Communicated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jerusalem, August 17, 1997 Easing of the closure In response to the recent terrorist attack, a full closure was imposed on Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, July 30 at 2:45 p.m., to prevent the exit of workers and merchandise. In addition, an internal closure was placed on the cities of the West Bank (Area A) and a naval closure was placed on the Gaza Strip. The following are the economic easings that have been approved as of August 17: a. All types of merchandise are permitted to enter Judea, Samaria, and the Gaza Strip with the exception of cement, iron, and aggregate, i.e. building materials. b. All types of merchandise may be transported from the Gaza Strip. c. The Rafiah crossing-point will be open to passage of food products from Egypt. d. The Adam bridge will open for import and export of stone from Judea and Samaria to Jordan. e. The Allenby bridge will be open for the entry of personal belongings of PA residents as well as raw materials for industry, with the exception of building materials. f. Internal industrial parks, such as Erez in the Gaza Strip and Atarot and Ma'aleh Adumim in Judea and Samaria, will be opened. g. Jewish settlements will be open to Palestinian workers. h. The naval closure of Gaza has been cancelled. i. The internal closure on Jericho, Jenin, Tulkarem, Kalkilya, Ramallah, and Hebron has been cancelled. (The closure remains in effect in Bethlehem and the Jerusalem area.) j. Money from Palestinian banks will be allowed to enter the Gaza Strip (this does not include PA funds). SUMMARY 3. The following limitations remain in effect: a. No building materials may enter the Gaza Strip. Building materials may enter Judea and Samaria from Israel. b. Building materials intended for Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip will not be released from the ports. c. Workers and merchants from Judea, Samaria and Gaza may not enter Israel. d. No funds will be transferred to the Palestinian Authority.