Israel to allow shipments of international food aid into Gaza

Wednesday April 30, 2008 09:09 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC & Agencies

Israel decided on Wedensday to allow shipments of international food aid into the besieged Gaza Strip through an alternative crossing, as the Israeli closure of the coastal territory remains in place since June of last year.

The Israeli radio, Hebrew service, reported that 10 trucks, loaded with Egyptian and international aid, would arrive in Gaza by the end of this week, through the Israeli-Egyptian crossing of aL-Auja in southern Israel.

The Kerem Shalom Israeli commercial crossing, used for cargo into Gaza, was closed almost two weeks ago, when a Palestinian cross-border attack in southern Gaza Strip, wounded seven Israeli soldiers at the crossing.

Meanwhile, all Gaza Strip's crossings, bordering Israel, have been closed since June 2007, with partial opening for some food shipments and other essential item However, such supplies including fuel have been made very scarce for the past several months.

World Food Program reported that the Gaza's 1.5 residents survive now on food aid, provided by the United Nations and other international organizations, with Gaza's economy almost completely collapsed due to the Israeli blockade.

gaza strip | miscellaneous | news report rami at imemc dot org