The price of building materials in Gaza rises 10% to 30%

June 18, 2013.  A large scale deployment of Egyptian military forces in northern Sinai has resulted in delays and decreases in the amount of goods entering Gaza through the tunnels. Over the last few days, the price of building materials in the Strip has shot up by 10% to 30%. According to various estimates, there has been a 60% drop in the amount of building materials entering through the tunnels every day and a 70% decrease in the amount of various types of fuel entering Gaza.

According to media reports, Egyptian army officials are concerned that armed militants would infiltrate from Gaza into the Sinai ahead of large scale demonstrations planned for late June. Gaza merchants have speculated that the Egyptian army will continue hindering the passage of goods through the tunnels until the end of June.

In addition, the Palestinian Authority Petroleum Agency has told Gisha that due to the continuing shortage in cooking gas in the Strip, Israel has agreed to extend operations at Kerem Shalom Crossing by one hour each day in order to allow an additional truckload of gas to enter Gaza.