Israel opens crossing into Gaza; Hamas blocks passage of goods
Israel opens crossing into Gaza; Hamas blocks passage of goods
By World Israel Staff, World Israel News, May 15, 2018
While Israel attempts to alleviate Gaza’s suffering, Hamas intensifies it.
A truck with humanitarian aid attempts to cross from Israel into Gaza. (Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90)
Israel opened the Kerem Shalom Crossing into Gaza on Tuesday and enabled the passage of
goods into the Strip, despite the damage repeatedly caused by Palestinian rioters to the site.
Hamas, however, has blocked the passage of goods into the Strip, further strangling the
residents of Gaza. Hundreds of trucks loaded with goods were forced to turn around and drive
back.
Israel Minister of Defense Avigdor Liberman approved the IDF’s recommendation to reopen the
crossing for the transporting of goods into Gaza on Tuesday, despite the fact that Palestinians
set fire to the site during the Hamas-led massive riots on Monday, marking the third time in two
weeks Palestinians torched the crossing.
The fuel depot at the crossing, the only line running into Gaza, will remain closed until the
damages caused by the riots, estimated at some NIS 30 million, are repaired. Officials say it
could take months to repair the damage.
Israel is working to avert a humanitarian crisis in the Strip, a possible outcome of the mass riots
on Israel’s southern border.
The United Nations has warned that an alternative way of getting fuel to Gaza must be found
immediately, otherwise dwindling supplies needed to run hospitals, pick up garbage, pump
water and treat sewage will run out.
The appeal late Sunday by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
came two days after hundreds of Palestinian rioters, led by Hamas, destroyed the Kerem
Shalom fuel terminal at the main cargo crossing with Israel, the only entry point for fuel to Gaza.
Hamas Harming the Well-Being of Gazans
Israel has held Gaza’s Hamas rulers responsible, while the Islamic terror group has not
commented publicly.
“The Hamas terror organization is harming the well-being of Gazans. Israel and other countries
work to deliver goods such as food, equipment and fuel to Gaza’s citizens, initiatives which
Hamas’ actions prevent. Hamas is responsible for everything that happens in Gaza, above and
below ground,” the IDF explained.
The destruction of the Kerem Shalom Crossing was a continuation of the Hamas-led weekly
riots, dubbed the “March of Return,” that began on March 30.
In the meantime, the IDF is on high alert in preparation for another onslaught on Israel’s border
Tuesday, the Palestinian Nakba Day (“day of catastrophe”), on which Palestinians mourn the
establishment of the Jewish state.
“The IDF will continue to prevent mass terror attacks, which have largely been orchestrated by
the Hamas terror organization,” a spokesman stated. “All terror activity will be met with a harsh
response. IDF troops will continue to defend Israel and its civilians.”
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Shooting self in foot (continued)
(Sorry about the page print format)
I think this is a case of shooting self in both feet.