White House welcomes Israeli decision to loosen its hold on Gaza after deadly flotilla raid

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White House welcomes looser hold on Gaza

WASHINGTON — The White House is welcoming Israel’s decision to ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip.

President Barack Obama’s chief spokesman, Robert Gibbs, says Israel’s decision Thursday to allow all foods and some desperately needed construction materials into the Gaza Strip is a “step in the right direction.”

International pressure against the blockade mounted last month after a deadly Israeli on a flotilla that was trying to break the embargo. Nine people were killed in the fighting.