JERUSALEM, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz decided on Saturday to reopen the Karni goods crossing on the Gaza-Israel border as of Sunday in order to facilitate the transfer of urgent humanitarian aid.

    Peretz also decided to allow 150 trucks carrying staple foodstuff and medicine to pass through Karni every day for the next four days starting from Sunday.

    In addition, the minister ordered to open a key gas depot to ease the severe fuel shortage in the Gaza Strip since the Israeli army launched a broad ground offensive into the desert coastal strip on early Wednesday to free a soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants.

    The Karni crossing, Gaza's main cargo terminal, has been closed along with other crossings since June 25 when Palestinian militants mounted a deadly attack on an Israeli army post near the Gaza border, killing two Israeli soldiers and kidnapping a third.

    Humanitarian agencies have warned that daily necessities and fuel are running out in the Gaza Strip as the Israeli army continues its operation and shuts down Gaza border terminals.

    The only power plant in the Gaza Strip and main water and electricity supply lines were destroyed in Israeli air raids during the past few days, leaving many Gazans without electricity and water supply.

    The operation is the first major Israeli ground offensive in the Gaza Strip since Israel pulled out troops and settlers from it last summer after 38 years of occupation. Enditem