Israeli incentives hold promise for Palestinian traders, economy
Gaza Strip traders are benefiting from incentives Egypt recently negotiated for them with Israel, though Palestinians know all too well how often such deals can change.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Understandings reached between the Gaza Strip and Israel under Egyptian auspices in March are playing out in favor of Gaza Strip citizens — so far.
As part of the first phase of the truce, Israel facilitated the issuance of travel permits for Palestinian traders at the Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing for the first time in years.
A second phase has included implementing large reconstruction and infrastructure projects under UN and international auspices, according to a June 19 report in Lebanon's al-Akhbar newspaper. On June 17, a Qatari delegation discussed with the Gaza Strip Energy Authority a Qatari-funded project to improve electricity distribution across the Gaza Strip by 85%.
This comes as traders are demanding that Israel fully lift its 13-year blockade on the Gaza Strip so their businesses can grow. The Gazan economy registered a negative growth of 6% last year, and the unemployment rate stood at 52% according to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics.
