Security sources in Gaza said Thursday Israel facilitated movement at commercial crossing points and allowed more sorts of goods to enter the coastal Gaza Strip over the past two days.
The improvement comes as an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which controls the enclave, entered its eighth week.
Through Sufa crossing, one of the four commercial crossings, Israel allowed pipes and heavy equipment used in drainage and water treatment projects in addition to equipment used in agriculture.
Israel also increased clothes, shoes and materials for producing soft drinks, according to the sources. Examination procedures at the crossings are reduced.
Israel sealed off the Gaza Strip last year in response to Hamas' takeover of the territory. Israel said the move was to isolate the Islamic movement which routed out the long-dominant Fatah movement of moderate President Mahmoud Abbas.
During the closure, Israel only kept reduced amounts of basic food and medicine to be sent to the 1.5 million people who lives in the poverty-stricken area.
The ceasefire has succeeded to restore calmness but Hamas said that Israel did not open the crossings in the way that the deal stipulates. The security sources said many important raw materials are still barred from being sent to Gaza.
The sources explained that the 220 tons of cement, which Israel allowed into Gaza after the ceasefire, are very insufficient.
The U.S., Europe and Israel turned to support West Bank government which Abbas formed after he lost Gaza, while Hamas continued to rule the Strip with its government that Abbas fired.
The international community calls on Hamas to recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept peace deals to achieve international recognition.
Source:Xinhua
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