Rocket strikes prompt Israel to briefly close Gaza border crossing

After rockets were fired at Kerem Shalom crossing, endangering workers transferring aid into Gaza, Defense Ministry closed crossing temporarily • Rockets fired on Tel Aviv just before cease-fire • IAF kills 12 terrorists in targeted strikes.
 

Lilach Shoval, Gadi Golan, Daniel Siryoti, Itsik Saban, Reuters and Israel Hayom Staff

A rocket strikes the Kerem Shalom border crossing | Photo credit: Defense Ministry

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Ahead of a 72-hour cease-fire that began at midnight Sunday, the Kerem Shalom border crossing into the Gaza Strip was closed following continued rocket attacks on the area earlier that day.

The crossing has been the only functioning transit point into Gaza for items including food, medical supplies, cooking gas and fuel. Many of the food shipments are earmarked for U.N. distribution once inside Gaza.

Credit: Defense Ministry

According to Israeli authorities, the crossing came under rocket fire at 6 a.m. Sunday. Despite the attack, work continued and 30 trucks with supplies entered Gaza.

Around 12:30 p.m., the crossing was targeted by another barrage of rockets, some of which directly hit the crossing compound, Israeli officials say. Authorities say they stopped work at the site to protect workers.

The crossing was reopened on Monday.

Israel and the Palestinians agreed late Sunday to an Egyptian proposal for a new 72-hour cease-fire, set to take effect at midnight Sunday, officials from both sides said.

Hamas fired a rocket salvo toward Tel Aviv on Sunday night, just before the cease-fire took effect. No air raid siren was sounded nor was the rocket intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system, but a loud explosion was heard in the Tel Aviv area.

Earlier, rockets were fired toward Ashdod and Beersheba, and some 40 rockets and mortar shells were fired toward other towns in southern Israel, with about 20 hitting Israeli territory and eight being intercepted by Iron Dome.

Some 20 mortar shells were fired over the Eshkol region throughout the day and into the evening, causing property damage.

Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force bombed 41 targets in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, including one directly involved in launching rockets into Israel from southern Gaza. According to the IAF, 12 terrorists were killed in targeted strikes.

Palestinian reports say buildings housing weapons manufacturing plants were attacked, as were rocket-launching areas in northeastern Gaza and in southern Gaza, near Khan Younis. Islamic Jihad outposts and bases were also bombed.

Palestinian media reported that an Islamic Jihad operative was assassinated by an IAF strike while riding a motorcycle through the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

Meanwhile, five Israelis were lightly injured on Sunday evening by stones thrown at them at Zif Junction in the Hebron Hills.