Israel has confirmed it will allow some humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, easing a month-old closure it imposed on the Hamas-ruled territory after a surge in violence.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak authorised the delivery of 70 truckloads of food and basic supplies into Gaza and an unspecified quantity of fuel for the impoverished territory's sole power plant, his office said in a statement.

The statement said the decision was taken as a gesture of goodwill ahead of next week's Eid al-Adha, the Muslim Feast of the Sacrifice.

This would be the fourth time that Israel is opening its crossings with Gaza since violence flared on November 4.

Journalists will be allowed to travel to and from Gaza for the first time in a month, an Israeli official said. International aid workers and Palestinians requiring medical treatment also will be allowed through, he said.

The opening of the crossings will be reviewed on a daily basis and will be subject to Palestinian militants halting their rocket fire against southern Israel, said defence ministry spokesman Peter Lerner.