Israel will allow UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and a senior European Union (EU) official to enter Gaza, said a statement of Israeli Foreign Ministry, in an attempt to ease the international pressure on the Jewish State for besieging Gaza.
It is the first time Israel has permitted international officials to cross Israeli border to enter Gaza since the operation Cast Lead in December 2008, according to local daily Ha' aretz.
"In response to the special requests by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and Catherine Ashton, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Israel has decided to facilitate their entry into the Gaza Strip," said the statement.
The permission is intent on enabling the two officials, who are scheduled to visit the region in the next several weeks, to "get a first hand impression of humanitarian activities taking place in that area."
Israel sealed off all crossing points with Gaza in 2007 after Hamas seized control of the coastal strip. After the massive offensive at the end of 2008, Israel further tightened the blockage.
The international community has been calling on Israel to lift the embargo and allow more humanitarian supplies and construction materials to enter the impoverished enclave over recent years.
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