Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced that after consulting with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott on Tuesday, he has decided to reopen the Kerem Shalom Crossing to Gaza on Wednesday morning, 4 Elul, to full operations. He added that he will also be expanding the fishing zone for Gaza fishermen to nine nautical miles.

Lieberman, for his part, explained the series of concessions given to Gaza residents is the response to the relative quiet that has prevailed since the beginning of the week on the Gaza border. The decision was made at the end of an assessment of the situation with the chief of staff, the head of the National Security Council, the Shin Bet, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories and other senior officials. The senior minister explained that maintaining quiet is first and foremost in the interest of the residents of Gaza.

Shortly after the defense minister announced his decision, Education Minister Naftali Bennet sharply criticized efforts to calm the region. He announced that the ministers of his Bayit Yehudi faction would oppose a “temporary peace agreement” that would allow Hamas to rearm and become stronger.

“After 130 days of gunfire and rocket fire, we must not award terrorists without returning our captives and the bodies of the dead soldiers. The terrorists will learn that terror pays, and Israel’s deterrent power will be harmed,” Bennet said.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)