Israel still allowing shipments into Gaza

Israeli authorities permitted the Kerem Shalom freight crossing with Gaza to open for business on Sunday, despite the 120 rockets fired into Israel from the Palestinian territory this past weekend, Army Radio reported.

Even though the security situation in Gaza is tense, the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) also decided to open the Erez crossing, the pedestrian terminal in the north of the Gaza Strip.

The crossings were closed for the Purim holiday, which was celebrated on Thursday and Friday in Israel.

The Kerem Shalom crossing is the sole freight terminal on the Israel-Gaza border. Up to 250 trucks pass through the crossing daily delivering fuel, essential food products, and medical supplies.

The Erez crossing is a tightly guarded passenger terminal that permits civilians to travel in and out of the Gaza Strip. In February 2012, nearly 3,900 people passed through the crossing, mainly patients, tradesmen, and international aid workers.