6. Mawasi, Gaza

See 11 December 2002 report by EA Sune from Denmark, entitled "A fertile prison".



Mawasi is a 12 x 1 km agricultural area on extreme south of the Gaza coast. The restrictions placed on Mawasi’s 8,000 inhabitants are among the strictest found in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. The Israeli army does not allow men less than 40 years of age and women younger than 35 to enter Mawasi under any circumstances. This includes those who actually live there.

Photos 06 A-L



The Toufah checkpoint is the only point through which Mawasi can be entered/exited. The checkpoint consists of a system of concrete blocks, metal rails, fences, revolving gates and a watchtower manned with snipers.

In the summer of 2002 Palestinians were barred from bringing metal of any kind into Mawasi. On entering in order to reach their homes, local inhabitants were obliged to deposit coins with the soldiers at Toufah. The metal ban extends to the layer of aluminium foil found on the back of medication packaging.

These restrictions have now been tightened. At present, nothing apart from the clothes people happen to wear may be carried through the Toufah checkpoint. The import ban thus now includes food of any kind as well as medicine.