This report is being released five years after Gisha published a position paper entitled Blurring Boundaries, in which we cautioned against the rules of engagement employed by Israel in the border area, pointing to the disturbing lack of clarity surrounding its open-fire policy. Unfortunately, time has proven beyond a doubt that enforcement of the ARAs exacts a heavy price from Gaza residents and has failed to achieve its ostensible political or security goals. Nonetheless, Israel continues to enforce restrictions, resulting in the death and injury of many Palestinians. Apart from the inexcusable cost to life and limb, these restrictions on movement also sow fear, uncertainty and severely hinder economic activity.
This report aims to provide a current account of the impact of Israel’s control over the ARAs it enforces inside Gaza on land and at sea, particularly as concerns the economic implications of the policy. We conclude by calling on Israel to refrain from its destructive and disproportionate actions which violate the fundamental human rights of Palestinians, including the right to life and the right to livelihood.