Israel allows tomato exports from Gaza to Europe

The Israeli authorities have further eased the blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip by permitting a first truckload of cherry tomatoes destined for Europe to pass through the frontier, the ‘Reuters’ news agency reports. Israel's Defense Ministry had announced on Sunday that the shipment was to go through with the produce scheduled to be sent to Europe, in coordination with the Dutch government. Jerusalem began easing trade restrictions on Gaza in November 2010, in response to Western criticism of the embargo which it had imposed on the coastal strip when Hamas seized power in 2007. Since then, 184 truckloads of strawberries, carnations and peppers have been exported via Israel to Europe.

A spokesman said Israel attached great importance to the international community's involvement in implementing policies towards the civilian population in Gaza who are not involved terrorism. The project also includes exports of 367 tons of strawberries from the Gaza Strip, about 5.3 million carnations, and 6 tons of peppers.

Hamas continues to be opposed to Israel's very existence, and terrorists frequently fire rockets and mortars at Israeli towns. The announcement on the easing of exports from Gaza came despite a recent escalation in rocket attacks by militants. Last week, Grad missiles hit the Israeli city of Beersheba, which is 40 kilometers away from the Gaza Strip.