In light of ongoing terrorism warnings, Israel closed the Karni Crossing into Gaza this past Tuesday, refusing to reopen it until the terrorist warnings subside. As a replacement, and in order to enable basic foodstuffs to enter Gaza, Israel has decided to open the Kerem Shalom crossing in southern Gaza - but the Palestinian Authority is refusing to cooperate.
"It is inconceivable that the PA would prefer to allow its people to suffer instead of taking up Israel's offer to use alternative crossings into Gaza until the terror threats are lifted," a security source was quoted as telling the Jerusalem Post. "This is clearly a political decision on their part."
The decision might actually not be political, but rather financial. The PA is given 50% of the fees charged for each truck entering Gaza through Karni - but not at other crossings. It has therefore been alleged that at the root of the PA objections to Kerem Shalom is the desire for monetary percentages.
As of this morning (Sunday), the PA refuses to open the Kerem Shalom crossing. A PA security official said a final decision would only be made this afternoon, after a meeting with Israeli officials, but that "we have conditions for the opening of Kerem Shalom."
Israel says that in any event, the goods, such as flour and milk products, will be transferred directly to Egypt. If the PA leaders decide not to accept the goods, Israeli sources say, "that's their problem. Their refusal is a cynical move designed to force Israel to open Karni, which was closed because of terrorist warnings."
The price of flour in Gaza has already begun to rise, but no shortages are foreseen at present.
No fewer than 12 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel over the Friday-Sabbath weekend, but most of them landed in PA-controlled territory. An explosion was heard yesterday near Kibbutz Zikim, and a rocket landing was identified near Sderot. No one was hurt. The rockets were of the Al-Quds (12-16 kilometer range) and Al-Nasser types, fired by Islamic Jihad and Fatah, respectively.
The IDF responded with artillery fire at the launching areas. Independent of the IDF actions, two terrorists were killed in the process of preparing a rocket strike, and a third was wounded, when their explosives detonated prematurely.
Three terrorists were apprehended on Friday night trying to infiltrate from Gaza into Israel. Knives were found in their packs. This was the third such incident in a week.
"It is inconceivable that the PA would prefer to allow its people to suffer instead of taking up Israel's offer to use alternative crossings into Gaza until the terror threats are lifted," a security source was quoted as telling the Jerusalem Post. "This is clearly a political decision on their part."
The decision might actually not be political, but rather financial. The PA is given 50% of the fees charged for each truck entering Gaza through Karni - but not at other crossings. It has therefore been alleged that at the root of the PA objections to Kerem Shalom is the desire for monetary percentages.
As of this morning (Sunday), the PA refuses to open the Kerem Shalom crossing. A PA security official said a final decision would only be made this afternoon, after a meeting with Israeli officials, but that "we have conditions for the opening of Kerem Shalom."
Israel says that in any event, the goods, such as flour and milk products, will be transferred directly to Egypt. If the PA leaders decide not to accept the goods, Israeli sources say, "that's their problem. Their refusal is a cynical move designed to force Israel to open Karni, which was closed because of terrorist warnings."
The price of flour in Gaza has already begun to rise, but no shortages are foreseen at present.
No fewer than 12 rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel over the Friday-Sabbath weekend, but most of them landed in PA-controlled territory. An explosion was heard yesterday near Kibbutz Zikim, and a rocket landing was identified near Sderot. No one was hurt. The rockets were of the Al-Quds (12-16 kilometer range) and Al-Nasser types, fired by Islamic Jihad and Fatah, respectively.
The IDF responded with artillery fire at the launching areas. Independent of the IDF actions, two terrorists were killed in the process of preparing a rocket strike, and a third was wounded, when their explosives detonated prematurely.
Three terrorists were apprehended on Friday night trying to infiltrate from Gaza into Israel. Knives were found in their packs. This was the third such incident in a week.