Israel reopens Gaza crossings under Egyptian request
www.chinaview.cn 2008-08-28 16:16:02   Print

Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    GAZA, Aug. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israel opened the crossing points into the Gaza Strip on Thursday after tow-day closure, Israeli radio reported.

    The decision to reopen the crossings was made following discussions between Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Israeli army chiefs, said the radio.

    Barak ordered the closure of the crossing on Monday after two rockets fired from Gaza hit southern Israel territories.

    No Palestinian group claimed responsibility for the attack which violated an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Islamic Hamas movement which controls the Gaza Strip.

    According to the Israeli radio, Egypt requested the opening of the commercial crossings to allow more food into Gaza ahead of Muslim's holy fasting month of Ramadan next week.

    Israel gradually began to ease the sanctions on Gaza since the ceasefire took effect on June 19. Last year, Israel imposed a blockade on the coastal Strip after Hamas seized control of the territory by force.

    Despite the relative calmness, Hamas says Israel plays with the raw materials and new goods that were allowed into Gaza after the ceasefire took effect. For example, Israel allows cement but withholds stone that is needed in the constructions.

Editor: Wang Hongjiang
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