JERUSALEM – Israel yesterday said it will allow the “limited export” of farm produce from Gaza, one month after a ceasefire with the enclave’s Hamas rulers to end an 11-day conflict.
The crowded Mediterranean territory, home to some two million Palestinians, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.
Extra restrictions since intense violence last month have meant that Gaza’s farmers have been unable to export goods as usual, creating a glut of produce, such as tomatoes and strawberries, and causing prices to tumble.
“Limited export of agricultural produce from the Gaza Strip” will begin today, said Cogat, the Israeli military body that administers civilian affairs in the Palestinian Territories, in a statement.
It said “this civilian measure, which was approved by the political echelon, is conditional upon the preservation of security stability”.
Goods will be allowed out of the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing.
The fragile ceasefire that ended 11 days of air strikes by Israel and rockets fired from Gaza took effect on May 21.
The conflict killed 260 Palestinians, including some fighters, according to Gaza authorities.
In Israel, 13 people were killed, including a soldier, by rockets fired from Gaza, said the police and army.
In recent days, ceasefire violations have included Palestinian militants setting off incendiary balloons to spark fires on farmland – and Israel responding with two rounds of air strikes. – AFP, June 21, 2021
