Sharon delays pullout dicision (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

    GAZA, May 31 (Xinhuanet) -- Director of Palestinian passages in the Gaza Strip Abu Salim Abu Safeya said Monday that the Israeli army still holds a tight grip on passages and terminals in the Gaza Strip.

    Abu Safeya told reporters that the army still imposes strict measures and bars the access of agricultural merchandise to the strip, refuting Israeli reports which said that the military siege had been lifted.

    The Israeli army has imposed tight closures on the strip since the beginning of May. The trade passages of Eretz and Karni have been closed since then.

    Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli army had closed the Abu Holi military roadblock established in the central Gaza Strip and started a search campaign there. Enditem