“Our government’s policy towards Gaza is clear,” Prime Minister Netanyahu was quoted as saying on Sunday on his website. “Israel seeks to keep out of Gaza weapons and war-supporting material that Hamas uses to prepare and carry out terror and rocket attacks against Israel and its civilians.”
Netanyahu made the comments during a meeting with Quartet Envoy Tony Blair.
How the changes will be implemented have not been decided.
Items prohibited from entering Gaza will include weapons and war material, including “problematic dual-use items,” according to Netanyahu’s office. Anything not on the prohibited list will be allowed into Gaza.
Restrictions on dual-use construction materials will also be eased for Palestinian authority-authorized projects like schools, health facilities, water, and sanitation. The projects must be carried out under international supervision. Projects like a U.N. housing development will be able to get more material, and the Israeli government has promised to accelerate approval for similar projects.
Operations at land crossings now in use will be expanded to process more goods. After expanding capacity at existing crossings, more crossings will be opened.
People trying to enter and exit Gaza for humanitarian and medical reasons, including staff of international aid organizations, will have a streamlined permit process. Israel is also promising to eventually find more ways to facilitate movement of people, if conditions in the area improve.
Goods bound for Gaza through the Port of Ashdod, one of Israel’s main ports, will continue to be handled by Israel in what they call “expeditious inspection and delivery of goods.”
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