The private sector in the Gaza Strip announced unilaterally Jan. 28 to cease the coordination of the entrance of goods through the Karem Abu Salem crossing for one day, on Feb. 6. The crossing was practically shut down on that day because Palestinian traders and businesses in Gaza refused to receive incoming goods. This move is intended to protest the sharply deteriorating economic conditions in Gaza, especially in recent months.
Businesses in Gaza are forced to shut down due to the extremely low purchasing power of its customers, as a result of the Israeli blockade since 2007, which rendered Gaza’s economy virtually dead and stagnant, and three Israeli wars on Gaza, along with the imposed punitive measures by President Mahmoud Abbas against the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas to give up power. After all, how will there be purchasing power in a place where the unemployment rate stands at 43.9% and where 58% of young people are unemployed.
