Israel to allow entry of fuel to Gaza power plant

Israel said Sunday it would allow fuel for electricity production to resume to Gaza, the latest in a series of steps to loosen a stranglehold imposed during last month’s conflict.

“The decision was made following a security assessment in that matter and approved by the political echelon, and is conditional upon the preservation of security stability,” said COGAT, the Israeli military body that administers civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories.

The teeming enclave, home to about two million Palestinians, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007.

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Even before last month’s conflict power had been in short supply, with consumers having few hours of electricity a day.

Israel tightened its restrictions in May during an 11-day conflict with Hamas, the Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip.

Last week Israel renewed postal service to the territory and allowed some exports of agricultural produce and clothing to resume.

It also expanded the fishing zone it grants to Gaza, from six to nine nautical miles, and allowed for the importing of raw materials for “essential civilian factories.”

Israel loosened restrictions amid a ceasefire that took effect May 21, ending the deadliest fighting between Israel and Hamas since 2014.

The conflict killed 260 Palestinians including some fighters, according to Gaza authorities.

In Israel, 13 people were killed, including a soldier, by fire from Gaza, the police and army said.

The ceasefire has largely held, although earlier this month, Palestinian militants sett off incendiary ballons to spark fires in farm land and Israel responded with air strikes.

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