Israel opens Karm Abu Salem crossing

The Israeli occupation authorities opened Gaza's Karm Abu Salem crossing Tuesday to allow the limited entry of goods and humanitarian aid into the besieged coastal enclave of Gaza. The opening followed several closures for Israel's observance of the Jewish Passover holiday, and a week-long closure before, after and during a spate of border clashes. For his part, Palestinian liaison official Raed Fattouh told Ma'an that 240-250 trucks of goods and humanitarian aid were expected to enter the Gaza Strip, including ten trucks of cement and iron bars for construction projects funded by UNRWA. UN observer reports noted shortages in cooking gas and wheat following the closures. The import of building materials for private or government use remains prohibited under Israel's conditions of siege.