Intifada of crossings

Thursday's truck bomb part of Hamas' attempts to force Israel to lift siege on Gaza
Roni Shaked

The battle of the crossings, launched several months ago, took a great leap forward Thursday. Hamas leaders, disappointed with the failure to bring about a ceasefire and remove the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, are encouraging the ongoing activity against the crossings and are trying to instigate a third intifada – the intifada of the crossings.

The attacks on the crossings, carried out and encouraged by Hamas, are aimed at forcing Israel to reopen them and remove the siege imposed on the Strip.

Combined Attack

Truck bomb set off at Erez crossing; no injuries among IDF soldiers / Ali Waked

(Video) Palestinian gunmen launch attack combining gunfire, detonation of truck at terminal on Gaza-Israel border; Islamic Jihad, Fatah claim responsibility. Palestinian assailant dead; no reports of injuries among soldiers manning terminal. IDF: We prevented more severe attack

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The situation in Gaza is catastrophic: Dirty streets, severe air pollution as a result of the use of cooking oil instead of fuel, and drinking water of very poor quality.

The economic situation has never been worse: A monstrous unemployment rate, entire industries paralyzed due to a shortage in raw materials, and shocking poverty. More than 80% of Gaza's residents have turned into beggars and continue living only thanks to the help of the UN and aid organizations.

The social-political situation is much worse. Hamas' government of dictators, which leans on guns, has crushed any possibility for the existence of a rebellious opposition. Such levels of desperation have never been seen in Gaza before.

Hamas understands that Gaza is a time bomb, and the organization has no choice but to use all means in order to force Israel to lift the blockade and open the crossings.

Israel is forced to restrain itself in the face of this situation. It cannot close the crossings, which are Gaza's oxygen artery. The Strip's residents cannot be left to starve, the patients must continue to enter Israel for medical treatment, and representatives of the international organizations must continue their work in order to prevent a humanitarian collapse.

If Israel wishes to prevent terror attacks and the worsening of the crisis in Gaza, it may be advisable to stop the stipulations and restrictions, allow Egypt to open the Rafah crossing and let Gaza's residents bring in raw material and food without limitations. In any case, the weapons directed against Israel are smuggled, and will continue to be smuggled tomorrow, through the tunnels.