Israeli Scrap Metal Brings Millions Of Dollars For Palestinians In Gaza

Illustration. (Matthew T Rader / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - Residents of Gaza, Palestinians now have new activities that can generate money to improve their economy. This is in line with the Israeli Authority which allows Gazans to recycle metal waste that is on the Gaza border.

Not ordinary metal waste, because this waste is dominated by the wreckage of thousands of rusty old cars brought by Israel to Gaza decades ago. So far, the metal waste has been sitting there without anyone daring to touch it.

However, along with changes in Israeli policies regarding the use of scrap metal from old cars and scrap metal, Gazans can now have a decent income.

Palestinian junk collectors estimate that there are around 200,000 tonnes of metal waste, ranging from spare truck parts to the lightest used soda cans, which have accumulated on the Gaza border since Israel imposed a blockade in 2007.

Illustration. (Sergi Ferrete / Unsplash)

Gazans sell the scrap metal for about 750 shekels, or about $ 228.16 per tonne. Meanwhile, the Israeli Authority allows the export quota of scrap metal as much as 1,000 tons per week.

This recycling and export permit not only provides income for Gazans, but also secures jobs for about 6 thousand Palestinian workers in Gaza who have an unemployment rate of up to 49 percent.

“There are almost no jobs in the city. Working in metal is tiring, but it gives me the income I want, ”said Emad Aqail, 39, who is sorting metal into a press that is ready for export.

Many Gazans prefer to destroy and recycle metal for use in their settlements, which are home to more than two million Palestinians.

Illustration. (Sergio Souza / Unsplash)

However, Israel and Egypt restrict the entry of machines into the Gaza Strip, citing the security threat posed by the presence of a number of heavy equipment used for this activity. For example, a new metal pressing machine that can be used to make weapons. This is what the Israelis don't want.

"This is to improve the economy of the Gaza Strip, because the quality of life and economic development in the Gaza Strip cannot be separated from the stability and security of the region. So far these activities have generated around US $ 3 million for Gazans," said Lieutenant Colonel Abdallah Halabi from the Coordinating and Communications Agency. Administration for Gaza.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Gaza Environmental Quality Authority, Baha Al-Agha, welcomed the cleaning of the dangers of land and water pollution in Gaza which also provides benefits to the community

"But the economic benefits will be even greater if Israel allows the establishment of factories to recycle these materials in the Gaza Strip," he said.