Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has decided to allow a "humanitarian corridor" to the Gaza Strip in order to prevent a humanitarian crisis. According to the decision, areas in the Strip would be opened for limited periods of time, during which the population would be able to equip itself and receive aid.

The Prime Minister's Office noted that hundreds of tons of equipment, goods and food have been transferred to the Strip since the start of the IDF operation, but admitted that delivering the aid to the population has become difficult due to the fighting. (Roni Sofer)