JumpStart International

Located at the northern most end of the Gaza Strip, the Beit Hanoun Terminal serves as the main crossing point between Gaza and Israel. Palestinian workers, diplomatic officials, humanitarian aid workers, NGO staff, journalists, and people seeking medical attention inside Israel, all use this crossing on a daily basis. 

People waiting to cross at Beit Hanoun Terminal

The terminal is currently in a severe state of disrepair on the Palestinian side. Waiting times for those crossing can last from hours to days. There are currently no seating areas, no functioning restroom facilities, faulty lighting, and a substandard level of sanitation throughout. People are often forced to wait on the ground outside the terminal exposed to blazing sun, drizzling rain or cold winds for extended periods of time. Because this is the only entry and exit point for people crossing from the Gaza Strip to Israel, people have no choice but to suffer under the current conditions at the terminal.

Palestinians Crossing Inide Beit Hanoun Terminal

In Phase I of the restoration JumpStart will repair the terminal itself. Large sections of the metal tin roof will be replaced, new lighting will be installed throughout, walls will be restored and painted, all toilet facilities refurbished, new ceramic and concrete floors will be installed running the entire length of the terminal, the guards’ offices and prayer room will also be renovated. 

Current state of facilities inside terminal

Waiting Area Outside Beit Hanoun Terminal

The Beit Hanoun terminal restoration project will help improve the local economic situation in Northern Gaza by providing jobs to the desperately poor and unemployed throughout the surrounding community. The population of Beit Hanoun is roughly 40,000 with many of the residents formerly working as farm help in Israel. In the process of restoring the terminal and adjacent areas, JumpStart will employ 30 workers for 2 months during Phase I, generating 1,560 working days. During Phase II, 40 workers will be employed for 2 months generating 2,080 working days.

JumpStart workers clearing access road to Beit Hanoun Terminal

To ease access to and from the terminal JumpStart recently cleared long stretches of the Salah Al-din road. This job was accomplished in close cooperation with the municipality of Beit Hanoun whose Mayor allowed JumpStart the use of municipal equipment. By clearing numerous streets and walkways of heavy and dangerous debris left by recent Israeli military activity, vehicular and pedestrian traffic was improved and a total of 2,151 working days were generated for Beit Hanoun residents.

Restoring and improving the Beit Hanoun terminal will not only improve access for people crossing to and from Gaza, but will establish a humane and sanitary environment, provide a positive image to those crossing, and generate employment and income for local residents. 

JumpStart workers preparing for terminal renovation work