Gaza _ Palestine News Network
The plan to strangle Gaza, which is being applied by the Israeli occupation authorities, including steps and measures, most notably the almost complete closure of the Kerem Salam crossing, has left more than 30 million dollars worth of losses in about a month, deputy Jamal al-Khudari, chairman of the People´s Committee for the siege, said Wednesday.
In a press release, Khodari said the direct and indirect losses were a preliminary result of the implementation of the plan, which began with the closure of the crossing on July 10 this year.
Losses in the industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors, enterprises, transport, workers and the fishing sector had resulted from the closure, he noted.
The impact of these sectors on all walks of life is increasing daily, and the sector is in a state of near-total economic collapse, a very weak purchasing power, a frightening increase in poverty and unemployment rates and an upward closure of factories and shops.
Khodari reiterated that 80 percent of Gaza´s factories were closed, and thousands of workers were demobilized, with hundreds of shops starting to close because of the siege, the strangulation plan and the weakening of purchasing power.
It was reported that 3,500 truckloads of goods for all sectors were being held and prevented from entering Gaza by a decision of the Israeli occupation, while the transport sector had been severely affected by the withholding and non-introduction of goods from traders.
He pointed out that the contracting sector and the work of local and international enterprises were almost completely paralysed by the denial of access to vital project completion kits by most contracting companies.
He noted that the agricultural sector was being seriously damaged by the ban on the export of agricultural products to Arab markets and the West Bank.
With regard to the fishing sector, "this sector has been heavily damaged by the imposition of the maritime cordon and the reduction of fishing space from 9 nautical miles to 3 nautical miles," said Khodari.
Khodari called on the international community to exert real pressure on the Israeli occupation to completely end the blockade, as illegal, immoral and inhumane, and in contravention of the principles of international law, the Fourth Geneva Convention, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all agreements signed with the authority , particularly the Convention on Crossings, which includes the unimpeded operation of all crossings, import and export, and the opening of the safe passage linking Gaza to the West Bank.
