The first thing that must be clear is that getting into Gaza is currently very challenging. Why is this the case? The main reason is that Gaza is surrounded by a large military wall. Because of that, there are only two ways to cross into Gaza – the Erez crossing and the Rafah crossing. Israel controls the Erez crossing and Egypt controls the Rafah crossing. The fact that Israel is sieging Gaza and that they are cooperating with Egypt is the reason why it is difficult to get into Gaza.

Now, who can go to Gaza? This is a complex question on the one hand, but a simple one on the other. If you are a simple individual who wants to come to Gaza and look around as a tourist, that will probably not be possible. But if you are a part of some international body, perhaps a humanitarian organization or newspaper, it could be possible. Either way, you will have to have a valid reason for the trip before getting the travel permit. The most popular way is by getting a travel permit from Egypt and going through the Rafah crossing. The other option, but a harder one to pull off, is trying to get the permit from the Israeli authorities.

How Can You Reach Gaza from Egypt?

The starting point for the trip from Egypt to Gaza is usually Cairo. From there you can go to the Rafar crossing with a taxi. This journey usually takes around 5-6 hours. Once you reach this border crossing, you will have to go through Egyptian customs. The Egyptian police will be checking your possessions and travel documents, and it would be best to prepare everything that concerns your visa properly in advance. They will also probably ask you about the purpose of your visit. Once you pass through the Egyptian customs, you will then be able to proceed to the Palestinian side of the crossing and will go through a similar process there.

This entire process can take hours. Sometimes, you might be able to pass through one side fast, and then wait for hours to pass on the other. Sometimes, it might be the other way around, or the same on both sides. It is also important to note that due to the siege of Gaza, you should check ahead the status of the crossing as it is often only open for just a few days of the month. That is why it is important to check ahead, as it can also significantly increase the traveling time. However, once you are through the border crossing, you can find taxis that can take you to Gaza.

How Can You Reach Gaza From Israel?

In case you want to enter Gaza from the Israeli side, you need to go to the Erez border crossing. This is the crossing point that connects the Gaza Strip with Israel, and that means that the Israeli army controls it. The first thing all international visitors must do is to get a travel permit from Israeli officials. However, it is important to keep in mind that this process can be very long. Bureaucratical procedures can clog the system and cause a long delay. Once you do manage to get the travel permit, make sure you always have it with you. We would advise you to go through Egypt because the procedure is simpler and faster.

Technically speaking, the “easiest” and fastest way to get to Israel is to fly to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. In theory, this is the fastest way. However, in practice, this route leads to much more bureaucratic stress. For example, Palestinian citizens usually have a green identification card and not a blue one. These people are thus not able to enter any areas that Israel controls. While things can be easier for the internationals, you might likely have to go through a slow process.

Coming to Gaza from Israel is usually time-consuming

In case you can get the proper papers from Israeli authorities, entering Gaza should be simple. However, it is also likely to be very time-consuming. To pass to Gaza, you will first need to get your travel permit and passport checked by the authorities. They will also check your belongings and ask you for your visit. These checks can go on for a while. Once you are finally through, you will need to walk through the buffer zone which takes around 10 minutes, and it is only after all of this that you can then find a taxi to proceed to Gaza.

It is also important to note that, since this is a military installation, taking photos is not allowed!