Israel eases blockade by approving more exports from Gaza to the West Bank

Israel eases blockade by approving more exports from Gaza to the West Bank

2010-12-09 01:39:44 GMT+7 (ICT)

JERUSALEM (BNO NEWS) -- Israel's Security Cabinet on Wednesday approved to increase exports of goods from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank and abroad, easing the blockade imposed on the Hamas-controlled territory.

According to the Haaretz newspaper, the decision is aimed at trying to ease pressure on the people of Gaza which Israel considers is being subjected to oppression under the Hamas regime. Israel also expects that the decision will have a positive impact on its international stance.

The Cabinet ministers were also informed that in the last months, 78 projects in Gaza were approved by the Israeli government. The projects were sponsored by international organizations and foreign countries in many areas such as health, infrastructure, water, sewage, housing and education.

However, Israel announced that it will demand the international community to continue its boycott of the Hamas regime and continue taking steps to prevent it from acquiring weapons and missiles that might be used against them.

The approved exports will be made through the Kerem Shalom crossing point in southern Gaza and will include three types of goods: furniture, farming products and light industry products. The exports to foreign countries will be unrestricted but the ones to the West Bank will be for specific products agreed in advance with the Palestinian Authority.

In addition, Palestinian Authority inspectors will be deployed in the Kerem Shalom crossing point to oversee the collection of import taxes ad the export of goods to the West Bank. This would be the return of PA officials to the Gaza Strip since Hamas takeover in June 2007.

In August, Israel allowed the entrance to a convoy of 250 trucks with supplies into the Gaza Strip for the first time since easing the blockade. The 250 trucks entered into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing.

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