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Israel Eases Sanctions on Gaza in Ramadan Gesture
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) relaxed its economic sanctions November 27 on the Palestinian self-rule Gaza Strip as a goodwill gesture marking the beginning of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, Israel Radio reported.
The order was declared by Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh while he was touring the Karni border crossing between Israel and Gaza, according to the report.
Regular supply of fuel, food and medicine, as well as shipments of raw materials for Palestinians' textile industries, were allowed again to enter into the Gaza Strip, which had been sealed off since the bloody violence between the two sides escalated.
The violence had raged through the region for more than eight weeks, during which over 270 had been killed and thousands wounded, most of them Palestinians.
The economic closure has dealt a severe blow to the Palestinians' lives in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Analysts pointed out that Israel was also worried that if the sanctions continued in Ramadan, which began on Monday, the already- high Palestinian rage against Israel would be further fueled and attacks against Israelis would increase.
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