JERUSALEM – Israel pledged Sunday it will immediately allow all goods into Gaza except weapons and items deemed to have a military use under its decision to ease its three-year-old blockade of the Palestinian territory.

The list of banned goods replaces an old list of allowed items that permitted only basic humanitarian supplies for the 1.5 million Gazans. Under the new system, the government said practically all nonmilitary items can enter Gaza freely.

“From now on, there is a green light of approval for all goods to enter Gaza except for military items and materials that can strengthen Hamas’ military machine,” Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev said.

Israel decided Thursday to ease the blockade under intense international pressure after its raid on a blockade-busting international flotilla bound for Gaza killed nine pro-Palestinian activists. Scott Hamann, a filmmaker from South Portland, was among those arrested during the raid and days later was expelled from Israel.

In a critical shift, Israel said it would allow construction materials into Gaza for projects approved by the Palestinian Authority, as long as the projects are under international supervision. Up until now, Israel has banned most construction materials, including cement.

Construction materials are a critical need in Gaza. Thousands of buildings were razed or damaged in Israel’s military operation in Gaza 1½ years ago, aimed at stopping years of daily rocket attacks by Gaza militants. Because of the blockade, little repair or rebuilding has been done since the war ended.

The list of banned items was not released Sunday, but the government said it will be published.

A Hamas Cabinet minister, Ziad al-Zaza, rejected the Israeli decision. He said that the blockade must be lifted fully “to allow Gaza to import all necessary materials, particularly cement, iron, raw materials for industry and agriculture, as well as import and export between Gaza and the world.”

Chris Gunness, spokesman for UNRWA, the U.N. agency that aids Palestinian refugees, agreed. “We have to see the blockade lifted, because the blockade is illegal,” he said.

Under its blockade, Israel has banned all exports from Gaza, further crushing its economy. It hasn’t said whether there will be any change in the export ban.

In Washington, President Obama’s spokesman Robert Gibbs welcomed the easing of the blockade.

“Once implemented, we believe these arrangements should significantly improve conditions for Palestinians in Gaza, while preventing the entry of weapons,” he said.

Israel imposed the blockade after Hamas overran the Gaza Strip, aiming to cut off support for the Islamic militant group, keep weapons out of the territory and win the release of an Israeli soldier held since 2006. None of the goals has been accomplished, adding to pressure on Israel to change the rules.

 

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