the territory. Fatah and HAMAS have since reached a series of agreements aimed at restoring political unity between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but have struggled to enact them; a reconciliation agreement signed in October 2017 remains unimplemented.

In July 2014, HAMAS and other Gaza-based militant groups engaged in a 51-day conflict with Israel culminating in late August with an open-ended truce. Since 2014, Palestinian militants and the Israel Defense Forces have exchanged projectiles and air strikes respectively, sometimes lasting multiple days and resulting in multiple deaths on both sides. Egypt, Qatar, and the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process have negotiated multiple ceasefires to avert a broader conflict. Since March 2018, HAMAS has coordinated weekly demonstrations along the Gaza security fence, many of which have turned violent, resulting in one Israeli soldier death and several Israeli soldier injuries as well as more than 200 Palestinian deaths and thousands of injuries.

Israel has emerged as a regional economic and military powerhouse, leveraging its booming high-tech sector, massive defense industry, and concerns about Iran to foster partnerships around the world, even with some of its former foes. The State of Israel was declared in 1948, after Britain withdrew from its mandate of Palestine. The UN proposed partitioning the area into Arab and Jewish states, and Arab armies that rejected the UN plan were defeated. Israel was admitted as a member of the UN in 1949 and saw rapid population growth, primarily due to migration from Europe and the Middle East, over the following years. Israel fought wars against its Arab neighbors in 1967 and 1973, followed by peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. Israel took control of the West Bank and Gaza Strip in the 1967 war, and subsequently administered those territories through military authorities. Israel and Palestinian officials signed a number of interim agreements in the 1990s that created an interim period of Palestinian self-rule in the West Bank and Gaza. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005. While the most recent formal efforts to negotiate final status issues occurred in 2013-2014, the US continues its efforts to advance peace. Immigration to Israel continues, with more than20,000 new immigrants, mostly Jewish, in 2020.

The Israeli economy has undergone a dramatic transformation in the last 25 years, led by cutting-edge, high-tech sectors. Offshore gas discoveries in the Mediterranean, most notably in the Tamar and Leviathan gas fields, place Israel at the center of a potential regional natural gas market. However, longer-term structural issues such as low labor force participation among minority populations, low workforce productivity, high costs for housing and consumer staples, and a lack of competition, remain a concern for many Israelis and an important consideration for Israeli politicians. Former Prime Minister Benjamin NETANYAHU dominated Israel's political landscape from 2009 to June 2021, becoming Israel's longest serving prime minister before he was unseated by Naftali BENNETT, after Israel's fourth election in two years. BENNETT formed the most ideologically diverse coalition in Israel's history, including the participation of an Arab-Israeli party. Under the terms of the coalition agreement, BENNETT would remain as prime minister until August 2023, then Alternate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Yair LAPID would succeed him. Israel signed normalization agreements - brokered by the US - with Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Morocco in late 2020 and with Sudan in early 2021.

Geography

Gaza StripIsrael
LocationMiddle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and IsraelMiddle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon
Geographic coordinates31 25 N, 34 20 E31 30 N, 34 45 E
Map referencesMiddle EastMiddle East
Areatotal: 360 sq km

land: 360 sq km

water: 0 sq km
total: 21,937 sq km

land: 21,497 sq km

water: 440 sq km
Area - comparativeslightly more than twice the size of Washington, DCslightly larger than New Jersey
Land boundariestotal: 72 km

border countries (2): Egypt 13 km, Israel 59 km
total: 1,068 km

border countries (6): Egypt 208 km, Gaza Strip 59 km, Jordan 327 km (20 km are within the Dead Sea), Lebanon 81 km, Syria 83 km, West Bank 330 km
Coastline40 km273 km
Maritime claimssee entry for Israel

note: effective 3 January 2009, the Gaza maritime area is closed to all maritime traffic and is under blockade imposed by Israeli Navy until further notice

territorial sea: 12 nm

continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Climatetemperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summerstemperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas
Terrainflat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plainNegev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley
Elevation extremeshighest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Awdah) 105 m

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mitspe Shlagim 2,224 m; note - this is the highest named point, the actual highest point is an unnamed dome slightly to the west of Mitspe Shlagim at 2,236 m; both points are on the northeastern border of Israel, along the southern end of the Anti-Lebanon mountain range

lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m

mean elevation: 508 m note - does not include elevation data from the Golan Heights
Natural resourcesarable land, natural gastimber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand
Irrigated land240 sq km; note - includes the West Bank (2012)2,250 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardsdroughtssandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes
Environment - current issuessoil degradation; desertification; water pollution from chemicals and pesticides; salination of fresh water; improper sewage treatment; water-borne disease; depletion and contamination of underground water resourceslimited arable land and restricted natural freshwater resources; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides
Geography - notestrategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade routes has experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of Gaza itself has been besieged countless times in its history; there are no Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip; the Gaza Strip settlements were evacuated in 2005note 1: Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source; the Dead Sea is the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lake Assal in Djibouti)

note 2: the Malham Cave in Mount Sodom is the world's longest salt cave at 10 km (6 mi); its survey is not complete and its length will undoubtedly increase; Mount Sodom is actually a hill some 220 m (722 ft) high that is 80% salt (multiple salt layers covered by a veneer of rock)

note 3: in March 2019, there were 380 Israeli settlements,to include 213 settlements and 132 outposts in the West Bank, and 35 settlements in East Jerusalem; there are no Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, as all were evacuated in 2005 (2019)
Total renewable water resources837 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
1.78 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionpopulation concentrated in major cities, particularly Gaza City in the northpopulation concentrated in and around Tel-Aviv, as well as around the Sea of Galilee; the south remains sparsely populated with the exception of the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba

Demographics

Gaza StripIsrael
Population1,957,062 (July 2021 est.)8,787,045 (includes populations of the Golan Heights or Golan Sub-District and also East Jerusalem, which was annexed by Israel after 1967) (July 2021 est.)

note: approximately 227,100 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2019); following the March 2019 US recognition of the Golan Heights as being part of Israel, The World Factbook no longer includes Israeli settler population of the Golan Heights (estimated at 23,400 in 2019) in its overall Israeli settler total
Age structure0-14 years: 42.53% (male 418,751/female 397,013)

15-24 years: 21.67% (male 210,240/female 205,385)

25-54 years: 29.47% (male 275,976/female 289,277)

55-64 years: 3.66% (male 36,409/female 33,731)

65 years and over: 2.68% (male 27,248/female 24,191) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 26.76% (male 1,187,819/female 1,133,365)

15-24 years: 15.67% (male 694,142/female 665,721)

25-54 years: 37.2% (male 1,648,262/female 1,579,399)

55-64 years: 8.4% (male 363,262/female 365,709)

65 years and over: 11.96% (male 467,980/female 569,816) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 18 years

male: 17.7 years

female: 18.4 years (2020 est.)
total: 30.4 years

male: 29.8 years

female: 31 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate2.05% (2021 est.)1.45% (2021 est.)
Birth rate28.1 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)17.52 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate2.94 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)5.06 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate-4.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)2.05 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female

total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 15.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 16.8 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 14.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 3.62 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 3.88 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 3.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 75.14 years

male: 73.38 years

female: 77 years (2021 est.)
total population: 83.15 years

male: 81.25 years

female: 85.15 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate3.54 children born/woman (2021 est.)2.57 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rateNA0.2% (2018)
Nationalitynoun: NA

adjective: NA
noun: Israeli(s)

adjective: Israeli
Ethnic groupsPalestinian ArabJewish 74.1% (of which Israel-born 78.1%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 15.2%, Africa-born 4.3%, Asia-born 2.4%), Arab 21%, other 4.9% (2019 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDSNA9,000 (2018)
ReligionsMuslim 98.0 - 99.0% (predominantly Sunni), Christian <1.0%, other, unaffiliated, unspecified <1.0% (2012 est.)

note: dismantlement of Israeli settlements was completed in September 2005; Gaza has had no Jewish population since then
Jewish 74.1%, Muslim 17.9%, Christian 1.9%, Druze 1.6%, other 4.5% (2019 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deathsNA<100 (2018)
LanguagesArabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely understood)

major-language sample(s):
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The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Hebrew (official), Arabic (special status under Israeli law), English (most commonly used foreign language)

major-language sample(s):
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The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.2%

male: 98.7%

female: 95.7% (2018)

note: estimates are for Gaza and the West Bank
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 97.8%

male: 98.7%

female: 96.8% (2011)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 13 years

male: 13 years

female: 14 years (2013)

note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
total: 16 years

male: 16 years

female: 17 years (2018)
Education expenditures5.3% of GDP (2017)

note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank
6.1% of GDP (2017)
Urbanizationurban population: 77% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 2.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
urban population: 92.7% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.51% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 97.1% of population

rural: 97.1% of population

total: 96.8% of population

unimproved: urban: 2.9% of population

rural: 2.9% of population

total: 3.2% of population (2017 est.)

note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 99.3% of population

total: 99.8% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0.7% of population

total: 0.2% of population (2017 est.)

note: note includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2017 est.)
Maternal mortality rate27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Physicians density2.77 physicians/1,000 population (2018)4.63 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density1.3 beds/1,000 population (2018)3 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 71.2

youth dependency ratio: 65.7

elderly dependency ratio: 5.5

potential support ratio: 18.2 (2020 est.)

note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
total dependency ratio: 67.3

youth dependency ratio: 46.6

elderly dependency ratio: 20.8

potential support ratio: 4.8 (2020 est.)

Government

Gaza StripIsrael
Country nameconventional long form: none

conventional short form: Gaza Strip

local long form: none

local short form: Qita' Ghazzah

etymology: named for the largest city in the region, Gaza, whose settlement can be traced back to at least the 15th century B.C. (as "Ghazzat")
conventional long form: State of Israel

conventional short form: Israel

local long form: Medinat Yisra'el

local short form: Yisra'el

etymology: named after the ancient Kingdom of Israel; according to Biblical tradition, the Jewish patriarch Jacob received the name "Israel" ("He who struggles with God") after he wrestled an entire night with an angel of the Lord; Jacob's 12 sons became the ancestors of the Israelites, also known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel, who formed the Kingdom of Israel

Economy

Gaza StripIsrael
Economy - overview

Movement and access restrictions, violent attacks, and the slow pace of post-conflict reconstruction continue to degrade economic conditions in the Gaza Strip, the smaller of the two areas comprising the Palestinian territories. Israeli controls became more restrictive after HAMAS seized control of the territory in June 2007. Under Hamas control, Gaza has suffered from rising unemployment, elevated poverty rates, and a sharp contraction of the private sector, which had relied primarily on export markets.

Since April 2017, the Palestinian Authority has reduced payments for electricity supplied to Gaza and cut salaries for its employees there, exacerbating poor economic conditions. Since 2014, Egypt's crackdown on the Gaza Strip's extensive tunnel-based smuggling network has exacerbated fuel, construction material, and consumer goods shortages in the territory. Donor support for reconstruction following the 51-day conflict in 2014 between Israel and HAMAS and other Gaza-based militant groups has fallen short of post-conflict needs.

Israel has a technologically advanced free market economy. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among its leading exports. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are offset by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows.

 

Since March 2020, economic growth has slowed compared to recent historical averages, but Israel's slump has been less severe than in other Middle Eastern countries because of its swift vaccine roll-out and diversified economic base. Between 2016 and 2019, growth averaged 3.6% per year, led by exports. Israel's new government is hoping to pass the country's first budget in two years, which, combined with prudent fiscal policy and strong global trade ties would probably enable Israel to recover from economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Natural gas fields discovered off Israel's coast since 2009 have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Tamar and Leviathan fields were some of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds in the last decade. In 2020, Israel began exporting gas to Egypt and Jordan.

 

Income inequality and high housing and commodity prices continue to be a concern for many Israelis. Israel's income inequality and poverty rates are among the highest of OECD countries, and there is a broad perception among the public that a small number of "tycoons" have a cartel-like grip over the major parts of the economy. Government officials have called for reforms to boost the housing supply and to increase competition in the banking sector to address these public grievances. Despite calls for reforms, the restricted housing supply continues to impact younger Israelis seeking to purchase homes. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers, coupled with guaranteed prices and customs tariffs for farmers kept food prices high. Private consumption is expected to drive growth through 2021, with consumers benefitting from low inflation and a strong currency.

 

In the long term, Israel faces structural issues including low labor participation rates for its fastest growing social segments - the ultraorthodox and Arab-Israeli communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based technology sector employs only about 8% of the workforce, with the rest mostly employed in manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from global competition. Expenditures on educational institutions remain low compared to most other OECD countries with similar GDP per capita.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

see entry for the West Bank

$394.7 billion (2019 est.)

$351.254 billion (2018 est.)

$339.528 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - real growth rate-15.2% (2014 est.)

5.6% (2013 est.)

7% (2012 est.)

note: excludes the West Bank
-2.6% (2020 est.)

3.28% (2019 est.)

3.69% (2018 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$6,220 (2019 est.)

$6,318 (2018 est.)

$6,402 (2017 est.)

see entry for the the West Bank
$41,953 (2020 est.)

$40,145 (2019 est.)

$39,543 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 3% (2017 est.)

industry: 21.1% (2017 est.)

services: 75% (2017 est.)

note: data exclude the West Bank
agriculture: 2.4% (2017 est.)

industry: 26.5% (2017 est.)

services: 69.5% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line30% (2011 est.)

note: data exclude the West Bank
22% (2014 est.)

note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day
Inflation rate (consumer prices)0.2% (2017 est.)

-0.2% (2016 est.)

note: excludes the West Bank
1.8% (2020 est.)

0.8% (2019 est.)

0.8% (2018 est.)
Labor force1.24 million (2017 est.)

note: excludes the West Bank
3.893 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 5.2%

industry: 10%

services: 84.8% (2015 est.)

note: data exclude the West Bank
agriculture: 1.1%

industry: 17.3%

services: 81.6% (2015 est.)
Unemployment rate27.9% (2017 est.)

27% (2016 est.)

note: data exclude the West Bank
4.4% (2020 est.)

3.81% (2019 est.)

4% (2018 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index33.7 (2016 est.)37 (2018 est.)

39 (2016 est.)

39.2 (2008)
Budgetsee entry for the West Bankrevenues: 93.11 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 100.2 billion (2017 est.)
Industriestextiles, food processing, furniturehigh-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, pharmaceuticals, construction, metal products, chemical products, plastics, cut diamonds, textiles, footwear
Industrial production growth rate2.2% (2017 est.)

note: see entry for the West Bank
3.5% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productstomatoes, cucumbers, olives, poultry, milk, potatoes, sheep milk, eggplants, gourdsmilk, potatoes, poultry, tomatoes, carrots, turnips, tangerines/mandarins, green chillies/peppers, eggs, vegetables
Exports$1.955 billion (2017 est.)

$1.827 billion (2016 est.)
$104.992 billion (2019 est.)

$101.389 billion (2018 est.)

$95.196 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - commoditiesstrawberries, carnations, vegetables, fish (small and irregular shipments, as permitted to transit the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing)diamonds, packaged medicines, medical instruments, integrated circuits, refined petroleum (2019)
Imports$8.59 billion (2018 est.)

$7.852 billion (2017 est.)

see entry for the West Bank
$116.23 billion (2019 est.)

$111.652 billion (2018 est.)

$104.252 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - commoditiesfood, consumer goods, fueldiamonds, cars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Debt - external

see entry for the West Bank

$132.5 billion (31 December 2020 est.)

$99.886 billion (2019 est.)

$94.247 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates

see entry for the West Bank

new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar -

3.44 (2020 est.)

3.4684 (2019 est.)

3.7332 (2018 est.)

3.8869 (2014 est.)

3.5779 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$446.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$583 million (31 December 2015 est.)
$173.292 billion (2020 est.)

$113 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$95.45 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance-$1.444 billion (2017 est.)

-$1.348 billion (2016 est.)

note: excludes the West Bank
$20.642 billion (2020 est.)

$13.411 billion (2019 est.)

$7.888 billion (2018 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$2.938 billion (2014 est.)

note: excludes the West Bank
$394.93 billion (2019 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 40.2%

male: 34.8%

female: 67.2% (2019 est.)

note: includes the West Bank
total: 6.7%

male: 6.1%

female: 7.2% (2019 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 88.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 26.3% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 22.4% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 18.6% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -55.6% (2017 est.)

note: data exclude the West Bank
household consumption: 55.1% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 22.8% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 20.1% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 28.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -27.5% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving15.5% of GDP (2018 est.)

14.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
24.7% of GDP (2019 est.)

24.4% of GDP (2018 est.)

24.4% of GDP (2017 est.)

Energy

Gaza StripIsrael
Electricity - production51,000 kWh (2011 est.)63.09 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption202,000 kWh (2009 est.)55 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports0 kWh (2011 est.)5.2 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports193,000 kWh (2011 est.)0 kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - proved reserves0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)12.73 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 100% (2018)

note: data for Gaza Strip and West Bank combined
electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Telecommunications

Gaza StripIsrael
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 472,293 (includes the West Bank); (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (includes the West Bank); (July 2016 est.)
total subscriptions: 3.14 million

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36.8 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 4,135,363 (includes the West Bank)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 76 (includes the West Bank) (2017 est.)
total subscriptions: 11.7 million

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 137.11 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.psnote - same as the West Bank.il
Internet userstotal: 2.673 million (includes the West Bank)

percent of population: 57.4% (July 2016 est.)
total: 6,873,037

percent of population: 81.58% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment: Israel has final say in allocating frequencies in the Gaza Strip and does not permit anything beyond a 2G network (2018)

domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed-line services; the Palestinian JAWWAL company provides cellular services; a slow 2G network allows calls and limited data transmission; fixed-line 9 per 100 and mobile-cellular 76 per 100 (includes West Bank)

international: country code 970 or 972 (2018)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
general assessment:

Israel has a highly developed economy with focus on technology products; investment in cyber-security industry and hub for start-ups; near universal broadband delivery to households and mobile penetration; LTE coverage, expanded fiber network with plans for 5G; emergency law allows mobile tracking; importer of broadcast equipment, integrated circuits, and computers from China; submarine cable connectivity to Europe (2021)

(2020)

domestic: good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; competition among both fixed-line and mobile cellular providers results in good coverage countrywide; fixed-line 36 per 100 and 127 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2019)

international: country code - 972; landing points for the MedNautilus Submarine System, Tameres North, Jonah and Lev Submarine System, submarine cables that provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 320,500

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2016 est.)

note: includes West Bank
total: 2.481 million

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29.08 (2019 est.)
Broadcast media1 TV station and about 10 radio stations; satellite TV accessiblethe Israel Broadcasting Corporation (est 2015) broadcasts on 3 channels, two in Hebrew and the other in Arabic; multi-channel satellite and cable TV packages provide access to foreign channels; the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation broadcasts on 8 radio networks with multiple repeaters and Israel Defense Forces Radio broadcasts over multiple stations; about 15 privately owned radio stations; overall more than 100 stations and repeater stations (2019)

Transportation

Gaza StripIsrael
Roadways

note: see entry for the West Bank

total: 19,555 km (2017)

paved: 19,555 km (includes 449 km of expressways) (2017)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Gazamajor seaport(s): Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa

container port(s) (TEUs): Ashdod (1,584,000) (2019)
Airportstotal: 1 (2013)total: 42 (2020)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 1 (2019)

under 914 m: 1

note - non-operational
total: 33 (2019)

over 3,047 m: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 5

914 to 1,523 m: 12

under 914 m: 8
Heliports1 (2013)3 (2013)

Military

Gaza StripIsrael
Military branchesHAMAS does not have a conventional military in the Gaza Strip but maintains security forces in addition to its military wing, the 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades; the military wing reports to the HAMAS Political Bureau leadership; there are several other militant groups operating in Gaza, most notably the Al-Quds Brigades of Palestine Islamic Jihad, which are usually but not always beholden to HAMAS's authority (2021)Israel Defense Forces (IDF): Ground Forces, Israel Naval Force (IN, includes commandos), Israel Air Force (IAF, includes air defense); Ministry of Public Security: Border Police (2021)

note: the Border Police is a unit within the Israel Police with its own organizational and command structure; it works both independently as well as in cooperation with or in support of the Israel Police and Israel Defense Force
Military and security service personnel strengthsthe military wing of HAMAS has an estimated 20-25,000 fighters (2020)the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have approximately 173,000 active personnel (130,000 Ground Forces; 9,000 Naval; 34,000 Air Force) (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe military wing of HAMAS is armed with light weapons, including an inventory of improvised rocket, anti-tank missile, and mortar capabilities; HAMAS acquires its weapons through smuggling or local construction; Iran provides military support to HAMAS (2020)the majority of the IDF's inventory is comprised of weapons that are domestically-produced or imported from Europe and the US; since 2010, the US is by far the leading supplier of arms to Israel, followed by Germany; Israel has a broad defense industrial base that can develop, produce, support, and sustain a wide variety of weapons systems for both domestic use and export, particularly armored vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, air defense, and guided missiles (2021)

Transnational Issues

Gaza StripIsrael
Disputes - international

the status of the Gaza Strip is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations; Israel removed settlers and military personnel from Gaza Strip in September 2005

West Bank is Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; in 2002, Israel began construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; as of mid-2020, plans were to continue barrier construction; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-controlled (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); in March 2019, the US Government recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights; since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region

Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 1,460,315 (Palestinian refugees) (2020)

IDPs: 131,000 (includes persons displaced within the Gaza Strip due to the intensification of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since June 2014 and other Palestinian IDPs in the Gaza Strip and West Bank who fled as long ago as 1967, although confirmed cumulative data do not go back beyond 2006) (2020)

data represent Gaza Strip and West Bank
refugees (country of origin): 12,181 (Eritrea), 5,061 (Ukraine) (2019)

stateless persons: 42 (2020)

Terrorism

Gaza StripIsrael
Terrorist Group(s)Army of Islam; Abdallah Azzam Brigades; al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; HAMAS; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)-Sinai Province; Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem; Palestine Islamic Jihad; Palestine Liberation Front; PFLP-General Command; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T
Kahane Chai; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine; Palestinian Islamic Jihad

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Environment

Gaza StripIsrael
Air pollutantscarbon dioxide emissions: 3.23 megatons (2016 est.)

note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
particulate matter emissions: 19.46 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 65.17 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 13.02 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 181.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 32 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 162 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
municipal: 983 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 72 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1.249 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 1.387 million tons (2016 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 6,935 tons (2013 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.5% (2013 est.)

note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
municipal solid waste generated annually: 5.4 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1.35 million tons (2017 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 25% (2017 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook