Gaza, Sep 13 (IANS) Israel Monday allowed car spare parts and engine oil into Gaza for the first time in three years as part of relaxation of its blockade, a Palestinian official said.
One truck carrying car spare parts and five trucks carrying engine oil entered Gaza through Kerem Shalom crossing in southeast Gaza Strip, Xinhua quoted Raed Fatouh, a border liaison officer, as saying.
Monday’s shipment is a prelude to allowing cars into Gaza after more than three years of banning, Fatouh said.
Israel has imposed the blockade since 2007 after Hamas seized Gaza by force, allowing no more than humanitarian aids, food and medicines in.
In June, Israel started easing the restrictions to calm down international outcry after its forces killed nine activists on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla May 31.
Fatouh said 60 new cars would be shipped to Gaza every week after all technical procedures were arranged between Israel and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in the West Bank.
Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesman told Israel Radio that a mortar shell fired by Palestinian militants landed on an open area in western Negev, causing no damages. No Palestinian groups have claimed responsibility for the attack.
