In Israel and the Occupied Territories, the Israeli cabinet has approved a proposal to alter its blockade of the Gaza Strip following international outcry over its deadly assault on an aid flotilla last month. More items will be allowed to enter Gaza, including food supplies, toys, mattresses and towels. But Israel will still control the flow of goods and maintain both the sea blockade and the ban on private importation of building materials that Gaza needs to rebuild from Israel’s wide-scale destruction of Gaza in the assault ending in January 2009. The Hamas government in Gaza dismissed the move as “media propaganda.” Palestinian Authority chief negotiator Saeb Erekat meanwhile said Israel should lift the entire blockade.

Saeb Erekat: “If the Israelis think that their public relations require from them to speak about easing the situation, that’s one story. But using medical supplies and food supplies as swords against 1.5 million people living in Gaza is against international law and must stop immediately. There is no such thing as easing the siege. This siege must be totally and completely lifted.”