Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Tuesday, 27 July 2010.

Gaza

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the relaxation of the blockade of Gaza announced by Israel has led to increased deliveries of essential commodities; if so, by how many tonnes per week; and if not, what representations they and the Quartet are making about the matter.

Answer: There is a steady increase in the number of trucks entering Gaza since Israel announced a relaxation of the blockade on 14 June. Nine hundred and fourteen truckloads entered Gaza between 11 and 17 July, compared to 573 in early June, but this is still only one-third of the average amount before the blockade was imposed. Last week recorded the highest reached number of truckloads crossing through Kerem Shalom and this shows that the crossing can process 180 truckloads, without expanding capacity. Israel has announced that the capacity would reach 250 truckloads by the end of July. The volume and range of goods has increased to include a greater variety of food items, and goods such as water irrigation pipes, cloth fabric and chicken incubators. The British Government, together with the EU and the Quartet, will continue to press Israel to increase the capacity of the crossings for imports and also to allow exports which are vital to the recovery of the Gazan ecomony.

Secondary information