Israel decided Wednesday to ease even further its blockade of the Gaza Strip, and allow exports to leave the territory for the first time since 2007, DPA reported.
The decision, taken by the security cabinet, is intended to widen the economic activity in the enclave, Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser said in a statement.
Israel first imposed its blockade on the Gaza Strip in 2006, after militants launched a cross-border raid and snatched an Israeli soldier, who is still being held.
The siege was tightened significantly a year later, when the Hamas seized full control of the Strip, after routing security officers loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas.
But in June this year the blockade was significantly eased when Israel widened the list of good allowed into the enclave. The international community generally welcomed the step but urged Israel to go further and permit Gaza merchants to export their goods abroad.
Hauser's statement Wednesday also called for countries to continue their diplomatic boycott of Hamas, because of the Islamist organization's refusal to renounce violence, honour past international agreements and recognise Israel's right to exist.
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