Some 5,000 economic facilities of various industrial sectors across the Gaza Strip have shut down as a result of the ongoing Israeli siege on the impoverished enclave, a Palestinian popular committee said.

In a statement released on Friday, the committee explained that the closure of such facilities is a “dangerous indicator” of the deteriorating humanitarian situation due to the 13-year Israeli blockade on Gaza.

Thousands of workers and employees have lost their jobs, as Gaza’s economy went into recession, the popular committee continued.  

The committee demonstrated that the current situation in Gaza had “catastrophic impacts” on the Palestinian economy and “serious repercussions on the living conditions of more than two million people living in the Gaza Strip.”   

As the purchasing power is swiftly weakening, shops and businesses shut down on a daily basis, the committee pointed out.

“Unemployment and poverty rates are high as 85% live under the poverty line, which gives a real image of the catastrophic situation,” the committee added.

The Israeli blockade affects every single aspect of life in Gaza, the committee stressed noting that the Israeli occupation is blocking exports from Gaza and places tough restrictions on entry of raw material into the besieged enclave.  

The popular Palestinian committee called for lifting the Israeli siege, opening crossings with Gaza, and allowing exports and imports without restrictions, regretting the weak international action against the Israeli blockade on Gaza.

“No practical, tangible steps were taken to end this illegal, immoral, and inhumane siege, which is considered a collective punishment,” the committee continued. “There is no action taken to support Gaza with vital projects and save the humanitarian sectors in the fields of health, education, electricity, water, business and others.”

The committee appealed to Arab, Muslim, and international governments and leaders to immediately act to alleviate the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza as a result of the ongoing Israeli siege.

The Israeli occupation has been imposing a tight siege on Gaza, leading to a spike in poverty and unemployment rates in the densely populated Gaza Strip.