Movement in and out of Gaza: update covering September 2022

17 Oct 2022

Highlights

From 25 to 27 September, the Israeli authorities closed their border with Gaza during the Jewish holidays. Since the Gaza Power Plant depends on uninterrupted day by day fuel imports from Israel, this resulted in power supply reducing from 12 to 10 hours per day, on average, for two days.
September witnessed the highest number of exits of Palestinians into or through Israel recorded since 2005. This follows a recent Israeli decision to increase the number of work-related permits from 15,500 to 17,000. Still, most people in Gaza are not eligible to apply for Israeli exit permits.
The movement of goods in and out remained at a level similar to that of the August. On 21 September, the Israeli authorities lifted a ban, imposed since 11 August, on the transfer of fish to West Bank Markets; a quota is still imposed.

Background: Longstanding restrictions on the movement of people and goods to and from Gaza have undermined the living conditions of the approximately 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. While recently there has been some easing in importation restrictions, they continue to reduce access to livelihoods, essential services and housing, disrupt family life, and undermine 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.

Rafah crossing with Egypt. Photo by OCHA

Movement of people to Israel and the West Bank

In September, the Israeli authorities allowed nearly 43,360 exits of people from Gaza (in most cases, travellers exited multiple times). This is the highest figure recorded since 2005, and it is 24 per cent higher than the number of exits in August and about six times higher than the monthly average in 2021. This is only about 9 per cent of the monthly average of exits in 2000, before the imposition of the category-based access restrictions.
About 89 per cent of the exits were by Palestinians allowed out under the ‘traders’ or ‘economic needs’ permit category, most of whom are employed as day labourers in Israel. The number of Palestinians with permits under this category currently stands on 17,000.
Some 5 per cent of the exits were patients referred for medical treatment in the West Bank or Israel, and their companions. A total of 1,548 exit-permit applications were submitted for medical appointments scheduled for September, of which 31 per cent were not approved on time.

Background: Palestinians are banned from leaving 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 traders (including de facto daily labourers), patients and their accompaniers, and aid workers, can apply for such permits. Other people are not eligible for a permit. even if they do not pose a security risk, according to the Israeli authorities. In most 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

The Egyptian authorities allowed about 13,700 exits in September (some travellers may have exited multiple times). This is 24 per cent lower than the number of exits allowed in August, and 63 per cent more than the monthly average in 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions largely applied.
Some 324 people were denied entry to Egypt by the Egyptian authorities, compared with 486 denials in August 2022.

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

Monthly average of exits to Egypt (people)

Incoming goods

General goods (excluding fuel and gas)

In September, 9,220 truckloads of authorized imported goods entered Gaza, slightly above the previous month, and 17 per cent more than the monthly average in 2021. This was 18 per cent lower than the monthly average on the eve of the blockade in 2007, although Gaza’s population has grown by more than 55 per cent since then.
Of the goods entered, 46 per cent were construction materials and 25 per cent were food supplies. About 4 per cent were humanitarian aid facilitated by international organizations, including food and medical supplies.
Some 59 per cent of the imported goods entered via Israel. The volume was 3 per cent lower than the previous month, and 20 per cent below the monthly average in 2021.
Of the goods entered via Israel, over 23 per cent were construction materials (mainly aggregates, cement, and steel bars). This was 55 per cent below the monthly average recorded in 2021.
Some 41 per cent of the imported goods entered from Egypt through Rafah crossing, opened for imports on 13 days. This is 6 per cent higher than the volume in August, and about three times more than the monthly average in 2021.
Of the goods entered from Egypt, more than 78 per cent were construction materials. Most of the remaining goods were food items.

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. It is worth noting that, recently, a limited number of these items have been allowed to enter Gaza (e.g.: cement and steel bars). The entry of all goods from or via Israel (including non-restricted goods) is only possible via the Kerem Shalom crossing, following prior coordination with 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 September 2022 increased by 25 per cent compared with August, and which is 32 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2021.
The volume of industrial diesel for the Gaza power plant (GPP) slightly decreased compared with August. Still, this is 3 per cent more than the monthly average in 2021. The GPP shut down one of its three operating turbines for two days due to a shortage of fuel caused by the Israeli authorities’ closure of the border from 25 to 27 September, for the Jewish holidays; as a result, electricity provision reduced from 12 to 10 hours per day, on average.
Cooking gas imports increased by three per cent compared with August, However, the volume of these imports was still 15 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2021.

Outgoing goods

On 21 September, the Israeli authorities lifted a ban imposed on 11 August on the transfer of fish to the West Bank; quotas still apply.
In September, the Israeli authorities allowed 220 truckloads of authorized goods to exit Gaza, 14 per cent more than in the previous month. Still, this was 77 per cent below the monthly average on the eve of the blockade in 2007.
Some 33 per cent of the outgoing goods went to the West Bank and 67 per cent to Israel. Vegetables accounted for 68 per cent of the exited goods, and textiles for 21 per cent, while the remainder included furniture, aluminium scrap used copper, and fish.
Another 149 truckloads exited Gaza to Egypt, carrying scrap iron, scrap coper, scrap aluminium, and used batteries. This is 15 per cent lower than the previous month.

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, the main markets, was totally banned between 2007 and 2014, 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)