PA official: Israel to allow glass into Gaza

Gaza – Ma'an – Israel will allow window panes into the Gaza Strip by the end of next week, a Palestinian Authority official said Thursday.

Deputy Economy Minister Nasser As-Saraj said the shipment "includes 100 truckloads delivering glass panes, which will enter in stages."

Two months ago, 100 truckloads were allowed into the enclave, which has been under siege by Israel and Egypt since Hamas took power in 2007.

The only other source of domestic window glass in Gaza is via the increasingly restricted tunnel trade. Merchants say prices reached up to US $150 a meter in the months following Operation Cast Lead.