Muhammed Skaik, trade officer at the Gaza branch of the Palestinian trade center Paltrade, tells Haaretz that Israel’s supposed lifting of the economic siege may not mean too much:
Since January this year. Israel has added every month or two about 10 items to the list of permitted items. But ketchup, snacks and mayonnaise, for example, which are now permitted, are not essential items that will genuinely change the situation. If construction materials are allowed in, change will be felt quickly. But if the change focuses only on secondary consumer goods, it will have no effect.