GAZA, July 29, 2010 (WAFA)- Since the Israeli decision to ease the Gaza blockade on 20 June, the number of imported truckloads has steadily increased. 927 truckloads of supplies were permitted entry this week (714 through Kerem Shalom crossing and 213 through the Karni conveyor), Oxfam reported
This is the equivalent of 33% of the pre-blockade weekly average of all trucks entering Gaza (Pre-blockade weekly average (2,807 truckloads) is calculated based on the monthly average of all truckloads that entered during the first five months of 2007, before Israel’s imposition of the blockade). The week before the attack on the Gaza flotilla (23 to 29 May 2010), only 631 truckloads were allowed into Gaza - 22% of the pre-blockade weekly average.
Food and hygiene items still make up the majority of imported goods. However, new items allowed into Gaza are mostly limited to consumer goods, mostly food stuffs, packaged for household consumption. Increase of imports of consumer goods, without allowing the entry of necessary raw materials, will continue to have a limited impact on the revival of local production. Israeli authorities keep only one of the five border crossings fully operational, creating a severe bottleneck. Furthermore, the ongoing ban on exports and the restrictions on passage of people in both directions prevent any recovery of the private sector.
Limited quantities of ‘items for production’ have begun to enter Gaza, including agricultural and fishing materials, raw materials for the textile industry (fabric and thread),and cans and bottles for packaging. Veal calves were also allowed entry into Gaza – according to OCHA, they were last allowed in November 2009. Among new items allowed into Gaza are kitchen kits, cloth, furniture, electrical machines, painting material, building material, agricultural fertilizer, agricultural plants, agricultural medicine, sanitation and toilet equipment, water pipes, plastic pipes, toys and generators. With the exception of glass, wood and aluminum (allowed in limited quantities for the commercial sector during the past few months), only limited amounts of construction materials designated for three projects implemented by international organizations continue to enter Gaza. This fails to meet the backlog of construction and raw materials needed after three years of blockade and the destruction caused by operation “Cast Lead” in January 2009.
OCHA reports that according to local sources, with the increase in volume and variety of goods entering through the Israeli crossings, there has been a corresponding significant reduction in the level of imports through the commercial tunnels beneath the Palestinian territory’s border with Egypt. There are also indications that goods entering through the underground tunnels are increasingly focused on construction materials and fuel, rather than on consumer goods.
