Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in New York Monday that the Israeli government let in the humanitarian aid into Gaza while keeping out weapons and ammunition, and the Gaza policy is applicable in other parts of the West Bank. 

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak (L) shakes hands with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, June 21, 2010. Barak said here Monday that the Israeli government let in the humanitarian aid into Gaza while keeping out weapons and ammunition, and the Gaza policy is applicable in other parts of the West Bank. [Shen Hong/Xinhua]

Barak made the statement to reporters here after his meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the UN Headquarters in New York.

"Only what is forbidden will not be allowed to enter, with an emphasis on giving dual use materials such as cement and iron, which are aimed at projects led by the UN Quartet or other international bodies to be able to go, as long as it comes through Ashdod Port," Barak said. "I'd like to remind all of you that the same applies to Ramallah, Jenine and Nablus namely the West Bank when product has to enter the West Bank (it goes through Ashdod)."

Construction materials, such as cement and iron, had been strictly limited by the Israeli government until Sunday, with Israelis arguing that the materials could help Haas build bunkers and rockets. The ban hampered reconstruction after Israel's three-week military strikes in Gaza that ended in January 2009.

Israel bowed to the international pressure on Sunday by formally announcing an eased blockade of Gaza that could allow the massive influx of humanitarian goods into the coastal and occupied Palestinian territory, which was isolated by Israelis for three years.