Movement in and out of Gaza: update covering February 2022

02 Mar 2022

Highlights

In February, the movement of people from Gaza to the West Bank, Israel and Egypt declined slightly compared with January.
Fewer building materials entered via Israel and Egypt compared with previous months.
Fewer goods exited compared with January.

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 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.

Old man with a cancer patient exiting to Istishari Arab Hospital at Ramallah to receive medical treatment.

A cancer patient is crossing Erez to Istishari Arab Hospital at Ramallah to receive medical treatment. Source: OCHA oPt, June 2022.

Movement of people to Israel and the West Bank

In February, the Israeli authorities allowed nearly 26,100 exits from Gaza (in most cases, travelers exited multiple times). This was four per cent below the level of exits in January, but 3.5 times more than the monthly average in 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions largely applied. However, it represents 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 85 per cent of the exits were by Palestinians allowed out under the ‘traders’ or ‘economic needs’ permit category , most of whom are in fact employed as daily 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 10 per cent of the exits were by patients referred for medical treatment in the West Bank or Israel, and their companions. A total of 1,445 exit-permit applications were submitted for medical appointments scheduled for February, of which only 69 per cent were 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” (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 for foreign nationals only.

Monthly average of exits to/via Israel (people)

Movement of people to Egypt

The Egyptian authorities allowed about 9,800 exits in February (some travelers may have exited multiple times). This was slightly less than in January, but over 17 per cent above the monthly average in 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions largely applied.
Some 370 people were denied entry to Egypt by the Egyptian authorities, compared with 510 denials in January 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 February, the volume of goods entering Gaza was 15 per cent below the previous month, and 5 per cent below the 2021 monthly average. It was also 33 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.
Of the goods entering, 39 per cent were construction materials, and 29 per cent were food. About 4 per cent were humanitarian aid facilitated by international organizations, including food and medical supplies.
Some 83 per cent of the goods entered via Israel. The volume was 15 per cent below the previous month, and 7 per cent below the monthly average in 2021.
Of the goods entering via Israel, over 38 per cent were construction materials (mainly aggregates, cement, and steel bars). This was 3 per cent above the monthly average recorded in 2021, a trend attributable to higher reconstruction needs following the May 2021 hostilities.
Some 17 per cent of the overall goods entered via Egypt, from which imports took place on 12 days. Their volume was 18 per cent lower than in January, and roughly same as the monthly average in 2021.
Of the goods entering from Egypt , more than 41 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.

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, medical equipment, and certain 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 volumes of fuel and gas that entered Gaza from Israel and Egypt during February 2022 increased compared with the monthly average in 2021. They increased by 25 per cent for cooking gas, by 10 per cent for petrol and diesel, and by 20 per cent for industrial diesel for the power plant.

Outgoing goods

In February, the Israeli authorities allowed 781 truckloads to leave Gaza: 4 per cent less than in January and 19 per cent less than the monthly average on the eve of the blockade in 2007. The recent uptrend is partially attributable to a rising demand for vegetables in Israel.
Some 65 per cent went to the West Bank, 33 per cent to Israel, and 2 per cent to international markets. Vegetables accounted for 75 per cent, scrap iron 14 per cent , and the remainder included textiles, fish, aluminum and used copper, and furniture.
Another 12 truckloads exited Gaza to Egypt, carrying scrap iron and, for the first time, used batteries.

Background: Most products traded outside Gaza are transported to markets via the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing, where various restrictions apply. The exit of good 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)