Israel’s Coordinator on Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced this morning a series of goodwill measures to be implemented immediately toward the Gaza Strip. The first, most significant step, is expanding Gaza's fishing zone to 15 nautical miles. This is the furthest point the fishing zone of Gaza has reached since 2007. Israel will also enable the entry into the country of 5,000 Palestinian merchants on top of the 2,000 already permitted entry. Still, only Gazans who either had the coronavirus or workers who have been twice vaccinated will be eligible for these new entry permits. An additional 1.3 billion gallons of water will be allowed into Gaza, whose aquifers have seriously deteriorated in recent years.

“These civil steps were approved by the political echelon and are dependent upon the continued preservation of security stability for an extended period. An extension of them will be considered in accordance with a situational assessment,” read COGAT’s statement today.

Shortly after the announcements of the measures, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had thwarted an attempt to smuggle into Gaza breathing-protection equipment apparently designed for digging terror tunnels in the Strip.

Yesterday, Israel allowed the import of crucial construction material needed for the Strip's reconstruction following the recent conflict with Hamas in May, and also the import of other goods. These will all be allowed into the Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing point.