Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday authorized the transfer of hundreds of tons of cement to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip for the first time since the end of Operation Cast Lead in January.

Barak's ministry noted that the supplies would be transferred directly to the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), not Hamas, and that they would be used for UN buildings, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said although he wasn't directly involved in the decision, the premier supported the humanitarian measure.

Meanwhile, local daily Ha'aretz reported that the transfer of materials is part of the implementation of a UN plan devised by UN envoy to the Middle East, Robert Serry, who has submitted to Israel a list of 10 UN-sponsored construction projects in Gaza.

Among the construction projects are the reconstruction of Gaza's largest flour mill and the refurbishing of a sewage treatment plant.

Many of Gaza's buildings were destroyed or damaged during Israel's three-week offensive against Hamas, also known as Operation Cast Lead.

However, since then, Israel has refused to allow construction materials into the Palestinian coastal enclave, arguing that Hamas could divert iron rods, cement and concrete to build rockets and bunkers.

On Tuesday, UN agencies and two dozen international aid groups urged Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza or at least allow construction materials into the strip to repair war-damaged schools.

Out of Gaza's 640 schools, 18 were flattened and 280 suffered some damage during Operation Cast Lead, the groups said in a statement.

(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2009)