November 20, 2010: Trucks waiting at Kerem Shalom crossing. Photo: IDF Spokesperson.

Israel has decided to allow the entry of new empty domestic gas cylinders into the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian Authority official told the Ma’an News Agency. The shipping of new gas cylinders to Gaza had been banned for several years.

Nathmi Muhanna, chief of the borders and crossings department in Ramallah, also told Ma’an that 125 new cars would be allowed every week instead of 100. The Israeli authorities agreed as well to install a new phone and internet line from Israel to the Gaza Strip. According to Muhanna, four new fuel trucks and two new gas trucks will be shipped to Gaza.

The loosening of restrictions is part of an effort by Israel to introduce improvements at the Gaza borders, Muhanna told Ma’an. He said that Israel had reached out to the Palestinian borders and crossings department in Ramallah to make them aware of the developments.