Despite the
constant fire into Israel, the Kerem Shalom crossing remains open during Operation Protective Edge. Two days after the operation began, some 200 truckloads of food and essential supplies were delivered into the Gaza Strip. Israel has also transferred 200,000 gallons of gasoline a day since the start of the operation.
All crossings with Israel remained open on Friday, July 11, and Sunday, July 13. More than 100 trucks carrying food and fuel entered Gaza, and more than 800 foreign citizens left the Gaza Strip through Israel. There is no shortage of food or fuel in Gaza and there are no signs of a humanitarian crisis. Medicines and medical equipment have passed continuously as well through the two crossings.
While the entry of larger quantities of food was approved to alleviate the fears of the Palestinian population, the ban on cement and equipment that could be used by terrorist organizations remains in effect.
The Kerem Shalom crossing continues to operate with high security. The IDF acceded to the request of some 300 Palestinians who hold foreign citizenship to leave the Gaza Strip - including the USA, Sweden, Greece, Serbia and Romania. The Erez Crossing in northern Gaza also remains open to Palestinians pedestrians for humanitarian cases.
During the week of July 6-10, the following goods entered the Gaza Strip from Israel via the Kerem Shalom crossing:
3,540 tons of food
960 tons of cooking gas
520,000 liters of gasoline
932,000 liters of diesel fuel for public transport
1,591,000 liters of diesel fuel for electricity plants
1217 people received permission to cross through the Erez Crossing, including 632 humanitarian cases.
On Friday, July 11, and Sunday, July 13, the following goods entered the Gaza Strip from Israel via the Kerem Shalom crossing:
197 tons of cooking gas
72,000 liters of gasoline
410,000 liters of diesel fuel for public transport
495,000 liters of diesel fuel for electricity plants
More than 800 foreign citizens left the Gaza Strip through Israel.