Gaza’s been stitched up

In August the first shipment of clothes since 2007 left Gaza headed for Israel, it contained approximately 3,500 pieces [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

In August the first shipment of clothes since 2007 left Gaza headed for Israel, it contained approximately 3,500 pieces [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

In August the first shipment of clothes since 2007 left Gaza headed for Israel, it contained approximately 3,500 pieces [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

In August the first shipment of clothes since 2007 left Gaza headed for Israel, it contained approximately 3,500 pieces.

Though it was seen as a great breakthrough, the shipment was small in comparison to the size of the textiles market in the besieged Strip.

Gaza factories typically produce 40,000 pieces a month, compared to the four million pieces they produced before the blockade.

There are nearly 165 working factories that employ about 5,000 workers. Before the blockade, the industry employed approximately 40,000 workers. As exports remain in the hands of Israeli authorities, the new shipment does not guarantee a sustained increase in demand.

In August the first shipment of clothes since 2007 left Gaza headed for Israel, it contained approximately 3,500 pieces [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

In August the first shipment of clothes since 2007 left Gaza headed for Israel, it contained approximately 3,500 pieces [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]

In August the first shipment of clothes since 2007 left Gaza headed for Israel, it contained approximately 3,500 pieces [Mohammed Asad/Middle East Monitor]