Israel to Ease Blockade on Gaza
By VOA News
21 January 2008
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has decided to allow the delivery of some fuel and medical supplies into the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip beginning Tuesday.
The decision means the European Union can resume fuel deliveries to Gaza's main power plant, which shut down Sunday due to fuel shortages, plunging Gaza City into darkness.
Israel also will allow delivery of fuel for generators, like those found in hospitals, as well as gas used for cooking.
Israeli forces had sealed the border as a pressure tactic to stop Palestinian militants from firing rockets into Israel.
Barak's decision to ease the blockade follows warnings by U.N. officials and international human rights groups that Gaza is on the verge of humanitarian disaster.
Israel says such concerns are exaggerations. It says Hamas deliberately cut the power to put the blame on Israel.
Israel says it continues to provide Gaza with 75 percent of its electricity, with five percent coming from Egypt.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday that Israel will not allow a humanitarian crisis to unfold in Gaza, but he also warned of continued discomfort for the region as long as Palestinian rocket attacks continue.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has called on Israel to reopen the border crossings. He also has urged Palestinians to avoid giving Israel any justification for continuing the blockade.
Some information for this report provided by AP, Reuters and AFP.
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