After new rocket fire from Gaza, the Israeli authorities changed tactics. They announce that the Erez crossing point, through which transit Palestinian workers going to Israel, will not reopen its doors as of Sunday. A new blow for the economy of this Palestinian territory which has been under an Israeli blockade for more than fifteen years.
With our correspondent in Jerusalem, Michael Paul
No exit from the Israeli air force, but a collective economic sanction. The Erez crossing at the northern tip of the Gaza Strip will remain closed on Sunday. The decision was made on Friday after a new rocket fire from the Gaza Strip for the third consecutive night. And this while the tension remains high after the clashes of recent days on the esplanade of the mosques in Jerusalem.
Three rockets were fired from southern Palestinian territory. Two of them landed in Israel without causing any damage. And the third fell on the locality of Beit Hanoun in the Palestinian enclave.
Consequences for workers and tradesmen
Cogat, the body of the Israeli Ministry of Defense which oversees civilian activities in the Palestinian territories, announced that the decision to reopen the crossing will only be taken after an assessment of the security situation.
Many Palestinian workers work in Israel, especially in the construction and agricultural sectors, where they receive much higher wages than in Gaza. Similarly, many Gazan traders and businessmen also cross this border to negotiate the passage of goods from Israel.
In all, 20,000 people are affected. A figure that had recently practically doubled in order to maintain the calm that has reigned in this sector in recent months.
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