Israel said it would ease commercial access to the occupied Gaza Strip, allowing imports of goods, equipment and vehicles, as well as granting more entry permits for certain Gazans into Israel. The announcement came after fresh protests at the separation barrier Wednesday demanding an end to the Israeli blockade. Israeli forces fired tear gas and live rounds on a crowd of hundreds, injuring at least nine people. Israel has also continued to bomb the Gaza Strip in response to incendiary balloons launched from the besieged territory.