Since June 2007, Israel has imposed restrictions on the import of goods into the Gaza Strip and has only allowed in goods which it defines as “essential for the basic existence of the population.”

In the years prior to the closure, 10,400 trucks would enter the Gaza Strip per month but since June 2007 Israel has allowed in only 2,500 trucks in per month, carrying just 25% of the goods required by Gaza Strip residents.

Before June 2007, around 4,000 different kinds of goods were imported, but due to the restrictions this number has dropped drastically to less than 40 kinds of goods that have been defined as humanitarian essentials (food, hygiene products, medication, etc.) Israel refuses to supply a list of approved goods and so a list of permitted items has been compiled by Palestinian liaison officials in order to provide guidelines for traders. International organizations are permitted to bring in other kinds of goods, subject to an individual application to the military authorities.

Israel has simultaneously limited the operation of the Gaza Strip crossings: Since June 2007, the Karni crossing, which was the main channel for goods, has been closed, and only one of its conveyer belts, used to transfer produce and animal feed, has been partially operational since then. The Sufa crossing last opened in September 2008 and Israel announced its permanent closure in March 2009. Transfer of goods via the Rafah crossing is prohibited. And so Gaza is now almost totally dependent on the Kerem Shalom crossing, which has a limited capacity.