Gaza crossings open temporarily

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-22-2008 13:36

Under pressure from the international community, Israel has agreed to open up the crossings into Gaza for at least one day for the delivery of supplies.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced the  decision on Monday.(CCTV.com)

But Hamas says Israel's decision will not solve the problems in the coastal strip.

Israel agreed to allow supplies of some fuel and medicine into Gaza on Tuesday, though restrictions on petrol for cars will remain in place.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak announced the decision on Monday.

It comes hot on the heels of warnings by international agencies that Gaza hospitals would run out of drugs and fuel for back-up generators in a few days unless goods are allowed through the crossings.

Israel closed the border crossings five days ago in what it said was a bid to make Palestinian militants stop firing attacks.

The blockade has left Gaza without essential supplies.

Nimar Hamad, Political Adbisor to Mahmoud Abbas, said, "As a result of the efforts that Mr. President Mahmoud Abbas has made with international parties and with Israel, it has been decided to let fuel enter Gaza."

The European Union has confirmed the delivery will take place on Tuesday.

It is funding fuel shipments to Gaza's main power plant that stopped functioning on Sunday because of fuel shortages.

Under pressure from the international community,  Israel has agreed to open up the crossings into Gaza  for at least one day for the delivery of supplies.  (CCTV.com)

Despite the delivery, Hamas says pressure must continue until the blockade is lifted completely.

Sami Abu Zuhri, Hamas Official, said, "The Israeli announcement of supplying Gaza with more fuel does not mean the crisis in Gaza has been solved. The real crisis for our Palestinian people is the continuation of the siege on the Gaza Strip."

It's unclear whether Israel will allow additional fuel shipments and medical supplies into Gaza beyond Tuesday.

Israeli officials have said future shipments will hinge on regular assessments of Gaza's humanitarian needs and on the number of rockets fired by Palestinian militants into the Jewish state.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei