Israel-Gaza border closed due to high transport fees

Hamas says Israel refuses to lower cost of transporting goods across Karm Abu Salem border crossing, resulting in temporary closure.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
IDF vehicle along Gaza border fence 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
IDF vehicle along Gaza border fence 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Hamas said Monday that Israel closed the Karm Abu Salem border crossing because the Hamas-run Ministry of Economy had asked that the cost of delivering goods be reduced.
Hatem Uwaidah, a senior official with the ministry, claimed that the cost of transporting goods through the border crossing was 1200 NIS.
He said that 700 NIS of the fee goes to Israel, while the remaining 500 NIS go to the Hamas government.
Israel, he added, is refusing to lower the cost of transporting goods or discuss other proposals to facilitate the work at the border crossing.
“For the past five years, we have been trying to solve the issue of the high cost of the fees, which are unrealistic,” he said.
Uwaidah demanded the publication of a tender to select a private company that would replace the present ones and be in charge of transporting merchandise at the border crossing.
He said that the border crossing would reopen Tuesday for the transportation of goods.