Gaza Crossings’ Operations Status: Monthly Update – October 2015 – OCHA factsheet

BACKGROUND 

Longstanding restrictions on the movement of people and goods to and from Gaza have undermined the living conditions of 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza. Many of the current restrictions, originally imposed by Israel in the early 1990s, were intensified after June 2007, following the Hamas takeover of Gaza and the imposition of a blockade. These restrictions have reduced access to livelihoods, essential services and housing, disrupted family life, and undermined people’s hopes for a secure and prosperous future. The situation has been compounded by the restrictions imposed since June 2013 by the Egyptian authorities at Rafah Crossing, which had become the main crossing point used by Palestinian passengers in the Gaza Strip, given the above restrictions on the Israeli- controlled crossings.

EREZ CROSSING

• In October, Erez crossing was open for 25 out of 26 working days (on day closed due to a Jewish holiday).

• The working hours of the crossing were shortened on seven days during the month due to demonstrations and clashes that took place in its vicinity, or repairs of damage sustained during confrontations.

• The number of crossings during October declined for third consecutive month and stood at 26% below the monthly average so far in 2015.

• Accessible only to Israeli issued permit holders, primarily medical and other humanitarian cases, merchants, and aid workers.

• Permits issued by Israeli authorities.

RAFAH CROSSING

• In October, Rafah was open in one direction (from Egypt to Gaza) on three out of 31 scheduled days, including two days for pilgrims and one day for other Palestinians stranded in Egypt.

• Since 24 October 2014, the crossing has been closed for all but 37 days.

• There are at least 30,000 Palestinians registered as humanitarian cases waiting to leave Gaza via Rafah.

EXIT OF GOODS

• Kerem Shalom opened for the exit of goods on 17 out of 26 scheduled days, allowing the exit of 137 truckloads, the largest volume of goods leaving Gaza in a single month since the imposition of the blockade in 2007, including:

• 32 truckloads of agricultural products destined to international markets.

ENTRY OF GOODS

• Kerem Shalom operated on 19 out of 26 scheduled days allowing the entry of 9,778 truckloads of goods.

• 117 truckloads of construction materials entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing.

• The volume of imports increased by 32% compared to the monthly average since the beginning of 2015 and was the highest since June 2007.

• Imports in October represent 81% of the equivalent monthly average in the first five months of 2007, prior to the imposition of the blockade.

• 18% of the truckloads that entered in October were designated for aid agencies.

1,990 truckloads carried restricted construction materials, including 117 truckloads that entered via Rafah.

• Karni, Sufa and Nahal Oz crossinas with Israel remained closed.

* Primarily includes cement and steel bars, aggregates removed from dual use materials list.

**The GRM is a temporary agreement between the Government of Palestine and the Government of Israel, brokered by the United Nations in September 2014, to allow the entry of dual use items, including building materials for repairs and reconstruction of private housing and infrastructure damaged or destroyed during the hostilities, as well as new projects not related to damages during hostilities. Prior to the GRM the import of construction material was limited to international organizations following a lengthy approval procedure, but not for the private sector or shelter self-help programs.

FUEL IMPORTS

Kerem Shalom was the only crossing available for the import of fuel, allowing the entry of:

•  19 million liters of petrol & diesel.

•  7.5 million liters of industrial fuel for the Gaza Power Plant, 10% below the monthly average in 2015

•  4,783 tons of cooking gas.