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Source: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
17 August 2015


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 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 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, given the above restrictions on the Israeli-controlled crossings.

MOVEMENT AND ACCESS OF PEOPLE*
EREZ CROSSING

· Erez crossing was open for 26 days during daytime (8:00 ­19:00).

· Crossings through Erez have 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 was closed all of July 2015.

· 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
EXIT OF GOODS
· Kerem Shalom operated on 19 days for exit of goods from Gaza.

· 99 truckloads of goods exited Gaza in July:

· 34 truckloads transferred to West Bank markets.

· 39 truckloads exported to Israeli markets.

· 26 truckloads exported to international markets.

· Opens during daytime (08:00 - 19:00).



ENTRY OF GOODS

· Kerem Shalom operated on 21 days for entry of goods into Gaza.

· 6,311 truckloads of goods were allowed to enter Gaza in July 2015 through Kerem Shalom.

Imports in July represent 51% of the volume of goods which entered prior to the imposition of the Gaza blockade in June 2007.

· 33% of the truckloads were for aid agencies.

· 1,311 truckloads of basic construction materials were allowed to enter Gaza this month, compared with 1,702 truckloads in the previous month.

FUEL IMPORTS INTO GAZA

* 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.

FUEL IMPORTS
• Kerem Shalom crossing was the onlycrossing opened for the entry of fuel.

• 14.1 million liters of fuel (petrol & diesel) entered in July excluding the fuel for Gaza Power Plant.

• 5.2 million liters of fuel were imported for the Gaza Power Plant.

• This is only 60% compared to the previous month resulting in increased electricity cuts accross the Gaza Strip.

• 4,719 tons of cooking gas were imported.

* The figures reflect number of times people crossed, but not the actual number of people crossing.


http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/gaza_crossings_operations_status_july_2015.pdf


Complete document in PDF format (Requires Acrobat Reader)
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