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Longstanding restrictions on the movement of people and goods to and from Gaza have undermined the living conditions of 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza. Many of the current restrictions, originally imposed by Israel in the early 1990s, were intensified after June 2007, following the Hamas takeover of Gaza and the imposition of a blockade. These restrictions have reduced access to livelihoods, essential services and housing, disrupted family life, and undermined people’s hopes for a secure and prosperous future. The situation has been compounded by the restrictions imposed since June 2013 by the Egyptian authorities at Rafah Crossing, which had become the main crossing point used by Palestinian passengers in the Gaza Strip, given the above restrictions on the Israeli- controlled crossings.<\/p><\/div>\n
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<\/p>\n \n MOVEMENT AND ACCESS OF PEOPLE*<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n \n\n\n\n EREZ CROSSING <\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n •<\/span> In October, Erez crossing was open for 25 out of 26 working days (on day closed due to a Jewish holiday).<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n •<\/span> <\/span>The working hours of the crossing were shortened on seven days during the month due to demonstrations and clashes that took place in its vicinity, or repairs of damage sustained during confrontations.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n •<\/span> <\/span>The number of crossings during October declined for third consecutive month and stood at 26% below the monthly average so far in 2015.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n •<\/span> <\/span>Accessible only to Israeli issued permit holders, primarily medical and other humanitarian cases, merchants, and aid workers.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n •<\/span> <\/span>Permits issued by Israeli authorities. <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n \n\n RAFAH CROSSING<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n •<\/span> In October, Rafah was open in one direction (from Egypt to Gaza) on three out of 31 scheduled days, including two days for pilgrims and one day for other Palestinians stranded in Egypt.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n •<\/span> <\/span>Since 24 October 2014, the crossing has been closed for all but 37 days.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n •<\/span> <\/span>There are at least 30,000 Palestinians registered as humanitarian cases waiting to leave Gaza via Rafah.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/p>\n \n \n\n| \n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n
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\n MOVEMENT OF GOODS FROM AND INTO GAZA<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n \n\n\n\n EXIT OF GOODS<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n •<\/span> Kerem Shalom opened for the exit of goods on 17 out of 26 scheduled days, allowing the exit of 137 truckloads, the largest volume of goods leaving Gaza in a single month since the imposition of the blockade in 2007, including:<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t •<\/span> <\/span>81 truckloads of agricultural products, furniture and clothing destined to West Bank;<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t •<\/span> <\/span>24 truckloads of agricultural products and scrap metal destined to Israel; this is the first time since June 2007 that scrap metal is allowed out of Gaza;<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n •<\/span> <\/span>32 truckloads of agricultural products destined to international markets.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t •<\/span> <\/span>Opens during daytime (08:00 – 19:00).<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/td>\n\n <\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
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| \n\n ENTRY OF GOODS <\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n\n •<\/span> <\/span>Kerem Shalom operated on 19 out of 26 scheduled days allowing the entry of 9,778 truckloads of goods.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n | | | | | | |