Thursday, June 05, 2008

Hamas Threatens to Storm Rafiah Crossing


Hana Levi Julian

Hamas terrorists threatened on Wednesday to storm the Rafiah Crossing, which straddles the border between Egypt and Gaza. Senior Hamas official Osama al-Muzini warned that public protests would result in another breach in the border, similar to that which occurred in January, when Hamas terrorists blew up a 200-meter stretch of the barrier separating Gaza from Egypt. "The results of the explosions will be severe because we, in Gaza, have no more things to lose," he said.

The threat came after months in which the terror group which controls Gaza had hoped to force Israel into opening the crossing by mounting constant attacks on IDF soldiers and civilians along the Gaza security barrier and in nearby communities.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Authority Arab residents in Gaza swarmed over the border into Rafiah and then farther into Egypt on a three-week shopping spree January, emptying store shelves from one end of the town to the other. Thousands of terrorists also took the opportunity to infiltrate into the Sinai Peninsula where they could use the area as a staging ground for attacks against Israel. Others smuggled weapons into Gaza, for use against Israel.

Karni Crossing Closed Due to Terror Attacks
Arab terrorists forced authorities to close the Karni Crossing Wednesday afternoon. More humanitarian aid was to be trucked into Gaza, but the delivery had to be cancelled due to rocket attacks, mortar fire and gunshots on the crossing.

Earlier in the day, authorities were also forced to shut down the Nahal Oz fuel depot after terrorists fired a rocket that wounded an Arab worker on the Gaza side of the crossing. Three mortar shells also exploded near the separation barrier, and terrorists fired at an IDF patrol near the Sufa Crossing. No one was hurt in either attack.

Israel Continued to Send Humanitarian Aid During Rocket Attacks
Israel continued to ship humanitarian aid into the region earlier in the week despite rocket and mortar attacks on Gaza Belt communities. More than 220 trucks passed through the Sufa and Karni Crossings bearing food, animal feed, medical equipment and raw materials.

Farmers in Gaza Belt communities were incensed at the sight, however, and interrupted the shipments at the Sufa Crossing. The demonstrators complained bitterly that the government was supplying terrorists instead of defending the Jewish communities.

More than 470 tons of cooking gas, and more than one million liters of fuel for vehicles and for the Gaza power station were pumped through the Nahal Oz fuel terminal.

In addition, 42 Arabs from Gaza were allowed to enter pre-1967 Israel through the Erez Crossing in order to obtain medical treatment. The PA routinely accuses Israel of causing the deaths of sick children, elderly and otherwise frail Arabs at the crossings because they are not allowed to enter without security clearance.

Gil Ronen contributed to this report.

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