Movement in and out of Gaza: update covering November 2022

27 Dec 2022

Highlights

November recorded more exits and entries of people and goods through the Israeli and Egyptian borders.
The number of passengers’ exits through the Israeli border was the highest on record since the early 2000s.
The number of permits for referral patients rose.
For the first time since 2007, the Israeli authorities allowed the entry of materials needed to repair fishing boats, so far banned citing security concerns.

Background: Longstanding restrictions on the movement of people and goods to and from Gaza have undermined the living conditions of 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. 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.

A Palestinian truck at the Israeli Kerem Shalom crossing, carrying fuel purchased from Israeli vendors to run the Gaza Power Plant; in November, electricity provision in Gaza lasted 10-16 hours per day, on average. Photo by OCHA

Movement of people to Israel and the West Bank

In November, Israeli authorities allowed nearly 44,770 exits of people from Gaza (in most cases, travellers exited multiple times). This is the highest number of exits since This is the highest number of exits on record since the early 2000s (records go back to 2004), and it is 8 per cent higher than the number of exits in October and about six times higher than the monthly average in 2021. However, this is only about 9 per cent of the monthly average of exits in 2000, before the imposition of category-based access restrictions by the Israeli authorities.
About 86 per cent of the exits were by Palestinians allowed out under the ‘traders’ and ‘economic needs’ permit category, most of whom are employed as day labourers in Israel. The number of Palestinians with permits under these categories currently stands at 17,134.
Some 6 per cent of the exits were by patients referred for medical treatment in the West Bank or Israel and their companions. A total of 1,593 exit-permit applications were submitted for medical appointments scheduled for November. Twenty per cent of them were not approved on time, representing the lowest rate on record since at least 2017; in absolute numbers, this is the lowest figure since last year, where fewer people typically applied

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 cross 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 13,260 exits in November (some travellers may have exited multiple times). This is slightly higher than the number of exits allowed in October, and 58 per cent more than the monthly average in 2021, when COVID-19 restrictions largely applied.
Some 455 people were denied entry to Egypt by the Egyptian authorities, compared with 456 denials in October 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)

For the first time since 2007, the Israeli authorities allowed the entry of specific materials for the repairing of the fishing boats, so far banned citing security concerns.
In November, about 10,790 truckloads of authorized imported goods entered Gaza, 2 per cent above the previous month, and 37 per cent more than the monthly average in 2021. However, this was 4 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 entering goods, 48 per cent were construction materials and 21 per cent were food supplies. About 2 per cent were humanitarian aid facilitated by international organizations, including food and medical supplies.
Some 62 per cent of the entering goods went in via Israel. The volume was 7 per cent higher than the previous month, and almost equals to the monthly average in 2021.
Of the goods that entered via Israel, over 29 per cent were construction materials (mainly aggregates, cement, and steel bars). This was 15 per cent below the monthly average recorded in 2021.
Some 38 per cent of the entering goods went in from Egypt through Rafah crossing, which opened for imports on 13 days. This is 6 per cent below the volume in October, and about three times more than the monthly average in 2021.
Of the goods that entered from Egypt, more than 79 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, such as cement and steel bars, have been allowed to enter Gaza. 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 November 2022 decreased by 19 per cent compared with October and was 11 per cent lower than the monthly average in 2021.
The volume of industrial diesel entering for the Gaza power plant was 30 per cent below that recorded in October, and 19 per cent lower than the monthly average in 2021.
Cooking gas imports increased by five per cent compared with October, and were 26 per cent higher than the monthly average in 2021.

Outgoing goods

In November, Israeli authorities allowed the exit of 416 truckloads of goods, 46 per cent more than in the previous month. Still, this was 57 per cent below the monthly average on the eve of the blockade in 2007.
Some 74 per cent of the outgoing goods went to the West Bank, 25 per cent to Israel, and 1 per cent elsewhere. Vegetables accounted for 79 per cent of the exiting goods, and textiles for 11 per cent, while the remainder included furniture, aluminium scrap, used copper, furniture, and fish.
Another 103 truckloads exited Gaza to Egypt, carrying scrap iron, and used batteries. This is 31 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 only certain types of commodities are allowed, and various physical and administrative 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 Rafah crossing.

Monthly average of outgoing goods from Gaza (truckloads)