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Naval Blockade to Continue

Israeli Security Cabinet Measures to Ease Land Blockade
June 25 Marks Four Years Hamas Has Held Gilad Shalit
Israel Eases Land Blockade
More Flotillas Bound for Gaza in Coming Days and Weeks
Photos of Israel Transferring Humanitarian Aid into Gaza

Today (June 22) the Israeli Security Cabinet voted to further ease the land blockade on the Gaza Strip, changing it previous policy to allow all food items to be transferred into Gaza. Previously, about 15 tons of basic food supplies and humanitarian goods were delivered to Palestinians weekly, but certain materials up until now were prohibited. Other items will also be eased, but weapons and related materials used to build weapons will still be prohibited.[1]

Israel’s policy on easing Gaza’s land blockade includes the following:[2]

• Most goods will now be allowed into Gaza, with the exception of materials related to weapons or used in the past to produce weapons. A list of restricted materials will be published;
• Construction materials will be delivered for purposes of Palestinian Authority and United Nations’ authorized projects, which include schools, medical facilities and sanitation installations;
• Israel-Gaza border crossings will expand their current capacity to ensure an increase in the volume of goods transferred as well as economic activity. Israel will also revise its entry and exit policy for people involved in humanitarian work and those seeking medical attention.

The cabinet decision comes as Egyptian witnesses reported seeing at least 12 U.S. war ships and one Israeli vessel passing through the Suez Canal yesterday (June 19) towards the Red Sea.[3] An Iranian ship set sail for Gaza on June 12 and plans to pass through Egyptian territorial waters.[4]

Despite the fact that that after Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 with hopes of peace Hamas – a terrorist organization – controls Gaza, the quantity of goods entering Gaza has increased by 20 percent since December 2009 and the range of items allowed was also expanded.[5] The Israeli Security Council announced Thursday (June 17) that it would ease restrictions on the entry of civilian goods via land crossings into Gaza.[6]

The naval blockade will not be lifted as this is deemed crucial to preventing the large-scale transfer of weapons and war materiel into Gaza.[7]

An email statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s International Media Advisor Mark Regev said “The Israeli Government has today taken additional steps to further enable the flow of civilian goods to the civilian population of the Gaza Strip. From now on, there is a green light approval for all goods to enter Gaza except for military items and materials that can strengthen Hamas’s military machine.”[8]

The plan to ease the Gaza land blockade was jointly drafted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Quartet Representative Tony Blair.[9]

Said Quartet Envoy Tony Blair about the Israeli Cabinet vote “This new policy allows the Government of Israel and the Prime Minister to maintain their absolute determination to protect Israel’s security whilst improving significantly the lives of the people of Gaza,” further stating “Once again, I repeat my demand that Gilad Shalit, now approaching four years in captivity, should be released immediately. We will re-double our efforts to secure his freedom.” [10]

Staff Sgt. Gilad Shalit

Israel and the international community have repeatedly called on Iran-backed Hamas to renounce violence, recognize Israel, and release abducted soldier Gilad Shalit in order to ease the blockade but Hamas has refused to meet these terms.[11]

“Today, the United States welcomes the new policy towards Gaza announced by the Government of Israel, which responds to the calls of many in the international community.  Once implemented, we believe these arrangements should significantly improve conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, while preventing the entry of weapons” read a statement released by the White House press secretary.[12] It continued to say “We strongly re-affirm Israel’s right to self-defense, and our commitment to work with Israel and our international partners to prevent the illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition into Gaza.  As we approach the fourth anniversary of the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, we call again for his immediate release, and condemn the inhumane conditions of his detention.”

Since the end of Operation Cast Lead in January 2009, Hamas has again managed to smuggle significant amounts of weaponry into the Gaza Strip. Yuval Diskin, the head of Israel’s internal security and intelligence agency, said Tuesday (June 15) that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have amassed 5,000 rockets in Gaza with a range of 25 miles (40km).[13]

Israel is not allowing the unrestricted import of building materials as Hamas uses these supplies for military purposes. Since Operation Cast Lead, Hamas has used concrete to fortify smuggling and transportation tunnels and defensive bunkers. It has also used cement and construction materials to build and repair weapons storage facilities. Many of these military facilities are located in civilian areas.[14]

Israeli Security Cabinet Plan to Ease Gaza Land Blockade

Statement by the Israeli prime minister’s office following the Israeli Security Cabinet meeting, June 20, 2010

Israel’s policy is to protect its citizens against terror, rocket and other attacks from Gaza. In seeking to keep weapons and war materiel out of Gaza while liberalizing the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza, the Government of Israel has decided to implement the following steps as quickly as possible:

1. Publish a list of items not permitted into Gaza that is limited to weapons and war materiel, including problematic dual-use items.  All items not on this list will be permitted to enter Gaza.

2.  Enable and expand the inflow of dual-use construction materials for approved PA-authorized projects (schools, health facilities, water, sanitation, etc.) that are under international supervision and for housing projects such as the U.N. housing development being completed at Khan Yunis.  Israel intends to accelerate the approval of such projects in accordance with accepted mechanisms and procedures.

3.  Expand operations at the existing operating land crossings, thereby enabling the processing of a significantly greater volume of goods through the crossings and the expansion of economic activity.

4. Add substantial capacity at the existing operating land crossings and, as more processing capacity becomes necessary and when security concerns are fully addressed, open additional land crossings.

5.  Streamline the policy of permitting the entry and exit of people for humanitarian and medical reasons and that of employees of international aid organizations that are recognized by the GOI.  As conditions improve, Israel will consider additional ways to facilitate the movement of people to and from Gaza.

6.  Israel will continue to facilitate the expeditious inspection and delivery of goods bound for Gaza through the port of Ashdod.

Israel welcomes cooperation and coordination with its international and regional partners in implementing this policy and will continue to discuss with them additional ways to advance this policy.

The current security regime for Gaza will be maintained.  Israel reiterates that along with the U.S., EU and others, it considers Hamas a terrorist organization.  The international community must insist on a strict adherence to the Quartet principles regarding Hamas.

Hamas took over Gaza and turned it into a hostile territory from which Hamas prepares and carries out attacks against Israel and its citizens.

The Israel Defense Forces will continue to prevent the flow into and out of Gaza of terrorist operatives, weapons, war material and dual use items which enhance the military capability of Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza.   Israel calls on the international community to stop the smuggling of weapons and war materials into Gaza.

Gilad Shalit is approaching four years in captivity.  The international community should join Israel in strongly condemning those who hold him captive and in redoubling their efforts to secure his immediate release.

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