Israel allows only 97 type of goods to enter Gaza
While in 2007, before the Israeli blockade more than 4000 type of products arrived in the Gaza Strip, nowadays this number only limited to 97 – Gisa, an Israeli non-profit organization pointed out. Currently only 2300 truckload of shipment arrives in the zone, while three years ago this figure has exceeded 10000.
In its reports, the organization doubted the Israeli argument, that isolating the Palestinian-populated area could be a solution to prevent the rebuild of he Hamas’ military infrastructure. Among others, the prohibited goods include spices such as ginger and coriander and even children’s toys.
According to Gisa, Israel’s policy is not consistent in many points limiting the importation of essential goods. For instance, it’s prohibited to bring in margarine for industrial use, but the ban doesn’t apply for margarines meant for general consumption. In addition, it’s banned to bring in rubber, glue and nylon as they are used to produce diapers in Gaza, however importing diapers that are produced in Israel are not prohibited.
As for the exports, since 2007 a total of 259 trucks left the Gaza strip, although in 2005 this number was seventy per day. According to the World Bank the vast majority of goods entering Gaza are coming through smuggler tunnels under the Egyptian border.
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