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Israel eases Gaza Strip blockade
JERUSALEM, (UPI) -- Israel said Sunday it would ease its Gaza Strip blockade, allowing all goods in except those on a black list of forbidden goods.
The Israeli government gave final approval to the new policy, but the black list has not been written and the date the policy will take effect hasn't been announced, Haaretz reported.
The country, which now allows only 114 items appearing on a list that is updated every few months, plans to forbid weapons and "dual-use" materials that could be used to create weapons.
"Israel seeks to keep out of Gaza weapons and material that Hamas uses to prepare and carry out terror and rocket attacks toward Israel and its civilians," Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said in a statement. "All other goods will be allowed into Gaza."
Construction materials also will be allowed for projects into designated towns as well as others elsewhere if they are under close United Nations supervision.
Israeli has faced heavy international criticism since a confrontation May 31 between Israeli commandos and Gaza-bound humanitarian ships containing Turkish activists left nine activists dead.
Israel's latest move drew praise from the White House.
"The United States welcomes the new policy towards Gaza announced by the government of Israel, which responds to the calls of many in the international community," Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
He said the policy should "significantly improve conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, while preventing the entry of weapons."
JERUSALEM, (UPI) -- Israel said Sunday it would ease its Gaza Strip blockade, allowing all goods in except those on a black list of forbidden goods.
The Israeli government gave final approval to the new policy, but the black list has not been written and the date the policy will take effect hasn't been announced, Haaretz reported.
The country, which now allows only 114 items appearing on a list that is updated every few months, plans to forbid weapons and "dual-use" materials that could be used to create weapons.
"Israel seeks to keep out of Gaza weapons and material that Hamas uses to prepare and carry out terror and rocket attacks toward Israel and its civilians," Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said in a statement. "All other goods will be allowed into Gaza."
Construction materials also will be allowed for projects into designated towns as well as others elsewhere if they are under close United Nations supervision.
Israeli has faced heavy international criticism since a confrontation May 31 between Israeli commandos and Gaza-bound humanitarian ships containing Turkish activists left nine activists dead.
Israel's latest move drew praise from the White House.
"The United States welcomes the new policy towards Gaza announced by the government of Israel, which responds to the calls of many in the international community," Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a statement.
He said the policy should "significantly improve conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, while preventing the entry of weapons."
