Israel allowed Gaza Strip farmers Thursday to send the flower-laden truck through the Kerem Shalom crossing point on the borders between Gaza Strip and Israel, en route to Europe, officials in the salient said, DPA reported.
It marked the first time in three years Israel has allowed Gaza farmers to export flowers to Europe, Ra'ed Fatouh, the goods entrance coordinator between Gaza and Israel, noted.
He said the move "gives hope to Palestinian farmers that they can export their products from Gaza to all over the world."
Israel has been imposing a tight blockade on the Gaza Strip since militants snatched Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit during a cross-border raid on June 25, 2006. The siege was tightened even further after Hamas seized control of the salient in June 2007.
Fatouh said Israel opened Kerem Shalom to allow 115 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter the coastal enclave. The trucks also carried commercial and agricultural products.
However, he said Israel kept the Karni crossing and the Nahal Oz depot, which are entry points for fuels and cooking gas into the Gaza Strip, shut.
Israel has said the blockade cannot be released so long as Shalit is still held in the Gaza Strip.
Israel lets Gaza farmers export flowers for first time in 3 years
