Groups of Israeli developers are planning to build storage and logistics facilities adjacent to the Karny checkpoint, near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, at a cost of millions of shekels.
Sources inform “Globes” that the developers plan to construct warehouses, refrigeration buildings, packing plants, and storage space for Israeli and Palestinian merchants at the Karny checkpoint.
700 trucks currently pass through the checkpoint daily, two thirds of which travel from Israel to Gaza, and one third from Gaza to Israel.
There are currently no storage facilities at the Karny checkpoint, which is operated by the Israel Airports Authority. Goods arrive in trucks, on which they remain until they are unloaded and transported to the other side of the crossing.
The trucks wait in long lines outside the checkpoint. Trucks with goods not classified as urgent are liable to wait four or five days before being unloaded.
Under the developers’ plan, the Israeli and Palestinian merchants will be able to store their goods away from the checkpoint, thereby freeing the trucks and reducing transportation costs.
Furthermore, when the checkpoint is closed because of terrorist attacks, no goods can cross, leading to the destruction of merchandise, such as dairy and agricultural products. The construction of packing and refrigeration facilities will make it easier to export agricultural produce from the Gaza Strip to Israel and overseas, including vegetables, strawberries, citrus fruits, and flowers.
The developers believe that since the Airports Authority has not set up logistics centers on the site, private sector installations there have great potential.
The Israel Land Administration (ILA) said in response, “The ILA southern region has received a request to approve storage space in a logistics center near the Karny checkpoint. Kibbutz Nahal Oz has prepared a blueprint, which is currently being handled by the District Planning and Building Commission. The ILA will consider the plan after the Urban Building Plan has been approved.”
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on December 18, 2003