GAZA - Security officials decided Thursday to reopen the Karni crossing in northern Gaza, after it was closed earlier in the day in the wake of a terror warning.
The Karni crossing is used to transport merchandise into and out of the Gaza Strip, including food, textiles, and building materials. Several days ago, the Erez crossing used by Palestinian laborers and merchants was also closed due to terror fears.
Initially, authorities expected to reopen Erez in several days, but officials now say the warnings are still in force and the crossing must remain closed.
Some security guards evacuated
Thursday morning, officials received word that Palestinian terrorists were planning to stage an attack at the Karni crossing. The terror alert prompted the evacuation of some of the security guards deployed in the area.
Army officials told Ynet the closure of both major Gaza crossings has reverted the situation to the one that prevailed before the current calm in violence, which has been looking increasingly shaky in recent days.
“The intention was, and still is, to ease as many restrictions on the Palestinians as possible, but it is clear that in the current situation we cannot implement those recommendations,” one IDF official said.