By NNN-KUNA,
Gaza : Israel stated here on Wednesday it is keeping the closure of crossings with Gaza Strip, stating continued Palestinian attacks as reason behind the decision.
Radio Israel cited Palestinian attacks Tuesday, adding that Israeli Minister of Defence Ehud Barak took the decision after discussions with the Israeli security chiefs.
The closure thus enters its fourth consecutive week, in spite of warnings by humanitarian institutions of a near crisis in the region inhibited by a million and a half, where the Israeli siege on the Strip prevents entrance of all kinds of goods, fuel, medicine, and even humanitarian aid offered by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Large areas in Gaza still spend nights in darkness due to the suspension of work in the electric power plant because of the Israeli prevention of entrance of the fuel needed to operate it.
The residents of the Strip are also suffering from lack of currency, especially the Israeli and US currencies, as Israel bans all money transactions with Gaza banks.
A large number of Palestinian employees gathered in front of the banks, especially in Gaza, waiting to receive their salaries for November, but there was not enough money.
The Palestinian government in Ramallah stated that it is having a problem paying salaries to employees of Gaza due to the acute shortage of cash in Gaza.
Premier Salam Fayyad promised all necessary procedures would be taken to bring in cash, as the Eid Al-Adha approaches.
He demanded that the Israeli government allows cash in.