According to a report released by the British Daily Telegraph, Israel has agreed to a British plan, one that would result in easing the blockade on Gaza, delivering another blow regarding efforts to obtain the release of Gilad Shalit.

Aware of the growing international anti-Israel consensus surrounding the ‘humanitarian crisis’ in Gaza, sparked in part by the Gaza flotilla affair, Israel appears willing in principle to permit more aid into Gaza, easing the restrictions of the embargo.

Israel’s former staunch ally, Turkey, on the other hand is not jumping for joy, fearing that Israel’s agreement to ease embargo restrictions will permit Jerusalem to evade responsibility for the Mavi Marmara affair. Ankara remains adamant in its demands that the United Nations act, reminding the international community of the Turkish nationals killed on board the ship. Turkey’s fear appears based on a deal that is in the works, relaxing the pressure on Israel in return for lowering embargo restrictions.

The Telegraph report adds, “But a Western source close to international discussions with Israel said: ‘A quid pro quo deal is in the offing’”. Foreign Secretary William Hague released a statement confirming that a UN investigation may not be necessary if Israel agrees to a probe with an “international presence”.

British sources add that the Quartet has already agreed to a British proposal that if Israel accepts demands to ease the embargo and abandon its list of 35 items permitted into Gaza, the international community would respond favorably. According to the report, this would include relaxing border crossings to permit UN vehicles to import construction materials into Gaza towards rebuilding 60,000 homes that were damaged or destroyed during Operation Cast Lead.

An official in the British Embassy in Tel Aviv declined comment, explaining “we don’t comment on leaked documents”.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)