Israel to close Gaza commercial crossing for 2 days

Israeli authorities have decided to close the only commercial crossing between Israel and the besieged Gaza Strip on Monday and Tuesday on the occasion of two Israeli holidays, Palestinian sources said yesterday.

Director General of the Public Administration of the Crossing Points and Borders Committee in Gaza Nathmi Muhanna said that Israeli authorities had informed Palestinian officials that the Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing would be closed for two days, as Israel marks its Memorial Day and “Independence Day” – which commemorates the foundation of the state of Israel in 1948 and the Nakba for Palestinians when they were forced out of their homes by armed militias.

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Muhanna added that the crossing would only allow the entry of fuel into Gaza on Friday, and would be operating normally on Sunday.

The Karam Abu Salem crossing has been open intermittently since the beginning of the year, affecting the small Palestinian territory’s access to fuel to power the enclave’s sole electricity plant.