Israel said today it will relax its blockade of Palestinians while keeping a tough stance toward their leaders and security forces.
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Israel is to ease its blockades of Palestinians
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Israeli Prime Minister Mr Ariel Sharon's office said Israel would let in building materials, allow fishing off the Gaza Strip and, where it considers security will not be compromised, enable free passage in the West Bank and Gaza.
A statement said that while Israel wanted to make life easier for the population, it would make no such "gestures" toward the Palestinian Authority and security forces it blames for "intensive involvement in terror, violence and incitement".
Mr Sharon has been under pressure to make life easier for Palestinians. Criticism has come from the EU and the US.
The Israeli army said it was allowing the free movement of goods, including dynamite for the Palestinian construction industry.
Palestinians have called Israel's closure policies a collective punishment and accuse it of turning Palestinian cities into detention camps.
Israel says the blockade strengthens security in the face of nearly half a year of bloodshed.