GAZA, June 20: Israel reopened on Sunday a key Gaza crossing that is a gateway to coveted jobs in the Zionist state, but only a fraction of the usual Palestinian workforce was allowed to pass after a three-month closure.

Palestinians said 500 workers were allowed into Israel for the first time since it closed the Erez crossing for security reasons on March 22, the day an Israeli helicopter missile strike killed Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

Before the closure, roughly 12,500 Gazans had permission to work in Israel in addition to about 5,000 employed in a border industrial zone whose factories have operated as rare examples of Israeli-Palestinian cooperation.

Palestinian officials said Israel reopened the crossing after putting in place new security measures and had informed them the number of permits would be increased gradually.

"We hope tomorrow the number will be bigger," said Salim Abu Safiyeh, Palestinian director of crossings. Access was restricted to Gazans over age 35 who are married with children.

Israel said it had also further eased access for merchants, raising the number of permits to 700, although Palestinians said only 250 actually crossed. Erez, where security measures have been ramped up since the Palestinian uprising began in 2000, has also become a target for Gaza militants who Israel believes want to take advantage of access afforded workers.

Palestinians say the closures amount to collective punishment inflicted on a population whose depressed economy has long been dependent on work and trade with the state. -Reuters