New Gaza work permits intended to postpone next clash

Read More

Israel announced on Wednesday that it was increasing to 10,000 the number of work permits it was granting to merchants and workers from the Gaza Strip. This is the largest number it has granted in many years, probably since the beginning of the second intifada. The increase, amounting to 3,000 additional permits, is part of Israel’s efforts to alleviate security tensions on the Gaza border and prevent a renewed flare-up of hostilities.

In early 2020, the number of permits was raised to 7,000, as part of an informal understanding reached with Hamas in return for stopping the violent marches near the border fence. However, this gesture was never fully implemented due to the outbreak of the coronavirus. The entry of Gazans was completely halted during Operation Guardian of the Walls last May. Since then, the number of permits has gradually increased. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, announced the increased quota, but added that its implementation depended on the continued stability of the security situation.

LISTEN: Trump’s ‘shadow government’ in Jerusalem and the offshore accounts bankrolling settlements

The defense establishment is studying a further increase in the number of permits in the coming months. The Shin Bet security service, which in the past had reservations about granting extensive permits, agreed to the recent decision. The agency will conduct background checks before each specific permit is given.

Israel’s moves, made in coordination with Egypt, are intended to buy time and postpone as much as possible the next military confrontation with Hamas. Given that, Israel says that it will predicate any approval of large reconstruction projects in the Gaza Strip on significant progress in the negotiations over prisoners and missing soldiers.

Despite numerous reports on the Palestinian side, the defense establishment says that the two sides’ positions have not gotten closer with regard to the return of two Israeli prisoners and the bodies of two soldiers held in the Gaza Strip. Hamas continues to demand the release of dozens of prisoners convicted of murder, while Israel continues to oppose this.

It appears that Hamas is currently trying to restrain the Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian factions, in an attempt to prevent their firing into Israel. In recent days, Israel received intelligence warnings about the Islamic Jihad’s intent to act, but these have not materialized so far, possibly due to pressure exerted by Hamas.

The steps taken by Israel, although limited in scope, are gradually having some impact on the dismal situation of Gaza’s economy. Among other steps, Israel has increased the fishing zone, allowing the entrance of Italian workers who built some fish pens off the coast of Khan Yunis. There was also an increase in the export of agricultural products and textiles from Gaza to Israel and other countries. Israel is now allowing more building materials into Gaza as well.

Israel vaccinated over 50,000 Palestinians with Israeli work permits against COVID

Israel tells court it refuses to give Palestinian LGBTQ asylum seekers work permits

Israel to require proof of COVID vaccination from Palestinian workers

The entrance of 10,000 laborers and merchants from the Gaza Strip into Israel is expected to bring more than 80 million shekels ($25 million) a month into the Gaza Strip (the average daily wage of a Gazan laborer in Israel is 300 shekels). After months of deep crisis since the last military operation, for the first time there are signs of some recovery in Gaza’s economy, as well as an increased demand for workers in some areas.

In recent days, intensive talks have been held with Qatar in an attempt to resolve the issue of transferring salaries for Hamas employees. After the last military operation, Israel vetoed bringing Qatari money to Gaza in cash-filled suitcases. For now, there is a solution for two thirds of that money, which is earmarked for buying fuel and helping needy families. The current attempts relate to the transfer of salaries, to the tune of $10 million a month, using a method that does not involve cash transfers.