ALBAWABA - On September 5th, the Israeli government announced the complete cessation of goods transit from Gaza to the West Bank through the Kerm Ebu Salim Crossing, citing concerns of explosives being concealed within clothing. Kerm Ebu Salim serves as Gaza's sole commercial gateway to the outside world.
Officials and experts in Gaza are sounding alarm bells over Israel's recent decision to halt the flow of goods from Gaza to the occupied West Bank, citing concerns of "explosives smuggling." This move is now seen as a potential economic catastrophe, with warnings of hundreds of businesses shutting down and thousands facing unemployment.
According to Usama Nevfel, Director of Research and Development at Gaza's National Ministry of Economy, the consequences of this shutdown will be devastating across all sectors. Gaza annually exports around $134 million worth of goods from various industries, and Nevfel predicts that this decision will lead to layoffs and a surge in the unemployment rate.
The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture estimates that the suspension of exports could cost the agricultural sector approximately one million shekels per day.
Nizar Ayash, Head of the Gaza Fishermen's Union, emphasized that the border closure would be a death knell for Gaza's fishing industry. He revealed that Gaza exports about 80 tons of fish monthly, and the ban on exports would result in roughly a 50% loss for Palestinian fishermen. Ayash added that fishermen wouldn't be able to cover the costs of operating their boats, essentially causing the industry to collapse.
Avde disclosed that there are nearly 290 registered factories and over 100 companies that export to the West Bank and Israel, providing jobs for more than 9,000 workers. He stressed that these businesses, which took a decade to build, would be severely impacted, with over 70% of them unable to operate due to the decision, exacerbating unemployment.
Economic analyst Samir Abu Mudalleh shed light on Israel's consistent prioritization of security concerns over economic and political considerations. He pointed out that "halting exports is another layer of restrictions on Gaza, as this trade passage is their only lifeline."
Abu Mudalleh concluded, "This decision will result in widespread layoffs in many factories, further compounding unemployment and poverty among the population. It will effectively double the humanitarian crisis that Gazans have endured for 17 years."
According to the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, 61.6% of Gaza's population lives in poverty, and as of the end of 2022, the unemployment rate stood at approximately 47%.
On September 5th, the Israeli government announced the complete cessation of goods transit from Gaza to the West Bank through the Kerm Ebu Salim Crossing, citing concerns of explosives being concealed within clothing. Kerm Ebu Salim serves as Gaza's sole commercial gateway to the outside world.
Gaza, which has been under Israeli blockade by air, land, and sea since 2006, continues to grapple with a severe humanitarian crisis. With limited freedom of movement, nearly 2 million Palestinians in Gaza can only leave the region under exceptional circumstances.
