Erez crossing
Photo: Adi Segel, IDF Spokesman
Despite calls in Israel to impose sanctions and restrictions on the Palestinian Authority after the swearing in of the Hamas-led parliament on Saturday, things on the ground have not changed.
The security establishment’s recommendation from Thursday, calling to prevent the entry of Palestinian workers from Gaza into Israel, has not been implemented, and the Erez crossing opened as usual at around 2 a.m. Sunday. It is estimated that some 5,000 Palestinians carrying work permits will cross into Israel during the morning hours.
The Erez crossing in north Gaza has been shut down and reopened repeatedly in light of terror attacks in Israel and at the site itself.
A few weeks ago a private civilian security company was put in charge of the crossing’s overall operation, while the IDF remains responsible for peripheral security.
In accordance with security establishment recommendations, the status of the several hundred Palestinian merchants has not changed, and they will continue to enter the country through Gaza.