The Ministry of Defense is keen on opening the Kerem Hashalom crossing on Monday but the Palestinian Authority is opposing the move which is intended to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and allow Palestinian products into Israel.
The IDF decided to close the Karni crossing last week after alerts that terror groups are digging a tunnel under the crossing to carry
out a terror attacks. The Karni crossing is vital to the Gazan economy as it is the gateway for Palestinian products to Israeli and international markets.
The Palestinian Authority rejected Israel’s offer to reopen the crossing demanding instead that the Karni crossing be reopened. “We wanted to help by allowing them to export agricultural products stuck on the crossing for a week and authorize the import of vital products such as drugs and baby food. They are stubborn and have turned down our offer,” Brigadier-General Betsalel Trieber, the head of the Checkpoints Authority at the Ministry of Defense, told Ynet.
Israel conducted a series of digs around the crossing to locate the tunnel, and the PA launched similar searches, but although nothing was found the IDF kept the warning in place and the crossing remains shut.
In light of the situation, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz demanded the IDF recommend an alternative crossing that will allow products in and out of the Gaza Strip.
The security establishment recommended the Kerem Hashalom crossing be reopened for this purpose. The crossing was used to allow the transportation of goods to Egypt.
The Palestinians turned down Israel’s alternative and demanded the Karni crossing be reopened. “We are prepared for the complicated task, in light of its significance to Palestinian farmers and the necessity to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza. The stubbornness of the Palestinians is incomprehensible yet we are ready to open the Kerem Hashamlom crossing on Monday as soon as the Palestinians agree,” Trieber said.
The IDF said if the Kerem Hashalom is reopened, a limited number of trucks will be allowed in and out of Gaza, until the reopening of the Karni crossing.
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