(Jerusalem Post) Margot Dudkevitch and Orly Halpern - The PA has rejected an Israeli offer to use the Kerem Shalom crossing in the southern Gaza Strip for the passage of goods while the Karni crossing is closed for security reasons. The Karni crossing was closed for three weeks in January after a series of attempted attacks by Palestinian terrorists. It was shut down again in mid-February following an explosion that Israeli security officials believed was a terror-related "work accident" caused when a tunnel mined with explosives blew up prematurely. Israeli officials said PA security officials failed to address the situation, forcing Israel to close down the crossing until the threat is lifted. "The proposal to open Kerem Shalom and alleviate the situation can be implemented immediately," said Lt.-Col. Michael Cirulnik. Reports of a shortage of wheat and flour in Gaza proved false, said Cirulnik, who discovered there were enough stocks to last a month. Cirulnik said Palestinian businessmen supported using Kerem Shalom and accused PA officials of hurting their own people.
2006-03-01 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive