Middle East

Israel shuts down Gaza border, truce holds

Article published on the 2008-06-25 Latest update 2008-06-26 05:40 TU

Hamas militants in a training excersise in Gaza on 24 June 2008
(Photo: Reuters)

Israel shut down its border with the Gaza after rockets fired from the Palestinian territory hit southern Israel, wounding two people. Israel and Hamas, which runs the Gaza strip, had agreed to a truce on 19 June. Israel said Hamas was responsible for the attacks, which were claimed by Islamic Jihad.

Goods had been passing through from Israel to Gaza through the crossings at Karni, Sufa and Nahal Oz, which were closed after the rocket attacks. The Erez pedestrian crossing which is used by diplomats, journalists and people from Gaza needing medical care was kept open.

The attack on Sderot was the first from Gaza since the start of the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire. Islamic Jihad said they were in retaliation to an Israeli raid in the West Bank in which two people were killed. The West Bank is not included in the truce.

Mark Regev, spokesperson for the Ehud Olmert, Israel’s Prime Minister, told AFP that "any fire from the Gaza Strip is a gross violation of the understanding reached with Egypt.” He said that Hamas bore responsibility for any attack from Gaza.

Khalil al-Haya, leader of Hamas, said his group would keep to the ceasefire, which is set to last six months.