Israel will ease land blockade of Gaza
Source: Agencies |
June 18, 2010, Friday
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Print Edition
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ISRAEL agreed to ease its land blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip yesterday, hoping to quell growing worldwide outrage following a deadly raid on an international flotilla bound for the Palestinian territory.
The European Union cautiously welcomed the decision, but a senior Hamas lawmaker dismissed it as "window dressing."
In one of the major changes, Israel will now allow in more desperately needed construction materials for civilian projects, provided those projects are carried out under international supervision, government and military officials said. Israel has barely allowed in materials such as cement and steel, fearing Hamas militants could use them to build weapons and fortifications. That policy has prevented rebuilding after Israel's fierce war with Hamas in Gaza last year.
An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said all foods would be freely let in to Gaza, effective immediately. Israel has previously allowed a narrow and constantly changing list of authorized food items that has grown incrementally in recent months.
A brief government statement announcing yesterday's decision also indicated the naval blockade on Gaza would remain in force.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that if the naval closure is lifted, then the Iranian-backed Hamas would turn Gaza into an "Iranian port."
There was no mention of lifting or easing bans on exports or the import of raw materials that would be crucial to galvanizing the territory's battered economy.
But the fact that Israel was forced to respond to an international outcry over the blockade was evidence of the intense pressure the country's leaders felt. It changed its policy after extensive consultations with European and American officials.
UN spokesman Chris Gunness said the blockade has prevented the United Nations from bringing in construction materials needed to carry out an internationally approved plan to rebuild thousands of homes and other buildings Israel damaged or destroyed in last year's war in Gaza.
The closure has also shuttered hundreds of factories, put tens of thousands of people out of work and brought the territory's fragile economy to a standstill, mainly hurting ordinary Gazans.
The partial lifting of the blockade did not satisfy Hamas.
"We want a real lifting of the siege, not window dressing," said Hamas lawmaker Salah Bardawil.
The European Union cautiously welcomed the decision, but a senior Hamas lawmaker dismissed it as "window dressing."
In one of the major changes, Israel will now allow in more desperately needed construction materials for civilian projects, provided those projects are carried out under international supervision, government and military officials said. Israel has barely allowed in materials such as cement and steel, fearing Hamas militants could use them to build weapons and fortifications. That policy has prevented rebuilding after Israel's fierce war with Hamas in Gaza last year.
An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said all foods would be freely let in to Gaza, effective immediately. Israel has previously allowed a narrow and constantly changing list of authorized food items that has grown incrementally in recent months.
A brief government statement announcing yesterday's decision also indicated the naval blockade on Gaza would remain in force.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that if the naval closure is lifted, then the Iranian-backed Hamas would turn Gaza into an "Iranian port."
There was no mention of lifting or easing bans on exports or the import of raw materials that would be crucial to galvanizing the territory's battered economy.
But the fact that Israel was forced to respond to an international outcry over the blockade was evidence of the intense pressure the country's leaders felt. It changed its policy after extensive consultations with European and American officials.
UN spokesman Chris Gunness said the blockade has prevented the United Nations from bringing in construction materials needed to carry out an internationally approved plan to rebuild thousands of homes and other buildings Israel damaged or destroyed in last year's war in Gaza.
The closure has also shuttered hundreds of factories, put tens of thousands of people out of work and brought the territory's fragile economy to a standstill, mainly hurting ordinary Gazans.
The partial lifting of the blockade did not satisfy Hamas.
"We want a real lifting of the siege, not window dressing," said Hamas lawmaker Salah Bardawil.
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