Israel allowing traders to bring into Gaza ‘dual-use’ items barred from aid organisations
The Guardian••world
Key Points:
- Israel operates a dual system for Gaza shipments, allowing commercial traders to import "dual-use" items like generators and metal pallets that are banned for humanitarian organizations due to security concerns about potential Hamas misuse.
- These dual-use goods are available on Gaza's open market, creating a lucrative illegal economy that benefits Israeli, Egyptian, Palestinian merchants, and possibly security companies, while humanitarian groups face severe import restrictions.
- Humanitarian agencies warn that the two-tier system undermines aid efforts during a critical humanitarian crisis, as many essential items remain blocked despite urgent needs exacerbated by winter and destruction from Israeli attacks.
- Israeli authorities deny preferential treatment for commercial shipments and claim aid deliveries are handled uniformly, but diplomats and aid workers report ongoing political motives behind restrictive import policies and
