In response to ongoing cross-border terror from Gaza into southern Israel, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman have decided to shut down the Kerem Crossing, which is used to import goods into Gaza from southern Israel.

Consulting with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gadi Eizenkott on Monday, 26 Tammuz, the senior ministers have decided that importing items into Gaza will be halted in response to the continued attacks, daily fire kites that have led to hundreds of fires and the destruction of tens of thousands of farmlands in southern Israel.

In addition, the expansion of the fishing area in Gaza for the fishing season in the last three months from six nautical miles to nine nautical miles, which ends today, will not be extended, and the fishing area will be returned today to six miles.

Officials report, “The State of Israel wants and works to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza in many ways. However, in light of the situation in which the Hamas terrorist organization exploits the residents of Gaza and launches kites and firebombs and explodes towards the communities surrounding Gaza and does not allow the continuation of the routine in the vicinity, these steps were taken. If this trend persists, these measures will continue and even intensify.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)