Agriculture Minister Shalom Simhon said on Sunday that Israel considers imposing a complete ban on exporting Gaza agricultural produce via Israel.
Israel suspects large quantities of agricultural produce have been smuggled into Gaza from Egypt, after Hamas tore down the Gaza-Egypt border wall, sending hundreds of thousands of Palestinians into Egypt, effectively ending the Israeli blockade of the Strip.
According to information provided by the Palestinian veterinary service, Israel believes 10,000 sheep, 300 cows and thousands of poultry have been transported into Gaza without veterinary inspection, as well as thousands of tons of various vegetables, fruit, plants and seeds without proper inspection.
Dr. Moshe Haimovich, the director of the Agriculture Ministry's Veterinary Service, has warned that Egypt is swarming with veterinary diseases, including bird flu, foot and mouth and others, which could pose a serious danger to humans.
Dr. Eldad Landes, the director of the ministry's Plant Protection and Inspection Services, said that there is a substantial risk of acute botanical diseases coming into Israel from Gaza.
He said fruit and vegetables should not be allowed into Israel, even for the purpose of export through Ben-Gurion International Airport.
Following Simhon's request, 100,000 veterinary vaccinations will be transported to the Gaza Strip on Monday.
Meanwhile, The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), which comprises 57 Muslim countries, said on Sunday it would step up action at the United Nations to stop Israel's blockade of Palestinians in Gaza.
Last month the UN Human Rights Council criticised "grave violations" by Israel in Gaza, which it has blockaded for several weeks in what it says is a response to rocket attacks by Gaza-based Palestinian militants.
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