GAZA, Aug. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The Israeli army closed down on Monday the costal road south of Gaza City to finalize the evacuation of the last Jewish settlement of Netzarim in the Gaza Strip.

    The Israeli army placed three tanks on the road and prevented Palestinian traffic.

    Palestinian security sources said that the Israeli army informed the Palestinian side on Sunday that the costal road will be closed for 24 hours till the evacuation of Netzarim will be finalized.

    The sources said that closing the road isolated Gaza City from the rest of the Gaza Strip, adding that Israeli naval forces also prevented hundreds of Palestinian fishermen from fishing for one day.

    Other security sources said the Israeli army closed down the passage of Karni on the eastern borders of the Gaza Strip with Israel to enable convoy of settlers to pass through into Israel.

    Meanwhile, Israel has been keeping Erez Crossing closed since the beginning of the Israeli evacuation of settlements last week. Enditem