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Israel to ease blockade on Gaza Israel eases Gaza Strip blockade
(about 5 hours later)
Israel has said it will allow some humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, easing its blockade of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory. Israel has allowed some humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, easing its blockade of the Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory.
The Israeli defence minister, Ehud Barak, authorised 70 lorries carrying food and basic supplies to enter the strip, his office said in a statement. Forty truckloads of food and medicines entered the strip, and fuel supplies were pumped to Gaza's only power plant, according to Palestinian officials.
Foreign journalists will also be allowed through, Israel said. Foreign journalists are also being allowed through, Israel said.
Israel recently tightened its economic blockade of Gaza amid regular border clashes with Palestinian militants.Israel recently tightened its economic blockade of Gaza amid regular border clashes with Palestinian militants.
Mr Barak's office said the decision to allow some aid into Gaza was a goodwill gesture ahead of the forthcoming Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha. The office of the Israeli defence minister, Ehud Barak, said the decision to allow some aid into Gaza was a goodwill gesture ahead of the forthcoming Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.
Restrictions on travel to and from Gaza have also been eased on international aid workers and Palestinians requiring medical treatment. Restrictions on travel to and from Gaza have also been eased on international aid workers, and on Palestinians requiring medical treatment.
Gazans despair over blockadeGaza voices: Life under blockadeGuide: Gaza under blockade The opening of the crossings will be reviewed on a daily basis and will be subject to Palestinian militants halting their rocket fire against southern Israel, said defence ministry spokesman, Peter Lerner. Gazans despair over blockadeGaza voices: Life under blockadeGuide: Gaza under blockade The opening of the crossings will be reviewed on a daily basis and will be subject to Palestinian militants halting their rocket fire against southern Israel, said defence ministry spokesman Peter Lerner.
A ceasefire agreed in July between the Israeli army and militants in Gaza came under threat four weeks ago as clashed became more frequent. A ceasefire agreed in July between the Israeli army and militants in Gaza came under threat four weeks ago as clashes became more frequent.
That prompted the tightening of the Israeli blockade, imposed after the Islamist Hamas movement took control of Gaza in June 2007.That prompted the tightening of the Israeli blockade, imposed after the Islamist Hamas movement took control of Gaza in June 2007.
The blockade has meant that in recent weeks the territory has been closed to virtually all supplies, and Palestinians inside the territory have had to deal with food shortages, lengthy power cuts and no cooking gas.The blockade has meant that in recent weeks the territory has been closed to virtually all supplies, and Palestinians inside the territory have had to deal with food shortages, lengthy power cuts and no cooking gas.
The situation has led the UN to describe conditions there as the "worst ever".The situation has led the UN to describe conditions there as the "worst ever".
Earlier this week, a Libyan cargo ship carrying humanitarian supplies turned back before reaching Gaza.Earlier this week, a Libyan cargo ship carrying humanitarian supplies turned back before reaching Gaza.
Palestinian officials said the vessel was intercepted by the Israeli navy. Israeli officials denied there had been a confrontation.Palestinian officials said the vessel was intercepted by the Israeli navy. Israeli officials denied there had been a confrontation.