Private cement deliveries to the Gaza Strip resumed yesterday after Israel lifted a six-week ban it imposed over the alleged diversion of materials by an official in the Palestinian territory.
Israel imposed the ban in early April in the territory run by Hamas which is still rebuilding after a devastating 2014 war.
The ban affected private providers, meaning Qatar, a major donor to Gazan reconstruction, and the United Nations were still able to bring in cement to Gaza, under an Israeli blockade that has been in place for nearly a decade.
Raed Fattouh, who oversees the entry of goods into the Gaza Strip, said private deliveries had resumed for the first time since April 3.
Robert Piper, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for the Palestinian territories, confirmed that more than 90 trucks entered Gaza yesterday, calling it a “decent return” close to levels towards the beginning of the year.
Israel said late on Sunday that it was lifting the ban “in accordance with the security assessment and the understandings reached with the international community”.
It had imposed the ban after accusing Imad al-Baz, deputy director of the Hamas economy ministry, of diverting supplies, which he denied.
Israel restricts the entry of goods into Gaza out of fears they will be used to make weapons or build tunnels that can be used for attacks.
UN officials point out that cement deliveries are vital to Gaza’s reconstruction and pushed for the ban to be lifted.
Nickolay Mladenov, UN special co-ordinator for the Middle East peace process, welcomed Israel’s decision to lift the ban.
“It is critical for the security of both Palestinians and Israelis that Gaza remains calm and hope is restored to its people,” he said.
Palestinian workers stand on a truck loaded with bags of cement after it entered the southern Gaza Strip from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing in Rafah yesterday.
