Israeli government spokesman, Mark Regev, says Israel is trying to improve the situation for people in Gaza by allowing humanitarian aid to enter the region.

Israel had earlier stepped up its long blockade of Gaza, preventing vital food, fuel and medical supplies from crossing the border. But it has now decided to allow 80 truckloads of such supplies to get through.

On Monday, Israeli President, Shimon Peres, visited wounded soldiers hospitalized in Beersheba, putting the blame on Hamas for the situation.

Shimon Peres, Israeli President, said, "Israel left Gaza willingly, we don't intend to reoccupy Gaza. Israel made a supreme effort to dismantle settlements and no Israeli was left in Gaza. That is what makes the whole story so strange and unbelievable. Hamas doesn't have the slightest reason for the shooting of rockets against Israel."

(CCTV January 6, 2009)