Key facts
- Palestinian workers are hiding in garbage trucks to reach Israel for work.
- 150,000 Palestinian work permits were canceled after the October 7th attacks.
- The West Bank is facing a severe economic crisis with high unemployment and poverty.
- Dozens of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes and farmland in the Hebron governorate.
- Six Palestinian residents were injured in settler attacks.
- Israeli forces reportedly protected the settlers during the attacks.
- The area of the settler attacks was declared a closed military zone by Israeli forces.
- Israel has restricted the flow of goods into Gaza at the Karem Abu Salem crossing.
- Only 42% of supplies from Egypt were offloaded at Karem Abu Salem last week.
- Only 65% of supplies from Ashdod port were offloaded at Karem Abu Salem last week.
- The volume of goods offloaded at Karem Abu Salem has decreased since May.
Palestinian laborers are employing perilous tactics, including concealing themselves within garbage trucks, to gain entry into Israel for work. This situation arises from a severe work permit crisis, with 150,000 permits having been canceled following the October 7th attacks. The West Bank is currently experiencing a significant economic downturn, characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty. The crisis is forcing workers to take extreme risks to secure livelihoods.
In parallel, a separate incident involved dozens of Israeli settlers launching attacks on Palestinian homes and agricultural land in the Hebron governorate of the occupied West Bank. These assaults resulted in injuries to six Palestinian residents. Reports indicate that the settlers operated with the backing of Israeli forces, who subsequently declared the affected area a closed military zone. This action by settlers further escalates tensions and violence in the region.
Concurrently, Israel has implemented restrictions on the passage of goods into Gaza through the Karem Abu Salem crossing. The United Nations' humanitarian agency has reported a notable decrease in the volume of supplies entering the territory. Last week, only 42% of the expected supplies from Egypt and 65% from Ashdod port were successfully offloaded. This represents a decline compared to figures from May, indicating a tightening of access for essential goods into Gaza.
The combined impact of these developments points to a worsening humanitarian and economic situation for Palestinians, with restrictions on movement and access to resources affecting both workers and residents in Gaza and the West Bank.