Gaza stops importing fruit from Israel

Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture in the Gaza Strip announced yesterday that it will stop importing Israeli fruits in response of the occupation’s closure of commercial crossing with the besieged enclave, Shehab.ps reported.

Early this week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the closure of the only commercial crossing between Israel and the besieged Gaza Strip; Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom).

Tahseen Al-Sakka, marketing director of the Ministry of Agriculture, said Israel’s decision would further harm Palestinian farmers who are already suffering as a result of the siege and Israel’s use of herbicides along the Gaza border fence which harm their crops.

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The closure included a ban on the entry of all commercial goods except humanitarian aid. It also prevented Palestinian vegetables from Gaza being exported to the West Bank, Jordan and Israel.

Prior to the closure, the Gaza Strip imported about 20 truckloads – 200 tonnes of fruit from Israel per day – and exported 200 tonnes of vegetables daily.

Al-Sakka estimated that Gaza farmers would lose out on $100,000 per day as a result of the closure.