Israel to reopen Gaza border crossings
Decision comes four days after IDF closed gateways in wake of Holocaust Remembrance Day rocket fire
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleIlan Ben Zion is an AFP reporter and a former news editor at The Times of Israel.
The IDF on Friday will reopen the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings to the Gaza Strip, after closing them four days ago in the wake of Palestinian rocket fire.
Commercial goods will be allowed to enter and exit the Hamas-controlled territory.
The IDF closed the crossings to the Gaza Strip following Sunday’s rocket fire into southern Israel during Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremonies.
According to Ynet, the order to reopen the crossings was issued by Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Eitan Dangot following a security assessment by Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon.
The Kerem Shalom crossing had been completely closed, and the Erez terminal open only to humanitarian goods.
A UNRWA spokesperson who spoke with The Times of Israel earlier on Thursday said that essential construction and food items destined for the Palestinian territory could not enter the Gaza Strip since the IDF restricted entry earlier this week.
The UNRWA spokesperson referred to the restriction on the entry of goods as a “collective punishment” against the residents of Gaza and noted that collective punishment was a violation of international law.
Israel earlier closed the crossings for several days after rockets were fired into Israel during the visit of US President Barack Obama last month.
The Times of Israel Community.