The State of Gaza Strip Border Crossings
26 September – 19 October 2006
Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have continued to close all border crossings of the Gaza Strip. During the reported period, these crossings were partially reopened to allow the entry of basic foodstuffs, medical supplies and other necessities into the Gaza Strip. The total siege imposed by IOF on the Gaza Strip has left disastrous impacts on the humanitarian situation and has violated the economic and social rights of the Palestinian civilian population, particularly the rights to appropriate living conditions, health and education. It has also paralyzed most economic sectors. Furthermore, severe restrictions have been imposed on the movement of the Palestinian civilian population. As a consequence of the total siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, at least 70% of the families in the Gaza Strip live below the poverty line, and unemployment has been estimated at 55%. In addition, the living conditions in the Gaza Strip have further deteriorated with the non-payment of salaries for the public sector for 7 months as international donors have frozen aids provided to Palestinians and Israeli authorities have suspended the transfer of tax revenues to the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) since March 2006. Moreover, the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip has severely impacted the flow of food, medical supplies and other necessities such as fuel, construction materials and raw materials for various economic sectors. This siege has had unprecedented catastrophic impacts on the living conditions of the Palestinian civilian population.
The most notable developments regarding the Gaza Strip border crossings during the reported period can be summed up in the following:
Beit Hanoun (Erez) Crossing:
During the reported period, this crossing was completely closed for 24 days. Thus, the number of closure days of the crossing since 25 June 2006 has increased to 86. International diplomats have been excluded from this closure. International workers, staff members of international organizations and international journalists have needed prior coordination with the Israeli Liaison Office at the crossing to move to and from the Gaza Strip. As to humanitarian cases, IOF have allow the passage of 13 patients daily to receive medical treatment in Israeli and West Bank hospitals. IOF have prevented Palestinian female patients aged under 40 from passing through the crossing, even though most of these patients are in serious conditions and suffer from serious diseases. Patients who are allowed to pass through the crossing are forced to wait for long hours to undergo complicated passage and security procedures. They are thoroughly checked in a humiliating manner. Patients are also forced to pay additional financial expenses to use Israeli ambulances to transport them from the crossing to hospitals since Palestinian ambulances are banned from transporting patients. It is noted that the number of patients passing through the crossing has decreased from 50 patients daily three months ago and 20 patients a day a month ago.
Al-Mentar (Karni) Crossing:
This crossing was completely closed for 5 days and partially closed for 19 days. Since 25 June 2006, the crossing has been closed for 25 days completely and 51 days partially. As a result of the closure of the crossing, many basic foodstuffs have been lacked in the markets, especially in Ramadan Month. Even though IOF have increased the amounts of goods allowed to be entered into the Gaza Strip, this increase has not met the daily needs of the population. IOF have allowed the entry of 200 containers loaded with goods into the Gaza Strip, and have allowed the exportation of 15 containers from the Gaza Strip.
Nahal Ouz Crossing:
This crossing is designed for fuel imports for the Gaza Strip. It has been operated below its capacity. During the report period, the crossing was closed for 4 days, and it was not operated for 3 other days, when the Dur Allon Company, which provides Palestinian areas with fuel suspended exporting fuels after the Palestinian government had declared that it would end the contract with the company. The company demanded the PNA to pay delayed debts, which are estimated at 600 million NIS (nearly US$ 141 million). Thus, the crossing has been closed for 28 days since 25 June 2006. During the report period, 961,000 tons of benzene; 5,786,000 tons of gasoline; and 2,474 tons of gas were allowed into the Strip. The fuel crisis has persisted in the Gaza Strip since IOF bombarded of the Gaza Power Plant. Key institutions, such as hospitals, rely on fuel to run power generators during power outages.
Sofa Crossing:
During the reported period, this crossing was completely closed for 8 days, whereas it was partially operated for 16 days, 7 hours daily. Since 25 June 2006, IOF have closed the crossing for 46 days. IOF allowed the entry of 87,809 tons of aggregate and construction raw materials; 6 containers of electrical appliances; 105 tons of lentils; 120 tons of oil; and 193 tons of sugar. IOF also allowed the entry of 4 containers of pipelines for Cooperative Housing Foundation; 172 tons of foodstuffs for UNRWA; 587 tons of flour; and 65 tons of milk for the Ministry of Health. Goods were transported inappropriately, so large amounts of them damaged.
Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) Commercial Crossing:
This crossing was partially reopened for 16 days. IOF allowed the entry of 3 electric generators, some cables and appliances from Egypt, which are necessary to maintain the Gaza Power Plant that was destroyed by IOF on 27 June 2006. IOF also allowed the entry of some humanitarian assistance provided by the Egyptian Red Crescent Society: 1695 tons of flour; 134 tons of milk; 390 tons of sugar; and 95 tons of rice. The crossing has been closed for 70 days since 25 June 2006.
Rafah International Crossing Point:
During the report period, this crossing was closed completely for 21 days. It was partially opened for 4 days.
On 4 October 2006, the crossing point was opened, and 1593 Palestinian were able to travel to or from the Gaza Strip. On 5 October 2006, the crossing point was opened from 08:00 to 16:00, and 1285 Palestinians were able to travel to and from the Gaza Strip. IOF cancelled their decision to open the crossing point on 7 and 8 October.
The crossing point was reopened again on 9 October 2006 and 1631 Palestinians were able to travel from the Gaza Strip, including at least 1500 ones who traveled to Saudi Arabia for the Omra (the lesser pilgrimage). In addition, 789 Palestinians were able to travel back to the Gaza Strip. The crossing point was also reopened on 11 October 2006. Approximately 1130 Palestinians were able to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Omra, and 336 others were able to travel back to the Gaza Strip.
The closure of Rafah International Crossing Point has left disastrous impacts of hundreds of Palestinians, who have been stuck at the Egyptian side of the crossing after they had received medical treatment in Egypt. At least 80 Palestinians have been stuck at al-Areesh Airport in Egypt waiting to be allowed to travel back to the Gaza Strip. PCHR is concerned over the destiny of at least 5000 pilgrims who traveled to Saudi Arabia for the Omra and whether they will be able to travel back to the Gaza Strip to spend the Eid with their families.
Rafah Commercial Crossing has been completely closed since the implementation of the unilateral Disengagement Plan on 12 September 2005.
In light of the above:
1) PCHR asserts that the closure imposed by IOF constitutes a form of collective punishment and retaliation against the Palestinian civilian population in the OPT.
2) The closure violates international humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, and international human rights law, particularly the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
3) The policy of closure leaves disastrous impacts on all aspects of life in the OPT, and causes further deterioration in economic and social conditions.
PCHR reiterates its call for the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to take effective steps to pressure Israel to stop collective punishment and lift the siege imposed on the OPT and force it to comply with its obligations under the international law.
