Israel Eases Economic Siege of Gaza

Shlomi Eldar writes that the economic stranglehold failed to take down the Hamas government, and it may yet be the economy that restores broken bridges between the two peoples.
A Palestinian labourer works at a construction site in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip January 2, 2013. Israel eased its blockade of Gaza on Sunday, allowing a shipment of gravel for private construction into the Palestinian territory for the first time since Hamas seized control in 2007. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA - Tags: POLITICS BUSINESS CONSTRUCTION) - RTR3C1PS
A Palestinian laborer works at a construction site in the southern Gaza Strip, Jan. 2, 2013, after Israel eased its blockade, allowing a shipment of gravel for private construction into the Palestinian territory for the first time since Hamas seized control in 2007. - REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
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Shlomi Eldar
@shlomieldar
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We can not claim it clear and loud: The siege of Gaza has been lifted, or at least just about lifted.

Israel first imposed its “closure” on the Gaza Strip on June 15, 2007, right after Hamas’ military coup. Prime Minister [at the time] Ehud Olmert announced that the border crossings between Israel and Gaza would be closed until further notice. Olmert then flew off to Washington, but not before he allowed for what he called “humanitarian aid” to prevent a dire crisis in Gaza resulting from a dearth of basic foods. Even more than that, he wanted to prevent a torrent of angry criticism of Israel from the international community.

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