Jerusalem (CNN) -- Israel plans to ease its blockade of Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday following an Israeli Security Cabinet meeting, a step commended by major powers and brushed off by a Palestinian organization and government. "There is more to be done, and the president looks forward to discussing this new policy, and additional steps, with Prime Minister Netanyahu during his visit to Washington on July 6." Israel's announcement comes three weeks after ships in Israel's naval blockade sparred with a flotilla of aid ships heading to Gaza. Israel says the nine Turkish activists killed were waiting to attack Israeli commandos but the outcome sparked an international outcry. Israel's allies, including the United States and the European Union, said the blockade was a failing policy that had become counter-productive and difficult to defend. "Implementation of the policy announced by the government of Israel today should improve life for the people of Gaza and we will continue to support that effort," the White House said. Ashraw said the steps were an improvement but the blockade should be completely lifted and the Israeli occupation ended. Tony Blair, envoy for the Middle East Quartet -- the U.S., Russia, the European Union and the United Nations -- said in a statement Israel would publish a list of weapons and war items not permitted into Gaza rather than those permitted, and allow full access of civilian goods. Israel, the United States and Blair all called for the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier who has been held in Gaza for nearly four years.
– Israel will allow goods to enter Gaza by land but will continue to ban the importation of weapons and will maintain its naval blockade on the area, CNN reports. Rather than listing what's allowed in, Israel will permit everything other than " weapons and material that Hamas uses to prepare and carry out terror ," PM Benjamin Netanyahu tells Reuters. The move comes 3 weeks after Israeli troops stormed aid ships and 10 pro-Palestinian activists died. The US and Middle East envoy Tony Blair sounded cautiously optimistic about the policy change. "There is more to be done, and the president looks forward to discussing this new policy, and additional steps, with Prime Minister Netanyahu during his visit to Washington on July 6," the White House said in a statement. Said Blair: "Plainly there are still issues to be addressed and the test of course will be not what is said, but what is done."