Israel to reopen Gaza border crossings as shaky truce holds
Sunday, 29 Jun 2008 10:58
Border crossings between Israel and Gaza are being opened
Israel/Palestine In Focus
Israel has reopened three border crossings into the Palestinian territory of Gaza as violations of the ceasefire concluded with militants held
This month an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire resulted in Palestinian armed groups promising to cease cross-border attacks in exchange for Israel ceasing operations in Gaza and starting to ease restrictions on the entry of goods into the area.
There were fears of a renewed escalation in violence this week after both sides accused each other of breaking the agreement. Palestinian militant groups fired rockets and Israel retaliated by ending the movement of goods into Gaza.
A spokesperson for the Israeli defence ministry has said over 60 truckloads of humanitarian goods had passed through the Sufa crossing. The Nahal Oz fuel transfer deport and the Erez border terminal have also been opened, according to the official.
Confirmation of the crossing of the Karni crossing is yet to be received.
Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza in June 2007 following the territory's seizure by the Hamas group, an avowed enemy of the Jewish state, which wrested control of the territory from the Fatah party, which is for negotiations with Israel.