Israel plans to reopen Erez crossing with Gaza on Monday

Israel's Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman cites 'calm' and 'decline in security events'

Erez crossing between Gaza and Israel (AFP/file photo)

Sunday 26 August 2018

Israel will reopen the Erez crossing with the Gaza Strip on Monday, Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said, a week after closing it amid clashes.

"Due to the calm that has been maintained over the past week and the significant decline in security events," Lieberman said in a statement on Sunday, he had decided to open the crossing after consulting the army, the Shin Bet, the National Security Council and the coordinator of government activities in the territories, according to Haaretz. 

Israel closed the crossing on 19 August in response to what Lieberman then called "violent incidents", tightening its blockade of the territory run by the Islamist movement Hamas.

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Israel will reopen the Erez pedestrian border crossing with the Gaza Strip on Monday morning, defense minister says a week after it was closedhttp://sabahdai.ly/wMWLkw 

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The Erez crossing is the only one for the movement of people between Israel and Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade for a decade.

Israel also recently reopened the commercial crossing through which fuel, gas and other provisions are passed into the coastal enclave, Haaretz said.

Gaza's sole crossing with Egypt has remained largely closed in recent years.

The closure and border incidents occurred in spite of attempts by Egypt and United Nations officials to reach a long-term truce between Israel and Hamas, the movement that runs the blockaded Gaza Strip.

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Middle East Eye reported earlier this month that, according to a Hamas official, the talks involve Israel allowing a sea passage between Gaza and Cyprus as well as the opening of all crossings into the enclave.

Palestinians in Gaza have gathered at the separation fence since 30 March calling for Palestinian refugees to be allowed to return to their former lands now inside Israel.

During this time, at least 172 Gazans have been killed by Israeli fire. One Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper in July.

There have also been several severe military flare-ups, including three since July.

Palestinian militants in Gaza and Israel have fought three wars since 2008.