Israel has reopened the crossings into Gaza despite continued mortar attacks on Jewish communities emanating from the region.
Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered the IDF to allow humanitarian shipments to flow through the Gaza terminals although another attack was launched on the western Negev early Thursday morning.
At least five mortar shells struck the Eshkol Regional Council district but caused no injuries or damage. Two Kassam rockets also slammed into an unpopulated area near a kibbutz in the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council district in a separate attack at around 9:00 p.m. Thursday.
Barak’s move follows international coverage spotlighting Hamas claims of an impending disaster due to lack of fuel.
Barak, who heads the Labor party, is mindful of the upcoming party primaries set for December and the general elections that are to follow in February. He had previously ordered the crossings closed in retaliation for the dozens of rocket and mortar attacks on Jewish civilians in communities located in southern Israel.
Hamas Media Manipulation Successful
Hamas has warned that hospitals would be left without power and residents in the area would suffer blackouts if the Gaza City electric generator were to shut down due to lack of fuel supplies from Israel.
United Nations relief agencies also claimed people would starve because they could not distribute food supplies that are usually delivered through the crossings.
However, the smuggling tunnel economy is booming with goods and merchandise, as well as weapons, flowing through the honeycombed underground system from Egypt into Gaza.
Sderot Mayor: Will Use Pressure, Not Protests
Newly-elected Sderot mayor David Buskila, who was backed by the Kadima party, said Thursday morning he intends to use “pressure and not protests” to convince the government to take the necessary steps to stop the attacks and protect his city.
Buskila, who has also served as mayor of Sderot in the past, told listeners on Voice of Israel government radio Thursday morning that his connection with the Kadima party was not relevant to his leadership of the city.
“I am against the government, no matter which one it is,” he said, “if it does not provide security to the residents of Sderot.” The rocket-battered community has been the target of more than 7,000 homemade Gaza-launched missiles in the past eight years.