» 06/25/2008 12:12 ISRAEL – PALESTINE Border crossings with Gaza Strip closed The Israeli government takes the decision after three rockets are fired at Sderot in violation of the ceasefire with Hamas. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for the action.
Jerusalem (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip will remain closed until further notice. They were supposed to open this morning at 8 am local time in accordance with a ceasefire agreed to by the Jewish State and Hamas. Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak made the decision after Palestinians fired three Qassam rockets at Sderot on Tuesday afternoon slightly injuring two people.
The decision means the Sufa Crossing, the Nahal Oz fuel terminal and the Karni Crossing were closed this morning for the transfer of food, medicine and humanitarian equipment. However, the Erez Crossing in the northern Strip was open for the passage of Palestinians into Israel for humanitarian treatment.
Al-Quds, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, took responsibility for the three rockets which it fired it said in reprisal against an IDF operation in West Bank in which two Palestinians were killed. The West Bank is not included in the ceasefire.
There are concerns now that the attack may scuttle the ceasefire that came into effect six days ago. Israel’s decision so far not to react military might be a sign of its willingness to take a moderate line on the matter.
