Israel to Ease Gaza Blockade for a Day

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel said Monday it will ease a blockade of Gaza imposed in retaliation for militant rocket attacks, allowing some food and fuel in for one day. The announcement followed a U.N. warning that international food aid to the impoverished territory may have to be suspended by the weekend.

The closure imposed after a spike in rocket attacks last week cut off fuel supplies. On Sunday, Gaza's Hamas rulers shut the strip's power plant, leaving one-third of the 1.5 million people without electricity. Gas stations and many bakeries closed, and health officials warned of an impending crisis in hospitals running low on generator fuel.

The cutoff of fuel prompted condemnation from aid and human rights groups. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak called Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Monday and urged him to ease restrictions.

He told legislators from his Kadima Party he will not allow a humanitarian crisis to develop. But he said Gaza's residents won't be able to live a "pleasant and comfortable life" as long as southern Israel is under rocket attack.

"As far as I'm concerned, Gaza residents will walk, without gas for their cars, because they have a murderous, terrorist regime that doesn't let people in southern Israel live in peace," Olmert said.

Even after agreeing to the one-time shipments, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak maintained a tough tone. Speaking at the annual Herzliya Conference on security, Barak said he was prepared to hit Gaza in order to restore calm in Israeli towns battered by rockets from Gaza.

"I care more about our quiet than their quiet," he said.