Gaza - Ma'an - Israeli authorities decided to open the Kerem Shalom crossing on Sunday to allow food into the besieged Gaza Strip, according to a local Palestinian official.

Raed Fattouh, a crossings representative, added that both the Nahal Oz and Karni crossings with Israel would remain closed.

Fattouh said that the Kerem Shalom crossing would be open for 70-80 trucks carrying commercial merchandise and humanitarian aid.

Israel and Egypt have maintained a debilitating blockade on Gaza since 2007, preventing all but a trickle of imports and exports, and banning the coastal strip's 1.5 million residents from traveling.