Israel to consider methods to ease Gaza blockade
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Following the unprecedented international criticism of last week's Israeli attack on the Gaza- bound Freedom Flotilla which was carrying aid to the impoverished Gaza Strip, observers expect that Israel would consider other methods to ease the blockade on the enclave to reduce international pressure.
Palestinian observers expect that the increasing international pressure on the Jewish state "would modify the Israeli blockade, and many different kinds of products would be allowed into the enclave, which has been under the Israeli blockade since Hamas seized control of it in June 2007.
Ahmad Abu al-Sa'eed, a political scientist at the Gaza-based al-Aqsa University told Xinhua that following the Israeli attack on the flotilla, lifting the Israeli blockade "is not only a Palestinian pursuit any more, but also an international demand."
"I believe the Israeli government would think of alternatives to ease the siege on the Gaza Strip to reduce the increasing international pressure," said Abu al-Sa'eed.
International criticism
After the Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla, during which at least nine were killed and dozens wounded, Israel founded itself obliged to ease the blockade or at least find another method to meet its security concerns.
Many countries diplomatically criticized the Israeli action. Israeli officials revealed that the Jewish state is studying an international proposal to ease the blockade while preventing weapons being sent to Hamas in Gaza.
Israel on Sunday reopened commercial crossing points with Gaza after brief closure in the weekend, allowing construction materials into Gaza for two projects carried out by international organizations. About 95 to 105 truckloads entered Gaza through Kerem Shalom crossing in southeast Gaza Strip.
Ra'ed Fattouh, a liaison official coordinating goods entrance in Gaza, said Israel only allows 114 kinds of products through the commercial crossings, out of 4,000 kinds of products allowed into the enclave before the blockade was imposed three years ago.
