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Work permits are a lifeline for Gaza, and a lever for Israel

Palestinian Ibrahim Slaieh walks to the Erez crossing with Israel on his way to work in Beersheba, in Beit Hanoun northern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Aug 21, 2022. Since last year, Israel has issued over 15,000 permits allowing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to work in Israel. Their wages are far higher than those available inside Gaza. With Gaza's economy in freefall, these permits are highly coveted and have given an important economic boost to thousands of families. But even Israel acknowledges the system is a powerful tool to preserve calm or — as critics say — control. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair) Ibrahim Slaieh's children stand next to their father at their home in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Aug 17, 2022. Since last year, Israel has issued over 15,000 permits allowing some Palestinians including Slaieh from the Gaza Strip to work in Israel. Their wages are far higher than those available inside Gaza. With Gaza's economy in freefall, these permits are highly coveted and have given an important economic boost to thousands of families. But even Israel acknowledges the system is a powerful tool to preserve calm or — as critics say — control. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair) Palestinian Ibrahim Slaieh waits to enter the Erez crossing with Israel on his way to a job in Beersheba, in Beit Hanoun northern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Aug 21, 2022. Since last year, Israel has issued over 15,000 permits allowing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to work in Israel. Their wages are far higher than those available inside Gaza. With Gaza's economy in freefall, these permits are highly coveted and have given an important economic boost to thousands of families. But even Israel acknowledges the system is a powerful tool to preserve calm or — as critics say — control. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair) Palestinian Ibrahim Slaieh drinks coffee in the morning before crossing into Israel to work in Beersheba, in Khan Younis southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Aug 21, 2022. Since 2021, Israel has issued over 15,000 permits allowing some Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to work in Israel. Their wages are far higher than those available inside Gaza. With Gaza's economy in freefall, these permits are highly coveted and have given an important economic boost to thousands of families. But even Israel acknowledges the system is a powerful tool to preserve calm or — as critics say — control. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair) Palestinian worker Ibrahim Slaieh, center right, sits with his neighbors on a day off from work in Israel, in front of his home in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Aug 17, 2022. Since last year, Israel has issued over 15,000 permits allowing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to work in Israel. Their wages are far higher than those available inside Gaza. With Gaza's economy in freefall, these permits are highly coveted and have given an important economic boost to thousands of families. But even Israel acknowledges the system is a powerful tool to preserve calm or — as critics say — control. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair) Palestinian Ibrahim Slaieh kisses his daughter in the morning before crossing into Israel to work in Beersheba, in Khan Younis southern Gaza Strip, Sunday, Aug 21, 2022. Since last year, Israel has issued over 15,000 permits allowing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to work in Israel. Their wages are far higher than those available inside Gaza. With Gaza's economy in freefall, these permits are highly coveted and have given an important economic boost to thousands of families. But even Israel acknowledges the system is a powerful tool to preserve calm or — as critics say — control. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair) Palestinian Ibrahim Slaieh, who currently has a permit allowing him to work in Israel, poses at his home in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. Since last year, Israel has issued over 15,000 permits allowing Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to work in Israel. Their wages are far higher than those available inside Gaza. With Gaza's economy in freefall, these permits are highly coveted and have given an important economic boost to thousands of families. But even Israel acknowledges the system is a powerful tool to preserve calm or — as critics say — control. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
Work permits are a lifeline for Gaza, and a lever for Israel