Israel Eases Gaza Closure, but Restrictions Remain

In recent weeks, about 140 truckloads a day have passed through the crossing, but Israel hopes to increase the volume to about 250 in coming weeks, said Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot, the top liaison officer with the Palestinians. Gisha, the human rights group, said that even at the expanded capacity Kerem Shalom could supply only about 70 percent of Gaza's daily needs.

The ban on the import of raw materials and exports forced most of Gaza's 3,900 factories to shut down, wiping out tens of thousands of jobs. Raw materials not on the banned list will now be allowed to enter Gaza, but exports will continue to be banned, with the exception of small seasonal shipments of strawberries and flowers.

In justifying the export ban, Israel points to a suicide bomber who blew himself up in an Israeli port after hiding between the double walls of a shipping container to get there.

Israel permits several hundred Gazans to leave the territory each month, most of them seeking medical treatment in Israel or abroad. Another restricted group can leave via Egypt, which eased travel after the flotilla clash. However, the vast majority of Gazans remain confined to the territory.

The family of Schalit, meanwhile, has renewed its campaign for the soldier's release. Around 15,000 Israelis marched through Tel Aviv on Monday, snarling traffic in the country's economic center, calling on their government to conclude a prisoner swap deal for Schalit.

Later in the day, internationally renowned conductor Zubin Mehta held a symphony concert for Schalit near the Gaza border, and asked Hamas to allow the Red Cross to visit the soldier for the first time.

"We hope and we pray that the music will inspire people on the other side to open their hearts," Mehta told the audience of thousands.