Hamas says Israel deceitful over Gaza

A top Hamas official says that the Israeli decision to allow civilian goods into the Gaza Strip is aimed at reducing global pressure after its deadly attack on an aid convoy.

“The Israelis are deceiving the world to avoid the recent wave of international criticism,” Hamas Minister of Economy Ziad al-Zaza said in an interview with al-Quds Radio on Monday.

He made the remarks after Israel announced Sunday that it would ease its land blockade on the coastal region, which has been under siege since June 2007.

The Israelis planned the move after the international community put pressure on Tel Aviv to lift the siege following the attack against the Gaza Freedom Flotilla aid convoy that was carrying 10,000 tons of supplies for the besieged people of Gaza.

The assault on May 31 in international waters left at least 20 activists dead and dozens of others injured.

The Hamas minister also said the recent Israeli measure does not mean the end of the siege and called for lifting the blockade.

“Allowing the entry of goods into Gaza while barring the construction materials is meaningless,” he said. “We don’t want snacks and chips. We need building materials.”