Israeli cabinet vote to ease Gaza blockade

[kaya'08]

Israel has announced it will ease the land blockade of the Gaza Strip and allow more civilian goods to enter the Palestinian territory.

The move comes amid growing international pressure to end the embargo.

An Israeli raid on an aid flotilla attempting to break the blockade last month was widely condemned.

Israel and Egypt tightened the blockade of Gaza after the Islamist Hamas movement took control of Gaza in 2007.

The decision to ease the blockade, agreed by Israel's security cabinet after a two-day meeting, will see the expansion of the number of products Israel will allow into Gaza, including construction materials.

BBC News - Israel cabinet votes to ease Gaza Strip blockade

 

[alexa]

Israel and Egypt tightened the blockade of Gaza after the Islamist Hamas movement took control of Gaza in 2007.

The decision to ease the blockade, agreed by Israel's security cabinet after a two-day meeting, will see the expansion of the number of products Israel will allow into Gaza, including construction materials.

BBC News - Israel cabinet votes to ease Gaza Strip blockade

Yes, Kaya, Your report says there is sceptism about whether much will happen which is what our news from the area said yesterday. I think he said 'don't hold your breath'. However that was when they were having difficulty even saying they might make changes.

Now if it is linked to this

It also said that Israel expected the international community to work toward the immediate release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier captured by Hamas fighters on the Israeli-Gaza border in 2006.

Your link,

then my guess would be that we are probably at a non starter. The ICRC, anyway I think it was them, said the other day that Hamas should start allowing him news and possibly visits from his family and of course all other things that are expected by International Law. I see it right that when we see substantial movement on Gaza, the international community comes down strongly on Hamas making these demands.

However as he seems to be the only small piece Hamas has in negotiating, I doubt he will be released till something more substantial comes about.

Though in truth I wonder if it would be possible to allow him visits without the Israeli's knowing where he was an immediately rescuing him.

 

[jujuman13]

Way way too little, way way too late.

 

[Orion]

Good to see that international pressure does work.