Top UN envoy Wennesland meets Hamas leader Sinwar

The United Nations top regional envoy, Tor Wennesland, visited Gaza on Monday, and met senior Hamas officials for further discussions on how to shore up the cease-fire agreement.

Restrictions on the Gaza Strip have threatened the fragile cease-fire, brokered by Egypt that ended the fourth war between Israel and Hamas since the militant group seized power in Gaza in 2007.

Hamas officials said 11 truckloads of clothes were exported through Kerem Shalom crossing for the first time in 40 days on Monday and Israel said it will allow limited agricultural exports from Gaza.

The easing also included the resumption of mail service in and out of Gaza.

Hamas, however, said the move was really Israel's attempt to pressure the militant group into making concessions and Hamas' Gaza leader, Yehiyeh Sinwar, drew a grim picture for the future of the deal.

"Unfortunately, there are no signs indicating the existence of intentions to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Gaza," Sinwar said.

He said Israel was "blackmailing" Hamas in exchange for further lifting of restrictions.

He was apparently referring to Israel's position that a major improvement in Gaza is hinged on Hamas releasing two Israelis and the bodies of two soldiers it holds captive.

Sinwar said he told Wennesland that Hamas would not accept that and describing the meeting as "very bad."

Hamas has been calling for significant easing of the blockade.

Last week, Hamas-linked activists launched incendiary balloons across the border, burning farmland and triggering Israeli airstrikes despite the cease-fire.

On Sunday, Israel's new prime minister, Naftali Bennett, warned Hamas that Israel would not tolerate even minor attacks from Gaza.