Explosives Discovery Prompts Closure of Gaza Crossing, Leaving Palestinians in Economic Turmoil
The Karem Abu Salem crossing, the main commercial entry point for goods into Gaza, was temporarily closed after explosives were discovered. Its reopening brings relief, but Gaza's struggling economy remains a pressing issue.;
The Karem Abu Salem crossing, also known as Kerem Shalom by Israel, was closed on Monday after authorities discovered explosives hidden in a clothing shipment leaving the blockaded Gaza territory. This prompted Israeli authorities to shut down the main commercial crossing to Gaza, through which nearly all goods enter and exit the area. Following an investigation and necessary adjustments, Israel announced that the crossing would be reopened.
However, they provided no further details regarding the explosives that were found. The Palestinian Authority's committee responsible for overseeing the movement of goods in and out of Gaza acknowledged the decision but emphasized the potential economic and social consequences of the closure.
Israel announced plans to reopen the Gaza Strip's main cargo crossing on Sunday after closing it earlier this week, claiming authorities had found explosives headed out of the embattled territory. The closure was a severe economic blow to producers... https://t.co/Gs3kvLJJPZ
— WashTimesLocal (@WashTimesLocal) September 8, 2023
The closure was met with condemnation from Palestinian industrial and economic unions, who described it as collective punishment and highlighted the hardships faced by the two million people in Gaza living under the Israeli blockade since 2007, when Hamas took control of the territory. Fishermen in Gaza, who rely heavily on Karem Abu Salem for the export of their surplus stock, faced significant challenges during the closure.
Their perishable goods, worth an estimated $300,000, were unable to reach markets in Israel. Fish account for 6 percent of all exports from Gaza, making this closure a severe blow to the local fishing industry. The reopening of the crossing brings a sense of relief to individuals like Khalid al-Laham, a father of five residing in Khan Younis.
During the closure, he was forced to borrow food from shops to feed his family, but now, he believes that the financial and living conditions will certainly improve. While the reopening of Karem Abu Salem promises some reprieve for producers throughout the territory, the underlying issue of Gaza's economy remains. The Israeli blockade, in effect since 2007, severely limits economic opportunities and hampers development in Gaza.