JERUSALEM: Israel's security cabinet voted on Wednesday to partially lift a ban on exports from Hamas-controlled Gaza that was first imposed four years ago, an official statement said.

“The security cabinet decided to implement new measures which will allow an increase in the export of goods from the Gaza Strip,” said the statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

“The measures are designed to improve the lives of the population, who live under the repression and terror imposed by Hamas,” it added, without giving details.

Israel relaxed restrictions on imports to Gaza in the face of an international outcry over a deadly commando raid on a flotilla attempting to break its naval blockade of the territory on May 31.

But it maintained its export ban and tight restrictions on the movement of people to and from the densely populated coastal strip.

An Israeli official said the decision would not totally lift all export restrictions.

“The exports will be to the West Bank and the international community at this stage, not to Israel,” he said on condition of anonymity.

The official said it remained to be worked out how the goods would be inspected and that it would take several week to be fully implemented.

The decision covers four categories, agricultural items, furniture, textiles and “others,” including goods such as ceramics.

The Quartet of major players in the Middle East peace process, the European Union, Russia, the United Nations and the United States, praised the decision but said there was a way to go in facilitating Gaza trade.