August 7, 2013. Rafah Crossing, between Gaza and Egypt is operating under restricted conditions today. It will close tomorrow, for Eid al-Fitr, and re-open on Monday. During the month of July, 16,295 people travelled via Rafah; 6,281 traveled from Gaza to Egypt and 10,014 entered the Strip. On average, 203 people travelled via the crossing each day, compared to an average of 1,353 people traveling daily during the first six months of 2013.
Some of the tunnels are still active and are being used to transfer construction materials, fuel and other goods including cigarettes and tobacco, fish, vehicles, sheep (livestock), sugar and flour to the Strip. Currently, an estimated 800-1,000 tons of cement are transferred through the tunnels daily, compared to 2,451 tons during the first six months of 2013. About 1,000 tons of gravel are transferred through the tunnels daily, compared to 8,324 tons in the previous six months; and a daily average of about 250 tons of steel are transferred, compared to 396 tons in the first six months of 2013.
Over the last two days, about 280,000 liters of benzene have been brought in through the tunnels. However, it is still in short supply in Gaza and as a result, Gaza residents have been buying more benzene from Israel. In July, about 2.5 million liters of benzene were transferred via Kerem Shalom for Gaza's private sector. In June, only 600,000 liters of benzene entered via this crossing. During the first five months of 2013, no benzene at all was transferred via Kerem Shalom for Gaza's private sector.