Israeli online daily Haaretz reported that it obtained a report from the United Nations revealing that the closing of the Karni crossing, the main outlet for Palestinian exports and imports to the Gaza Strip, has caused a wheat shortage.According to the UN report four mills in the Gaza Strip had to close as a result of wheat shortage. The prices of flour are expected to rise as Israel resumed its strict closure over the Gaza Strip.
Israel has increased its military procedures and closure on the Gaza Strip after the Palestinian Legislative election, and Hamas’ victory in the majority of the seats.
Also, the UN coordination office for humanitarian issues warned in the report that the Palestinian Authority (PA) was in danger of economic collapse due to Israel freezing PA tax money.
According to the report, the PA will find it very hard to supply its citizens with basic needs such as medical services, education, water, electricity, sewage, garbage collection and policing services in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, Haaretz added.
The closure imposed on the Karni Crossing is affecting Palestinian exports of all agricultural produce from the hothouses in Gaza. The exports include pepper and strawberries sold to Israel and the European Union.
The estimated damage is $70,000-$100,000 a day.
