BICOM

Israel has reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza and has extended the Strip’s permitted fishing zone, after it implemented restrictions in response to the growing number of missiles and flying firebomb over the past several months.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Wednesday morning: “Following the decision of the Minister of Defence, Avigdor Lieberman, in consultation with the Chief of the General Staff, Lt Gen. Gadi Eisenkot, the main cargo crossing into Gaza, the Kerem Shalom crossing, will be re-opened this morning for full activity. In addition, the designated fishing zone off the Gaza Strip will be expanded to nine nautical miles.”

Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman met yesterday with the Chief of Staff, the Chairman of the National Security Council, a representative of the Shin Bet and the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). Lieberman said the opening of the crossing was meant show the public in Gaza that maintaining quiet is in its interest.

The Security Cabinet is due to meet this morning to discuss the talks to reach a truce arrangement in Gaza, whilst officials from Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian groups are in Egypt to discuss Hamas-Fatah reconciliation and a long-term truce with Israel.

Security Cabinet member and Education Minister Naftali Bennett said that his party would oppose a long-term truce with Hamas that would enable it to continue to build up its weaponry. He said such a scenario would lead to Hamas becoming as dangerous as Hezbollah.

“After 130 days of terror, fire, sniper fire and rockets, we must not give a prize to terrorists without their returning our prisoners and fallen soldiers. The terrorists will learn that terror pays and Israel’s power of deterrence will be hurt,” Bennett added.

The Palestinian Central Council, which includes the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), will meet in Ramallah today. Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas is expected to deliver a speech about the potential for reconciliation with Hamas. Egypt and the UN are leading the efforts to involve the PA in the talks on a long-term truce with Israel.