Israel Blocks Tyre Imports Into Gaza

In April, I reported how Israel was to halt imports of tyres into Gaza, given the palestinian proclivity to light them on fire in order to make life difficult for the IDF.

I guess that was a false start.

Demonstrators in Gaza may soon have to look for a new protest accessory of choice after Israel blocked the import of car tyres into the strip.

Images from weekly rallies by Palestinians in the region regularly feature the sight of burning tyres, which create a thick black smoke to obscure the vision of Israeli snipers and create a more intimidating atmosphere.

They also provide cover for protesters to launch rocks, firebombs and grenades towards troops on the other side of the fence dividing Gaza and Israel.

But now, following in the footsteps of items such as chocolate, medicines and fuel, those living in Gaza are having to cope with a car tyre shortage.

The halting of imports by Israel has driven the prices sky-high, which has proven not just a problem for protesters, but also of course for motorists.

Khaled Hamad is a taxi driver and the shortage is having a big impact on his business, which he says has gone down significantly since Israel began clamping down on the imports earlier this year.

According to Rushdi al Khour, head of the association of Gaza spare parts merchants, which coordinates the imports, the shortage has caused the cost of a pair of tyres to leap from $120 (£93) to $300 (£233).

“This is a wrong decision by the Israeli side,” he said of the ban.

“Lift the siege and the protests will stop.”

You have to love how the Gazans blame Israel for their predicament. Here’s an idea: how about you stop misusing tyres and we’ll allow them in.

In the meantime, I hope we don’t ban the entry of condoms into Gaza. That could, for want of a better word, backfire on us.

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