Aid trucks enter Gaza via Kerem Shalom Crossi
Aid trucks enter Gaza via Kerem Shalom CrossiFlash 90

The Defense Ministry is weighing finally stopping all humanitarian aid and construction material shipment to Gaza, Deputy Defense Minister Rabbi Eli Ben Dahan (Jewish Home) stated Sunday, against the backdrop of renewed rocket fire from Gaza and the Israeli Air Force (IAF)'s airstrikes overnight

"We may have to close [the Erez and Kerem Shalom] crossings on a regular basis," Rabbi Ben-Dahan stated to Army Radio. "It could be one of the steps that the Defense [Ministry] should consider - to completely halt the flow of trucks with building materials into Gaza until rockets stop." 

One rocket struck a field outside Ashkelon on Saturday night, causing no injuries or damage. A Salafist group from within Gaza claimed responsibility for the attack. 

Israel has regularly sent shipments of food, water, and sometimes building materials into Gaza to deflect international criticism.

In April, it sent 14,000 tons of construction material into the Hamas-run enclave, days after reports surfaced that the group was actively rebuilding terror tunnels into the Gaza Belt region. The shipment was the single largest since the end of Operation Protective Edge in Gaza last August. 

And last week, a Qatari official revealed that Israel is freely allowing Qatar to send materials to Hamas through the border crossings, despite the obvious security risks and Qatar's open sheltering of Hamas leaders.