Israel, Palestinians show signs of good faith in Gaza
Analysts are cautiously noting steps by both Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza toward implementing the truce understandings reached last year to avoid another round of violence.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — For the first time since the blockade on the Gaza Strip began in 2007, Israel is allowing large fishing boats to sail within 15 nautical miles of the Gaza shore Nov. 18. It also permitted the entry of medical equipment to a US field hospital in the north Nov. 19 and reopened the Karm Abu Salem and Erez crossings to Israel on Nov. 17 after several days of closure.
The Israeli steps come after a cease-fire agreement was reached between Israel and Islamic Jihad Nov. 14. A round of fighting between the two parties had erupted Nov. 12 shortly after to the assassination of Islamic Jihad commander Bahaa Abu el-Atta in a targeted strike on his house in the east of Gaza City.
