GAZA, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Some progress was made on the functioning of
commercial crossings into Gaza for the first time sine they were reopened under
the Hamas-Israel ceasefire which took effect on June 19, Hamas sources said on
Monday.
The sources said that Israel increased the number of shipments it sends to
Gaza, explaining that more than 100 truckloads have crossed into Gaza through
Sufa crossing for the first time since Israel imposed the sanctions on Gaza.
Israel sealed off all crossing points into Gaza in June 2007 when Hamas
took control of the territory after routing security forces of Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas.
But months of Egyptian efforts have succeeded to broker a ceasefire between
Hamas and Israel, stopping Gaza violence and easing the siege.
Before the sanctions were imposed, between 400-500 truckloads used to enter
Gaza on daily basis. During the blockade, Israel only allowed between 50-70
trucks carrying basic food and medicine into the strip, not constantly.
This week, the shipments included various food products, frozen meat and
fish, cleaning materials and cement, according to the sources who also expected
that more construction materials will come soon.
But Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri accused Israel of not being seriously
committed to the ceasefire deal, adding that the Israeli "violations are
continuing."
"The crossings are opened to a degree less than the one before the lull
began and the level of goods that enter Gaza is lesser and this reflects the
occupation's desire to play with the lull's conditions to extort Hamas," Abu
Zuhri said in a statement faxed to the media.
Israel says the full lifting of Gaza closure, including the opening of
Rafah travelers' crossing, will occur when Hamas releases Gilad Shalit, an
Israeli soldier held hostage in Gaza since 2006.
But Abu Zuhri warns that the Israeli weak commitment to the ceasefire "will
backfire on the file of Shalit."