Israel co-ordinates all imports into Gaza with the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank Israel has allowed about 20 cars into Gaza, in the first such shipment since the militant Hamas movement took over the Strip in 2007.
The decision was taken in June, after an outcry over Israel’s raid on an aid flotilla, but was delayed by red tape and rocket attacks, a spokesman said.
Last week, the IMF said that Gaza’s economy had grown 16% since the easing, but warned it was against a “low base”.
Four out of five of the territory’s 1.5 million residents rely on foreign aid.
Unemployment remains at 37%, one of the highest rates in the world.
Israel and neighbouring Egypt shut down Gaza’s border crossings when an Israeli soldier was captured in June 2006, and tightened it further when Hamas took control of Gaza, driving the Fatah faction of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas out of the strip, a year later. Hamas had won parliamentary elections in Gaza and the West Bank earlier in 2006.
The 20 cars – both new and used – were transported into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom border crossing – which the Palestinians call Kerem Abu Salem – on Monday afternoon, said the BBC’s Jon Donnison from the border area.
There are only 20 cars and they are much needed. Transport in the Gaza Strip can be dilapidated and rickety to say the least. Many cars are in a terrible state and lots of people still travel by donkey.
During the past three years, the only way to get a new car into Gaza was literally underground – with whole brand new cars being smuggled in through tunnels from Egypt.
With the easing of Israel’s blockade, it’s 20 new cars for now, and more expected to follow. But one key question – with Gaza’s economy devastated by the blockade and unemployment close to 40%, how many people can afford one?
Earlier, there had been “several problems” in co-ordinating the delayed shipment with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, Maj Guy Inbar of the Israeli military’s Gaza liaison office told the AFP news agency, without providing further details.
Since Hamas took over in Gaza, all imports are organised with the Palestinian Authority.
The delivery was also held up by near-daily rocket and mortar attacks last week, he added.
Israel began allowing consumer goods into Gaza after its May raid on a Turkish aid ship sparked international outrage. Nine activists were killed when Israeli commandos intercepted the ship in international waters.
But it still blocks all exports from the territory, imposes a complete naval blockade, and severely restricts the movement of people.
The Israeli authorities also limit the amount of construction and raw materials allowed into Gaza, leading to the closure of hundreds of businesses and factories – some of which were destroyed during Israel’s 22-day military offensive, which ended in January 2009.
According to the United Nations, the Israeli military campaign left more than 50,000 homes, 800 industrial properties and 200 schools damaged or destroyed.
Israel says the restrictions are necessary to pressure militants to stop firing rockets from the territory.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.