Israel bans entry of gas, fuel in to Gaza

Israeli Defence Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, issued an order banning the entry of fuel and gas into the besieged Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom (Karm Abu Salem) crossing from this morning.

Lieberman said he was doing this in an effort to stop Palestinians flying kites and balloons near the border fence.

Although, the Kerem Shalom crossing was recently partially reopened after it had been closed for about a week, Lieberman announced that the reopening would depend on the reduction of launched of the kites.

The partial reopening included allowing food, medicine, fuel and gas to enter the Gaza Strip.

Prior to that, the one-week closure of the Kerem Shalom crossing, which is Gaza’s main commercial crossing, came as a result of Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to impose severe economic sanctions on the Gaza Strip.

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The decision included the temporary suspension of imports and exports with the exception of basic humanitarian supplies through the Kerem Shalom crossing, and the reduction of the fishing zone from six to three nautical miles.

Palestinians have used kites as part of protest calling for an end to the 12-year Israeli siege on the Strip and calling for their right of return to the homes their families were forced out of during the Nakba.