Israel rejected a Palestinian request to allow new goods and commodities the people in Gaza Strip need ahead of Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, an official said on Wednesday.

"We have frequently asked the Israeli side to let Ramadan's goods in but they still turn down our requests," said Nasser al-Sarraj, Palestinian deputy minister of economy.

For Ramadan, which starts on Saturday, the Gazans mostly need more food products and cloths for the following feasts.

Israel has been imposing a blockade on Gaza since Islamic Hamas movement seized control of the territory in 2007, allowing little more than basic food and medical supplies into the strip.

"The Gaza markets suffer from a severe shortage of some necessary items," al-Sarraj added.

Israel is also still withholding textbooks and stationery shipments to Gaza ahead of the new school year starting in September.

On Wednesday morning, Israel opened three commercial crossing points to allow less than 100 truckloads of food and Arab aid into the impoverished territory.

Prior to the closure, about 400 truckloads of various types of materials used to enter into Gaza Strip on daily basis.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2009)