Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    JERUSALEM, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak decided Thursday to halt the transfer of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, local daily The Jerusalem Post reported on its website.

    Barak's decision followed the ongoing rocket fire directed at southern Israel. Earlier on Thursday, two Qassam rockets were fired from Gaza at Sderot and the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council, which caused no injuries or damage.

    On Wednesday, Barak decided to allow some 60 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies to pass into Gaza, even though the crossings were still officially closed due to repeated Qassam rocket attacks.

    Israel also allowed 70 tons of cooking gas to enter Gaza on Wednesday. Palestinian fuel official Mahmoud Khazundar said that the cooking gas is only a fraction of what Gazans need.

    The number of rockets that fired into Israeli territory declined sharply since an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Gaza militant groups, which took effect in June. The six-month ceasefire will officially end on Dec. 19.

    In response to violations of the ceasefire, the Israeli Defense Ministry ordered to close down the border crossings with Gaza on several occasions.