(Communicated by the Spokesman for the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories)
On Sunday, 18 July 2010, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Eytan Dangot and MFA Director General Yossi Gal met with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Baroness Catherine Ashton at the Erez Coordination, Liason and Administration (CLA) office. During the meeting Maj. Gen. Eytan Dangot elaborated on the steps taken as part of the implementation of the civilian policy towards the Gaza Strip and presented the daily coordination of truckloads.
During the meeting, Maj. Gen. Dangot elaborated on the increase in Kerem Shalom crossing and the Karni conveyor capacity. The Defense Ministry Crossing Authority representative also emphasized that the crossing capacity has already increased to 150 truckloads per day via Kerem Shalom, and that since July 4, construction work has begun on the Palestinian side of the crossing by the PA in order to increase the crossing capacity to 250 truckloads a day as of July 31, 2010.
Furthermore Maj. Gen. Dangot presented international projects that were approved in addition to the 14 projects whose implementation began prior to the Cabinet's decision. He emphasized that Israel will continue to provide solutions to the needs raised by the PA and the international community based on the existing crossings and the concept that Kerem Shalom crossing will remain the main commodities crossing. The policy will be implemented subject to security considerations and the fact that the Hamas terror regime still rules the Gaza Strip.
The COGAT spokesman announced that the delivery of the cargo from the Libyan ship began this morning (18 July) via the Kerem Shalom crossing, following coordination between Israel and Egypt. The entering of the rest of the cargo from the ship will continue without interrupting the daily coordination of 150 truckloads.