Netanyahu orders halt of cement shipments to Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered a halt to Gaza Strip-bound cement shipments, Israel Hayom reported on Tuesday.

Netanyahu's office also stressed that the prime minister would prevent the construction of a sea port in Gaza.

Israel has let cement into the Gaza Strip as part of the rehabilitation efforts following israeli war on Gaza in the summer of 2014. 

Some 10,000 buildings were damaged during the war.

While Israel has insisted it would allow let all construction materials into Gaza as part of the regular aid it provides, it has warned that shipments would stop if it turned out the cement being used for tunnel construction.

Netanyahu said on Monday a port would not be established in Gaza, adding that Gaza would only have access to the Ashdod Port in Israel, as only there can Israel inspect cargo and make sure Hamas does not smuggle in arms by sea.

Source: MENA