Israel resumes allowing cement into Gaza after 50-day embargo

Israel on Monday resumed shipping cement for reconstruction in the Gaza Strip after a 50-day ban on the shipment of construction raw materials, officials said.

Raed Fattouh, the Palestinian liaison officer and coordinator for allowing goods shipment into the Gaza Strip, told reporters that on Monday morning Israel resumed permission of shipment of cement and other raw materials.

The allowed raw materials will be used to resume the reconstruction of what had been destroyed during a 50-day offensive waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip during the summer of 2014.

"The raw materials were allowed in Gaza through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom commercial crossing on the border between southeast Gaza Strip and Israel," Fattouh said.

He said about 90 trucks loaded with cement, steel and gravel arrived at the crossing and that the cargo were moved onto Palestinian trucks that drove into Gaza.

Fattouh said 90 trucks of raw materials will be allowed each day.

Meanwhile, Israeli Radio reported the end of the 50-day ban, which was imposed when Israel suspected that cement was used in building up underground tunnels.

The United Nations envoy to the region, Nikolay Mladenov, said in a press statement that the Israeli decision to allow shipments of construction raw materials is welcomed, following great efforts exerted by both Israel and the Palestinians.

"All parties should ensure handing over the construction raw materials to those who are in need and only use them for civil purposes," said Mladenov.

In early April, Israel suddenly stopped the shipment of construction materials into Gaza, saying that they were used by Gaza militants for military purposes, such as constructing tunnels used to attack Israel. Endit