Special report: Internal situation in Palestine

    JERUSALEM, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The Kerem Shalom crossing, which had been opened to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip in order to allow humanitarian aid to cross, has been closed for two days, local Ha'aretz said on Wednesday.

    The report said that the reason for the closure are attempts by the Palestinian militants to attack the facilities at the crossing by shooting and mortar shelling. Israel said that it hopes goods could be transferred via other crossings.

    Earlier on Tuesday, a large explosive device was uncovered in the southern Gaza Strip, close to Kerem Shalom.

    However, the Sufa crossing is still functioning despite that intelligence reports warned it is also a possible target for attacks. But it is uncertain how much longer it will remain open for traffic.

    Also on Tuesday, some 80 trucks of food supplies crossed through Sufa into Gaza, providing the Strip with daily requirements and 600,000 plants for use by farmers in greenhouses. The Karni crossing, which is used for much of the Palestinian exports, has been closed down recently due to security concerns.