Erez Crossing

It is located at the northern end of the Gaza Strip, between the Israeli kibbutz of Erez and the Palestinian town of Beit Hanoun.

The terminal is a modern hangar-style building with an area of about 35,000 m2 (375,000 sq ft) and a capacity for handling 45,000 people per day.

[6][7] In April 2015, Al-Monitor wrote that Gazans are increasingly complaining about being blackmailed by Israeli security and intelligence services seeking to recruit Palestinian spies, by exploiting their need for work, money, medical treatment or travel.

According to Col. Mohammed Abu Harbeed, information security specialist at the Gaza Interior Ministry, 70-80% of citizens passing through the Crossing were subject to recruitment attempts by Israel in 2014.

[8] A Gazan merchant traveling via the Erez Crossing was offered financial support and significant tax benefits in exchange for giving him information on the security headquarters in Gaza.

[8] A woman who was sick and needed treatment was denied a travel request to the West Bank because she had a Jordanian passport, not a Palestinian one.

The human rights group found that intelligence operatives frequently attempt to force businessmen to disclose alleged information about armed factions within Gaza.

[10] Also, Human Rights and Democracy Media Centre (SHAMS) reported in January 2016, that Israel uses the Erez Crossing as a trap for Palestinian passengers.

Erez crossing viewed from kibbutz Erez .
Palestinian workers wait at the Erez Crossing to enter the Gaza Strip, July 2005.