Mofaz: Karni to remain shut

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz on Thursday decided to keep closed the Karni crossing along the border with the Gaza Strip, acting on intelligence reports that terror groups are planning to carry out terror attacks there.

“The security of Israeli citizens is an utmost priority,” Mofaz said.

In a meeting with Mofaz, security officials recommended the crossing remain closed for fear that soldiers and civilian guards protecting the point might be the targets of terror attacks.

Most goods to and from the Strip are transported through the crossing, making it vital for the Palestinian economy. The closure affects Palestinian farmers who ship their produce through Karni to Israeli and international markets.

Israel proposed to open the Sufa and Kerem Shalom crossings to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza and ease the economic hardship of Gazan farmers who have had to discard their produce during the 10-day-long closure.

The security establishment said the Palestinian Authority have so far rejected Israel’s proposed solution for political considerations.

Israel accuses the Palestinian Authority of doing little to thwart terror attacks at the crossing. Mofaz will hold security consultation on Saturday to decide whether to reopen the crossing.

Mofaz also instructed the IDF and the Shin Bet to intensify their operations against terror groups in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Qassams fired at southern Israel

Five Qassam rockets were fired at Israel from the northern Gaza Strip Thursday morning. The rockets landed in open areas near the southern town of Sderot and western Negev kibbutzim. There were no reports of injuries or damage.

The rockets were fired from the area of the Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun in Gaza, and the IDF fired artillery shells in response toward the northern Strip.

Residents of the western Negev and communities south of Ashkelon are continuing to suffer from continuous Qassam rocket attacks. No less than five rockets were fired at Gaza towards Israel Wednesday night.

One rocket fell in the Mediterranean Sea, while the others fell in the vicinity of Kibbutz Karmiya and Kibbutz Zikim, south of Ashkelon. A number of other rockets fell in the Palestinian Authority territory.

In recent days, most of the rockets have fallen in an area south of Ashkelon, and the area remains on high alert. The Red Dawn alert system identified the rocket attacks and warned local residents.

Lachish District Commander Effi Mor said that the rockets were being fired due to the army's operations south of the area.

"As a district we are prepared for all rockets being fired at all times. As a model, we have the Sderot station, a model which works very well, and on which we base our activities in every instance of rocket fire," he said.

Hanan Greenberg contributed to this report