Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon authorized to pass construction materials into the Hamas- ruled Gaza Strip, a spokesperson for the Coordinator of Government Activities announced in a statement on Sunday.

According to the announcement, Ya'alon instructed Maj.-Gen Eitan Dangot, the Coordinator of the Israeli Government's Activities in the territories (annexed by Israel during the 1967 Mideast War) to allow construction material to flow into the strip, intended for projects by various agencies of the United Nations.

The statement also added that about 1,000 tons of cement and building material will enter the Gaza Strip, mainly to repair the damages of a recent storm.

The decision was made amid pressure by the international community due to the deteriorating humanitarian state in Gaza and in order to alleviate the economic woes there.

Israel tends to impose restriction on the entry of construction materials, charging those may use it to build fortifications and outposts for Palestinian militants operating against Israel.

Israel allowed the entry of construction materials several months ago but then banned their entry after discovering in October a 2.5 kilometer-long tunnel leading from Gaza into Israel.