Movement in and out of Gaza: update covering May 2022

Highlights

In May 2022, the movement of people from Gaza to the West Bank and Israel decreased compared with April.
The movement of people from Gaza to Egypt increased compared with April.
Fewer goods entered Gaza compared with previous months, but more goods exited.

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. These restrictions 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.

Movement of people to Israel and the West Bank

In May, the Israeli authorities allowed nearly 24,880 exits from Gaza (in most cases, travellers exited multiple times). This was 13 per cent below the level of exits in April, mainly due an exit ban imposed by the Israeli authorities from 4 to 14 May; it was initially imposed for two days, around Israel’s Memorial and Independence Days, and was expanded following the killing of three Israelis by Palestinians from the West Bank. The May figures were still almost three times higher than the monthly average in 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions largely applied, but only about 5 per cent of the volume of exits in the first half of 2000, before the imposition of the category-based restrictions.
About 83 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 crossing of traders into Israel was halted by the Israeli authorities in March 2020, in the context of COVID-19, and gradually resumed in the last quarter of 2021.
Some 8 per cent of the exits were by patients referred for medical treatment in the West Bank or Israel, and their companions. A total of 1,684 exit-permit applications were submitted for medical appointments scheduled for May, of which 51 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 9,630 exits in May (some travellers may have exited multiple times). This was 24 per cent more than the exits allowed in April, and over 14 per cent above the monthly average in 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions largely applied.
Some 430 people were denied entry to Egypt by the Egyptian authorities, compared with 320 denials in April 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 approved exit through the Rafah Crossing, controlled by the Egyptian authorities, which operates from Sundays to Thursdays. The journey to Cairo via 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 May, the volume of goods entering Gaza was 2 per cent below the previous month, and 14 per cent below the 2021 monthly average. It was also 39 per cent lower than the monthly average on the eve of the blockade in 2007, although Gaza’s population has grown by more than 50 per cent since then.
Of the goods entering, 36 per cent were construction materials and 25 per cent were food. About 3 per cent was humanitarian aid facilitated by international organizations, including food and medical supplies.
Some 79 per cent of the goods entered via Israel. The volume was 3 per cent below the previous month, and 20 per cent above the monthly average in 2021.
Of the goods entering via Israel, over 33 per cent were construction materials (mainly aggregates, cement, and steel bars). This was 23 per cent below the monthly average recorded in 2021, a trend attributable to higher reconstruction needs following the May 2021 hostilities.
Some 21 per cent of the overall goods entered via Egypt, from which imports took place on 11 days. Their volume was 2 per cent higher than in April, and about 17 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2021.
Of the goods entering from Egypt, more than 48 per cent were construction materials, which are cheaper in Egypt and less difficult to import than via Israel. 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. The entry of all goods from or via Israel (including non-restricted goods) is only possible via the Kerem Shalom crossing, following prior coordination. 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 during May 2022 decreased by 15 per cent compared with the monthly average in 2021, while the volume of industrial diesel for the power plant decreased by 6 per cent compared with the 2021 monthly average. The volume of cooking gas went up by 48 per cent.

Outgoing goods

In May, the Israeli authorities allowed 571 truckloads to exit Gaza, 14 per cent above the previous month, but 41 per cent fewer than the monthly average on the eve of the blockade in 2007.
Some 49 per cent of the outgoing goods went to the West Bank, 49 per cent to Israel, and 2 per cent to international markets. Vegetables accounted for 64 per cent of the goods and scrap iron for 20 per cent, while the remainder included textiles, fish, aluminium, used copper, and furniture.
Another 246 truckloads exited Gaza to Egypt, carrying scrap iron and used batteries.

Monthly average of outgoing goods from Gaza (truckloads)

Data source: Ministry of National Economy in Gaza. More data: ochaopt.org/data/crossings