Israel again sealed off the Gaza Strip on Tuesday in response to rocket fire, one day after humanitarian supplies were allowed in for the second time since a November 4 surge in violence
”After rockets were fired at the Israeli territory Minister of Defence Ehud Barak decided, following consultations with security services officials, that the crossing points will be closed on Tuesday,” the defence ministry said.
Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip fired a rocket at southern Israel on Monday, but there were no casualties or damage, a military spokesperson said.
On Monday, 30 truckloads of humanitarian and other basic goods were delivered to Gaza. The Israeli authorities had previously opened the Kerem Shalom border crossing for only one day since a November 4 surge in violence.
Israel also opened the Karni crossing conveyor belt to deliver wheat and grain as well as the Nahal Oz terminal for the delivery of fuel to Gaza’s sole power plant.
The closure of the crossings has led to international concern over the plight of residents in the overcrowded sliver of land whose economy has been crippled by a blockade Israel imposed after the Islamist Hamas movement seized power in June 2007. – AFP
