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Almina, Gaza – “This really hasn’t changed anything for us,” said Khaled al-Habil, a Palestinian fisherman. “Since we don’t have spare parts for maintenance and repair, most ships can’t even go that far.”
Khalid was referring to COGAT’s announcement of the expansion of Gaza’s fishing zone, COGAT, an Israeli military unit responsible for civilian affairs in the occupied territories, last Wednesday.
Among other measures, the fishing area was expanded to 15 nautical miles (28 km).Although Oslo Agreement The agreement signed in the early 1990s required Israel to allow ships to sail up to 20 nautical miles (37 kilometers), and until last week the maximum distance allowed by Israel was 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers).
The atmosphere at al-Mina, the main port of Gaza, is a good indicator of political tensions. In retaliation for Hamas’s decision or anti-occupation protests, Israel often restricts Gaza fishermen’s access to the area. This instability has affected the livelihoods of approximately 4,000 fishermen, their families, and thousands of people working in the industry.
Khalid’s family was directly affected. Khaled, 55, inherited the fisherman career from his father at the age of 10 and passed it on to his five sons.
“We only know about fishing, but this kind of profession does not allow us to engage in our profession in a calm and comfortable environment,” he said.
The al-Habil family owns a trawler—a large fishing vessel that can sail long distances—has been inactive for more than two years.
According to Khalid, this trawler supports more than 20 families, but due to engine problems, it no longer works-there are no mechanical parts that can solve the problem in Gaza, because Blockade of Israel and Egypt.
“The severe shortage of equipment and preventing them from entering the Gaza Strip is their [Israeli authorities] It should be really resolved,” Khalid argued.
Currently, the al-Habil family is scattered on the boats of different fishermen. When asked about their demands, the six agreed that for Gaza fishermen to thrive, it is not enough to grant sea miles. The siege must be completely lifted.
‘Nothing will change’
In the past few weeks, Palestinians have been protesting Oppose Israel’s severe blockade of Gaza. In response to construction tensions, COGAT not only announced the expansion of the fishing area, but also announced three other measures.
As of last Wednesday, Gaza’s water supply has increased by 5 million cubic meters (1.3 billion gallons), allowing Gaza merchants to pass through the Beit Hanoon border crossing (known as Erez to Israelis) to a quota of 7,000 (an increase from 2,000) to The Israeli Karem Abu Salem border crossing, Kerem Shalom, has been fully opened for the passage of equipment and goods.
Karem Abu Salem is located at the southernmost point of the border between Gaza and Israel and is the main commercial crossing point in Gaza. Farmers, manufacturers, and suppliers that employ thousands of people rely on border crossings to advance their businesses. However, even if it is completely open, Israel can decide what to cross, how much, and when to cross.
Rabe Moral, the research director of the Palestinian Institute for Economic Policy Research (MAS), told Al Jazeera: “It seems that nothing will change because its ability to operate is the same as before the war.”
According to Morrar, 1,000 trucks can pass through the border crossing every day, but only about 300 trucks are currently in circulation. Researchers said that due to the 11-day war against Gaza in May, high unemployment, the coronavirus pandemic, and Qatar’s suspension of remittances, Gaza’s economic life is rapidly deteriorating.
“People don’t have money to buy the goods they bought before the war,” he said.
Experts also warned that materials deemed “dual-use”-which can be used for civilian or military purposes-are prohibited from entering the Gaza Strip. This includes construction materials such as cement and iron, as well as other raw materials.
Even if built Material Allowed to enter last week, Moral said they are destined to enter the private sector and international organizations, not to rebuild Gaza.
“It’s a bit like Israel telling Hamas:’Well, we don’t need war’, but these facilities will not bring real development,” Mora said.
CWork for Israel
To obtain the “merchant title”, one must apply at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in the Gaza District of Palestine. When a person has a small market, business, or personal relationship that facilitates the process, they are eligible.
If a businessman wishes to work in Israel, he will obtain a special permit. Such documents are updated every six months.
“A’merchant’ licensed by Israel [to pass the Karem Abu Salem crossing] Not real businessmen, most of them are workers in the construction and agricultural sectors,” Mora said.
The expert said that the increase in the number of merchants allowed to circulate is important to the economy, but it is not enough. According to him, Israel must allow at least 50,000 workers to enter to truly change the economy of Gaza.
“Israel knows [people are not always merchants], But for this kind of permission, they do not pay for social security, compensation, insurance, etc.,” Mora explained. “It’s very difficult, but the people of Gaza have no choice. “
Water supply
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set 100 liters as the minimum requirement for per capita water consumption per day. The amount should meet basic needs, such as drinking water, bathing, cooking and washing.
In Gaza, the average daily consumption per capita is only 88 liters; in Israel, by contrast, it exceeds 200 liters. Only 10% of Gaza’s water comes from Israel.Nevertheless, occupation and blockade Water crisis In the strip.
In order to solve the shortage, there are some private wells in operation in Gaza, but most of them are not regulated. Suppliers desalinated the water and sold it to households, however, two-thirds of this water was already contaminated when it was delivered.
And the cost is unusually high. The private market operates at a price of 30 shekels ($9) per cubic meter of water. On the municipal network, only 1-2 shekels per cubic meter.
Gaza received a certain degree of relief of an additional 5 million cubic meters, but like all other measures, this has not been proven to be a solution.
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