Gaza-ruling Islamic Hamas movement on Thursday described Israel's decision to ease the blockade on the Gaza Strip as "a trick."
"This is a new trick aiming at enhancing the siege's image and securing its continuation instead of lifting and ending it," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told Xinhua.
The Israeli security cabinet, which comprises top ministers, on Thursday approved a series of measures to increase cargo flow to the Hamas-controlled territory as a result of international criticism over the effectiveness of the sanctions that Israel has imposed three years ago to isolate Hamas.
On May 31, Israeli commandos raided a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, killing nine activists. The incident provoked the bitter condemnation against Israeli policies regarding Gaza.
"Israel is trying to deceive the international public opinion that it is lifting the blockade," Abu Zuhri said, asserting that the Gazans "need the siege to be completely lifted, all crossing points open and securing the movement of all people and goods, mainly raw materials, instead of increasing the amount of goods."
Construction materials, which have been barred since the siege was imposed, are likely to enter and be used by international aid agencies or at least under their supervision to secure that Hamas will not use them to build up its arsenal.
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