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Israel opens commercial crossings with Gaza

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-04 21:25

GAZA -- Israel on Wednesday opened its commercial crossing points with the impoverished Gaza Strip to allow in aid convoys, a Palestinian official said.

Some 110 trucks are scheduled to enter into Gaza through Kerem Shalom crossing, laden with aid of international organizations and frozen meat, herbs, fruits and children diapers imported by private companies, said Deputy Minister of Economy Nasser al-Saraj.

For the first time in months, Israel will allow three trucks laden with equipment for the sole power plant of the territory sandwiched between Egypt and Israel, he said.

Another 70 trucks of wheat and animal fodder will pass via Karni crossing in eastern Gaza and the nearby Nahal Oz crossing will open for 170 tons of cooking gas and 450,000 liters of industrial diesel, he said.

As part of the sanctions on the Gaza Strip, Israel restricts the flow of cargo only to the basic needs and humanitarian aid. The sorts and quantities of goods are allocated in accordance with the security and political situation.

Since January 2006 when Hamas scored a surprising victory in the Palestinian legislative elections, an Israeli blockade and an international embargo were imposed on the Palestinian territories, mainly on the Gaza Strip.

After Hamas routed security forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas and seized the Gaza Strip in mid-June 2007, Israel tightened the siege against the coastal enclave by closing all Gaza crossings and only allowing in fuels and basic food supplies.