1 Jan 2013

Building materials now allowed into Gaza

8:59 am on 1 January 2013

Israel has eased restrictions on allowing building materials into the Gaza Strip, imposed when Hamas came to power there in 2007.

The BBC reports shipments of gravel for private use are now being let in because a truce which ended last month's conflict has held.

Most construction materials were previously banned. Imports and exports from the territory are still barred.

Israel also maintains a naval blockade.

On Sunday, Egypt allowed 1400 tonnes of gravel across the border. Egypt previously blocked the transfer of goods into Gaza since Hamas won elections in 2006 and ousted Fatah in 2007.