AhlulBayt News Agency

source : Presstv
Monday

15 June 2009

7:30:00 PM
112815

Israel: Gaza crossings to remain closed

Israel said it would keep its border crossings with the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip closed for a second day on Thursday.

Following discussions Wednesday night between Israeli deputy defense minister Matan Vilnai and defense establishment officials, a decision was made not to open the crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

The crossings were opened on the day the cease fire agreement between Israel and Hamas went into effect last Thursday, but a decision was made to close them again Tuesday evening, following retaliatory rocket firing by the Jihad movement.

Islamic Jihad fighters fired three rockets into the Israeli town of Sderot on Tuesday, retaliating for an Israeli raid in the West Bank, which killed two Palestinians including a senior Jihad official.

Israel responded by closing the border crossings just three days after it had stepped up shipments of vital supplies into Gaza, a key part of the truce accord.

Jihad said it will observe the truce following the Islamic Hamas movement demanded Jihad to stop its retaliation.

End item/109