Israel boosts flow of goods into Gaza Strip

Israel allowed dozens of trucks to deliver food, diapers and clothes to the Gaza Strip on Sunday, boosting the flow of basic goods as part of a 4-day-old truce with Hamas militants.

Further increases are expected if the quiet continues, offering the prospect of relief for Gazans after a year of Israeli sanctions against the Hamas regime.

The deal, brokered by Egypt, is meant to end attacks that have killed more than 400 Palestinians and seven Israelis since Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip a year ago and to pave the way toward wider-reaching agreements.

On Sunday, 90 truckloads of supplies were transferred from Israeli to Palestinian vehicles at a Gaza crossing. That is up from between 60 and 70 before the truce took effect, said military spokesman Gil Karie. In Gaza, Ihab Ghussen, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said the increase was in keeping with the truce’s terms.

Other goods barred from Gaza during a yearlong blockade, such as cement, are supposed to be allowed in 10 days after the beginning of the truce, Ghussen said.

Among goods brought in Sunday were milk, fruit and vegetables, diapers, toilet paper and shoes, Palestinian security officials said.

The amount of fuel sent into Gaza remained unchanged. Israel has slashed fuel shipments in response to attacks launched from Gaza. The reductions have led to a severe shortage and crippled transportation.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said fuel supplies would be increased at a later stage, but he did not say how much or when.

On Sunday, Hamas’ exiled leader, Khaled Meshaal, told reporters in Syria that the militant group was committed to the truce as long as Israel is.

Hamas militiamen were seen taking up positions near the border crossings to monitor the flow of traffic.

Egypt worked for months to mediate the truce between Israel and Hamas. The bitter enemies do not deal with each other directly.