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Israel allows aid into Gaza Strip Israel allows aid into Gaza Strip
(39 minutes later)
Israel has briefly reopened a border crossing with the Gaza Strip to allow in a convoy of humanitarian aid.Israel has briefly reopened a border crossing with the Gaza Strip to allow in a convoy of humanitarian aid.
The Israeli army said 33 trucks had been let in. The UN refugee agency confirmed an aid delivery, but not the number of trucks which had entered. The Israeli army said 33 trucks had entered Gaza. The UN refugee agency confirmed an aid delivery, but said fewer trucks had been let in.
Gaza has been suffering from shortages and power blackouts since Israel sealed its borders two weeks ago. Gaza has been suffering shortages and power blackouts since Israel sealed its borders amid militant rocket fire.
Earlier, caretaker PM Ehud Olmert has said Israel will free 250 Palestinians as a "goodwill gesture". Further rocket barrages hit on Monday, at about the time UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband was visiting the area.
The detainees would be released in advance of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday in early December, a spokesman said. It was not immediately clear if he was still conducting his visit to the Israeli town of Sderot at the time of the attack.
The announcement came as Mr Olmert met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas for their latest round of talks in the troubled peace process. He also met Israeli leaders and the Palestinian leadership in the occupied West Bank, which split from the Hamas rulers of Gaza in the summer of 2007.
David Miliband explains his visit to Sderot Palestinian officials asked Mr Miliband to take steps against Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank, which he criticised during a news conference in Ramallah.
Israel last freed jailed Palestinians, 198 of them, in August. In all about 11,000 are held in Israeli detention. Mr Miliband travels on to Syria and Lebanon after his meetings in Israel and the West Bank.
The latest move comes as UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband is due to hold talks in the West Bank with Mr Abbas. 'Proper access'
The meeting is among a number Mr Miliband is holding with key regional players, including some in Syria and Lebanon.
He is also holding talks with the main contenders for the Israeli premiership, Tzipi Livni and Binyamin Netanyahu.
The spokesman for the UN refugee agency, Chris Gunness, told the BBC eight of its trucks carrying powdered milk and luncheon meat were allowed into Gaza with the convoy.The spokesman for the UN refugee agency, Chris Gunness, told the BBC eight of its trucks carrying powdered milk and luncheon meat were allowed into Gaza with the convoy.
"This will be gone in a matter of days - and what happens then? What we need is proper, consistent, long-term and large-scale access, without that, Unrwa is operating with its hands tied behind its back," he said."This will be gone in a matter of days - and what happens then? What we need is proper, consistent, long-term and large-scale access, without that, Unrwa is operating with its hands tied behind its back," he said.
He added that US $2000 worth of the baby milk supplies were damaged or destroyed during inspections by the Israeli army. He added that US $2,000 worth of the baby milk supplies were damaged or destroyed during inspections by the Israeli army.
'Opportunity' Earlier, caretaker PM Ehud Olmert announced Israel would free 250 Palestinians as a "goodwill gesture" to West Bank leader Mahmoud Abbas in advance of the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday in early December.
BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen says the UK foreign secretary is in the region because Britain believes there may be opportunities for progress in solving disputes in the region as the world awaits the inauguration of Barack Obama as the new US president. The announcement came as Mr Olmert met Mr Abbas for their latest round of talks in the troubled peace process.
Mr Miliband has reportedly voiced strong opposition to Israeli settlement building in the West Bank. David Miliband explains his visit to Sderot
Mahmoud Abbas and Mr Olmert regularly discuss efforts to make peace He has been pressing European partners for tighter controls on produce imported from the settlements, which are built on land captured in 1967 and are judged illegal in the eyes of international law. Israel last freed jailed Palestinians, 198 of them, in August. In all about 11,000 are held in Israeli detention.
Some agricultural and manufactured goods originating from settlements are admitted into Europe under the label of "Produce of Israel" and therefore enjoy tariff benefits under an Israel-EU treaty. Skirmishes
Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Tsipi Livni sought Mr Miliband's support for her country's tough stand on the troubled Palestinian territory, Gaza.Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Tsipi Livni sought Mr Miliband's support for her country's tough stand on the troubled Palestinian territory, Gaza.
The Gaza Strip is controlled by the Hamas militant group and was sealed off by Israel two weeks ago, apart from limited fuel supplies.The Gaza Strip is controlled by the Hamas militant group and was sealed off by Israel two weeks ago, apart from limited fuel supplies.
"Israel cannot just watch its citizens being attacked... The international community can not turn a blind eye," she said."Israel cannot just watch its citizens being attacked... The international community can not turn a blind eye," she said.
Mr Miliband has been visiting the southern Israeli town of Sderot, which is adjacent to Gaza and in easy range of rocket fire coming from the territory. At least 16 Palestinian militants have been killed in skirmishes with Israeli forces along the border in the past week.
At least 16 Palestinian militants have been killed in skirmishes along the border in the past week.
Israeli police said Palestinian militants fired eight rockets at southern Israel on Monday. The rockets landed in open areas and no-one was injured.Israeli police said Palestinian militants fired eight rockets at southern Israel on Monday. The rockets landed in open areas and no-one was injured.
Israel and the Hamas group agreed a ceasefire last July, but it has been under serious strain since early in November.Israel and the Hamas group agreed a ceasefire last July, but it has been under serious strain since early in November.