Israeli Court to Rule on Gaza Blockade

Israel's highest court will conduct an emergency hearing Sunday on suits filed by Palestinian organizations over the blockade that has cut Israeli shipments of fuel and gas to Hamas-controlled Gaza. The border to Egypt remains open, reports Haaretz, after militants in the Gaza Strip blasted open the fence and thousands streamed into Egypt to replenish supplies. The Israeli defense ministry insists that fuel shipments are unnecessary now that resources are flowing over the Egyptian border.

Israel imposed the blockade on Gaza last week in reaction to a rise in rocket attacks. As attention has turned to the humanitarian cost of the blockade, PM Ehud Olmert insisted that food and medical supplies would not be disrupted. In Davos yesterday the UN secretary-general met with Israel's president and foreign minister, warning them of humanitarian costs but reiterating his support for the blockade.