The upward trend registered in previous years in the number of Palestinians allowed to exit Gaza through the Erez crossing with Israel (mainly to the West Bank) continued into 2014, with a 24 per cent increase compared with 2013. This was particularly pronounced in the second half of the year following the relaxation of Israeli eligibility criteria for exit permits (see box below) in the wake of the July-August hostilities. Despite this improvement, access continues to be largely restricted to medical cases and their escorts, businessmen and traders, and staff of international organizations, with movement to the West Bank denied to most Palestinians from Gaza