Israel to lift restrictions imposed on Gaza

By Abdel Ra'ouf D. A. R. Arnaout

JERUSALEM (AA) - Israel on Wednesday decided to remove restrictions it imposed on the Gaza Strip in May following its military offensive on the blockaded coastal strip.

A statement by the Israeli army said it will also increase the space of the Gaza fishing zone from 12 nautical miles to 15 and fully reopen the Karm Abu Salem crossing, Gaza's only commercial and trade route.

The Israeli army also decided to increase the amount of drinkable water allowed into Gaza by additional 5 million cubic meters.

The statement said that the exit permits for Gaza businessmen via the Israeli-controlled Erez crossing will be increased by an additional 5,000 to reach a total of 7,000.

The Israeli army said that keeping these steps is conditional on security and stability.

During the Israeli offensive on Gaza in May, Israel imposed severe restrictions on importing goods to Gaza, especially the construction materials, causing an additional economic crisis in the blockaded Gaza.

While Israel insists on the release of its missing soldiers in return for the reconstruction of Gaza, the Hamas group, which rules Gaza since 2007, says the issue of the soldiers is linked to a prisoner swap.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara