Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    JERUSALEM, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the border crossings with the Gaza Strip to be closed between Wednesday morning and Thursday afternoon in response to a Qassam rocket attack from the coastal territory.

    Food and other goods will not be allowed to cross into the Hamas-controlled Strip until Thursday, when a new security assessment will be held, according to local media.

    On Tuesday night, Palestinian militants fired a Qassam rocket from northern Gaza towards southern Israel.

    The rocket landed in an open area in a kibbutz belonging to the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. No injuries were reported and no damage was caused.

    Rocket firings have become rare since an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire took effect on June 19. Israel has responded to such attacks by closing border crossings with Gaza.