Israel has eased restrictions on the import of consumer goods to the Gaza Strip, relaxing its blockade on the Palestinian territory while maintaining restrictions on the entry of construction materials.

In a statement on Monday, Israel said all items would be allowed into Gaza except "weapons, war material and dual-use items."

However, prospects for rebuilding the damage from last year's Israeli military offensive on the Hamas-governed coastal enclave remain uncertain.

Construction materials like iron and steel will only be allowed to enter under Israeli supervision for use in projects overseen by the United Nations or other international bodies.

The naval blockade of the coastal enclave will also continue, as will restrictions on the movement of people within Gaza.

The Israeli announcement was a step forward in efforts to rebuild Gaza, said Tony Blair, the special Middle East envoy of the international peace Quartet, comprising the U.S., Russia, EU and the UN.

But Hamas, the Palestinian faction which controls the Gaza Strip, said that the change in the rules would not benefit the territory's population.

Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, said: "Israel's decision on changing the list of items permitted to enter into Gaza Strip, is useless and of no value for the Palestinian people, because the problem is not having more goods entering or not entering from time to time.

"The problem here is the siege which is imposed on the Gaza Strip. What is required is lifting the siege completely by opening all crossings leading in to Gaza."