State of the Gaza Strip's Border Crossings 1 January – 15 February 2010

During this period, Israeli continued to impose a ban on the export of products from Gaza. Only limited quantities of flowers and strawberries were allowed to be exported; the delivery of limited quantities of foodstuffs, cleaning items, and some necessary medical, educational and agricultural supplies was allowed

Al-Mentar crossing was completely closed for 35 days. It was partially opened for limited hours on 11 days.

- Karm Abu Salem crossing was completely closed for 14 days. It was partially opened for 32 days to allow the delivery of limited quantities of humanitarian aid, basic goods and fuel supplies.

- Sofa crossing, which is used for the delivery of construction materials, remained completely closed throughout the 46-day reporting period

Rafah International Crossing Point was completely closed for 42 days (91% of the time), while it was partially opened for 4 days (9%).
(Since 12 June 2007, the crossing point has been completely closed on 906 days.)
During the partial opening of Rafah crossing, a number of patients and their escorts were allowed to travel abroad for treatment or return to Gaza after receiving required treatment.
In addition, a number of political leaders were allowed to travel to Egypt via the crossing to attend meetings, and a number of international solidarity delegations and members of humanitarian organizations were allowed to enter to and exit Gaza.

During the reporting period, the Beit Hanoun crossing was completely closed for 7 days.
Israel also significantly reduced the number of Gazan patients who were permitted to cross Beit Hanoun crossing during this period.

From 1 January – 15 February 2010 Israel did not permit the entry of journalists and media representatives and members of international humanitarian organizations into Gaza for 9 days.

During the opening days, approximately 120 journalists, 110 members of diplomatic missions and 750 employees of international humanitarian organizations were allowed to enter Gaza, although only after having to undergo complicated security procedures, resulting in delays of several days for many of those allowed to enter.

During the reporting period, Israel completely closed the Nahal Oz crossing, which is built for the delivery of fuel supplies, including benzene, diesel, industrial fuel and cooking gas.
Before taking this decision, Israel had obstructed the delivery of fuel to Gaza via Nahal Oz crossing and reduced the delivery of industrial fuel and cooking gas to minimal levels.
The Gaza Strip suffered from a severe shortage of cooking gas as a result; many cooking gas distribution stations were forced to shut down.
The operation of the Gaza Power Plant was significantly affected due to the severe shortage of industrial fuel and various areas of the Gaza Strip suffered electrical power outages.

etc etc .......

Article 55 of the 1949 Fourth Geneva Convention stipulates:

"To the fullest extent of the means available to it, the Occupying Power has the duty of ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population; it should, in particular, bring in the necessary foodstuffs, medical stores and other articles if the resources of the occupied territory are inadequate.
The Occupying Power may not requisition foodstuffs, articles or medical supplies available in the occupied territory, and then only if the requirements of the civilian population have been taken into account".