The head of the Popular Committee against the Siege Jamal al-Khudari said on Sunday that the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) increased the number of goods denied access to the Gaza Strip to 500 to tighten the blockade imposed on the Strip since 2006.
Khudari affirmed in a press statement that the IOA clearly targets any product contributing to employing manpower and achieving development in an attempt to paralyze the industry sector.
He pointed out that new items are banned on an almost daily basis noting that the number of items banned since the beginning of 2017 reached 100 raising the total number to 500. This means aggravating the situation affecting all sectors of economy health and education and delaying the implementation of the projects of the private sector and those sponsored by Arab and international institutions.
He emphasized that the IOA controls the daily life of Gazans by controlling the crossings especially the commercial ones which are completely closed except for Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings which are partially opened and in exceptional cases. This adds to the suffering of patients students and merchants waiting for days and months for unanswered permits to pass according to Khudari.
Khudari stated that more than 5000 economic facilities have trimmed their businesses in Gaza due to the blockade and the Israeli policy pursued at crossings and against merchants.
The head of the Popular Committee called on the international community to pressure Israel to end this blockade which violates the international law and to allow the free movement of people and goods.
