Nahal Oz fuel terminal to open in limited capacity
Following rocket attacks against Israel, most Gaza border crossings will remain closed on Friday. Nahal Oz terminal will be operational at limited capacity to transfer fuel to Strip
Two days after Israel closed the border crossings to the Gaza Strip following Palestinian violations of the ceasefire, the Nahal Oz fuel terminal will be reopened on Friday and fuel will be transferred in a limited
capacity. However, as part of Israel's response to the rocket fire, the remaining border crossings that were meant to be open for several hours on Friday will remain closed.
Nahal Oz will transfer the amount of fuel specified by the High Court of Justice.
In meetings held by the defense establishment and headed by Defense Minister Ehud Barak and his deputy, Matan Vilnai, it was decided that despite the Qassam rocket attack against Israel on Thursday afternoon, Israel would not change its policy on the crossings.
Defense officials said that Israel has no intention of either opening the crossings or increasing the amount of commodities entering Gaza so long as the rocket fire continues – even if the attacks are limited. Israel believes however that Hamas will make efforts to maintain the truce, and therefore will act against such attacks in the future.
If the calm is indeed maintained over the course of the weekend, Israel is expected to reopen the crossings in the following days and boost the commodities.
"Any violation of the ceasefire will be met with an apt response on our part," said the defense officials.
"At present time we are focusing on the crossings and if need be we will turn to other measures as well. However, if the calm is maintained, we will also know how to uphold our end of the deal.
