Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    GAZA, July 10 (Xinhua) -- Israel allowed construction iron bars into the Gaza Strip for the first time in more than a year as part of easing economic sanctions in line with a shaky ceasefire, the dismantled Hamas government said on Thursday.

    The general administration of the crossings in the deposed Hamas government said Israel lifted the ban on more goods and materials, including the iron.

    The crossings administration said the number of trucks that Israel allows into Gaza has exceeded 100 for the first time since the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire took effect on June 19.

    "It is expected that this level would be maintained if the occupation remained committed to opening the crossing every day," the crossings administration said in a statement.

    But fuel, especially the gasoline, remains reduced and the transportation crisis in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip still unsolved.

    Despite the progress, the movement at the crossings "still slow and did not reach the degree that can ease the siege," the crossings administration said.

    Israel shut down the commercial crossings into Gaza in June 2007 in response to Hamas' violent takeover of the impoverished territory. Nearly one year later, Egypt succeeded in brokering the ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas to restore calmness and ease the blockade.

    Israel has closed the crossing points several times during the ceasefire in response to a number or rocket attacks by Palestinian factions which reject the Hamas-Israel ceasefire.