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Israel reopens main Gaza Strip crossing point

Jerusalem (dpa) - Israel opened the key Erez crossing point between the Gaza Strip and Israel Wednesday, allowing Palestinian workers to get to jobs in Israel, the head of the Israeli army's Gaza Liaison and Coordination unit said.

Colonel Yova Mordechai told Israel Radio that 1,000 Palestinian workers would initially be allowed to use the crossing. In addition, 500 Palestinian merchants would also be granted entry permits into Israel.

The reopening of the crossing point at the northern edge of the Strip comes a day after Israeli Premier Ariel Sharon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced a ceasefire in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It is one of several confidence-building moves approved by Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz and which will be implemented in wake of the truce declaration.

Palestinians imprisoned in Israeli jails will be allowed visitations from their families, and about 400 international relief agency workers will be granted unrestricted travel in the Palestinian territories.

Gaza's central Gush Katif junction will be opened to all traffic for all hours of the day, and several hundred Palestinians will be allowed to work in the Erez industrial zone between Israel and the Gaza Strip. dpa jab jm

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