By Xinhua
Jerusalem : Israel decided to resume fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip Sunday in response to a petition filed by human rights groups with the country’s High Court against the ongoing Gaza siege, local media reported.
The quantity of fuel supply by Israel would henceforth be 2.2 million litres per week – as demanded by the high court. The agreement to renew the fuel supplies did not satisfy the petitioners, who had asked for a higher amount.
Israeli Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann Sunday criticized the high court for accepting the petitions.
“Sometimes I don’t know if Israel fares better in an international forum or in the High Court of Justice,” Friedmann was quoted as saying at the weekly cabinet meeting.
The State Prosecution warned that “if the rocket fire continues, we will consider limiting the supplies again.”
Nearly two weeks ago, Israeli government ordered sealing of all border crossings to and from the Gaza Strip for retaliation against dozens of rockets and mortar shells fired by Gaza militants at Sderot and rural communities in the western Negev.
Thousands of Palestinians flocked into Egypt Wednesday, after the Gaza-Egypt border fence was partially destroyed by Gaza militants, to stock up on food and fuel, which are in short supply because of the blockade.