Ref: 12/2011

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) expresses grave
concern regarding the Israeli occupation authorities’ decision to close
al-Mentar (Karni) crossing into the Gaza Strip entirely. PCHR warns of the
effect of this total closure on the flow of basic goods required by the
civilian population into Gaza. The Centre calls upon the international
community, especially the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva
Convention of 1949 relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of
war, and international humanitarian organizations to take prompt action in
order to lift the closure. This includes the opening of all commercial
crossings in order to ensure the entry of civilian goods, including food,
medicines and other basic items, especially construction materials. PCHR is
also concerned that the siege imposed on Gaza is institutionalized and that the
rules of the international law, including International Humanitarian Law and
International Human Rights Law, is circumvented.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, on Wednesday, 02
March 2011, the Israeli occupation authorities announced the total closure of
al-Mentar crossing. This decision is the culmination of several previous
decisions and part of a plan prepared by the Israeli occupation authorities to
tighten the socio-economic stranglehold of the Gaza Strip and leave Kerem Abu
Salem crossing, which is not suitable for commercial purposes, as the only
crossing into the Gaza Strip.

Al-Mentar crossing is located to the east of Gaza city. Since its
establishment in 1995, the crossing has been the principal commercial crossing
of the Gaza Strip and used to receive the largest flow of imports and exports.
According to the Crossing Agreement of November 2005, the operational capacity
of this crossing allows the daily export of 400 truckloads of vegetables,
fruits and commercial and industrial products, as well as the daily import of
600 truckloads of goods for the Gazan population. Statistics documented by PCHR
show that the number of truckloads allowed through this crossing before the tightening
of the closure of Gaza did not reach the numbers mentioned above due to
restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on the crossing. The crossing
is located inside the main industrial zone of the Gaza Strip, which was
destroyed by the Israeli military during its offensive on the Gaza Strip
between December 2008 and January 2009. This location facilitated the movement
of imports and exports.

Kerem Abu Salem crossing is located in the far southeast of Rafah
near the border between Gaza and Egypt. It is not technically prepared to allow
the movement of all types of goods and its operational capacity is very
limited. Although the Israeli authorities announced they would expand the
operational capacity of the crossing, this capacity can not meet imports and
exports needs at the same time. “Nahal Oz” crossing in the east of
Gaza, which was previously allocated for the supply of fuel and cooking gas,
was fully closed on 04 January 2010; these supplies have entered Gaza via Kerem
Abu Salem crossing since then. These events showed that Israeli claims
regarding the alleviation of the blockade are false. The maximum operational
capacity of the crossing cannot meet Gaza’s minimum needs of fuel and cooking
gas. According to PCHR documentation, since the beginning of the current year,
the number of truckloads allowed into the Gaza Strip daily has been less than
110 truckloads. This number represents less than 20% of the daily average of
truckloads allowed into Gaza before the tightening of the closure in mid-June
2007, when approximately 570 truckloads daily were allowed into Gaza from the
four commercial crossings. This fact illustrates that making Kerem Abu Salem
crossing the only commercial crossing of the Gaza Strip will not meet the needs
of the Gaza Strip. In addition, Kerem Abu Salem crossing is not equipped to
receive Gaza’s exports as its operational capacity is very limited and ca not
absorb the number of truckloads which passed through al-Mentar crossing prior
to the tightening of the siege. It should be noted that since the beginning of
the current year, the Israeli occupation authorities have allowed the export of
very limited quantities of agricultural products (flowers and strawberries) via
Kerem Abu Salem crossing.

PCHR warns of the aggravation of the crisis facing the industrial,
commercial and agricultural sectors in the Gaza Strip and notes that Kerem Abu
Salem crossing is controlled by the Israeli occupation authorities. This
hinders the movement of the limited quantities of goods allowed into Gaza and
increases the cost of transports, increasing the prices of imports and
inflicting an additional financial burden on Palestinians in Gaza who produce
agricultural products for export via the crossing. UNRWA spokesperson Chris
Gunness declared that the closure of al-Mentar crossing is another form of the
siege imposed on the Gaza Strip by Israel. He added that this closure will
increase the cost of transport for aid deliveries to Gaza by 20% at a time when
the UNRWA budget has a deficit of more than USD 50 million. He explained that
this measure must be a source of concern for donors because forcing
humanitarian organizations to work through Kerem Abu Salem crossing, a
bottleneck, will do little to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of
Palestinians in Gaza. 

In view of the above, PCHR:

1. Stresses that the decision to close al-Mentar crossing and the
closure of Nahal Oz and Sofa crossings indicate that Israel seeks to tighten
the blockade and continue to destroy the economy of the Gaza Strip.

2. Calls upon the international community to break its silence and
intervene promptly in order to compel Israel to abide by the rules of
international law and prevent further collective punishment of civilians.

3. Calls for exerting pressure on Israel to overturn its decision
to close al-Mentar crossing, and to compel the military occupation authorities
to ensure immediate entry of food supplies, medicines and all types of
commercial and industrial goods for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip
in application of the rules of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law.