A/HRC/10/22 page 11 a 50 per cent increase in unemployment. Women are particularly affected; the female participation in the Gaza job market was only 11.5 per cent in 2007, one of the lowest rates in the world.20 31. The lack of regular payment of salaries caused mainly by the suspension of financial aid and the discontinuation of the transfer of taxes and revenues as well as by the tensions between the different political parties controlling services to the Palestinian population caused a steady deterioration in the living conditions of public sector employees that has left them vulnerable to poverty. Restrictions imposed by Israel on the transport of currency have resulted in a liquidity crisis. The lack of currency has seriously compromised the provision of basic social services, including the payment of social allowances, thereby making the poorest fully dependent on aid and informal arrangements to survive. 2. Impact of the recent military operation on the poor 32. Preliminary assessments indicate that, during the recent military operations, health facilities, water and sanitation infrastructure, land and cellular communication networks, schools, universities, mosques, residential buildings, factories, commercial enterprises and farms were deliberately attacked and damaged as a result of fighting.21 This has had a disastrous impact on the economy, the infrastructure and the enjoyment of human rights by the poorest Palestinian people. 33. It is reported that, during the military intervention, Israel deliberately obstructed the work of humanitarian personnel leaving the poor without basic medical, food and other services in violation of both international humanitarian and human rights law.22 After the cessation of hostilities, reports suggest that the authorities in Gaza have also obstructed the distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza and imposed restrictions on the work of civil society organizations and human rights defenders.23 20 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People Mid-term Strategic Framework for the period 2008-2011 (2008). 21 See UNRWA News, 16 January 2009; the Statement by Commissioner General Karen AbuZayd, 27 January 2009; International Committee of the Red Cross, Operational Update of 25 January 2009; Field update on Gaza from the Humanitarian Coordinator, 24-26 January 2009; Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions, “The collapse of Gaza’s water and waste water sector. Grave breaches of international humanitarian law and serious violations of international human rights law”, 2009, sects. B, C and E. 22 See “WFP launches Operation Lifeline Gaza to get food to the hungry”, 10 January 2009; J. Zarocostas “Agencies call for health workers in Gaza to be respected”, British Medical Journal, 7 January 2009; and “The Conflict in Gaza”, AI report, January 2009, sect. D. 23 See Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, Special Reports (February 2009), “Inter-Palestinian Human Rights Violations in the Gaza Strip”, 3 February 2009.