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 in the early 1990s, were intensified after June 2007, following the Hamas takeover of Gaza and the imposition of a blockade by Israel. These restrictions have reduced access to livelihoods, essential services and housing, disrupted family life, and undermined the people's hopes for a secure and prosperous future. The situation has been further compounded by the restrictions imposed since June 2013 by the Egyptian authorities at Rafah Crossing, which had become the main crossing point used by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip given the above restrictions on the Israeli- controlled crossings.
MOVEMENT AND ACCESS OF PEOPLE*
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EREZ CROSSING • Erez crossing was open for 26 days during daytime (8:00 – 19:00), as scheduled, except for one day (7 June) when it was closed for several hours due to security reasons. • Crossings through Erez more than doubled since the beginning of the year. • Accessible only to permit holders, primarily medical and other humanitarian cases, merchants, and aid workers. • Permits issued by Israeli authorities. |
RAFAH CROSSING • Rafah crossing opened for 10 days during June for people entering and exiting Gaza. • June registered the highest number of people crossed through Rafah since October 2014. • The crossing has been closed for all but 25 days since 24 October 2014, reportedly as a result of insecurity in the Sinai. • The closure of the crossing is affecting at least 30,000 Palestinians registered to cross through. |
MOVEMENT OF GOODS FROM AND INTO GAZA
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EXIT OF GOODS • Operated on 21 days for exit of goods from Gaza. • 113 truckloads of goods exited Gaza in June: • 34 truckloads transferred to West Bank markets. • 31 truckloads exported to Israeli markets. • 48 truckloads exported to international markets. • Kerem Shalom crossing is the solely operating crossing for goods. • Opens during daytime (08:00 – 19:00). |
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ENTRY OF GOODS • Kerem Shalom operated on 21 days for entry of goods into Gaza, and Rafah was open for 10 days. • 6,638 truckloads of goods were allowed to enter Gaza in June 2015 from Kerem Shalom, in addition to 487 truckloads of construction materials via Rafah. • Imports in June represent 58% of the volume of goods entered prior to the imposition of the Gaza blockade in June 2007. • 38% of the truckloads were for aid agencies. • 1,702 truckloads of basic construction materials were allowed to enter Gaza this month, compared with 1,861 truckloads in the previous month. |
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FUEL IMPORTS • Kerem Shalom crossing was the only crossing opened for the entry of fuel. • 14.8 million liters of fuel (petrol & diesel) entered in June excluding the fuel for Gaza Power Plant. • 5,309 tons of cooking gas were imported. • 8.5 million liters of fuel were imported for the Gaza Power Plant |
Endnotes
*Primarily includes aggregate, cement and steel bars.
**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 building materials for repairs and reconstruction of private housing and infrastructure damaged or destroyed during the hostilities, as import of construction material is banned by the Government of Israel and only possible for UN-led projects following a lengthy approval procedure but not for the shelter self-help program.
Download Document Files: https://unispal.un.org/pdfs/GAZACROSS_JUNE15.pdf
Document Type: Factsheet, Update
Document Sources: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Subject: Access and movement, Closures/Curfews/Blockades, Gaza Strip, Humanitarian relief, Living conditions, Occupation
Publication Date: 13/07/2015