Israel eases Gaza blockade
Agence France-Presse
First Posted 23:58:00 12/04/2008
Filed Under: International peace processes, Armed conflict
JERUSALEM—Israel on Thursday allowed some humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, easing the month-old closure it imposed on the Hamas-ruled territory after a surge in violence.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak authorized the delivery of 70 truckloads of food and basic supplies into Gaza and an unspecified quantity of fuel for the impoverished territory's sole power plant.
His office said the decision was taken as a gesture of goodwill ahead of next week's Eid al-Adha, the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice.
It is only the fourth time that Israel has opened its crossings with Gaza since violence flared on November 4.
"The opening of these crossings is a positive step although it will have little impact unless they remain open on a regular daily basis," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.
"Equally important, in order to prevent a further deterioration of the situation, the list of imports into Gaza must immediately be expanded to include vital spare parts for maintenance and operation of the power plant, water and sanitation utilities and other critical infrastructure and basic services for the civilian population," OCHA said.
Foreign journalists were told they could travel to and from Gaza, for the first time in a month.
The opening of the crossings will be reviewed on a daily basis and will be subject to Palestinian militants halting their rocket fire against southern Israel, said defense ministry spokesman Peter Lerner.
Meanwhile all the banks operating in Gaza said they shut down on Thursday for want of cash.
Palestinian premier Salam Fayyad had warned on Tuesday that civil servants in Gaza will not receive their monthly salaries unless Israel authorizes cash transfers to the besieged territory.
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