November 13, 2019. Israel is still blocking movement of people and goods through Gaza’s crossings to an even greater extent than usual. Gaza’s sole commercial crossing, Kerem Shalom, is closed to exit and entrance of goods other than entrance of fuel for Gaza’s power plant. Erez Crossing is closed to exits from the Strip, other than exits by medical patients, Palestinians with Israeli citizenship, and foreign passport holders. Yesterday Israel closed both crossings to all movement.
The “fishing zone” enforced by Israel in a small part of Gaza’s territorial waters has been blocked to all access north of Gaza’s fishing port. In the south of the Strip, fishing is limited up to a distance of only six nautical miles. This change to Israel’s demarcation of the fishing zone is the 17th implemented since the beginning of 2019.
Gisha reiterates that Israel has a responsibility to allow the continued provision of necessities to residents of Gaza and to enable travel. At a minimum, humanitarian access must be allowed. The civilian population must be kept out of the line of fire.