Israel will begin allowing 20 trucks a day filled with construction material to
enter the Gaza Strip starting next week, defense officials told The Jerusalem
Post on Thursday.
The new construction material will be for the
Palestinian private sector, as opposed to the construction material that has
been entering Gaza until now, which was earmarked for internationally funded
building projects.
Private sector building materials have been banned
since 2007 due to security concerns that the material is used to manufacture
rockets that are fired at Israeli civilians.
The easing of security
conditions will also include entry permits for 60 trucks per day carrying other
goods, as well as buses.
Guy Inbar, of the Defense Ministry’s civil
administration, said the changes came as a result of Egyptian mediation, and the
ongoing calm in the South.
“As long as the quiet will remain in the
South, our civilian policy and assistance to Gaza’s residents will continue,” he
said.
In the coming days, residents of northern Gaza are expected to gain
access to improved electricity infrastructure, aimed at reducing electrical
problems experienced in the area.
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