Movement in and out of Gaza: update covering May 2023

16 Jun 2023

Highlights

In May 2023, the Israeli authorities closed their border with Gaza for five days, during the escalation of hostilities.
While the number of Israeli-issued exit permits for work purposes slightly increased, most people are still not eligible to apply for exit.
The movement of people to or via Israel decreased while travel to or from Egypt increased.
The movement of goods through both borders increased.

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.

Children in Gaza city collecting metal and plastic to sell. Scrap iron and aluminum are among the few types of commodities allowed out of Gaza. Photo by OCHA, 14 June, 2023.

Movement of people to Israel and the West Bank

In May, the Israeli authorities allowed 41,681 exits of people from Gaza (in most cases, travelers exited multiple times). This is 3 per cent lower than the exits in April, and 18 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022. However, it is 92 per cent lower than the monthly average in 2000, before the imposition of category-based restrictions by the Israeli authorities. This decline is attributable to the closure the Israeli border with Gaza from 9 to 13 May 2023, during the escalation of hostilities.
Up to 84 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 Israeli authorities increased the number of exit permits for such purposes from 21,835 in April to 22,029 in May.
Eight 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 1,828 exit-permit applications were submitted to the Israeli authorities for medical appointments scheduled for May. Of them, 22 per cent were not approved on time. Click here for more information.

Background: 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 May, the Egyptian authorities allowed 14,855 exits of people from Gaza (some travelers may have exited multiple times). This is the highest figure since September 2022; and it is 73 per cent more than the number of exits in April. However, it is 23 per cent below the monthly average in 2022.
A total of 377 travelers from Gaza were denied entry to Egypt, compared with 324 denials in April 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 May, 10,333 truckloads of authorized goods entered through the Israeli and Egyptian controlled crossings. This is 59 per cent higher than in April, during which both Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings closed on several days due to holidays, and 16 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022. Still, this is 8 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, 41 per cent were construction materials and 22 per cent were food supplies. About 3 per cent were of humanitarian aid items facilitated by international organizations, mostly food and medical supplies.
Some 63 per cent of the goods entering went in via Israel. This volume is 39 per cent higher than in April 2023, and almost 6 per cent lower than the monthly average in 2022. About 27 per cent of it was construction materials (mainly aggregates, cement, and steel bars). This is 6 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022.
The remaining 37 per cent of the goods entering went in via the Egyptian border, which opened for the movement of goods on 13 days. This is twice the volume recorded in April, and 40 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2022.
Of the goods entering via Egypt, more than 65 per cent were construction materials. 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 that entered Gaza from Israel and Egypt in May increased by 14 per cent compared with April. However, it is still 12 per cent lower 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 imported cooking gas decreased by 11 per cent compared with April. It was also 6 per cent lower than the monthly average in 2022.
The volume of industrial diesel entering for the Gaza Power Plant decreased by 5 per cent compared with April. However, the suspension of supplies during the five days of closure of Kerem shalom forced the Gaza Power plant to run on half of its capacity. The supply in May was 4 per cent lower than the monthly average in 2022.

Outgoing goods

In May, 571 truckloads exited Gaza through the Israeli and Egyptian borders. This was 11 per cent higher than in April 2023, but 9 per cent lower than the monthly average in 2022.
Some 369 of the truckloads exited through the Israeli border. This was slightly higher than the volume of exits in April, and 62 per cent below the monthly average on the eve of the blockade in 2007.
About 57 per cent of these goods went to the West Bank, 42 per cent were exported to Israel, and less than 1 per cent were shipped abroad. Vegetables accounted for 78 per cent of the exiting goods, textile for 12 per cent, fish for 5 per cent, and the remaining 5 per cent included furniture, scrap iron and aluminum.
Another 202 truckloads were exported to Egypt, carrying scrap iron and aluminum as well as used batteries. This is 36 per cent higher than in April. In 2022 and so far in 2023, the Egyptian authorities only allowed used batteries, scrap iron, aluminum, 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)