After hiatus, Israel allows fuel back into Gaza

By Abdel Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) – The Israeli authorities on Tuesday allowed fuel shipments to enter the blockaded Gaza Strip after a days-long hiatus caused by recent escalations between Israel and Gaza-based resistance groups.

According to the Israeli Broadcast Authority, Tuesday’s fuel shipments entered the enclave through the Kerem Shalom land crossing linking Gaza to Israel and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli army pounded the Hamas-run coastal enclave with airstrikes and artillery barrages, while resistance factions responded by firing rockets towards southern Israel.

The violence ended at dawn Monday, when a ceasefire -- the exact terms of which remain unclear -- went into effect.

At least 27 Palestinians were killed in the exchange and scores more injured, while four Israelis were killed, according to Israeli media reports.

The escalation began last Friday when four Palestinians were killed by Israeli military strikes on Hamas-affiliated positions in Gaza.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat