Gisha calls on Israel to adopt the recommendations of the UN Commission of Inquiry: The closure and the unlawful and excessive use of force against demonstrators must end
February 28, 2019. Israel continues to enforce a suffocating closure on Gaza, which primarily targets civilians, and continues to fire on unarmed demonstrators who pose no threat to life, week after week, in absolute prohibition of international law. The future of the region as a whole depends on respect for human rights and basic humanity.  Read More »

Israel expands a small section of Gaza’s “fishing zone” to 12 nautical miles. Other sections remain limited to 6 nautical miles
February 28, 2019. For the first time since 2000, Israel is allowing access up to a distance of 12 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza, but only over the middle area of the Strip. Read More »

Kerem Shalom Crossing operating as usual, despite withdrawal of PA employees
February 18, 2019. PA representatives did not arrive to their posts at Kerem Shalom Crossing following disputes between the Palestinian factions, Hamas and Fatah. The crossing is operating as it had before November 2017. Read More »

In 2018, 31% of applications filed by Gaza patients to travel via Erez Crossing for medical treatment were answered too late, or not at all
February 11, 2019. According to figures released by the World Health Organization, only 61% of the 25,897 permit applications submitted by Gaza residents in 2018 to travel via Erez Crossing to obtain medical treatment were approved by Israel. Read More »

Rafah Crossing reopened for travel in and out of Gaza until further notice, Salah A-Din Gate reopened for entry of goods into the Strip
February 4, 2019. Rafah Crossing was reopened on February 3 and is due to remain open indefinitely. Salah A-Din Gate was reopened last Thursday, allowing goods that had been held up on the Egyptian side of the gate for as long as ten days to enter the Strip. Read More »

High Court refuses to conduct a principled discussion on a draconian directive stipulating unreasonable processing times for permit applications submitted by Gaza residents
January 30, 2019. The High Court was asked to review Israel’s processing times as a matter of principle, but it favored a discussion on individual cases. It decided not to accept our request to amend the petition according to its requirements. Read More »

Rafah Crossing opened for travel to and from Gaza for three days only. Salah A-Din Gate closed to movement of goods
January 29, 2019. On January 8, Rafah Crossing was closed to exits from Gaza after being regularly opened since mid-May. Gaza suppliers report that entrance of goods to Gaza via Salah A-Din Gate has stopped. Read More »

Rafah Crossing still closed to exit from Gaza
Update (January 28, 2019): Three weeks ago, the PA announced its decision to remove its employees from Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt. The continued operation of the crossing, which has been opened consecutively since mid-May 2018 after being mostly closed for five years, is uncertain. Read More »

Increased power supply improves water distribution in Gaza, but progress appears to be temporary
December 30, 2018. Two months after Gaza’s sole power plant resumed operating three of its turbines, residents receive up to 11 hours of electricity per day, increasing water supply to households. A sustainable solution to Gaza’s electricity crisis is still needed. Read More »

A Christmas story
December 25, 2018. Israel regularly frames holiday permits for Christians as “gestures of goodwill.” In practice, holiday permits are often used as yet another means of exerting pressure on Palestinians living under Israel’s control. Read More »

New strawberry season, old problems
December 9, 2018. It is strawberry season again in Gaza. According to the Gaza Ministry of Agriculture, land use for strawberry cultivation increased by more than 20% this year. While COGAT boasts of the strawberry market in Gaza in its posts online, it fails to respond to the legitimate needs of growers and suppliers. Read More »

Unemployment among young people in Gaza at 71.1% in the third quarter of 2018
December 4, 2018. Gaza’s unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2018 reached 54.9%, and youth unemployment rose 6.2 points to 71.1%. Of those working in the private sector, 83.6% earn less than minimum wage. Read More »

Universal Children’s Day: Gisha calls on Israel to end its closure on Gaza, and discontinue its systematic violations of children’s rights
November 20, 2018. Universal Children’s Day is marked today around the world. In Gaza, children under the age of 18 account for around half of the total population; about a million children were born and raised in the shadow cast by the closure, tightened by Israel in 2007. Read More »