Israel has informed the Palestinian Authority that aluminum and wood will be permitted entry into Gaza, officials said Monday.

The announcement was made by Nasser As-Seraj, assistant undersecretary in the Ministry of National Economy, and was confirmed by Palestinian liaison official Raed Fattouh.

Fattouh told Ma'an that the first truckload of wood is expected to enter Gaza on Thursday -- the first delivery for over three years -- but that it remains unclear when the transfer of aluminum is expected.

Israel prohibited the entry of a number of construction goods, including aluminum, since Hamas' takeover of the coastal enclave in June 2007.

As a result, many homes and vital infrastructure destroyed during Israel's Operation Cast Lead over 15 months ago remain damaged and in vital need of repair, with many residents forced to live in tents.

Last week Israeli officials announced that stocks relegated to storage units in the Israeli Ashdod port since 2007 were finally set to be transferred in, easing a three-year ban on clothing imports.

However, when merchants received the goods on Thursday, they were damaged beyond repair, retailers said.