ABSTRACT
The construction industry is vital for Gaza
economy and the necessary infrastructure develop-
ment. Construction sector in Gaza rely on imports
of raw material. But due to the closures such mate-
rials could not be imported, which brought about
complete paralysis in this sector, causing delays in
housing projects, job losses and high daily sectar-
ian losses (PCHR, 1995). Construction industry
is one of the oldest industries in Gaza Strip. The
construction sector is one of the main contributors
to the Palestinian economy although it has been
one of the hardest hit by the current situation in
the country. The sector contributes up to 18% of
the GDP, employs approximately 22% of the work-
force and absorbs up to 34% of international donor
programs (PCU, 2003). It is often claimed that the
lack of data about waste composition and quanti-
ties is a major factor, which has inhibited the devel-
opment of solid waste management in Palestine.
Probably the greatest problem is the scarcity of
the governmental land and the high cost of private
land (Abu-EL Qomboz and Busch, 2003).
