Gaza Crossings’ Operations Status: Monthly Update – September 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 September 2015, Erez crossing was open for 21 out of 26 days normally, due to the Jewish holidays .

• In one day Erez crossing closed for two hours, reportedly in response to rocket fire from Gaza.

• The number of crossings through Erez declined by 32% compared to the previous month, but it remained 45% higher than the equivalent time period during 2014.

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

• Permits issued by Israeli authorities

RAFAH CROSSING

• In September 2015, Rafah was open in one direction for 5 out of 30 scheduled days, including four days for the exit of pilgrims to Egypt and one day for the return of pilgrims to Gaza.

• Since 24 October 2014, the crossing has been closed for all but 34 days.

• The closure of the crossing is directly affecting at least 30,000 Palestinians registered as humanitarian cases.

EXIT OF GOODS

• Due to the Jewish and Muslim holidays, Kerem Shalom operated on 14 out of 26 scheduled, allowing the exit of 120 truckloads of goods, including:

• 42 truckloads to the West Bank, including agricultural products, furniture, and clothing.

• 22 truckloads of agricultural products to Israel.

•  56 truckloads of agricultural products to international markets.

• Opens during daytime (08:00 – 19:00).

• It was announced that from October, the exit of scrap metal to the West Bank would be allowed.

FUEL IMPORTS

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

•  16.5 million liters of petrol & diesel.

•  7.6 million liters of industrial fuel for the Gaza Power Plant.

•  4,603 tons of cooking gas.