Israel said yesterday it was easing a land blockade of the Gaza Strip that drew heightened international criticism after its deadly raid on an aid flotilla bound for the Hamas-run territory.
A new Israeli-approved product list includes all foods, toys, stationery, kitchen utensils, mattresses and towels, said Raed Fattouh, the Palestinian co-ordinator of supplies to Gaza.
But Israel maintained its sea blockade, a ban on exports from the coastal strip and a prohibition against the commercial importation of building materials, vital to reconstruction after the December 2008-January 2009 Gaza war.
Hamas dismissed the new measures as trivial and "media propaganda".
"What is needed is a complete lifting of the blockade," said Hamas.
Israel said unrestricted importing of cement and steel could lead to Hamas seizing the material and using it to rebuild military infrastructure.
