Israeli authorities are to open the Kerem Shalom crossing with the Gaza Strip for goods and fuel, officials said yesterday.
Raed Fattouh, chairman of the Coordination Committee for the entry of goods into the Gaza Strip, said that the Israeli authorities are to allow 450 truckloads of goods and fuel to enter the enclave for the commercial, agriculture and transportation sectors.
Fattouh said that 100 truckloads would be full of gravel to help rebuild streets as part of the Qatar construction projects.
He said that the fuel entering the Strip is intended for the transportation sector as well as for domestic use. No mention was made regarding the fuel needed to ensure the electricity plant in the Strip becomes operational; the plant stopped working two days ago.
Kerem Shalom is the only commercial crossing through which goods and fuel enter the Gaza Strip. Israeli authorities close it every Friday and Saturday – Israel’s weekend. On other days, it works to less than half capacity.