Movement in and out of Gaza: update covering July 2023

15 Aug 2023

Highlights

In July, the Israeli crossing with Gaza recorded the highest number of people’s exits since at least 2004 (when OCHA started regular monitoring). Still, most Palestinians in Gaza are not eligible to apply for Israeli exit permits.
July also recorded an increase in the movements of people through the Egyptian border and in the transfer of goods through the Israeli crossing.

Background: Longstanding restrictions on the movement of people and goods to and from Gaza have undermined the living conditions of its over two million Palestinian residents. Many of the current restrictions, originally imposed by the Israeli authorities in the early 1990s, were intensified after June 2007, following the Hamas takeover of Gaza, when the Israeli authorities imposed a blockade. Despite some easing of import restrictions since 2021, the remaining limitations continue to hinder access to livelihoods, essential services, and housing, disrupting family life and undermining people’s hopes for a secure and prosperous future. The situation has been compounded by the restrictions imposed by the Egyptian authorities at Rafah crossing.

A Palestinian fisher in Gaza, where fish is one of few types of commodities allowed out. In July, they accounted for 6 per cent of the outgoing truckloads. Photo by OCHA

Movement of people to Israel and the West Bank

In July, the Israeli authorities allowed 67,769 exits of people from Gaza (in most cases, travelers exited multiple times). This is the highest figure recorded since OCHA started to monitor the crossings’ activities in 2004. The increase can be attributed to the improvements in the crossing conditions and the issuance of more working permits. Exits in July were 60 per cent higher than those in June, and about 90 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022. However, it is 86 per cent lower than the monthly average in 2000, before the imposition of category-based restrictions by the Israeli authorities.
Up to 90 per cent of the exits were by Palestinians allowed out for work-related purposes, most of whom are employed as day labourers in Israel. The overall number of exit permits for such purposes decreased from 22,219 in June to 21,970 in July. However, the number of the work permits issued through Israeli employers increased from 2,299 in June to 2,611 in July.
Six per cent of the exits were by patients referred for medical treatment in the West Bank or Israel, along with their companions. A total of 1,851 exit-permit applications were submitted to the Israeli authorities for medical appointments scheduled for July. Of them, 19 per cent were not approved on time, compared with 18 per cent in June. Click here for more information.

Palestinians are banned from exiting Gaza via Israel, including for passage to the West Bank, unless they obtain an Israeli-issued exit permit. Only those belonging to certain categories, primarily day labourers, traders, patients and their accompaniers, and aid workers, may apply for such permits. Other people are not eligible for a permit even if according to the Israeli authorities they do not pose a security risk. In many cases, the Israeli authorities do not provide specific reasons for the rejection of an application. If an application is approved, the permit holder may travel through the Israeli-controlled Erez crossing, which operates during the daytime, from Sunday to Thursday, and on Fridays for urgent cases and foreign nationals only.

Monthly average of exits to/via Israel (people)

Movement of people to Egypt

In July, 14,989 exits of people from Gaza were allowed by the Egyptian authorities (some travelers may have exited multiple times). This is the highest figure recorded since September 2022, and is 15 per cent higher than the number of exits in June and 24 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022.
A total of 216 travelers from Gaza were denied entry to Egypt, compared with 210 denials in June 2023. The grounds for denial are typically not provided, but according to the local Palestinian authorities, Egyptian authorities have often cited security concerns or specific limits that often apply to men aged 18-40.

Background: Palestinians wishing to exit Gaza via Egypt must register with the local Palestinian authorities two to four weeks in advance. People may also apply to the Egyptian authorities, using the services of a private company. The procedures and decisions by both authorities lack transparency. Approved passengers exit through the Rafah Crossing, which is controlled and operated by the Egyptian authorities from Sundays to Thursdays. The journey through the Sinai desert is often lengthy and includes multiple stops for checks by Egyptian forces.

Monthly average of exits to Egypt (people)

Incoming goods

General goods (excluding fuel and gas)

In July, 10,199 truckloads of authorized goods entered through the Israeli and Egyptian controlled crossings. This is 6 per cent higher than in June, and 15 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022. Still, this is 9 per cent lower than the monthly average on the eve of the blockade in 2007, although Gaza’s population has grown by almost 60 per cent since then.
Of the goods that entered, 43 per cent were construction materials and 21 per cent were food supplies. About 3.5 per cent were of humanitarian aid items facilitated by international organizations, mostly food and medical supplies.
Some 69 per cent of the goods entering went in via Israel. This volume is 19 per cent higher than in June, and almost 15 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022. About 33 per cent of it was construction materials (mainly aggregates, cement, and steel bars). This is 23 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022.
The remaining 31 per cent of the goods entering went in via the Egyptian border, which opened for the movement of goods on 12 days. This is 16 per cent lower than the volume recorded in June, and 16 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022.
Of the goods entering via Egypt, more than 65 per cent were construction materials (mainly aggregates, cement, and steel bars). Most of the remaining goods were food supplies.

Background: Since the imposition of the blockade in 2007, the Israeli authorities have restricted the entry into Gaza of goods they consider having a dual (civilian and military) use, such as building materials, certain medical equipment, and some agricultural items. Some of these goods may be allowed entry, following a lengthy application and review process. The entry of most of the goods from or via Israel (including non-restricted goods) is only possible via the Kerem Shalom crossing, following prior coordination with the Israeli authorities. Since 2018, goods have also entered Gaza regularly from Egypt, via the Rafah crossing, controlled by the Egyptian authorities, and then through the adjacent Salah Ad Din Gate, controlled by the local authorities.

Monthly average of incoming goods to Gaza (truckloads)

Fuel and gas

The volume of petrol and diesel entering Gaza from Israel and Egypt in July increased by 69 per cent compared with June. It was also 27 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022. No restrictions are imposed on the import of fuel of any type, but funding and storage capacity are limited.
The volume of the incoming cooking gas decreased by 3 per cent compared with June. It was also slightly lower than the monthly average in 2022.
The volume of industrial diesel entering for the Gaza Power Plant increased by 7 per cent compared with June. Additionally, it is 6 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022.

Outgoing goods

In July, 406 truckloads of authorized goods exited Gaza through the Israeli and Egyptian crossings. This was 2 per cent higher than in June, but 35 per cent lower than the monthly average in 2022.
Some 279 of the truckloads exited through the Israeli border. This was 11 per cent higher than the volume of exits in June, and 71 per cent below the monthly average on the eve of the blockade in 2007.
About 49 per cent of exiting goods went to the West Bank, 51 per cent were exported to Israel, and no goods were shipped abroad. Vegetables accounted for 54 per cent of the exiting goods, textile for 18 per cent, fish for 6 per cent, and the remaining 22 per cent included furniture, scrap copper and aluminium, and others.
Another 127 truckloads were exported to Egypt, carrying scrap iron and used batteries. This is 13 per cent lower than in June. In 2022 and so far in 2023, the Egyptian authorities only allowed used batteries, scrap iron, aluminium, and copper to exit.

Background: Most products traded outside of Gaza are transported to markets via the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing, where various restrictions apply. The exit of goods to the West Bank and Israel, Gaza’s main markets, was banned between 2007 and 2014, and then gradually reinstated. Since August 2021, certain goods have been exported to Egypt, via the Salah Ad Din gate and Rafah crossing.

Monthly average of outgoing goods from Gaza (truckloads)